It feels like a big problem

For the past four weeks, our son has had difficulty in school. Not doing the work because he'd rather play. Choosing to be disruptive and silly, rather than listen to his teacher. It has gotten progressivly worse. First it was a warning to him; then a writing in his citizenship folder; then a time out - outiste the classroom; then a chat with the principal; then a phone call to me; now a meeting of the minds. Today at 1:00 - Mom and Dad, Teacher, Prinicpal and Counselor.

I'm not sure who is at fault here. I think there is some shared blame. Here's an example of a math assignment and expectation. From a bucket of plastic trinkets - bears, erasers, strawberries, stars, hearts, etc. make pairings that add up to 7. Make 12-15 pairings.

Jacob paired 0+7, 1+6, 2+5, 3+4, 4+3 and stopped. The teacher was adamant about making more. Jacob said I can only think of 5. I took out his candy bucket at home and asked him to show me. He said mom, there are only 5 ways.....they start to repeat.

How do you punish a kid for that? I talked to the counselor. She's the one that arranged the gifted and talented testing. I told her that Jacob read a "Frog and Toad" book to me. All 5 chapters - sure he needed help with a few words, but read the whole book aloud. I was so proud. I sent him to school with the book and Jacob told his teacher. The teacher said "That's great, read me a page" as if she didn't believe him.

I think there is a disconnect on the expectation and performance level.

The counselor asked if we had considered testing Jacob for the 2nd grade, rather than the 1st grade for next year. I hadn't even considered that. We're torn. I know he's bright. I know he's able to succeed every time we push. But he's still a little boy. He had a meltdown on Saturday morning. He was freaking out about being 6 and growing up. We went and got a Starbuck's for mommy, and Krispie Kreme for him. We went and sat by the pond and talked. He cried and cried and cried. I think he felt better after that, 'cause he had a really good weekend after that. He seemed to have gotten it off his chest.

Someone told me once that little kids have little problems. Well this one feels like a big problem.