off topic..should I contact the school?

[Ava]

If your DD likes the teacher and likes school, I'd leave it be. I can understand why a teacher would not be pleased that a party planned by a parent organization was disrupting her routine for the day. I'm not saying her attitude about it was right, I'm just saying I can understand it.

Also, is the teacher older? She may just have a more old-fashioned way of teaching/discplining, which is not necessarily a bad thing. My first grade teacher was an older woman, and was pretty old-fashioned. I still remember having to stand in the corner & face the wall for talking too much during class. Definitely an "old school" punishment, but I learned my lesson & only had to do it once. The experience didn't traumatize me, or make me dislike school or the teacher.

 

[Karenj2]

As a working mom, I'd be a bit peeved about the fact that, because the kids weren't back from PE the party didn't start at the appropriate time. I'm an hourly employee, and if that happened with my DD's school, I don't think I'd be able to volunteer again - I can't afford to take off that extra time.

 

[goofy53073]

I am pretty sure there must be some sort of policy against the teacher leaving the classroom full of kids with just some moms in charge. I would be furious! What is omething were to happen to a child while she was out of the room? None of the parents are fingerprinted or cleared to be alone in the classroom with those children.

You should definitely speak up, you can not go through a whole year like this.

 

[KAMLEM]

She tells me all the time that school is no fun this yearmakes me sad.

My daughter does like school. I ask her all the time about school and how things are going. She says she likes her teacher.

I am confused. Does she like school or not? If she likes school and likes her teacher, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

 

[PEANUT1]

I am confused. Does she like school or not? If she likes school and likes her teacher, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

my daughter LOVES to learn. She loves to read and go to school. She tells me it is not fun though. I know that 1st grade is when alot of learning and school discipline starts, but these kids are 6 years old. I think that is lost in this discussion. The teacher has her schedule so jam packed that the kids also barely get recess..sometimes about 3 minutes a day.

No, the teacher does not leave the classroom during the party. She sits at her desk and does whatever work she would like to do at that time.

It wasn't just me that noticed the problem. The homeroom mom and I had a chat about it. Also, another friend of mine has a son in this class and she is really unhappy about the teacher.

 

[PEANUT1]

I've known a lot of elementary teachers on a personal level. The teachers like the ones you're describing are usually jerks in real life, too. I feel for your daughter! I had a first grade teacher like that, too. Can you talk to the principal, maybe she can be moved to another class.

yes..she does not seem to be a very happy person. I can't imagine she is any different in "real life" Some people just are not meant to be teachers...I am a nurse and I see plenty of people that should not be nurses either. It takes a certain level of patience and kindness to do either job.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If you feel strongly that your DD is really uphappy at school, you might consider making an appointment with the teacher. Ask how your DD is doing and discuss it with her one-on-one. Really pay attention to the teacher's demeanor and how she talks about her class. You may find that she's different when she's away from the kids. When my son was in a K/1 class, I always felt the teacher was a little detached and didn't pay enough attention to the kids and their work. When I spoke with her one-on-one, I found that she had amazing insight into each and every child. She really was paying attention. It just wasn't apparent by her teaching style which still proved to be very effective.

You may still find the teacher to be exactly how your perceive her when she's with the kids. In that case, you will need to decide whether you want your DD to stay in her class. But I would give her a chance by talking to her when the kids are not in the room before forming a final opinion of her.

One thing I can add as a school employee is that none of us enjoy Halloween celebrations at school. Last Friday, we had kids running around in their costumes. There were tons of parents on campus with sugary treats. The kids were distracted and excited about Halloween. It's not a bad thing and we do let the kids enjoy their day. But we're always glad when it's over. The lack of structure causes many of the kids to act up and forget about using indoor voices, walking in the classroom and hallways, etc. It's very stressful for the staff to keep just a little structure so I can understand if your teacher wasn't herself on that day.

 

[luvmy3]

my daughter LOVES to learn. She loves to read and go to school. She tells me it is not fun though. I know that 1st grade is when alot of learning and school discipline starts, but these kids are 6 years old. I think that is lost in this discussion. The teacher has her schedule so jam packed that the kids also barely get recess..sometimes about 3 minutes a day.

No, the teacher does not leave the classroom during the party. She sits at her desk and does whatever work she would like to do at that time.

It wasn't just me that noticed the problem. The homeroom mom and I had a chat about it. Also, another friend of mine has a son in this class and she is really unhappy about the teacher.

How do you know that they only get 3 minutes a day for recess? Is that something the teacher told all the parents or is that what you are hearing from your dd?

 

[mdsoccermom]

my daughter LOVES to learn. She loves to read and go to school. She tells me it is not fun though. I know that 1st grade is when alot of learning and school discipline starts, but these kids are 6 years old. I think that is lost in this discussion. The teacher has her schedule so jam packed that the kids also barely get recess..sometimes about 3 minutes a day.

No, the teacher does not leave the classroom during the party. She sits at her desk and does whatever work she would like to do at that time.

It wasn't just me that noticed the problem. The homeroom mom and I had a chat about it. Also, another friend of mine has a son in this class and she is really unhappy about the teacher.

I find it really hard to believe that they get only 3 minutes a day of recess. Furthermore, that's just a really random sounding number. Who told you this?

I'm sorry your daughter is not having "fun", but if she overall likes school and the teacher, I'd let it go. The teacher may not have the style you prefer, but she's obviously having a positive impression on your daughter. Besides, school isn't always fun. That's life.

 

[GatorMommy2007]

Unfortunately, people do not understand how much the education system has changed in the last few years. Some schools have done away with recess completely with the addition of No Child Left Behind, etc--not something I personally agree with, kids need a release imo. And as unfortunate as it is, three tests in first grade are no longer the exception, they are the rule. I think kids are being tested to death, but that's a whole 'nother issue, and beyond the control of the teacher. If I were the chancellor of education, boy would things change.

I'm not making an excuse for the teacher, but as a teacher myself, I know that we all have bad days. Party days are stressful for the teacher, especially a teacher who doesn't have her planning time. I would go to the teacher before I participated in a 'bash the teacher' conversation with other parents, or set up a conference with the principal.

If your daughter isn't having any issues, then I would just move on.

 

[PEANUT1]

I'm trying not to "bash" the teacher. That is why I came here instead of talking to tons of other moms in my area that know this teacher. I decided I will not go to the principal before the teacher. If there are no more issues, I may just drop it all together. I am new to having a 1st grader so this is a learning experience for me too.

The teacher actually gave the 3 minute statement about recess during back to school night.

As far as "the teacher not being herself that day" comment. This is the way she has been in every instance that I have seen her. And, the kids did not get any candy during the party. It was just regular old food along with some games and arts and crafts.
Also, the 3 test a week is not standard at my school. I know of 4 different children with 4 different teachers and they all have one spelling test per week...and that is all the testing they receive.

I appreciate everyones comments on this situation. I would like to end it there. I would close this thread but don't know how. Thank you for your help.

 

[clutter]

I'm of two minds. I get the majority saying that if your dd is doing ok, and isn't 'hating' school, let it be. Well, keep an eye on it.

HOWEVER, the thing that keeps sticking in my mind was your description of the teacher saying that the kids are bad on back to school night. Either she has an awful class or she has an awful attitude. If it's the first, she shouldn't be griping to the entire classroom of parents on back to school night. Then there's the 3 minutes of recess from the teacher's description. That, I would maybe follow up on. Sounds like the class is full of former 1/2 day kindergartners. They need recess. Every minute of it.

Personally, I'd keep an eye on it. Try to volunteer in the room if you can. My friend's dd had a miserable 1st grade and is having a hard time recovering from it.

Strict, discipline, tough work. All ok. Whining to parents, rolling eyes, having a bad attitude towards the kids that they will pick up on. Not ok.

 

[hereyago]

HOWEVER, the thing that keeps sticking in my mind was your description of the teacher saying that the kids are bad on back to school night. Either she has an awful class or she has an awful attitude. If it's the first, she shouldn't be griping to the entire classroom of parents on back to school night.

My DD12's 7th grade Science teacher said this as well on our BTSN. And how they-students-got away with murder in 6th grade because they chewed gum and had phones in class, not on, but in class with them. BUT: the other 2 teachers on his core team allow gum and phones in class this year.

And I did think to myself: if he thought they were so bad, and this isn't his first time teaching there, why not go downstairs and tell the 6th grade teachers how not to repeat things next time.

He was an Air Force pilot and is very disciplined. I am still trying to "feel" him out and he likes to call me by my first name I will say that he does communicate with the parents very well.

4th grade, DD had 2 terrible teachers, 1 should have retired and 1 was and always had been just a nasty person-as I knew her in high school. She would talk to the kids in a sarcastic tone, and if she had spoken to an adult, that adult would have said something.

 

[Mrsdennison]

If she is a newer teacher, she might still be in the lion phase. Let me explain, something all new teachers hear is come in like a lion, because you can ease up later. You will never regain control if you dont have any to begin with.

The lunch period is also her lunch period I assume. So that doesn't really count as a "break".

My plan time is at the end of the day too. Sometimes, it is all I can do to wait for my students to go before I just collapse in my chair. Teaching makes for a long day.

I would give her til Thanksgiving break. Maybe volunteer to read to the class. Or cut out patterns if she needs help. Then you might get to know her better. Teaching is much different than it use to be. Whether the teacher likes it or not she has to cover a certain amount of material in a small amount of time. It can be overwhelming for some. Now if she has been teaching for more than two years, I would talk to her now.

Mrsdennison( teacher for five years)

 

[snowy76]

MTE. I could see where the teacher may have been annoyed that a party was scheduled during her break time (which usually means they are working on things they can't while giving lessons) especially if the party time was decided by a parent organization and not her personally. I have never heard of such a thing, I have been a room mom for a few years and the teacher has always set the time for her class party

Yep. Sounds like the parent group scheduled the party during the teacher's planning period. I would be annoyed too, if instead of having time to grade papers, make copies, plan lessons or catch up on other tasks (heck, sometimes I'd be happy if I just have time to pee!) I had to bring the students back early for a party AND host several parents in the room. Would I do it? Yeah, but I wouldn't be thrilled about it. (And if this party was on Friday, then I could see the teacher being even more aggravated about not being able to finish tasks at the end of the work week - and probably making plans to take a lot of that work home).

As for the recess issue, I didn't finish the thread... but when I taught elementary school, in most classes I knew, the students who didn't finish their work on time earlier in the day had to finish it at recess before they could go play. Maybe some of the kids are learning this routine the hard way, and therefore running out of time at recess.

 

[northriver]

Your school sounds very diffent from ours. Or schedule is very very regulated but that could very well be that our school is HUGE with 620 students K-6. At our parent meeting, they handed out the "typical" weekly schedule which was a full page spreadsheet. Seems a little over the top for Kindgergarten! But with 25 classrooms in the building, it takes a lot of organization to rotate the kids through art, music, gym, etc., especially with some of the "special" teachers rotating through other buildings as well.

Our fall party was from 3:25-3:55 school wide. Just enough time for a little fun but not too much time taken away from either academics or other activities. I honestly don't know how they adjusted the schedule to account for the party but I do know it was done by the administration and adjusted for the entire school.

Our school has an open door policy. Parents are welcome at any time of the day, any day. You can stop in and visit unannounced. Do ask your administration if you can stop in periodically and see how things are going.

Frankly, I'd be a grumpy, eye rolling, yelling teacher, too, which is why I don't teach! I honestly don't know how teachers do it. Ask the teacher if you can help in any way. She sounds like she could use a hand. My dd is in full day K and our school is very fortuanate to have a full time aid in each of the K classrooms. That said, teachers also love to have parent volunteers. My daughters teacher is often at school from 8am-6pm so even though I work full time, I can stop in and see her or lend a hand after work. I'm amazed that she puts in those two "volunteer" hours a day after the regular school day is over. We are very foturnate to have landed in a classroom with such a dedicated teacher.

 

[Leajess99]

The teacher definitely sounds cranky and probably burned out. Yelling at kids to be quiet during a party is a bit much. Maybe teaching wasn't her best career choice.

However, I'm not sure I understand the problem about the party. They have phys ed when they were supposed to have a party? Why was the party scheduled during phys ed? Either the schedule should have been modified for the day or the party should have been later.

Yelling at the kids to be quiet may have been needed so they don't disrupt other classes. I know at my dd's schools and some of my friends' kids' schools they do not have parties above certain grades and not all teachers in the same grade even have parties. Why would it be fair for the 1st graders to disrupt the learning of the 2nd or 3rd or 4th graders?

OP, I'm sorry you feel the teacher may not be a good fit. My daughter felt her teacher was strict at times last year but she so loves her teacher. If I had a concern I would contact the teacher and talk to her about it. That was the best thing I could do because it helped her understand my daughter's feelings. One example was the teacher had to get on kids about copying so she made the statement to the whole class and my dd took it to mean that she was copying. I simply emailed and asked the teacher and she explained and then talked to my DD.

If your dd is happy and doing well than maybe it would be best to just let it be if you are worried about retaliation. My DD always gets good notes home and the teachers talk about how well behaved she is. My dd is so not the same child at school as she is at home. I know some kids do do better with stricter teacher. My oldest would have ran over an easy going teacher but with a strict and structured teacher he thrives.