Disappointed in Kindergarten (Part 2)

[tmarquez]

I started a thread a few weeks ago about the disappointment I was feeling with my DD's public Kindergarten class.

It sort of turned into a debate about gifted kids, which I hope this one doesn't. I'm not saying DD is gifted or better than any other kid. She is a normal kid who was taught alot in pre-k.

I understand that a large part of K is social learning. She is very socially mature, knows how to follow rules (loves rules), befriends all types of kids, and is a leader. She has been in a school enviroment since she was 2 1/2. They had 3 years to work on that stuff with her.

I am just concerned, have never dealt with a school system before and am looking for advice. She continues to tell me that all they do is color, that math is learning the numbers up to 5, that reading is done alone and to yourself. There are only 9 kids in her class. One of them is 7 years old. One of them wets her pants almost daily (I know because DD is lucky enough to be the one chosen to walk her to the clinic whenever this happens).

I waited a few weeks to see if anything would change, it didn't. I asked her teacher (emailed) if there would be anything more challenging coming up. Her teacher told me that they will be learning what a hexagon is and maybe DD doesn't know that shape so she may be challeneged. Umm...ok, even if she has forgotten what a hexagon is...it won't take her 3 weeks to learn it again.

Her teacher told me to have her do worksheets that I can print off the computer and tell her they are "homework" and she can bring them in and the teacher will put a sticker on them. I get the feeling she isn't understanding where I'm coming from.

For financial reasons, private school is not an option. Homeschooling isn't either. Is there anything I can do? She is bored, she is not misbehaving, just bored and I feel bad for her. Should I just accept that K is going to be basically a daycare?

Today I asked the teacher for a user name and password for an online reading site that DD loves (tickettoread.com) and she replied that it was only for 2nd and 3rd graders this year, no exceptions.

Thanks for listening...and for any advice.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Wetting her pants is related to intelligence...how?

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

WOW! My son went to K this year and has only attended 3 days thanks to Tropical Storm Fay closing our schools for 3 days. LOL. They are way ahead of your daughter's class already! and there are 18 kids. DOUBLE what is in your dd's class. He came home today with homework sheets.Oops, a 2 yr old pushed a button and it sent it LOL so I'm editing it LOL

Anyways, I think your best action would be to talk to the principal and ask for a transfer to another teacher.

 

[ColleenG]

My DD is going in to first grade this year. Last in kindergarten it sounds like they were doing a lot more. She sounds a lot like your DD, very bright, follows the rules (at least at school), and is very social. They seemed to start off a little slow with reviewing colors, but also were taught the written words for each color so they learned to "read" those pretty quick. I would say by the second or third week they were starting letters, and not in alphabetical order so that they learned more common letters first and could start putting simple words together. I thinks the first three letters they did were N, A, and C. they were reading short things like Nan, can, and started to build from there. Needless to say she is reading (at what I think) is at or above grade level for 1st grade. Maybe you can talk to the principal about what is actually covered in the curriculum. If she is too advanced for just shapes and colors, maybe she can be tested and moved into first grade. It sounds like she likes to learn and can handle the challenge. Good luck.

 

[tmarquez]

Wetting her pants is related to intelligence...how?

Never said it was. She could be a genius for all I know...doesn't matter to me.

What matters to me is that DD isn't taught anything and instead gets to spend part of her class time walking back and forth to the clinic instead.

 

[frtchr]

Talk to the principal. Maybe he/she would have suggestions. The supplemental worksheets sound okay to me. Is there a reason you don't want that? I can see why the teacher might not want to move ahead with material if the other kids won't be ready, and planning a curriculum for one person isn't easy.

Keep challenging her as much as you can at home!

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Have you tried starfall.com? My kids (6 and 4) love this site. My 6yo used it a lot in school last year. I'm not sure if your dd is advanced past it or not.

As for what they are doing, I was really surprised last year when we went for our first parent teacher conference and ds was learning money, counting by 10s, grouping, etc. Lots of things I don't remember doing until 1st or 2nd grade. He started guided reading about week 4 and by the end of the school year was on an almost 2nd grade level.

I'd go have a talk with the principle. Sounds like your dd needs some extra stuff outside of the classroom. Maybe move up to the 1st grade class for an hour or two a day or a few times a week.

 

[wickywinn]

wow, that doesn't sound like kindergarten! My son learned to add and subtract last year (kinder) and they were writing in their journals by the end of the year. Well, at least attempting to. I know here in Texas it's quite easy to transfer to different schools if you really feel you want/need to. Just ask for the paperwork in the school's front office and when there's an opening they call you. I know a few parents of my son's soccer friends have transferred them. Maybe it's an option for you? You can go online and see how the schools in your area compare and ask around. Counting to 5 is Pre-K 3 yr olds (actually counting to 10). At least here it is.

 

[Teacher03]

I would try to schedule a meeting with the teacher to express your concerns. I realize you have emailed her, but try face to face. If you don't get the answers to your questions and things don't progress I would talk to the principal and ask what the state standards are and how they are being met. You can get a copy of the state standards by accessing the state (that you live in) department of education website. It lists in black and white what is expected in kindergarten. Good luck.

 

[SILLYANDI]

I've done Kinder with three kids now. All of my kids attended preschool from 2 1/2 years and were reading fluently before they started Kinder. My dd's both were bored out of their minds (at least that is what they told me)and I thought they needed to be advanced so that they would be challenged and learn something, but at the same time I was worried about them socially.
I am glad now that I didn't pursue skipping grades.
I spoke with their teachers and "observed" them in class & they weren't as bored as they said they were, in fact there was a lot more going on that DD's didn't tell me about. We did come up with a plan to have them go to a first grade class for math and reading, but still attend kinder for the "socialization & play" part. Also, the teacher would make the day to day stuff more challenging for them by adding worksheets, having them "journal", etc. They were allowed to read AR books and take tests whenever they ran out of things to do. Kinder felt like a wasted year, but in hindsight, they needed the semi-structured social part in order to be ready for 1st grade. By 2nd grade it is all work and no play and I don't think they would have been ready for it without that year of Kinder to transition. (Teacher was right on the money when she told me this!)
Now that they are older (5th & 3rd) there is not such a huge gap between my girls and the rest of the school. They fit in much better with the kids their age then if they had been advanced. It took a few years for others to reach their level, but there are kids who could not read in their Kinder classes that are right there next to DD's in GATE classes and some are much more gifted then DD's! (even the kid that peed his pants in kinder)
I believe that how successful you are in this world is 99% social and how you relate, only 1% intelligence. I really think all kids need kinder for this reason.

If it is really that big of an issue for you I would supplement at home like the teacher suggested, and keep sending DD with a smile on my face (she is probably getting some of her "boredom" feelings from the vibe you are putting off-I know mine were.) Sometimes we just need to let our kids be kids. It's OK that she is not being challenged constantly. I think our expectations of our kids sometimes are too high and even though there are a few bad teachers in the bunch-for the most part they know what they are doing and what each child needs.


Also, having skipped 2 grades myself- I would NEVER want that for my children. I wasn't a nerd but I always felt like I didn't belong (no one teased me, I was actually quite popular but I had this feeling like I didn't belong there). I was 12 when I entered high school. No matter how mature I acted, I wasn't ready for the things I encountered. I kinda felt cheated out of my childhood because I was rushed through a big part of the "playtime" in school.
Even though I was successful I always felt like I didn't "get it". I would learn a math concept, for example, and I could do the math, apply it and explain it but my brain just didn't register it. Usually about a year later my brain would go "AHA!" that's why I need to know that! That is why that math concept should matter to me. I personally think it is because I wasn't ready physically (brain not developed fully?) or emotionally for the stuff that I was dealing with. Because of this I slacked in college and ended up doing a lot of things I wasn't proud of!

 

[wickywinn]

Ok, I'm sorry but I don't think you should have to be supplementing by going online. That should be something on the side not to replace what the teacher should be providing. All of the Kinder in my son's school have homework. First page writing your name 7 times. Second was writing the letter(s) of the week 20 times. Third was drawing 4 pictures in the 4 squares that started with the letter(s) of the week and the 4th was writing numbers 1-20. And this was the 1st part of the year. Second half they had to write sentences using "star words" (and, the, is, or, he, she, etc.) as part of their weekly homework. From what you described that is not regular Kindergarten curriculum by any stretch. I would definitely talk to the principal. Call and ask to meet with her. Don't make it sound like you are upset with the school or teacher just that you would like to discuss your daughter's progress. I got that advice from my stepmother when I had concerns with my ds' teacher. Like I said in my other entry, if the school's not willing to work with you then see if you can transfer her to another elementary nearby that has a better, more on schedule kindergarten curiculum. It sounds like they accidently put her in special ed. And that's not offensive. It's what it sounds like she is in. My sister has downs syndrome and went to public school and was in special classes so I'm not looking for someone to dissect and take offense.

 

[susykt4]

My daughter is starting 3rd grade tomorrow, is not gifted, but is smart and was socially advanced as a kindergartner. She was one of the youngest kids in her class but also went into K following a great preschool program. She already knew how to read, count to 100+, colors, etc. The entire first semester was INCREDIBLY frustrating for me! They worked on the lamest stuff! DD was bored half to death. Fortunately, she never turned into a troublemaker.

My only advice is to hang in there. It does get better. DD really got into learning to tell time and keeping a journal. The problem with K is that the kids start on so many different levels... My son is starting K tomorrow. I intentionally didn't teach him to read. Hopefully he won't be quite as bored as his sister was. Ugh.

I would NEVER have the patience to homeschool my kids but if I was rich I'd pay someone else to do it. DD's new 3rd grade teacher sent home a note implying she'd give homework every night. Double Ugh!!

 

[SnowWhite607]

I am a kindergarten teacher and it sounds like she is doing the same thing that our school does in preK. We learn all our numbers to 100, write in our journals and read fluently by the end of the year.

My DD is also bored now in 2nd grade so I know how frustrating it can be.

 

[melancholywings]

Her class only has 9 kids? Are the other K classes this size (or is there only one and you're rural?). I'd see if the other classes are more advanced, and DD's school they try and structure the classrooms around kids who are learning at the same pace.

 

[dreamer17555]

Sometimes with public schools you get classrooms like your DD is in. The ebst thing to do is supplement her learning at home. My DD is light years ahead of her class and that is fine, I love for the teacher to challenge her but honestly I can challenge her at home, workbooks, computer programs, practical application (ie, using fractions in the kitchen, coin combination to the store, ect) and just working with her.

I would just make sure you are teaching your DD and remind her and yourself that sometimes you have to deal with situtations that are not ideal.

-Becca-

 

[dreamer17555]

I would NEVER have the patience to homeschool my kids but if I was rich I'd pay someone else to do it. DD's new 3rd grade teacher sent home a note implying she'd give homework every night. Double Ugh!!

Why ugh? Isn't homewrok nightly expected? My DD has homework nightly and she just started 1st grade. Thats par for the course IMO. Homework reinforces what they have been working on.

-Becca-

 

[lntsmom]

First, ask to see the curriculum guide for K. The district should have this in notebook form. It will list all the skills the children are expected to master during the K year.

If it seems that the teacher is progressing at a reasonable rate, but the curriculum is just not challenging enough, contact the school counselor and principal to ask about having your child evaluated for the possibility of moving her up to 1st grade. This is rarely done, but it's an option.

If it seems as if the teacher isn't covering what she's expected to cover, meet with her first. Give her 2 weeks. If you see no change, ask to have your daughter moved to another room.

Is there a reason for the small class size? This seems very unusual in this day and age? If this is an overflow class they may have hired a teacher last minute, or moved one down from another grade. A new teacher may quietly struggle without anyone in administration noticing until parents speak up.

Another option: does your state allow open enrollment? Where I live parents can enroll their child in any school in any district as long as they are willing to provide transportation. If this is an option, you may find that there is another school nearby that provides a better program.

Good luck with this!

 

[nilseks]

I agree totally w/ lntsmom. You need to see a curriculum guide so you know exactly what your child is supposed to learn this year. If she is already past all of what she will be learning, you should consider moving her up to first grade. Normally I'd say this isn't something to be taken lightly, but some districts are definitely 'slower' than others and I wouldn't want my kid being bored to tears in school. My son is pretty darned advanced academically but socially he is behind, so that was never an option for us, but in his kindergarten class they were journaling daily so at least he was somewhat challenged.

It may be that the teacher is using the first few weeks to familiarize herself with the skill levels of each child. But if it goes on much past this I would talk to whoever deals with the curriculum standards for the school and express your concerns and your daughter's abilities.

And I agree with the open enrollment sentiment. Here in WI our kids can go anywhere. If this year doesn't go in the direction you want, and your state allows for open enrollment, start researching schools NOW!

 

[mlynn]

My daughter is going into 1st grade this week.

In Kinder's she had homework 4 nights a week. By the end of the year she had to know how to count and write to 100.(we had some problems w/this so mom has been teaching all summer) Had to know her letters and the sounds they made. Also she had 20 sight words that she had to know too. By the end of the year they were doing a journal. Drawing a pictures and then sounded out the words to go with the pictures. Not being told how to spell just getting what they heard. Example. "my(sight word) bs frd Mrgn" (My best friend Morgan"this was one she did.) Like I said I have been working very hard all summer with her. Now she is counting like she needed to do and I have her sight words on the fridge so everytime she wants something out of the fridge I make her do her words.

I would ask to have a meeting and see what is going on .It is just the beginning of the year and long year to go. YOu need to ease your mind and find out what you need to know.

 

[Ephany]

My DD started kindergarten a few weeks ago. She has 4 or more sheets of homework a week, should know 200 sight words by the end of the year, and is already expected to know how to 'read' colors, ie if the shape says red she's supposed to know to color it red. My mom says what she's learning now I didn't study until the end of 1st grade. She's also keeping a journal (kind of), and soon they'll start sending books home for her to read to us. From what you say, our curriculum is definitely a bit more challenging.

I agree with the previous posters who suggested getting a copy of the standardized kindergarten curriculum. You might even be able to find it online if the school doesn't have a copy handy. I think ours was actually given out at orientation a few weeks after school started. That'll give you a firm place to start if things aren't where they state says they should be. Good luck!