How an my 1st grader go from average to possibly being held back in 4 weeks?

My oldest son is in first grade. As of 2/25/08 we was doing fine, according to progress reports, report cards, and P/T conferences. I have had concerns with his reading; but, until now his teacher has been telling me,"It's normal to reverse letters, whole words, jump lines, skip words, etc." I was called by the teacher on 2/22/08 and informed he may be held back because he doesn't have the academic skills to suceed in 2nd grade. Since then, I have had his hearing checked,(OK), vision, (farsighted-glasses this week). I have also initiated an evalution.
I don't want him held back. He works hard and applies himself. He was getting A-B grades. His homework indicates he is still making the grade.
He attends a Private school who is concerned how they will handle his class as it has 22 students and they prefer to have class sizes at 7-15. They don't want to hire addtitional staff to accomodate one class.
Ideas? Sugestions? Similar situations? Outcomes?
Thanks,
eL

Parent Answers to "How an my 1st grader go from average to possibly being held back in 4 weeks?"

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thanks for all the the information,ido know my son is not dumb , we went to the eent dr, and both ears have ,to small tubes and one has grown into the skin and he will be looking at surgery in a week , and i have bought some picture books ,and we are reading ,i'm sure he has not been hearing so he acts up ,the eating a snack is another good idea ,thank you for your e-mail
mcgaha

I feel for you. About the lunch situation, I had a similar issue as to my son not finishing his food and getting hungry and distracted in class. I started to make my son's lunch so I can keep track on what he's eating and also I know he will eat most of it cause he likes what he is taking with him. Also, having to wait in line to buy lunch takes up time and in my son's school they start turning off the lights to clean up whether they have finished or not so time is an issue there. They don't have anyone walking around making sure at least the little ones are eating, its so frustrating because they talk about nutrition and all that but its all talk, at least at his school, the feeling if you don't eat that's your fault. Give me a break, they are 5-8 years old. I talked to a friend who is a reading teacher and who is totally against how they are testing the kids right now in school. Its puts them in catagories and frustrates them. I know my son's struggles in school, but not as much at home and I feel that they don't/can't put enough emphasis on what he needs. I have also considered home schooling my son as well as changing school, we have to wait one more year to move so I am going to put him in a reading program and get help from the friend that I mentioned this summer. Is there any programs through local colleges where you live? Also, I grew up with hearing problems and I had to learn to read lips because of my last name putting me in the back of the room each year but afer I had tubes put in my ears and the teachers put me in the front of the room it made a lot of difference. Kids will get distracted so easily and if your son cannot hear what is going on as well his mind will go on other things so maybe they can move him to the front of the class and keep him involved. My son would prefer to do about anything else than reading so I have been trying everything that comes to mind. They have readers that look like comic books that he has loved. I am not sure what your son is interested in but they come in all kinds of subjects for boys, bugs, spiders, superheros. Maybe if you got him something "cool" to read he will be more interested :) I know its so hard and I am not sure what you have tried but these are the things I have been trying with my son. He really wants to read chapter books like the other kids in his class like we do at home and I fear his confidence will hold him back since he is realizing he's at a different level in his class. I will not give up and I know you won't either. Learning to read is essential to anything else they will do. If it makes you feel better a reading specialist told me that boys usually grasp things around 3rd grade which eased my mind. Is there a reading program in your school that they can put him in? The unruliness is most likely hunger so maybe they should be open to him taking a break and having a healthy snack. My nephew was like that and his mom talked to the teacher and said she will send a snack in his backpack everyday and if he starts acting like that let him take a break and have a snack so the teacher puts him in the hall for a 5-10 min refueling, if you will, and that's made a differnce and to me it makes sense to give the child a break than to have a major distraction in class. Its a win/win. If your teacher is against it go to the principle. Hopefully they aren't that clueless as to the needs of their students. I wish you all the best and I hope you find the answers. You know your son and what his needs are. If you feel right about homeschooling then do it. I have met many families that do and they wouldn't change their choice. In fact as I said, I have considered myself and still might do it depending on what happens in the next school year.
I wish you all the best.

I have had meetings with my son's teachers all year ,and it is no better ,all the negative is brought up ,I am thinking of home schooling him ,he has had hearing problems due to infections ,and 2 surgerys , there isn't any supervision in the lunch room and his teacher's eat in the lounge, and let the janitor keep order , and if my son does't like something he chooses not to eat and i'm told he get's unruley in class and lays in the floor , i'm at my wits end ,I know he has a problem with reading ,and i'm trying my best at home ,but I thinkhis teacher's are young and don't have a glue as how to teach him ,HELP,WHERE CAN I TURN
mcgaha

We had a similar situation with our son in first grade. His self esteem was suffering and it was the cause of alot of angst for us. Our son has a summer birthday and so was on the younger side so we did repeat the first grade but NOT with the same teacher, in fact we changed schools and it has made all the difference. It was easier to explain to him that because he was changing schools he was getting a bonus year.That way he didn't see all the kids in his class room had moved up and he hadn't. Having a "bonus year" can be a blessing.

Yes ,your encouragement helps, I work with my son every night , and when he gets to school ,it seem s he forgets , and i am thinking of another school ,but this should not be the case , he should get an education , no matter where he goes to school ,
mcgaha

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