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Amy2
07-08-2001, 07:38 PM
I'm curious what you think about advanced placement classes for young kids. We call them Spectrum or APP in Washington State.

My son is just going into Kindergarten. He already reads well above first grade level. He is supposedly "into numbers" according to his (Montessori) teacher, and is doing number rolls well into the thousands.

He is the kind of kid who could easily be labeled a discipline problem if not challenged, yet I have noticed that at times when he is working on something that is clearly difficult for him, instead of pushing ahead, he will give up and say "I don't want to do this" or whatever.

He also is into sports, music, art, etc., and not what you might think of as an "academic" type of kid. He loves academics, but as he's in Montessori school, he doesn't quite realize that he is doing school work yet.

I am looking into testing him for the Spectrum and APP schools here for First Grade. I am wondering, from the teachers perspective what you think of these programs? Thanks so much.

Amy

MaryL
07-09-2001, 04:41 PM
I think it very much depends on the child. Some children placed in "regular" classrooms can be challenged within the setting....by using in school enrichment, and an enthusiastic teacher. Some children do well being nudged ahead, and encouraged. I would certainly focus on some of his extracurricular "gifts" (ie: sports, music, art) outside of a school setting. Does he complain of being "bored"? Is he comfortable in situations where he already knows something that is being explained to him? Some children are frustrated because they are being over challenged....over stimulated. Others are frustrated because they are being under challenged .... and under stimulated. I guess I would ask the opinion of your child's Montessori teacher....as well as trusting your "gut" feeling.

Ryleigh
07-15-2001, 01:51 PM
How far does the Montossori program go that your child is attending. We have schools that go right up to Grade 12 and oac.
If your child is doing well in the program it might be an option.
check into a few different schools and see where you stand. See what type of programs they have to offer and go from there.