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knowloveserve
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| Posted: May 06 2010 at 10:52am | IP Logged
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My first son is behind the state cutoff day for grades by 6 days. Most of the boys he's friends with are in 2nd grade currently. I've been providing him with mostly (but not exclusively) 1st grade materials because I've reasoned that I'd rather him be older than his same-grade peers than younger. Not the best reason, but one nonetheless. He barely reads. But he does more advanced work in both religion and math as far as I can tell.
He's a Wolf in Scouts-- traditionally 2nd grade.
He just received his First Holy Communion-- usually 2nd grade.
But he's mostly performing at a first grade level.
The son right after him on the other hand, can read as well as his older brother. Knows basic math, can intuit problems better than his brother... and he's not even in Kindergarten until next fall.
If it were just me, I wouldn't give a fig what grade they were in because we plan on homeschooling through all the grades, unless they want to start classes at the community college when they are 16.
But, it's presented some problems with the rest of the world. Scouts for example. Though no one seems to care that Xavier's a wee bit younger than everyone else. And I knew he was ready for FHC, despite being only in first grade. But I had to tell the church staff that he was in 2nd grade in order for him to be accepted.
And he really wants to be an altar boy... which is "4th grade."
Now Leo is coming up... is dying to go into Tiger Cubs (traditionally first grade). Academically, he's a first grader already... socially and developmentally, still very, very young.
For those of you who disregard grades, how do you reconcile that with a world that puts all the emphasis on grade levels... rather than age or performance or readiness???
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 06 2010 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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I have 2 children in 2 grades.
One started CCD a bit young, she was very ready for the work and followed directions very well so we started her and while I can see areas she's obviously behind the other kids in her CCD class, she's a bright little thing and her teachers comment on how she always knows the answers. But for sports where she is very typical for her age, we don't put her ahead. And for school she's officially in her age group grade.
A son started CCD with his age group grade. But for official school he's behind.. his birthday is only days before the cutoff and like you I don't see a need to push him especially not officially.. we can always move ahead more with the work he's doing anyway. And for Scouts he's in with the same grade as he is officially for school.. but that's because we put him in with his cousin which has been great for all of us parents (4 people to get 2 boys to the same location  ) and I don't think it's hurting him in the least.. he's rather a high acheivor and that might have something to do with being a tiny bit older than the other boys.. though 3 months doesn't make that much difference at this point imo.. The only thing is, and I've already warned him, he'll have that little bit less time than the other boys he's with for getting Eagle.
Now as to the Scouts.. they actually don't rely only on grade level.. for Tigers.. it's in 1st grade or a boy who is 7 yrs old. The grade actually let's younger boys in than the age limits. I wouldn't put a younger boy into that early as much as they dearly want to be like older brother. For one thing.. you'll find as you move through that YOU may not be ready for the things they do because they figure the boys at an older age than your son... My son is 11 going to be 12 this summer and is going to a Boy Scout Camp.. I'm having a hard enough time with this that I couldn't imagine if I'd started him a year ahead of where he is now (making him youngest in the group instead of oldest)
AND I've just heard that Boy Scouts is adding a LION CUB group.. not sure if your area would be adding it this fall or next.. I've heard it's supposed to be available everywhere in 2011.. but it's for K boys with a parent. 
I also have a boy that is just dying to get to start Tiger Scouts.. and his birthday is only 2 months from the cutoff for the grade.. but having the older boy.. I know I'm not going to want the boys to be on the younger edge for their den when they move into Boy Scouts.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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time4tea
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| Posted: May 06 2010 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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Ellie,
Our 2nd dd has a Fall birthday, and while traditionally she would have been a 2nd grader this year, because of the new (at least in our state) Sept. 1st cut-off date, she would be considered a 1st grader by the public schools here. Basically, I just let her work at her own level. At this point, she is definitely working at a beginning 2nd grade level, but will still be a "1st semester 2nd grader" when the new school year begins, instead of being "officially" a 3rd grader. Dd is fairly mature, so I let her do many of the things that those in 2nd grade this year would be doing. For example, she also received Penance and 1st Holy Communion this year, and I felt that she was more than ready to prepare for and receive those Sacraments. Currently, I am putting together a curriculum for her for next year and she will be doing a mix of 2nd and 3rd grade curriculum suggestions from Kolbe. She will do 2nd grade math and reading next year, but 3rd grade for Religion, History, Science, and English.
For recording purposes for our umbrella school, I am strongly considering designating her as a 2nd grader (again) next school year, albeit an advanced one. She can always finish high school more quickly and graduate early is she decides she wants to do that, but my biggest concern is for her not to feel pushed.
I'm not sure if any of this helps you, but do know that there are many of us out here with dc who have later birthdays and who struggle with how to "classify" them for a world that has a hard time thinking outside of the "grade level" box
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Blessings to you!
~Tea
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knowloveserve
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| Posted: May 07 2010 at 12:21am | IP Logged
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Thank you both.
Excellent points about scouts. I can already foresee my emotionally young son not being able to handle some of the things his year-older peers would. I can see wisdom in postponing that another year.
I just don't want to hold them back from the sacraments is the main thing... the archdiocese says 7. While most kids are in 2nd grade, I would prepare the child accordingly all year. We do "religion" all year long anyway... and it doesn't feel pushed or hurried to be doing sacramental prep with a "technical" first grader.
Glad to hear that others are blending their work and grade levels too... my son will be doing a 2nd/3rd grade blend next year. Depending on who is asking... his grade level changes. The poor kid gets confused on how to classify himself however... 
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: How important are grade levels?
