How to Approach My Son's Teacher

The simple straight-forward technique is best. Call the school to get her voicemail during the day and request an appointment to discuss his progress. Teachers pretty much expect parents to be involved and want to know what's going on with their kids (at least all the teachers I've met). Then when you meet with her, explain your side of the situation. Tell her that he's been complaining of being bored and doesn't feel challenged and then work together to find a solution.

When I was kid, I was never challenged in school but it was a small school system and no advance classes of any kind. So I continued to do the easy grade-level work and my parents taught me more advance level stuff at home. I wasn't as bored and it really helped... I could zip through the school assignments in no time. Maybe something like that could help him.

Schools these days are better about that stuff. Find out what your school has to offer. Our school has a Challenge Class for kids who are bored with their grade level in most subjects. All the other kids actually split up for reading, math and science - just like a jr high would. Meaning of the 4 1st grade classes, all the kids have math at the same time in separate roomes... one room for the most advanced, one room for least and the other fall inbetween. There's not a huge gap between the levels and kids go up/down all year long and it's not a big deal -- just depends on how they grasp a particular subject. So I know my kids will be challenged (my 4 year still has another year of preschool next year and is reading kindergarten level and doing 1st grade math).

Good luck!

Not to sound like I'm bragging, but my mother had the same problems with me as you are having with your son. I was bored at school and could do things at a much higher level. The school system I was in had an advanced program that I was put into and it helped a lot (I went to a whole different school with a class of other "bright" students from the area). We moved and I was put into the regular class and ended up bored again. Looking back, my mother always says she should have put me in a higher grade since I could do that work and since that's the work we were doing in my advanced class. SO, maybe you should talk with your son's teacher and bring up the possibility of him skipping a grade. Early elementary is the perfect time to do it and you can work with him over the summer to catch him up on the things he'll miss in second grade. If he's as bright as you think he is, he'll catch on right away and slip into the higher level just fine.

First of all let me start by saying "good job mom!" It's refreshing to see other parents so involved in their children's education. From what my kids' teachers have told me, I thought I was the only one. Education is a very important thing...but then you already know this. Ok, I say set a conference with his teacher and discuss it. She's apparently not trying to start communication with you, so you take the first step. Let them see that this child has an active parent. If all he's been doing is adding and subtracting then maybe they will put him in an accelerated class where he can do more. If they insist on not challenging him and he begins to act out, you have 3 options: 1.) make him suffer through it, 2.) homeschool him, or 3.) go for a private school. While Indiana has taken steps to improve their education...I hate to say it, but it's still lagging. I got a better education in high school than some get in college and I went to a public school...in Illinois. A friend of mine moved here from Illinois and by the end of the school year, she was moving back to Illinois because she was afraid that her kids wouldn't get the education that they deserved out here. Her then 5th grader came to Lafayette, Indiana from Berwyn, Illinois only to do the same exact school work that she did in 3rd grade in Illinois. I work with alot of teenagers at one of my jobs...their educational level is less than what my now 15 year old step-daughter got in Junior high school in Illinois. Granted that now they get better educations out here than they did some odd years back, and maybe it's way excellent compared to what I got over 20 years ago, but it's still lagging behind some of the other states. Sometimes I think that they're afraid to challenge our children. My 8 year old knew how to read before she ever got to kindergarten out here, but I home schooled her for her pre-school...so while the other kids were learning to trace their letters and learning what sounds their letters made, she already knew how to freehand them and put those sounds together to read the words. She holds intelligent conversations with teenagers...and she is ADHD. But then I've been told that ADHD children are very intelligent...they just lack the focus to show that side of them. What ever choice you make, good luck to you and your child.

Have you ever heard of the CAT program? I think it stands for Creative And Talented kids. I am not sure if your district has this program or one like it but when I was in school (up in Michigan) there was a program like that. I knew a few people who attended because they were ahead of the game so to speak.

I would deffinately speak to his teacher. She can probably find a way to make math more challenging for him or help you find a program four your son. Just come right out with it. She'll understand. Maybe he can be put into an advanced grade for math only...if that's the only subject he is bored with.

Hope all goes well and GREAT job! I hope my girls will be as expited to learn as you son!

I am a special education teacher, and although every school is going to look at it differently, I would request you meet with the math teacher, maybe have him tested to see what level he is performing at. if he is above his grade level a lot of times they can put him in another class for just math (like second grade room or third) or they can just give him extra challenges for when he finishes his regular work. If the teacher decided not to pursue either of these things you could buy him a higher math challenge book (sold at walmart or a teacher store) to give him extra work that is harder to keep him busy while other students finished his if he is finishing way before everyone else.....hope some of this helps you, but definitely try to talk to his teacher, at such a young age their minds are like sponges and they learn habits, you def want him to be challenged at an appropriate level that matches his skills, not just his grade level. :)

I have a very smart 9 year old son with the same problem. School is boring... I would set up a conference and express your concerns. A caring teacher can make all the difference with the gifted child. Being honest with the school and perhaps requesting changes in his itinerary could be your answer. Good luck!

I would just call and talk to the teacher. it is great to be proactive and no one knows your child better than you! good luck!

If I were you I would ask for the meeting. Let them know how your son and you are feeling. Maybe they can keep him in his class and give him a little extra work that is more challenging! I do understand your frustration. My daughter too is in 1st grade and is very intellegent. We struggle with the reading, not the math! She reads very well and does her math, but hasn't complained of it being boring! But, I also work with her on the side and she is in a private school, in fact the best in this state! So her work is a little more challenging. Request the conference get the teachers opinion, and keep them informed. As a teacher, I appreciate it when the parents are involved and express their concerns in a positive way. Let them know you support them, but you also want your son to stay focused in class and keep him interested in school. Getting bored now can lead to not wanting to go to school later! Good luck and God Bless!
Deb

I totally agree, everyone JUMPS at the first chance to say "oh, it might be ADHD" THat's ridiculous. I mean, come on, how many people had that when I was in school? Hardly any! Now it seems like mothers want their kids to have it because it somehow excuses their bad behavior to them. GET CONTROL OF THEIR BEHAVIOR is my words of wisdom to those mothers. Stop relying on medications!

Sorry about that, now back to your question. It seems easy to me, but I don't have first graders yet. I would call his teacher and ask for the number of his math teacher. I would talk to them and tell him/her "I thought it best to call and inform you that my son is saying he's been bored lately in math class. He knows a lot of what you guys are going over right now, and I figured it's best to let you know so that you can maybe adjust something for him so that he stays interested." Or something like that.

There is nothing wrong with communicating with a teacher - that is your right as a parent! Feel free to call or send a note to the teacher with your concerns. I know they welcome communication at my son's school. You have nothing to lose!

If I child WANTS to be challenged, run with it! Because in a year or 2, they may decide they don't WANT to be challenged! Take advantage now of your child telling you he is ready for more! And be proud!

Depending on which area you live in many schools offer a "advanced program" i would ask if your school has one if they do not then i would deff. talk to the teacher or even the principal and see if he can be moved to a higher math class even if its a 2nd grade class.... he doesn't have to move up in all his classes just the one. good luck!

YOU MUST BE SO PROUD OF YOUR SON!! I REALLY DONT KNOW IF TEACHERS COMPREHEND THAT SOME KIDS ARE JUST MORE ACADEMICALLY ADVANCED THAN OTHERS. I KNOW THAT LAST WEEK MY 7 YEAR OLD SON READ A HARRY POTTER BOOK(384PAGES) AND HE WAS SO PROUD THAT HE WAS GOING TO GO TO SCHOOL TO TAKE HIS AR TEST (THE COMPUTERIZED READING TEST) AND WHEN HE CAME HOME THAT NIGHT HE WAS SOOOO UPSET. HIS 2ND GRADE TEACHER ACTUALLY TOLD HIM THAT THE BOOK WAS OUT OF HIS LEVEL AND THAT HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TEST....THIS REALLY CONFUSED MY SON..I MEAN HOW COULD IT BE OUT OF HIS LEVEL IF HE ALREADY READ IT. SHE EXPECTED HIM TO READ "BABY BOOKS" TOO. I DECIDED I WOULD TALK TO HER AND TELL HER THAT I APPRECIATED HER OPINIONS AND ALL THAT HAPPY STUFF BUT THAT I THOUGHT MY SON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TRY WHAT HE WANTS ACADEMICALLY(REASONABLY SPEAKING OF COURSE)SO HE TOOK THE TEST EVENTUALLY. I WOULD REALLY RECOMMEND TALKING TO YOUR SON ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS AND MAKE SURE THAT HE WANTS THE EXTRA CHALLENGES (IM SURE HE DOES AS MOST KIDS LIKE TO SHOW HOW BRIGHT THEY ARE) AND THEN TALK TO HIS TEACHER...TELL THEM EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. I THINK THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW GOOD TEACHERS LEFT IN THIS WORLD..AND I DO MEAN THOSE WHO DO IT BC THEY LOVE IT AND IF HIS TEACHER IS ONE OF THOSE RARE ONES SHE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE A PARENT AND A STUDENT WANTING TO LEARN MORE. MAYBE SHE SEES IT TOO BUT DOESNT WANT TO PUSH HIM. AND THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT FINE LINE OF PUSHING AND CHALLENGING. DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER GIFTED PROGRAMS OR ANYTHING EXTRA??EVEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT MAY KEEP HIS MIND GOING SO HE DOES NOT BECOME RESTLESS. OUR SCHOOLS ARE LIKE YOURS...ALWAYS READY TO CALL ANY ACT OF NORMAL CHILDHOOD ADD/ADHD.....JUST TALK TO THE TEACHER...IF NOTHING RESULTS FROM IT OR IF SHE BLOWS YOU OFF (THEY TOO OFTEN DO THAT WHEN THEY DO NOT AGREE) THEN GO TO THE PRINCIPAL...AND CONTINUE UNTIL YOU HAVE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR SON....JUST KEEP CHECKING WITH HIM TO MAKE SURE ITS WHAT HE WANTS......YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB WITH YOUR SON...GOOD LUCK

Does he always receive a 100% on his tests? I used to be a first grade teacher and I had the same conference with a parent of one of my students. Sure, he knew how to add and subtract... he was even beyond those basics. However, he did not understand the concept of adding and subtracting. He didn't understand or know the vocabulary used. Such as "addition", "subtraction", "equals", "sum", etc. That may be why they aren't moving him on to more difficult math. You may want to conference or just call the teacher and let him/her know that you would like your son to be challenged a little more. That is usually what we like to hear from parents. It's almost like we need "permission" so we don't get "punished" for doing it. Know what I mean? I suggest that you just give him/her a call, express your concerns... but understand yourself that he does need to do what all the other children are doing in math. However, after he finishes doing the "easy" stuff, then he can do some more challenging things. I always had "extra" stuff for those who finished their assignments early... things requiring higher order thinking skills. Good luck and I'm so glad to hear he's doing so well!

I would deffinetly approach his math teacher. I doubt she will take offense. She will probably be glad you are so involved with your child. My daughter is in preschool now, and I am already amazed at the parents who just push everything off on the teacher and don't do extra things. I have heard everything from "I work, I don't have time" to "I am just lazy". It really blew me away. Be proud of your son and his accomplishments. The teacher will know the best way to challenge your son so he doesn't get behind.