skipping a grade

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Home : 2003 : November : 16

skipping a grade
By Christina

Hi. I'm also a third grade teacher like most who've responded already. I have to agree that maturity is the main issue. So much of elementary school is socialization. I don't want to sound harsh, and I'm sorry if this
comes across that way, but if he's being teased now, it will only get worse if you put him with kids who are older and significantly bigger than him (I may be wrong, but that's my experience).
I teach in an area where most of the parent community has post-graduate degrees, so half of my kids are reading and doing math at levels way higher than third grade. They could skip and do well

academically, but they would not be happy. They would be smaller than the other kids and picked on for being different. And, a quarter of them still wouldn't be challenged enough in 4th grade (according to their parents-- yet, the work they produce tells a different story at times). Not to say that 4th grade academics would or wouldn't suit your son-I don't know him obviously.

One thing you wrote struck me the most though. You may not care if he'll look "manly" in high school, but I guarantee that he will. Right now he may not care abou his size, but that will change once puberty hits. He may be fully satisfied academically if he skips a grade, but will he be happy? Finally, kids tend to not "play" or socialize with their academic equals. In my experience that's not a factor at all.

So, I think you have a lot to consider. Good luck, and only you and your family can make the right decision for your son. I hope it all works out for the best.