- My child is afraid she/he isn't smart enough for Stretch.
- My child can't read, write, add double digits, etc.
- Should I tell my child he/she is in a gifted class?
- What are common intellectual characteristics of gifted children?
- How do I handle my child's first star, check or check-minus?
- How much help should we give as parents?
- My child misses her/his old friends.
- Your child says, "I'm not the best (fastest, smartest, etc.) anymore."
- Your child says, "It's hard!" or "It's easy!"
- How long will the adjustment to first grade take?
- Can I get involved in Mary Castle Elementary and my child's class?
- How do the Stretch and regular classroom kids interact?
- Will my child be in Stretch next year?
- How much time do you spend with manipulatives or cooperative group learning?
- What should I do if my child is absent from class?
- Do you offer any type of foreign language instruction?
- What kind of technology will the children be exposed to in class?
My child is afraid she/he isn't smart enough for Stretch.
Your child was carefully selected for the program. We feel she/he has what it takes. All you and your child can do is give it 100% support, energy, and effort. I will work with all students to make them successful. I believe in your child!
My child can't read, write, add double digits,etc.
The STRETCH program is based upon identifying children who have demonstrated specific gifted and talented characteristics. Being an early reader or able to multiply numbers at an early age is not necessarily an indicator of potential giftedness. Every child who enters my door is unique and has special talents. I make every effort to provide your child with appropriate learning objectives. These will vary from child to child. As long as your child makes acceptable growth (at least a year's), he or she is certain to be successful in this class. In regards to the children who can't read in August, many of them go on to read well above grade level by May.
Should I tell my child he/she is in a gifted class?
This is entirely up to you. There is no sign hanging on the door distinguishing it from the neighborhood classrooms. All the students know is that they are in first grade. I do not tell them that their classroom is any different than others. Sometimes knowing that he or she is doing more challenging work places unnecessary stress on the student, other times students work harder because they delight in doing above grade level/differentiated work.
What are common intellectual characteristics of gifted children?
* Unusually large vocabularies for their age.
* Ability to read earlier than most children, often before entering school.
* Longer attention span, persistence and intense concentration.
* Ability to learn basic skills more quickly and with less practice.
* Wide range of interest.
* Highly developed curiosity and a limitless supply of questions.
* Interest in experimenting and doing things differently.
* Tendency to put ideas or things together in ways that are unusual and not obvious.
* Ability to retain a great deal of information.
* Unusual sense of humor
(From Guiding the Gifted, by James Webb, Ph.D.)
How do I handle my child's first star, check or minus?
Remind your child that the grade is not a reflection of him/her personally. It is there simply to show how well he/she is performing. Help them keep it in perspective. Remind them to ASK FOR HELP IF NEEDED!
How much help should we give as parents?
Provide guidance, explanations, help with motor skills (drawing straight lines, gluing, writing), for things we consider common sense as adults (such as centering of letters). We can't possibly foresee all of the skills needed when assigning certain assignments. Common sense is a great guide! It's ok to send homework back in that had mistakes on it. I want to see your child's work not yours.
My child misses her/his old friends.
Encourage activities in his/her home school such as scouts, soccer, etc. But don't forget to encourage ties with "new friends." Throughout life we meet new people. Children need to understand that our friendship circles always change. As a parent, please encourage your child to have many friends.
Your child says, "I'm not the best (fastest, smartest, etc.) anymore."
Everyone in this class was one of the "best" last year in their class. New expectations and tougher competition will only provide a more appropriate learning environment for your child. We will do a lot of cooperative learning. Stress to your child that everyone has different talents. Some of our talents are stronger than others and because of that we are all better at some things than others are. Please stress that they don't have to be "number 1", you love them just the way they are!
Your child says "It's hard!" or "It's easy!"
Yes, some of the work we will do is hard, but we learn how to attack and accomplish new and challenging things. It makes learning much more fun! A lot of the work in the beginning of the year is very easy for most of the students. I want them to be comfortable in their new environment and not overly stressed. The work will become more challenging as the year progresses.
How long will the adjustment to first grade take?
I would ask that you give your child six weeks. Please let me know at anytime if you are concerned. Don't feel you have to wait until parent/teacher conferences to talk with me!
Can I get involved in Mary Castle Elementary and my child's class?
PLEASE DO! You can visit anytime. There will also be a sign up sheet sent home the first week of school to allow you to sign up for various needs. I also encourage parent volunteers on a daily basis. Don't forget the Mary Castle PFO (Parent Faculty Organization).
Will my child be in Stretch next year?
Provided we have a successful year there is never a cause for concern. You would know after nine weeks if we needed to really look at the situation and determine if it's the appropriate program for your child. Students will be reassessed for 6th grade STRETCH in their 5th grade year.
How do the Stretch and regular classroom kids interact?
All first graders have both lunch and recess together each day. Occasionally they may also share specials together. We also participate in several study trips throughout the year. Once or twice a month we have Fun Fridays in which we focus on a theme or topic as all the children rotate through different classrooms.
How much time do you spend with manipulatives or cooperative group learning?
Much of the day is spent working either in small groups or using hands-on materials. Generally science and math are the most dominant in this area and are done on a daily basis. Much of social studies is as well. Reading often involves several students working together or buddy reading. Writing workshop offers a time to collaborate with peers for conferencing. Much of what we do in class cannot be "made-up" at home when your child is sick because it involves other students, materials, or discussion.
What should I do if my child is absent from class?
You should always call the office to let them know your child will not be in school. Due to the fact that most of the activities we do in class are not things you can repeat at home, I do not generally send home make-up work. You might read to your child while he or she is ill if appropriate. Any missed class work that can be made up, such as a math workbook page, will be worked into the regular schedule at school for your child to complete. If your child is absent for an extended period of time, I will make special arrangements with you to complete any pertinent work at home after your child returns to school. The best thing you can do while your child is sick is READ.
Do you offer any type of foreign language instruction?
There is no foreign language class or special at Mary Castle Elementary. Many of the students who attend our school do speak a second language, with Spanish being the most common. These students do receive services through our ESOL program, but direct language instruction is not available for most students. I am fluent in Spanish and offer classes before and after school for student lessons during the fall and spring semesters. These classes are open for grades 1-5 and are differentiated depending on your child's prior knowledge.