I'm conflicted. Maxine's been lucky because the first grade teacher at her school invites Kindergarten readers into her class for reading time. Maxine loves to go in with the 1st graders and I was excited she'd have some challenging work. About 3 weeks ago, Maxine's Kindergarten teacher asked if we'd want to jump Maxine into 1st grade. I hesitated. I asked, "What does Maxine think?" She said that Maxine said she wanted to keep things how they were. Okay, subject dropped.
On Saturday, I ran into the 1st grade teacher Maxine reads with and she said, "We should really think about skipping Maxine into 1st grade now or jumping her straight into 2nd grade next year. She reads and writes better than my 1st graders." Again, I hesitated. She'll be so much younger than all the other 1st graders because they're turning 7 this year and she'll just be turning 6 next month. I'm not worried about her academically but it's the emotional/social aspect that I'm most worried about, and this decision would affect her entire k-12 school experience. Not a decision to be taken lightly. She won't get to date or get a driver's license until November of her Junior year in high school. Again, I asked Maxine whether she'd like to be with the 1st graders and she said, "Well, maybe after I turn 6." I kind of feel like she still acts like a Kindergartener, not a 1st grader. So I don't know.
If anyone has any opinions of the pros and cons of grade skipping, I'd love to hear about it. Don't hold back. Do you think she could handle first grade?
7 comments:
I think I would feel torn, but you are lucky. :) What a problem to have! Does your school district have a "gifted and talented" program she could do instead of skipping a grade?
That's a hard one, but I was an October birthay allowed to start kindergarten at age 4, so I was one of the youngest ones in my class all through school. It was a bummer not to date or drive until a few months into my junior year, but it was awesome when I got to college because I graduated from college at 21 and from law school at 24, so I felt like I was ahead of the game by a year then. I never felt behind socially (maybe others disagree :) ). Plus, I think girls are more mature than boys, so it works out better for them to be one of the younger ones. Anyway, good luck. I'm sure you will make the right decision for Maxine since you know her best.
That is a hard one...I don't really know Maxine, but that's great she is doing so well in school! Really I think that you know her the best. From her reaction it seems like she is a little hesitant about skipping a grade? Also, is she ahead in other subjects such as math, etc? Do YOU (and other people that are around her alot like grandparents) think she is more socially mature than other children in Kindergarten/her age? I think as much as the teachers opinions should be valued...YOU KNOW BEST, you are the parent. I think that you will make a good decision for your little Maxine! Plus, it IS the beginning of the year, so you could do like the 2nd teacher said and wait to see if she is still way ahead and then decide. It would be a hard decision for me! Can't you tell?
I haven't been around her enough to know. But my friend and I were talking about when to put our girls into school the other day, and one thing I had never thought about was how old they would be when they graduate. Do you want her to be graduated at barely 17? I know thats not THAT young, until you think of her moving out, going to college, and getting married. I don't know, but that's neat she's so smart!
We faced this same issue last year. In the end it just wasn't worth it for Hannah because she wouldn't have turned six until the last WEEK of her Kindergarten year. It was just too much to ask of her. She would have been in the last week of her junior year before she could drive/date. Tough stuff. Knowing Maxine the little that I do, I think she could do anything that Hannah is doing in first grade. She would be on the same level socially, too, I think. I agree, it's a tough decision. I do think she would be FINE in first grade...but it's still a life changing decision. GOod luck!
As I've thought about this I thought: It would be weird to go straight into 1st grade without the full Kgarten experience (from 1/2 day to full day - right?) Even finished K and skipping to 2nd would be hard. The less "stressful" jump might be 1st to 3rd...but then, would 2 years of being "smarter" than everyone slow her down (bring her down to their level) so the point is moot? Maybe moving up halfway through 1st grade?
Is there one move you'd regret later on? If so, don't do that one ;).
As for me, I don't remember the whole, when you get to drive, date thing being that important to me...but I have a pretty faulty memory.
I didn't get to date or have a driver's license until I was Junior either. It was, like, two weeks before school started. There was as girl in my class, though, that was born in late October and she did fine. I think the risk you take keeping her in her age group, is that she might get bored and give up her excitement for learning. That kinda happened to me when I got to high school. When they finally moved me up to Honors, I did tons better.
Post a Comment