How to Tell If It's the Kid or the School?

Your daughter sounds like mine when she was that age except she had problems with reading as well. You said she is 7 which makes her younger than many of her classmates. My daughter was young compared to the other students as well and she struggled throughout grade school. She did not truly catch up with the older children until I sent her to private school in junior high. As far as holding her back, they would not. We were under the no child left behind administration. Better known as "We won't pay to have your child repeat a grade. We don't care if it would help her." Nevertheless, from what you said your daughter is only having trouble in one area. Your frustration and fear may interfere with your ability to coach her. You may want to find a tutor. Someone with a fun and relaxed attitude may have very beneficial effect on her. Recommendations from your school, parks and rec from the city you live in, or your local high school, or community college maybe a source to find one for little to no cost. Good luck.

Ask your school for an IEP for your daughter, that is, ask for her to be tested.. You have the right to see if she has a learning disability. The other parents are right about it taking way to long for her to do her homework. I have a feeling that your answer to your question, kid or school, is probably a bit of both. Sometimes children can have a very specific learning disability like just in math or reading, or auditory processing or visual processing. Unless you do testing, you won't know for sure if there is a learning problem. If no learning problem is found, then you need to address the classroom issue. A talk with the teacher should be done ASAP. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome. I know. I had to fight my school district. If you think they are not taking you seriously, there are advocate groups out there that do school district interventions. You may have to search to find them. You also have the right to a second opinion from a non school district psychologist (these are the folks that do the educational testing). Good luck and let us know.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Remember you both are ahead of the game simply by recognizing that there is a need. You did not mention if you volunteer in the classroom. I have found that by working in the classroom for 2 hours a week is the most beneficial thing I can do for my child. I get to see the dynamics of the day. You can see for yourself the area's in which the teacher and class are struggling. Trust me I am pretty certain it is not just your child. Work in the class and then you can suplement your daughters learning at home. You can google age and grade appropriate fun learning games and have her practice at home. Good luck

I have a son in 2nd grade. I would call the teacher and ask for a meeting. see what the teacher has to say. Home work should be less than an hour for her age. the school says 30 mins, but, my son "gets" his homework and it usually takes longer. have you tried a snack after school? that always helps to get some focus going. Also, is she 7, and not turning 8 until summer or fall? maybe she just isn't ready for the concepts? Godd luck to you and yor girl

If she is below average in math or whatever area you can ask for an SST (student study team) meeting. This is where the teacher, you, and the RSP teacher meet to discuss your child. This is the first step. Getting tested is a process. I am a teacher and this is how it works at my school. :-)

I think we've decided it's willingness... my stepson is bright and does well in most subjects but this year (2nd grade) has had some challenges. He gets discourages and then won't try because he think he can't do it.

We went to Borders and got a Kumon workbook and did a page or two on weekends, etc.

As for the telling time, I made a clock on a paper plate and we used toothpicks to practice telling time.

Good luck - I am sure it's a phase that will pass!

Unfortunately the discipline problems are usually the ones farthest behind and so if she is sorted into ability that's where she lands. It becomes counter productive when you have a child that wants to learn but is behind and then put into that group because the problems of the others keep her from learning even more and it is a never ending downward spiral.

I totally agree with helping in class. If you are able to do it. I have actually had to demand it with some teachers, others are great about it. I went to school to help my son. If he was ok and I could help others or do stuff for the teacher then great but I pulled up a chair and sat with him and did work with him and was his own private tutor until he got caught up. We figured out what the problem was-part of it was just delayed brain development, part was his reaction to the class dynamics. He is now in the GATE group. She is younger than most so probably a little time may help.

Keep working with her even when the class stops. I have found that most teachers quit teaching new stuff around the first of May because "the kids aren't going to remember it anyway". So as long as she is up to level by the end of the year it is ok. Take it slow. There are great over the summer books from 2nd to 3rd-check a teachers supply store. Use one of these to keep her up to date and when she starts the 3rd she will not only be at grade level but the first couple of months will all be review, so she will be ahead. Also some concepts are harder than others. My son has a harder time with conceptual math than memorizing times tables. He zoomed past multiplication and that left more time for covering geometry concepts.

Follow your instincts. If you find something that you feel is beneficial for your daughter or she needs more help then stick to your guns and make sure she gets it regardless of what the school wants to do! Teachers have 19 other kids to deal with and don't want to have the extra work it takes to individualize for each child.

Good Luck!