ikuradesuka Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 How does your accelerated and asynchronous learner answer random people when asked, "What grade are you in?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 The grade they would be in school based on California's birthday cutoff. It is the most convenient answer for us. My DS10 is big for size though so strangers would ask how old he is after that. My DS9 is small for size so no one questions his answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 By age. Both of my sons will say "3rd grade." But both are capable of HS level input and output in math and Spanish, HS level input for economics, civics and history and capable of 6th-8th grade output in most other subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 We use the grade they would be in if they attended public school to normal strangers. If it is a situation that more detail is needed then he/she would add something like, "But I am in Algebra 2 for math." Most of the time, that level of detail isn't necessary and people are just trying to figure out how to group kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 'Well, if I were in school I'd be in X grade.' (based on age) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I just asked him and he said that he answers, "I'm going into 9th." If in public school, he would be going in 7th. He is 12 so I let him answer however he prefers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 We used to answer based on age-pegged grade. Nowadays DS just says "I'm homeschooled, I'm 12" and it seems to satisfy people (and makes him happy too because he thinks answering with age-based grade sounds so iffy in his case, because we stopped using grade levels a long time ago, and the grade level answer feels like lying to him). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Age grade, mostly, although sometimes it gets a little more iffy (DD was asked at a herp conference if she was in high school, and her response was "sort of-I'm taking high school chemistry and auditing college biology and zoology" which, in that case, was probably a better answer than her age grade) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Age grade here too. Our dds would have been in different grades in one year depending on the subject. So, age grade is just easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikuradesuka Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 Thank you! Dd has been struggling with this. I've been telling her to just say she's going into 5th, but the moment of decision comes and she can't answer. I think, like a pp, she feels like she's lying. Then, we wind up with an awkward conversation where I'm trying to explain, "You know, homeschoolers, sometimes we do a little of this and that and aren't really in one grade." Cue the blank stare, and I move the subject away from school. It will be helpful to her to think about WHY they want to know. The most recent time, it was an adult at a new church who was just trying to make conversation with our family. She said, "And what grade are you in?" Dd, "Uh...uh...uh..." I was willing her to remember to just say 5th, but, she didn't.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Just wait until you've got a smart-alecky adolescent who tells people, "I don't know, I'm not in school." Which makes me need to jump in to clarify that we homeschool and she's in X grade. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I think, like a pp, she feels like she's lying. ... It will be helpful to her to think about WHY they want to know. So far the ones that ask are YMCA, Library for summer programs and the state parks because they have enrichment programs that go by grades. If it is strangers asking, then they are just curious about age. My DS9 actually turned round once at an activity booth and yelled "Mommy what grade am I in?". DS10 answered for him. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 My daughter really wanted to "start kindergarten" a year early, because most of her friends were starting then. So she gives the answer that has her one grade above age placement. For specific extracurriculars that are grade-based, we look at how it would fit best for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Mine all answer the grade they'd be by age if they attended a brick and mortar school, regardless what the numbers on their books are. What people really want to know is about how old you are and which tidy little box they can sort you into. 99% of the time they really don't care what the number on the cover of their books is. Just wait until you've got a smart-alecky adolescent who tells people, "I don't know, I'm not in school." Which makes me need to jump in to clarify that we homeschool and she's in X grade. I had one that would politely inform people that schools are for fish. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsmom Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 My son just responds with his age grade - in his mind he is a typical rising 5th grader. We don't really discuss with him that he's advanced in some areas. Obviously, he knows that he learns more quickly than many people his age - but he knew that by the time he was in 1st grade in PS. I don't discuss what grade level books he is using for the most part, which is why I'm especially happy about the curriculum we selected for this year, none have a grade level plastered all over the front of the book. He also knows that he learns differently than other kids, and his interest level in school is different than them. So I just talk about how we are choosing curriculum based on his abilities and interests, with no grade level associated with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 We used to do age grade, but then my son went to a b&m school and was actually enrolled a grade two years above age, so he said the grade he was enrolled in. Now that we're homeschooling again, he says either 8th, 9th, or 10th depending on the circumstance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slackermom Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 If it is needed for registration for an activity, DD generally checks off grade 6, which is the grade she would be in if we had not pulled her out of school. If she wanted to sign up for something that is designated for a higher grade, and the program seemed to be a good fit, I have allowed her to check off a different number. If asked in conversation, DD usually says something like: "I am officially registered as a 6th grader, but since we homeschool, I follow an 8th or 9th grade curriculum, depending on the subject." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 So far the ones that ask are YMCA, Library for summer programs and the state parks because they have enrichment programs that go by grades. If it is strangers asking, then they are just curious about age. My DS9 actually turned round once at an activity booth and yelled "Mommy what grade am I in?". DS10 answered for him. This has happened to me a few times with DS turning around to ask me. One time he was at the library and the librarian asked him and he started "err"ing and "aah" ing and before he could turn to me to ask, the librarian herself volunteered, "oh, are you homeschooled?". :lol: She's probably used to homeschooled kids in our city asking their moms (or older sibs). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Age grade. If our kids were mature beyond their ages, then we might "bump" them to another one. Until then, they are just getting a much deeper education than their peers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 My dd answers, "If I were in school, I'd be in ____ Grade." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleowl Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Age-based grade here, too. If the circumstances warrant it, I might add something like "she's a strong reader" (often people will ask because she's just read something and surprised them). I've told my kids that the grade level printed on the book is not necessarily the grade they're in - the people who wrote the book made their best guess about when kids would be ready to learn this material, but some kids might be ready earlier and some kids might be ready later, and it's okay for kids to learn it whenever they're ready. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Just wait until you've got a smart-alecky adolescent who tells people, "I don't know, I'm not in school." Which makes me need to jump in to clarify that we homeschool and she's in X grade. DS started doing this at 7 just to be perverse. It's funny to see the reactions. Then he adds that he doesn't go to traditional school but if he did he would be in whatever grade he would be in (though sometimes he has to ask me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reign Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Oldest: "I don't remember. I don't even go to school." Mic drop... Middle: "I will be in second grade this fall" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Ds always replies that he doesn't go to school. He says it an offhand way that is pretty funny. "Oh, school? Yeah, I don't do that." I used to be mortified and jump in to explain that we homeschool and that yes, he does do "school". Now I just chuckle and let people ask him follow-up questions because his answers are entertaining. "Well, sometimes we do science and stuff..." (see signature for all the things he doesn't think are school) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loesje22000 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 If I am asked, I answer that it depends on the subject, that dd is between grade Q and T, and that's why we homeschool. If dd will be asked she answers her age grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTBernard Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Age grade for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 My BIL and his collegue were in town for a business trip and meet us for dinner. The colleague asked which grades my boys are in. My BIL replied that my kids are homeschooled. The colleague then asked which grades my boys would be in if in school. The colleague was told my boys age so he was plainly curious about the corresponding grade level in school. The colleague then went on to ask about homeschooling and college admission. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Age grade for A., who is unevenly accelerated and tends to be emotionally "young" and is very very sensitive. DH and I don't want him to graduate early relative to age. N. is a bit more complicated; he's evenly accelerated (less ahead in math, more in language arts than sibling at same age), mature for his age ... he'll be starting K at our charter, but is more-or-less Grade 1 in my head. DH and I think he may benefit from a one-year early graduation, too (followed by a gap year). I'll have to figure it out for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Age based, but we kind of skipped him since he has a fall birthday and misses the cut off by 6 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porridge Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 My daughter replies "I don't know" I should remedy that. I use age based grade level when people ask me about my children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrale Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 James was asked this the other day and he just said, "well I homeschool so we don't have grades." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'm pretty sure C would just say "3rd grade", since he was in public school 2nd grade before the summer and this will be his first year homeschooling. I've heard B answer recently with "1st grade, I'm skipping kindergarten" when some older kid (10yo or so) asked him what grade he was in because he used such advanced vocabulary. For swim&gym he's tentatively in the 3-4yo age group again this year, because they use a summer cut-off, even though the district they align their schedule with has a Dec 1st cut-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrindam Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 DD(6) said '5th' recently when asked...it's the grade on her math book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine.more Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 We use the grade they'd be based on their age. If they were drastically ahead in all areas and I anticipated them graduating early I might skip them a grade ahead. Likewise if a kid was close to the cutoff and immature I might wait an extra year to start them. I figure when most people ask that question they aren't really asking whether my kid is learning addition or division....they just want to know their general age and maturity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanikit Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 My DD says, "I am homeschooled...." which she thinks explains everything. Of course many people who ask here know nothing about homeschooling and tend to get lost on that point without caring about the grade. If they continue to ask about the grade she will say "2nd grade but I am doing 5th grade maths." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsmom Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 DS10 commented after his first week of classes - "I'm glad you found these 5th grade books." He has no clue that most of them are NOT 5th grade level books. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 DD(6) said '5th' recently when asked...it's the grade on her math book. DD, at about that age, once paused and then said "Um...6.2?"---she'd divided the grade on her various books. She was also very, very upset when I brought home MPH Science 5A and 5B-because, after all, she was 6!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 "I homeschool." Most people accept this answer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I'd give age based grade as most are interested in social age. My 11th grader answered that question this morning as "Uhh, I don't remember." Makes him sound really smart with answers like that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Ooh, ooh, dd shocked me with her response to this question at a get- together we had today. Our Wordsmith email (thanks Quark for the recommendation!) included the idiom 'tilting at windmills' this weekend, a Don Quixote reference. Dd5 and I read these together. At the party someone asked dd what grade she was in and she answered airily, "oh, I homeschool. Choosing a grade is just tilting at windmills." Then ran off to throw sticks into the water. I just about died laughing. Of course, that was after she informed the hostess that a lady had left the toilet looking like it had chickenpox😳 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I'd give age based grade as most are interested in social age. My 11th grader answered that question this morning as "Uhh, I don't remember." Makes him sound really smart with answers like that. Mine have said stuff like, "I don't know because my mother never told me." LOL Age based grade is a tricky one for one of my kids. His birthday is in January. We lived in 2 different states with 2 completely different cut off ages. He would have been placed in a different grade in each place. And then to further complicate things, the cut offs for grade placement as homeschoolers differs from both of those cut offs. Although technically I can place him in any grade I want. Although I see it as so arbitrary I don't see the point except that they insist I say what grade he is in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I'm pretty sure C would just say "3rd grade". And, yes, he did say 3rd grade, when someone asked him if he was in kindergarten. Which then was misheard as 1st grade. Ugh. I ended up intervening before C got too upset and said "3rd grade... he's 8", which got the answer across. He'll have a new speech therapist this year, so who knows how that will work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegs Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Mine usually delivers a monologue something like this: "I'm actually a boy. Boys can have long hair, you know. I don't go to school because I'd miss my mum too much and because at school kids aren't allowed to learn very fast or very slow, so I pretty much just do homeschool. I have a handwriting book and I'm a boss at little 'e's." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottonmama Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I build up the excitement for each new school year by saying, "You'll be starting X grade soon!" I didn't think much of it until this year, when I realized that as a result, Savannah really doesn't have any confusion about what her grade is. In my house, first grade means you're starting Ambleside Year 1... never mind that you're in 2nd grade math and reading at a 4th grade reading level while doing Kindergarten science and preschool level handwriting exercises. One year into it, Savannah's nominal grade still corresponds to her AO year, and I don't see that changing as long as we're with AO. That said, we started Savannah on Year 1 a couple months before she was 6, so when we go places where they group by grade, she's a tad younger than the kids in her class. I think that's a good place for her now; unless it's sports, I think she'd fit in best with kids a little older rather than a little younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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