age for 2nd grade | Imamother

supermama2 ↓

Wed, Sep 02 2009, 6:06 pm

I have a homeschooled child that is entering 3rd grade. He's 8 1/2 yrs. old. I may send ds to a school this year and I'm concerned that he may be behind in creative writing according to this schools program. Should I put ds in 2nd or will he seem too old? If I put him back in 2nd, another benefit is he may be near his 1st grade brother which is good. I think being w/ younger kids may be an easier transition for ds but I dunno. Any discussion is welcome! TIA

ps
this is a private nonsectarian goyshe school that happens to be sensitive to yidden in my oot situation.

NotInNJMommy

Wed, Sep 02 2009, 6:24 pm

I was 8.5 when I entered third grade.

Hm. Being a whole year older (or younger) than your peers at that age can make someone VERY different..especially in the next few years. If it's only creative writing, is it possible that it will be ok, or a little extra work at home or tutor might help to bring him up to speed?

Are you sure he's behind?

ra_mom

Wed, Sep 02 2009, 9:32 pm

SarahO. wrote:

no, I'm not entirely sure..I will have to tour the school and see.

The other issue I have is that they group the 3rd and 4th graders..I'm not excited about that one.

Not sure what to tell you here.
The fact that the 3rd and 4th graders are grouped together (is there one collective class for both these grades?), makes this a difficult decision.
(Don't know if this helps you at all, but I was born in March, so even though I was born in the same calendar year as my classmates, I was a bit older than most of them [There were a ton of kids that had birthdays at the very end of the year]. And B"H there were no problems there.)

Barbara

Thu, Sep 03 2009, 10:17 am

SarahO. wrote:

What is their cut-off? Many schools have fall cut-off dates for admission, which would make your son, at 8-1/2 a full year older than 2nd graders. Other schools have December cut-off dates, meaning that your son would be two years older than a lot of kids (I, for example, was 6-1/2 when I entered 2nd grade).

Talk to the school, and about any special circumstances that might make red-shirting your son appropriate. Think about him not only now, but how he is going to feel turning 19 in high school. Think about alternatives -- kids who change schools are often ahead or behind in a particular area, but catch up quickly.

Good luck.

Mirabelle

Thu, Sep 03 2009, 10:39 am

I was 6 and a half when I entered 2nd grade (turned 7 in November)
7 and a half when I entered 3rd grade (turned 8 in November)

Therefore to me, 8 and a half, seems very old for second grade. When will he be 9?

micki

Thu, Sep 03 2009, 11:06 am

I have a 6 yr old, turning 7 in december who is in 2nd grade

I have a 8 yr old (just turned 8 in august) in 3rd grade.
it really depends on your cut off and his birthday.
there are some 8 yr olds, who are turning 9 by december in my daughters 4th grade class.