"3rd grade is a pivotal time"

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Registered: 06-25-2003
"3rd grade is a pivotal time"
7
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 9:56pm

That's the latest argument for more mainstreaming for Peter (who is in 3rd grade).


The school have been pushing for more mainstreaming. We started Peter mainstreamed for ELA at the beginning of the second marking period. His one grade so far has not been outstanding.

-Paula

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Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 10:22pm

I'm gonna lay it out for ya.


You're overthinking this.


You answered your own question, you know what is best.

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Registered: 03-20-2007
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 10:24pm
Paula,
For what it's worth, I say follow your instinct. If you don't feel he's ready, he probably isn't. You are THE expert on your son, regardless of what the teachers say. And, remember, no one has more vested in him than you. (Every time I have ever ignored my gut, it backfires on me.)
My best,
Elissa
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 10:41pm

Deja Vue....

Well in 3rd grade we heard that Mike was too typical to not be mainstreamed. That we were crazy for wanting him in a day class, yada yada yada. But he couldn't do it and he wasn't ready and he showed them that pretty quickly. He is now mainstreaming much more and that whole 3rd grade being pivotal is a bunch of malarky. Well it is and it isn't. The problem is that regardless of where the other kids are at, if he is not ready to mainstream he is not ready to mainstream. It would be just as detrimental to his friendships (and perhaps more so) if he were to go more mainstream and fail than to not do it at all.

That said however, sometimes you do have to push a bit beyond what mom is ready to do.

Now though 3rd grade didn't work for Mike, I was reluctant to let him mainstream as much as the school wanted in 4th and 5th and he really did pretty darn ok. He rose to that extra challenge and sometimes our kids do need that extra challenge and as moms our nature is to be protective. Sometimes we have to go WAY outside our comfort zone to push them a bit.

Tough situation. Though the grades weren't impressive, how was his behavior and happiness level? If he wasn't melting down or stressed too much then I would likely push him into a bit more mainstreaming. But I would take it slow and cut back if he starts showing too much stress. A little is ok (growing pains you know) but not too much.

Renee

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Mon, 03-26-2007 - 10:58pm

(((Paula)))

Oh 3rd grade is pivotal,....so's 1st, 2nd and 4th....depending on who you talk to. (Kwym about the guliting granny too). I think Liam's teacher is trying to get us to mainstream more for 2nd grade and I am going to fight it; he needs another year at least. Trust the gut; trust Peter, do not let the system decide for you both!!!

Dee

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Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 03-26-2007 - 11:06pm

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 12:01am

Thanks all for your input.


Elissa,


Good advice, but I

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
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Registered: 04-11-2003
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 9:23am

I'd trust yourself and take it slow.

Samantha

Samantha