Parents of First Graders...how would you handle this?

[lap3]

My DS6 is in first grade and is doing pretty well. Because of the wide range of abilities in her class, his teacher assigns homework based upon each child's ability. Well, he reads pretty well and gets assigned 4 books to read everyday. He's ok with this but he notices that the other kids only have 2 books and sees this as totally unfair. When we're at home, it's like pulling teeth to get him to read. He just sulks and wonders why the other kids don't read as much as him. BTW, there are 5 other kids that are assigned the same amount of books.

So, help me out here. I have an idea of how to handle the situation but I would like to know how would you deal with this. Any constructive comments or suggestions are highly appreciated...

TIA!

 

[kidshop]

Four books a day sounds like a lot to me. I like the way ds's teacher does it: 20 minutes of reading every night....whatever you choose. I think a minimum time that is the same for everyone is the best choice. Of course, you can read longer if desired, but different requirements for each kid is not really fair.

 

[luvmydogs]

Just a quick question to clarify...

Is he overwhelmed by the amount of reading he has to do, or is he capable, but just not wanting to do it?

 

[lap3]

Yeah, 4 books sounds like a lot but the books aren't that much and can be done each night...and we have done them every night. He is capable of reading but his argument is that why should he read that much when the other kids don't read as many books?

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It sounds to me like he is ready to progress to Chapter books - so he would be reading a certain number of Chapters a night instead of books.

Once they get to a certain reading level, the beginning readers just aren't very much fun. It isn't like they have riveting plot lines if you know what I mean.

 

[taximomfor4]

This is just what I would do. Have been in similar but not identical situation.

Do some research (on the net or whatever) about gifted kids. If you want, PM me for a couple of specific sites to start at. Your son may or may not be Intellectually Gifted, but the parents of gifted kids often encounter situations like this and have ideas compiled (why reinvent the wheel, right? )

Something important to think about is this: If the teacher is trying to get the kids to have a certain amount of TIME reading each night, that might explain the discrepancy. Honestly, it is refreshing that a teacher wants to individualize the learning experience at all! Perhaps you could confer with the teacher about getting him something more within his reading ability range. That way, he would still only have 2 books...they would take him the same amount of time to read as the easier/shorter books the other kids might have. I think the best differentiation a teacher can do is DIFFERENT work for the more advanced kid. A VERY common mistake teachers make, though, probably due to lack of extra planning time (heavy work load already) is to just give the more advanced kids MORE work. My dd started feeling very punished.

Beth

 

[stacie_d]

My DS is also in the first grade. He is assigned 10 minutes of reading every night, and the teacher send home one book per night per kid.

I'm not sure that is is "fair," for lack of a better word, that your child gets twice the amount of homework as some of the other students. What my son's teacher has done was to send home a book geared to each child's ability. That way, each child has one book, but the book is appropriate for the child's reading level. (Of course, maybe your son's teacher is doing this as well as sending a larger amount of work?)

I would ask the teacher why she is doing this. Perhaps his books are shorter than the ones the other children are receiving, or maybe she is trying to get them to all spend the same amount of time reading?

 

[CEDmom]

My DD is also in 1st grade and doing more advanced math work than a lot of the other kids so I can relate to this issue. So far my DD hasn't had any issue with doing the extra work but if she did I'd try to make a game out of it and also explain in an upbeat way that she's given the amount of work her teacher thinks she's capable of doing. Maybe you could make up a sticker chart and after your DS reads each book and tells you something he learned from it he gets a sticker. If he does this each night w/o much of a battle he gets to pick a video to rent each Friday, or something like that.

 

[Frantasmic]

Does your school system use AR? Sounds like they are wanting to push him early and get him accustomed to reading.

Let him do something extra at home when he finishes the 3rd book like pick dessert or some other special treat.

 

[kasar]

Is there any way you can turn this around to be a good thing? Like, "we're so proud of you because your teacher thinks you are capable of reading more books than some of the other kids" (but that sounds kind of snobby or hyper-competitive, doesn't it?). How about "wow, your teacher must think highly of your reading ability to assign you all these books - why don't you read some to me, I'll read one to you and then you can read the others on your own." Reinforce the good part - that he's doing great. You certainly don't want him to be defensive or angry about reading.

We had a similar situation with DDs 4th grade teacher on the spelling tests. She gave them a pretest on Mondays and if they got all the words right they got MORE words! That'll teach 'em to do well on the pretests, huh?

 

[lap3]

Thanks for all of your input thus far. You've given my wife and I to consider. Truthfully, we feel that it seems like a lot of work for first graders. Couple this with language arts and math homework and it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially for the first graders. CEDmom mentioned a sticker chart. My wife and I actually have this in place. So, at the end of the week, he's able to get something, whether it be candy or toy. taximomfor4, I don't know if he's gifted(but I appreciated reading your post!) but I will PM you for links to those sites. I'm interested in how other parents handle this.

As I mentioned, my DS is fully capable of doing the reading. He's fine with the comprehension. It's just he goes through these moments where he feels he's done a crime so his punishment is to read more than the other kids.

Thanks again and if you have other suggestions, I'm all ears!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I totally agree with your child!

Little first graders do NOT need to be penalized for learning successfully!!!

If he is perceptive enough to know that he is being sent home with twice as much work as everyone else, then he, and you, have a valid problem.

Here is where I think the teachers approach is off.... Let's say a child has a hard time reading, because of a disability like dyslexia. Then the teacher would have to make accomodations for this, and not require the same amount of reading as she would from class as a whole. This would be a necessity.

I believe extra work is indeed PUNITIVE!!!! Your child has picked up on the situation and apparantly also feels this way. Your child does not need to be punished or penalized because he happens to be a good reader.

Many children would VERY QUICKLY decide not to ever show that they are 'excellent' in a subject, as they know this will just result in punitive extra work.

Also to note here. This double the reading is cutting into your very limited, precious and valuable Family Time!!!! Your child needs the down-time... He needs the quality-time with his Mom and Dad... NOT the 'pulling teeth' to complete extra punitive work. I feel VERY strongly about these issues.

And, even further... if your child is already reading above normal grade level, then it is really kind of pointless to add additional reading. There may be some other area where your child could actually use the extra practice and encouragement. What the teacher iis doing is taking a good reader, and making reading a very difficult and thankless assignment. NOT the way to encourage a love of reading!!!!!

So, how to address this. How is your relationship with the teacher? Do you think a brief conversation would take care of the problem? If you are not completely positive in your relationship, then I would suggest that you do all of this in writing. Everything will be completely documented that way.

I would write a very short, clear, non-emotional, memo stating that you understand that your child is being given double the reading homework. And, that you do not feel like it is appropriate. That you do not feel like it is in your childs best interest.

Then list the reasons why..... Very simply.... 1. 2. 3.

Then simply state that you hope the teacher will understand. And that you hope it will not be problem if you do not continue to read 4 books with your child.

It is not right for your child to feel 'penalized' this way. I really feel for him! And, I think I would try to do something.

Hope it all works out!

 

[lap3]

we're so proud of you because your teacher thinks you are capable of reading more books than some of the other kids

We had a similar situation with DDs 4th grade teacher on the spelling tests. She gave them a pretest on Mondays and if they got all the words right they got MORE words! That'll teach 'em to do well on the pretests, huh?[/QUOTE]
My DW and I have considered this but this is something that we don't want to sound like. The last thing we want our DS to think is that he's better than others.

wow, your teacher must think highly of your reading ability to assign you all these books - why don't you read some to me, I'll read one to you and then you can read the others on your own.

But, I do like this way of saying it. Verbally, I'm not the best at conveying...although my intention is there. I'll give this one a shot.

Thanks, Kasar!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Great reply lap3!

I agree, just like the example of the the extra spelling words...

Read the addition that I just made to my post above...

Many children would very quicly decide NOT to ever show that they are excellent in anything, as they know that this will just result in extra punitive work!!!

Yeah right.... way to encourage a little 6 year old child.....

 

[lap3]

Wishing on a star, point well taken. At times, we feel that his teacher assigns too much homework and my DW will be bringing this to her attention this week when she parent volunteers. I agree that I want my DS to have a love for reading. This is something that I did not develop until much later after college. Incidentally, his school is a fundamental school in which parent involvement is almost part of the curriculum. The last thing the administrators want to do is to have the school be used as a daycare. We totally agree with this ideology. We like to know what our DS is doing in school and ensure that our perception parallels that of the school. So, part of our quality time is embedded with doing his homework...among working on his pitching in little league!

Anyways, for those interested, I'll let you know how it goes after my DW speaks with his teacher. Also, I'll make sure to give all of your suggestions consideration should this problem arise again...

Thanks!

 

[disykat]

Talk to the teacher. Teachers don't want to turn kids against reading! I'm sure something can be worked out so he can feel like things are fair. It may be as simple as the teacher talking to him.