Thanks for all the input.
Has the school checked you son for a LD in Math? No, he has not been checked for anything......I told them to last year, but did not push and they did not do it. He had a horrible teacher last year for the 1st 5 months, she was really mean to him, I complained every week and was going to pull him out, and they finally found a teacher (the one before was a continuing sub) It was awful! Put him WAY behind. That was 1st grade......I put him back into 1st this year, also his age, he turned 7 the 1st week of shool. 2nd grade would have been the boiling point for him. It was a good choice.
Sylvan told me since he was going back to 1st this year, I should wait and see what happens. His reading is fine, but not math. Sylvan also has a 1 week math camp in the summer for 5, I will put him in there this year.
Any one know of it? I brought Dillon there over the summer and got an evaluation. He had just failed 1st grade and after the evaluation they said he had kindergarden level math and 1st grade reading. He is back in 1st grade. I was wondering if any of you have used them before and does it really help. Someone had mentioned math, how hard it is for ADHD kids to retain info with all the distractions in class. But at Sylvan, it is smaller groups. So I was wondering if I got math tutoring for him there, would it help him in the long run, would he retain what he learns there? It is really expensive, like and hour, it's like 00 for a course.
It's weird, while he was tested there, for 3 hours, he was an angel. Focused, well behaved. I asked them about that, I said I could not believe how well behaved he was there, and they said it's because he does not have an audience. My son can focuse at home well too. That is another reason I don't want to medicate yet, I think alot of his problem is for attention in class. He gets wound up and kids laugh at him, he's the class clown and the teachers nightmare!
I looked into Sylvan as well and I like the fact that they get one-to-one attention and small group practise. If I had the money, I would enroll my son in and I may even still. We'll see. I say, if you can dig up enough money, then it's worth it.We have no monies for learning center helps. To help our son would require 5 day a week help. Already been thru a learning center talk with the director. Most learning centers cost a lot of money. 1:1 is the best thing our son is getting. If we could I would replace school with Lindamood bell center for reading/math.The rest homeschool stuff. What we have done now is the best with what we can afford. Learning centers can help but only rich people can afford them. That isn't us. That's why I was asking, I don't really have the money either, but if he could retain math and get better at it, I would put forth the money. I help him at home, but I am bad at math and I am not a good teacher. I just don't want him to fail this year. His school will be offering a free math tutoring program, I will put him in it, but I may also have to find a private tutor or something.A year or two ago, I was thinking hard about Sylvan for my daughter (now age 10). Math is also the subject of biggest concern with her. I got a "vague" idea of the price, and there just wasn't any way we could afford it, no matter where we tried to cut corner's. We already don't go to the movies (OCASSIONALLY the "Chepo movies" as we call them. I don't mean Showcase matinees that are still .00, I'm talking the .50 cheap movie, maybe once every 3 to 6 months, and we don't buy snacks), we very rarely eat out (Birthdays & Anniversary, not much more), I plan dinners around store ads that week, use coupons, etc. So really, there was very little to cut out. I'm not complaining, these are choices we have made so I can work very part-time only, and be here everyday and evening w/ my child, go on school fieldtrips, help w/ class parties, etc. I'm simply pointing out why we couldn't afford it before anyone chimes in about how they would do whatever it takes to fullfill their child's needs. I will too, but at the time, we really felt she needed me home more than anything. With lots of extra work at home and lots of communication from teacher's who were willing to work with me, my daughter was able to maintain all A's & B's in 4th grade last year. It is a struggle, but we're getting through it.
Anyway, a very close friend of mine has a nephew (He is now 15) who is gifted, but he also failed either Kindergarten or first grade. He struggled for another year or two, then his Grandparents paid for him to go to Sylvan one summer. I believe that is all he went, but I could find out for sure if you would like. Ever since that short time at Sylvan, he has been an Honor Roll student. In Jr. High and now in H.S., he is also in the advanced academics program. Of course this is just one case, so you should investigate further before spending that kind of money, but I do think Sylvan has a very good reputation for teaching kids different methods and finding out what each child's individual learning styles/needs are.
Good luck to you and your son!
Mamabear
My 8 year old son has been going to Sylvan since June. We really don't have the money either but he likes it ( I think mostly because of the Sylvan Store lol ) so we continue with it as long as he is learning. On our last meeting they said he did improve in a couple of spots so that made me feel good. He still has a little ways to go to be caught up to his grade level.Has the school checked you son for a LD in Math? Perhaps you can ask them to complete an evaluation ( especially since he is have such trouble). I like sylvan and if you have the money I would give it a try.
My son had tremendous success with Sylvan's math program. I recommend it highly!DillonsMom,
Many children will pay attention in a testing type situation because it's new and it's a challenge, as well as a new place. After several weeks of going to the same place, he may well begin to show his true self. I'm confused why they held back a child who was performing at grade level in reading and only slightly delayed in math? Regardless, I wouldn't let a repeat of first grade worry me. Chances are that he probably might have benefitted from repeating Kindergarten, since K and 1st are so similar now. Repeating these early grades can sometimes put the children in with social groups that better match where they are at. I know a little boy in my son's class who repeated first grade, and now he's a leader in the class, with much better cooperation and confidence.
As for Sylvan, my sister looked into it for her older boy, but was put off by the high cost and rigid schedule. She works full time and they weren't able to accommodate her after work hours.
Sylvan will pull your child thru and bring them up to grade level, I have used them, However, they will not detect if your child has a hidden learning disability, which i would want ruled out first. Just something to think about. I used them when my daughter was in 3rd grade for Math. They brought her up to grade level,,,it's didn't last for very long, by 5th grade she was being again in Math and other subject, because of her reading comprehension problem. To make a long story short,,,she has CAPD. With the monies you would spend on Sylvan for one course, you could have your child privately testing, and still have some money in your pocket....[QUOTE=bhj1234]Sylvan will pull your child thru and bring them up to grade level, I have used them, However, they will not detect if your child has a hidden learning disability, which i would want ruled out first. Just something to think about. I used them when my daughter was in 3rd grade for Math. They brought her up to grade level,,,it's didn't last for very long, by 5th grade she was being again in Math and other subject, because of her reading comprehension problem. To make a long story short,,,she has CAPD. With the monies you would spend on Sylvan for one course, you could have your child privately testing, and still have some money in your pocket....[/QUOTE]
That's absolutely true! My son is dyslexic, and I would not use Sylvan to remediate his reading. Dyslexics need very specific remediation for reading. Good point, BHJ!