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Family Matters:  Schooling and a bright child (Kind of long)  |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
 Posted - May 17 2010 : 12:23:19 PM
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My hubby and I have made the decision to send Bri to Christian school all the way. We are leaving her at the Christian school that she is finishing K-4 in for Kindergarden. We are going to send her to another school for 1st thru 12 (That is the plan, anyways). The school that she is in now only goes thru 2nd. But we moved 1300 miles to Texas from Ohio last July. So I don't want to move her again now.
But we do projects and such at home because she very bright and active child. She is an only.
I thought of homeschooling, but she enjoys the interaction of the other kids. I don't think that she would like or benefit from this due to the fact that it is just her.
So now I am making my own balance for her. The school that she is at and will be going to uses the Abeka program. They didn't get as much of the cursive done this year as I had hoped as some of the kids in her K-4-bridge class were just turning four and she was turning five. In Texas, you must be five by Sept 30 to enter Kindergarden and she is an October baby. I didn't want to rush her either with the move and all. She reads Level 3 books. I don't want her to get bored, but I don't want to push her either.
So I am wondering if anyone else is where I am? I plan to do projects over the summer. She will be helping in the garden and in the kitchen. She will work more on her learning to sew.
She isn't like most five year olds. Maybe it is because she is an only and is around mostly adults. She loves to dress up and play but she also loves to get in the dirt and comes in muddy. She is so amazingly bright. The things that she figures out by herself and the things she asks and understands. Her Daddy is a member of MENSA and labeled a genius. I am think myself fairly normal. I have common sense and usually don't let my emotions rule my decisions. Even from the beginning, she was way past where she should be. I don't send her to dance classes or such because I want her to use her mind and play instead of just doing what another adult is telling her to do. I have thought about 4H or Campfire Girls.
Please give me your thoughts, comments, suggestions.
Thank you.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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lovingewe
True Blue Farmgirl
212 Posts
marlyn-neleh
norwood
Ontario
Canada
212 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2010 : 4:29:43 PM
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This one is hard to get an opinion on because first of all we all think our children are wonderful and bright and totally amazing.
Have you checked out Abeka yourself?
I know I used it to teach some of my children up to grade 6.
Is it the social aspect you are worried about?
Or is someone else telling you it is the social aspect your child will miss out on?
Dressing up and playing in the mud is what all young children shoulddo. That is normal...allow it!
I had a daughter ( now 23) who needed interaction from other children. I found skating and baseball were her outlets. At four they all thrive off of other children, but there are many ways to fill that need, with the company you wish her to be around.
When children go to school they become a melting pot of their environment. Many do very well and thrive with this others do not.
Only you as a parent knows what is best for your child.
http://sweetlocuslane.blogspot.com |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 04:16:19 AM
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My oldest is my advanced child. Always has been. She's in 6th grade now, and has special college classes in school as a supplement. She has to be challenged or she'll become bored. She had a teacher in 1st grade who would give her the same worksheets to do over & over - because she finished her work so quickly! After a meeting with her she finally put together a challenge pack - it wasn't too long that an advanced reading group was formed and a specialist from the district brought in. Her & a friend were having book discussions with the specialists. If your school supports advanced learners - it's a wonderful thing. I had to fight for it when dd was younger. Now, they recognize children like my daughter.
Kids can get socialization at Sunday school, the park, the library etc.
I've always "after-schooled" my children. Everything is a learning experience. The walk to school is a nature walk. digging in the garden - same thing. We read all the time. They do worksheets, math problems with my husband. We even have a school room. Complete with a chalkboard painted on the wall and maps that pull down. My kids ask for math problems to be put on the chalkboard. (sometimes I have to wonder about them.... I detest math!  )
Now they don't spend hours on this. It's 20 minutes maybe. Something to supplement their education. If I feel that something is missing from their curriculum, I fill in the gaps. My school gives me an outline of what will be covered during the year. I know what is coming up.
We're not pushing - we're encouraging. If our girls have homework - we just read. Summer time we make learning fun. Recipes have math in them. We go on treasure hunts, reading a map is learning.
Like I said, I have to challenge my daughter or she'll get bored. When she gets bored - she's a bear to live with. This is what works for our family. It's not as rigid as it seems. Really.
Do what feels natural for your family. When you're working in the garden take a ruler out with you. Have her measure the plants. Keep track of how much they grow. Every day learning. 
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Farm Girl #790
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 06:45:34 AM
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Thanks so much for your input.
City Chick, she has been tested and they give her extra work or send her to a lower class to help the smaller kids. She enjoys reading to the smaller kids. She has even gone to the office and helped put newsletters together or paper clipped things. So we are very blessed in this respect. She likes doing and helping. The school is small enough that everyone knows everyone and children such as this are giving the extra attention that they need. Even if it is just to keep them busy while they work with the slower kids in the class. She even got a rag and helped wipe down the registers in the hall. If she wanted to do it, it was fine with me.
I plan on just doing a paper or project most days this summer. She wants to do the reading program at the library. I found an education site online that lets you print out worksheets by grade or subject. It is free. Plus we'll go to the zoo, to the museum, etc.
She is wanting to make bread, a cake, and a pie.
They wanted to jump her a grade ahead at the new school that I was looking at. I didn't want them to do that. Yes, she is more than ready for first grade. But she won't be six until Oct. I do not want to push her. That is why I am leaving her where she is for Kindergarden. I will send her to the first grade at the new school. But she is happy and comfortable where she is and we just moved 1300 miles this past July.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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lovingewe
True Blue Farmgirl
212 Posts
marlyn-neleh
norwood
Ontario
Canada
212 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 08:20:57 AM
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I had a daughter that the school system put ahead in grades twice. yes she is smart, but to start high school at 11 years of age? I homeschooled her after that. She was ready for University when she was 16. Putting ahead has its cons.
All that said many Universities and colleges have classes on-line now. Full credits. This has been a blessing.
http://sweetlocuslane.blogspot.com |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2010 : 8:12:01 PM
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My mother was encouraged to put me in an advanced school when I entered kindergarten. I am so glad that she did NOT do that. Yes, I went through public school, and by high school, other than electives and English it bored me to tears, however, I made many lifelong friends who I can call to this day, at any hour, and I know they will be there for me and I for them. I am a real people person, and this is what I enjoyed most about school.
My mother always had tons of art supplies around (we are both artists) and I was always encouraged to go in my own direction. I have been a lifelong naturalist, and my family was wonderful in getting me all sorts of nature guides, etc. growing up.
I want to help my own girls develop their good old common sense, and how to approach real-life situations. My oldest is very bright, too, and we make weekly library trips for books she selects (she is soooo excited to have her very own card), and I always encourage her to create, read, and I give her a lot of time to just PLAY. It is so important to just let kids be kids; imaginative, playful creatures.
I think that 4H or something along those lines would be a wonderful idea for her, if that is something that interests her. Truthfully, I would not worry too much about any of this. As long as she is learning new things and making friends...well, I just would sit back and smile. And by doing projects with you, as long as she is enjoying herself, it is developing a strong bond with you, too. :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Family Matters: Schooling and a bright child (Kind of long) |
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Schooling and a bright child (Kind of long)
