OT: elementary teachers..need advice!

[JUJU814]

Both of my youngest children go to an elementary Montessori school. I'm very happy all in all, but there are some "traditional" things that are lacking, that I personally believe are extremely important to their future academic careers.

1)memorizing math facts. I feel this is crucial to have those facts nailed down so that you can spout of the answer without blinking an eye. It is soooo important for advanced math. My oldest really struggled. When you're doing advanced algebra, if you have to stop and think "what is 8x6", it just makes it so much more difficult! Right?? So, I want a software program that will really help my kids with their facts. I do not understand montessori math! LOL

2)phonics and spelling. They have both learned to read very well. Ds is grade 2 and dd is in k and reading is going well. I just feel they need more phonics. It was key for me when I was young, I still remember it and I'd like to give them more.

Spelling...ummmm, the montessori way, at least at this age, is really bothering me. They simply don't correct their spelling. They write and write in their creative writing journals...great stories etc.. and they write everything phonetically the way it sounds to them. I'd like to get some spelling practice at home and make it fun.

However, I'm not a teacher by profession..I'm a nurse. I homeschooled my oldest for 7 years and did a darn good job, but every kid is different.

If you're an elementary teacher or have experience with this, can anyone recommend some ideas to work on these things with the kids at home and make it like games??

Being in Montessori, they don't have homework so I do have the ability to make some time for this stuff.

I'm not so concerned about dd in K because she's catching onto everything and excelling tremendously.

Ds, age 8, who also has add/adhd, sensory and mood issues is having a hard time focusing, behaving, writing and with math. Things we're doing with him include: just starting cognitive behavior therapy for specific issues like sleep problems, worry, anger; OT for sensory issues and adhd self regulation, and what I'm extremely excited about is I'm about to meet with a specialist for a qEEG brain mapping and a home neurofeedback program using NASA technology smartbraingames.com

Also, if you could recommend any other sites or education forums that might help??? Pretty please?

Thanks so much!

 

[madmom1030]

Juju, I am not a teacher just a mom. My dds go to public school and math is very different know then when we were in school. They don't memorize math facts like we had to, they just expect that at some point in time they will get them. I work with my dds using flash cards at home that I made myself with notecards. When they write in their journals they just write if it is spelled wrong it doesn't matter. They only need to spell correctly on their weekly spelling test. They do correct the spelling, I should say help them correct the spelling on their writing papers when they do their edit. The teacher circles them and then they have to figure out how to spell it correctly, sometimes they do sometimes they don't.

For math work sheets, I like the math drill website(google math drill). For spelling just have them write and then work with them to correct the spelling when they are done. Maybe have the keep a diary that they write in every day, and have them read it to you. Then you can I think you spelled that word wrong.

Good Luck
Erin

 

[KatiJ]

I am a kindergarten librarian and from what I've seen of the kindergarten classrooms here, it is similar to your school (even though it is a public school).

I don't know much about the math, but in my mind that would come later.

For the phonics, you say you want them to have more practice with phonics, but also spell correctly. Well, what they are writing in their journals IS practice with phonetics. We call it "kid spelling" at my school. The students sound out what they want to write and do the best they can. As they progress through the year, they learn more tips and rules to spelling and learn new sight words every week. Many of the students want to know the "grown up spelling" of words, and we help them with those spellings.

In other words, if the kids want to do those things to practice at home, great, but I wouldn't worry about it!

 

[mjkacmom]

Juju, I am not a teacher just a mom. My dds go to public school and math is very different know then when we were in school. They don't memorize math facts like we had to, they just expect that at some point in time they will get them. I work with my dds using flash cards at home that I made myself with notecards. When they write in their journals they just write if it is spelled wrong it doesn't matter. They only need to spell correctly on their weekly spelling test. They do correct the spelling, I should say help them correct the spelling on their writing papers when they do their edit. The teacher circles them and then they have to figure out how to spell it correctly, sometimes they do sometimes they don't.

For math work sheets, I like the math drill website(google math drill). For spelling just have them write and then work with them to correct the spelling when they are done. Maybe have the keep a diary that they write in every day, and have them read it to you. Then you can I think you spelled that word wrong.

Good Luck
Erin

My kids attend public school as well, and math facts are taught. Dd8's teacher has lots of math fact speed drills. Spelling is also always corrected, even on classwork and homework. OP, some people love montessori, some don't. Why send your children to a montessori school if you disagree with the methods? It might be confusing to your kids to be told one thing in class, and another at home.

 

[woodkins]

Both of my youngest children go to an elementary Montessori school. I'm very happy all in all, but there are some "traditional" things that are lacking, that I personally believe are extremely important to their future academic careers.

1)memorizing math facts. I feel this is crucial to have those facts nailed down so that you can spout of the answer without blinking an eye. It is soooo important for advanced math. My oldest really struggled. When you're doing advanced algebra, if you have to stop and think "what is 8x6", it just makes it so much more difficult! Right?? So, I want a software program that will really help my kids with their facts. I do not understand montessori math! LOL

2)phonics and spelling. They have both learned to read very well. Ds is grade 2 and dd is in k and reading is going well. I just feel they need more phonics. It was key for me when I was young, I still remember it and I'd like to give them more.

Spelling...ummmm, the montessori way, at least at this age, is really bothering me. They simply don't correct their spelling. They write and write in their creative writing journals...great stories etc.. and they write everything phonetically the way it sounds to them. I'd like to get some spelling practice at home and make it fun.

However, I'm not a teacher by profession..I'm a nurse. I homeschooled my oldest for 7 years and did a darn good job, but every kid is different.

If you're an elementary teacher or have experience with this, can anyone recommend some ideas to work on these things with the kids at home and make it like games??

Being in Montessori, they don't have homework so I do have the ability to make some time for this stuff.

I'm not so concerned about dd in K because she's catching onto everything and excelling tremendously.

Ds, age 8, who also has add/adhd, sensory and mood issues is having a hard time focusing, behaving, writing and with math. Things we're doing with him include: just starting cognitive behavior therapy for specific issues like sleep problems, worry, anger; OT for sensory issues and adhd self regulation, and what I'm extremely excited about is I'm about to meet with a specialist for a qEEG brain mapping and a home neurofeedback program using NASA technology smartbraingames.com

Also, if you could recommend any other sites or education forums that might help??? Pretty please?

Thanks so much!

I am a former elementary classroom teacher as well as mommy to a sensory/PDD little girl. My dd goes to a public school and is in regular ed classrooms (she rcvd OT until this year when she begged out & also no longer qualified ). Our school encourages students to memorize their math fact by using a "race game". They have a sheet of 100 addition or subtraction problems. They are given 5 mins to answer as many as possible. Each week they take this "test" and race against themselves to improve their score. They also use www.aaamath.com which has math fact games. My dd likes this website and uses it at home. We also use Millie's Math House, Bailey's Book House CD games to help with math and reading facts

As for the issues with your older son...I personally found the Montesorri approach was not a good fit for my super active, sensory kid. It was too free form and sensory overstimulating for her. Being so sensory sensitive her body craves routine and a more structured school day with lots of direction. Her teachers are aware of her sensory issues and not only give her, but the entire class movement breaks to allow them to stretch, walk around etc to provide them with some activities to get them some exercises and sensory input. We provided the classroom with a beanbag chair for reading time for her & she sits on a "bumpy" seat cushion to help her be attentive.

 

[ljcrochet]

Here is the http://www.math-drills.com/ there are some great work sheets on there, including a 5 minute grid drills that you print and do have them do.
I also found this site which has practices to do on-line. My girls have not used the site yet but it looks fun.

One of the best things you can do with them for phonic and spelling is just read with them. Get them to see the words in the book.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I wanted to respond to you about math facts. It seems your children are young. Why are you so worried about them memorizing their facts already? It will come. Most, not all, do seem to have them down pat by the time the get to algebra. By using them all the time, they start to memorize them. My younger dd is 6 and we do not do time drills (really, when will she ever need to know a math fact in a timed matter?), and we do not do flash cards. However, everyday in math she has some practice facts to do. We also question her all the time with real world math. For example, the other day we were discussing how the oven takes 10 min to heat up and then the french fries take 20 min to cook. I then turned to dd6 and said, how long till the french fries are done? 30 min! YEP! No timed tests needed, no flash cards, just showing her in an underhand way that math is everywhere.

I used to teach public school and was so into timed facts sheets. I just don't see the need anymore. I homeschool both my children now and my older dd is doing algebra 2 and has no problem with her facts. Not to mention that by the time they are in algebra 2 they have steady use of a huge calculator! My younger dd just gets it by practice and real world problems.

Phonics is important in life. But, most children do not have trouble spelling words that are phonetically correct. They have difficulty with words that do not follow the rules! From what I have seen, once a child finally spells a word correctly, they usually keep doing it. It took me into adulthood to finally learn how to spell figure! That is why spelling isn't a concern in journals.

Good luck! I have no websites to suggest. My dd6 loves buildabear.com and disney's fairies and club penquin. They all have webtalk so she does a lot of writing on them which does help with her spelling and writing.

 

[JUJU814]

I wanted to respond to you about math facts. It seems your children are young. Why are you so worried about them memorizing their facts already? It will come. Most, not all, do seem to have them down pat by the time the get to algebra. By using them all the time, they start to memorize them. My younger dd is 6 and we do not do time drills (really, when will she ever need to know a math fact in a timed matter?), and we do not do flash cards. However, everyday in math she has some practice facts to do. We also question her all the time with real world math. For example, the other day we were discussing how the oven takes 10 min to heat up and then the french fries take 20 min to cook. I then turned to dd6 and said, how long till the french fries are done? 30 min! YEP! No timed tests needed, no flash cards, just showing her in an underhand way that math is everywhere.

I used to teach public school and was so into timed facts sheets. I just don't see the need anymore. I homeschool both my children now and my older dd is doing algebra 2 and has no problem with her facts. Not to mention that by the time they are in algebra 2 they have steady use of a huge calculator! My younger dd just gets it by practice and real world problems.

Phonics is important in life. But, most children do not have trouble spelling words that are phonetically correct. They have difficulty with words that do not follow the rules! From what I have seen, once a child finally spells a word correctly, they usually keep doing it. It took me into adulthood to finally learn how to spell figure! That is why spelling isn't a concern in journals.

Good luck! I have no websites to suggest. My dd6 loves buildabear.com and disney's fairies and club penquin. They all have webtalk so she does a lot of writing on them which does help with her spelling and writing.

I honestly don't know why I'm so worried about them. Dd, 6, is catching on amazing and she's really young. I guess it's because I remember doing them in 2nd grade and it was drill drill drill. I LOVED it. I was one of those students that LOVED drills and tables and the quizzes. Weird I know! I also have always felt that those drills served me well later in life. There are so many *adults* that do not know basic math facts by memory.

That said, I KNOW every kid is different, times have changed, and I probably shouldn't be comparing my experience with that of my kids.

I can understand spelling not being a concern with journals.

They don't have weekly spelling tests in Montessori. Everything else about it I am thrilled with. Both of my children are thriving. I just want to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

 

[JUJU814]

My kids attend public school as well, and math facts are taught. Dd8's teacher has lots of math fact speed drills. Spelling is also always corrected, even on classwork and homework. OP, some people love montessori, some don't. Why send your children to a montessori school if you disagree with the methods? It might be confusing to your kids to be told one thing in class, and another at home.

I love montessori and the kids have been in it since preschool. This elementary school just opened up this year and it's awesome. I know the director and the teachers very very well. I agree with most of their methods and the montessori philosophy. Its just very different than what I grew up with and sometimes my doubts creep in in regards to the math and spelling. Again, I'm really not so concerned about the math with dd as I am with ds.

I have a meeting with his teacher scheduled.

 

[princessmom29]

I love montessori and the kids have been in it since preschool. This elementary school just opened up this year and it's awesome. I know the director and the teachers very very well. I agree with most of their methods and the montessori philosophy. Its just very different than what I grew up with and sometimes my doubts creep in in regards to the math and spelling. Again, I'm really not so concerned about the math with dd as I am with ds.

I have a meeting with his teacher scheduled.

I am a high school teacher, but I can tell you that the single largest issue I deal with for kids transitioning for a Montessori type school is math facts. You HAVE to know them to complete algebra work in any reasonable amount of time, and to be able to carry that over into my chemistry class effectively. The spelling thing I think will come with time. My DD is in K and they have them spell everything they journal phonetically. I think it is helping her get a firm foundation in phonics. She segments and sounds out much better than I can. I was never taught phonics as a child. I could read when I got to K from watching when my mom read to me and memorizing the words. The just bmped me up to the next level and I never did phonics. I am dyslexic as well so the two combine to make me a horrible speller! If they were not teaching any phonics in school I would definitely be concerned, but if they are smiply teaching them to spell phonectically at this point with the intent of correcting it after they have phonics down I wouldn't worry.