So Disapointed in Kindergarten

[tmarquez]

DD(5) started public Kindergarten last week, it's a year round school. This is my only child so I don't know what to expect. She had been going to a really great preschool since she was 2 1/2, but financially we had to make the jump to public school.

When we went for her Kindergarten "testing" the teacher told me that they would be setting up a "reading group" for the kids that can read, but she didn't know when because I guess they must fully evaluate all the kids in everything before they do that. Which is fine, I understand.

Yesterday my DD came home with a newsletter from the teacher talking about the things they will be learning this unit (a unit is 3 weeks). For Language Arts: recognition of the letters a through z and the high frequency words I and can. With many activities corresponding to colors. Math: Shapes, numbers to 5, position and directions.

DD said all they do is color. I don't think DD is exceptionaly "gifted" or anything like that, I just know that she has been continuously taught things since she was 2 1/2 and loves to learn. She does workbooks at home for fun?! DD is used to doing "work" in school. She can add, subtract, read, write and tell you all about George Washington.

I have no problem doing the work she loves with her after school or on weekends to keep her going. I am so worried that she will start getting in trouble in school because she is bored. She is a good kid, has had 1 time-out in school since she was 2 1/2. But I can't see her sitting in class all day while they review what a square is, or how many the number 3 is. That would be torture!

Tell me I'm overreacting...or give me advice. She loves school so much and for my own sanity I want that to continue.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

This is pretty much the same issue our friends had and their son WAS getting bored!!!
They had to go in and talk to the teacher. It was really helpful and things have changed quite a bit.
They are very involved with the school and I think that helps a lot since they are parents that like to be seen and heard... in a good way!!!

 

[SleepingUgly]

Definitely talk with the teacher. I recall my older daughter's first month of KG at the public school -- she was bored stiff. But I do know it was a time when the teacher could evaluate the kids and their capabilities. However, I also recall that the teachers met one-on-one with each child for about 15 minutes before school started for a mini-evaluation. Did they have that with your daughter?

Maybe wait another couple of weeks, and then if the situation stays the same, schedule a meeting with the teacher. We did not talk to our daughter's KG teacher until much later in the year, and she finally realized the reason why our daughter was so quiet was because she was bored, not because she was shy. So they tested her and I guess they figured things out because they put her into the gifted program at school right away.

Good luck!

Linda

 

[AKBAFB]

I think you should talk to the teacher - tell her what you just told us. Keep in mind that in public school, she's most likely dealing with kids from backgrounds like your DDs all the way through to kids who have never done anything except watch videos for the the first five years of their lives. It's unfortunate, but the teacher has to try to incorporate lessons and activities during the first several weeks of school that will probably try to focus on bringing the kids at the bottom of the curve up closer to the middle level. It will get better as the school year goes on and the class as a whole starts to advance together. In the mean time, if she's aware of your concerns and your daughter's abilities, she may have some additional activities for her or she may have volunteers or paras that can help your daughter with some enrichment activities. Keep an open mind - work with the teacher, not against her.

 

[scjo68]

I agree, talk to the teacher, but I'd wait another week.

Remember, they just started, and as the pp said, the teacher is having to deal with so many levels. All of the students have different abilities as well as have been exposed to different experences and amounts of enrichment.

The first couple of weeks the teacher is primarily getting the kids used to the routine. In my dd's class, there were kids who literally cried all day and/or tried to run out of the room. Any little thing can upset the whole apple cart. Kids wet their pants, etc. I'm not saying this chaos goes on all year, but at the beginning it will. So, it is not surprising that she gives some busy- work at the beginning. As the class becomes used to the routine, the teacher will be able to teach more.

I volunteered a lot in my dd's K class, and in other classes as well. I am also a former teacher. When the curriculum is sent home detailing what will be covered, that usually indicates the minimum requirements, which all children must learn. Hopefully, there will be some enrichment for those who would benefit.

My dd is entering 5th grade this year, and is in a special Gifted class. But they don't start gifted classes hear till 3rd grade.

I volunteered in her K class once a week, and sometimes I did enrichment with the more advanced kids, and sometimes hellped those who were falling behind.


All I can tell you is that my dd loved school, and never told me she was bored.

Listen to your dd, and if she says she is enjoying it, that is a good sign.

Good luck!

 

[Ellester]

Well, honestly, this is the main reason we started homeschooling four years ago. My oldest dd did enjoy kindergarten, she had a wonderful teacher. Then she went on to first grade and was simply bored out of her mind. I vividly remember her coming home and proclaiming, "blends, blends, blends! If I hear any more blends I am going to scream!" She has mastered blends long before, but had to sit through the rest of the class reviewing them day after day. We did talk to the teacher, but her hands were basically tied. She had several kids with discipline and/or learning issues in the class that took up any additional time she may have had for enrichment. I was the room mom and spent as much time in the classroom as I could (both in K and 1st, but I had two younger kids so it was hard to be there more than once or twice a week). Mostly she would ask me to read to the class as a whole, help some kids one on one on the computer, or collate copies. Testing for the TAG (talented and gifted) wasn't available until the 3rd grade. We could literally see the love of learning draining from her every day. She was in one of the "best" schools in the district, there was a long waiting list. We decided homeschooling was the best answer for us and we haven't looked back. I hope talking to the teacher will help resolve your situation, but in our experience it didn't help at all.

 

[dreamer17555]

Okay I know where you are coming from because it happened with my DD. She was so ahead she was getting bored. I talked to the teacher and they were happy to give her some harder material but honestly the biggest shift came about mid year when the kids had started to catch up.

By the end of the year 90% of the kids were addicted to reading Magic Tree House to the point they wanted to bring the books to lunch. She had them doing flow charts and correcting their writing with appropriate marks. I would talk to the teacher but also remember she is working with some kids who have never been to school. Give it some time it will get better.

-Becca-

 

[mjkacmom]

That sounds normal. All of my kids could read, write, and do addition/substraction when they entered kindy, and so could many other kids. However, the teacher needs to evaluate all of them, and a lot of the time, has to teach to the lowest level (not saying I agree, but it's public education, NCLB, etc.). I just worked with them at home - heck, I'd rather have the child who was ahead, than the child that was behind.

I'm guessing about 1/2 the parents ask for extra work for their children, but I know at least here, the teachers don't even have aides, and it's hard to teach to so many different levels. I think of kindergarten as a time to socialize - I've noticed that the kids who are behind catch up in the older grades, where they are more likely grouped by ability, and GT starts.

I wouldn't say anything this early on.

 

[brymolmom]

Definitely sounds normal. Keep in mind - not all these kids have been in preschool since 2.5 so they need to do at least SOME basics for the kids who might not have gotten it. Don't worry - it's usually good review for all kids. It has only been a week and a half - I am confident that your dd will learn a LOT in Kindergarten.

DS went last Sept and finished K in June. He is very academic (photographic memory) but not gifted. He knew all colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sounds, writing many words. But he still managed to learn many things in Kindergarten - how to listen to the teacher, how to read to the end of 1st grade level, how to do the beginnings of Math.

Don't forget, if your dd didn't ever learn how to write lower case letters (for example, no idea whether she does or not) - just think how you would feel if they 'skipped' that in class, just because some or most of the kids already knew it. There will definitely be days that she already knows the lessons...but very likely there will be many days that she learns something new.

One bit of advice - you could always volunteer in the classroom once a week (my school allows this but not all do) - this usually allows the teacher more time to focus some 'extra special' work for different kids - maybe some who need extra help and maybe some who need extra stimulation.

 

[sashagiselle]

My dd5 will be starting kinder in August, but I've already met with the Principal and the school's enrichment coordinator. My DD is no genius but she also reads and does math etc. My fear was that she would get bored and act out so I emailed the principal, they were more than happy to meet with me and started planning alternatives. They will be taking my dd out of class for an hour or so a day and putting her in a first grade class. They will also do different types of enrichment projects with her and other kids they identify, but there will not be a full assessement of all students until January. Since your dd is already in class start with the teacher but if no change go to the principal. Good luck!

 

[pyrxtc]

I'm surprised to read that all these kids are reading and doing math before even starting Kinder ! Whatever happened to letting them be kids?? My DS is starting Kinder this year too and cannot read, barely write, and definately does not know math.

Up until this year, he has just been a kid. He knows his letters, numbers and shapes with no problem. I don't expect him to know anymore. School is about learning these things. Kinder is about learning rules and restrictions and how to get along with others. Coloring should be a big part of it! They need to learn how to behave in a classroom, not be doing worksheets all the time.

Kinder is not even required where I live, he could go right into 1st grade knowing little mroe than he does now.

 

[hkeller27]

I just want to offer a little bit of a different viewpoint....I am a former Kindergarten teacher, turned SAHM. I can tell you that the first few weeks of kindergarten have NOTHING to do with learning. The beginning of the year is about social and structural aspects of school. It's time for the teacher to feel out his/her students and getting to know their personalities and learning styles. It's time to establish classroom routines and rules and structure. It's time for the kids to know each other and to get used to working as a classroom unit. And it's time for the teacher to assess each child's abilities and then decide where his/her lessons will go from there.

Don't be alarmed at all just yet. Yes, there will be a lot of coloring - it gives the teacher an easy activity to give the kids to do on their own while doing individual/small group assessments. It's the reality of kindergarten.

There is also a lot more learning that happens inside a classroom than you will ever see evidence of in a folder. Large and small group activities, learning centers - these are typical things that happen all day long but often do not have physical results that come home. But these are also some of the most important learning activities.

Chances are that your teacher will realize your daughter's abilities and teach her accordingly. And if not, definately talk to the teacher - we do like input from parents!

Also, just keep this in mind - it's still just Kindergarten. She's not going off to take her SAT's next year. There are so many years ahead for learning academics - these children are only 5 and 6 years old!!!!! Never discount the other important things they learn - how to be a friend, a team player, a learner, etc. I truly believe the poem, All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten!!!


This is all just my 2-cents from the teacher perspective. I hope things work out for everyone!

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Lots of kids read early but certainly not all. As most of the previous posters mentioned AIG or gifted programs do not typically test until 3rd grade for this very reason. Most kids catch up to the early readers by 3rd grade so early reading does not indicate a "gifted" child. Also early readers often still need or lack other skills. Obviously the parents of these early readers have instilled a love of books/reading and provided good opportunities for their children to mature in this area. I have two boys who are as different as day and night academically...one is very interested in academics and the other could care less...and they were/are raised in the same house! Imagine what vast differences teachers face on a daily basis!

 

[nonzerosum]

My DD5 is quite academic, in that she loves school and the "work" aspect of it. She's been going to an academically focussed prechool for 2 years. She's reading, doing math etc..., but the most important thing I want her to learn from KG is how to be a friend. If kids struggle socially, they are in for a hard road. My DD can tell you all about Nelson Mandela and various other complex things, but she has a hard time finding her way socially. I just want her to be happy in school and fit in. I have a PhD (now a SAHM) and my DH an MD and I can't tell you the number of people we went to graduate school with who were brilliant, but social morons. I don't want that for my kids.

To the OP, I would approach the teacher, but might wait a few weeks until everyone is settled in. Your daughter sounds very bright!

 

[mom2aredhead]

This is pretty much the same issue our friends had and their son WAS getting bored!!!
They had to go in and talk to the teacher. It was really helpful and things have changed quite a bit.

Definitely talk with the teacher. I recall my older daughter's first month of KG at the public school -- she was bored stiff.
Linda

That sounds normal. All of my kids could read, write, and do addition/substraction when they entered kindy, and so could many other kids.

DS went last Sept and finished K in June. He is very academic (photographic memory) but not gifted. He knew all colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sounds, writing many words. But he still managed to learn many things in Kindergarten - how to listen to the teacher, how to read to the end of 1st grade level, how to do the beginnings of Math.

My dd5 will be starting kinder in August, but I've already met with the Principal and the school's enrichment coordinator. My DD is no genius but she also reads and does math etc. My fear was that she would get bored and act out so I emailed the principal, they were more than happy to meet with me and started planning alternatives.

I'm just wondering if any of these kids that are so far ahead entering kindergarten were "red-shirted" and actually started a year later than they were scheduled to? Just curious.

To the OP, give it time. I completely agree with what hkeller27 posted. I don't think that a week and a half is nearly enough time to make a fair assessment. Granted you don't want to wait too long, but give the teacher a chance to make her own assessment of your child (and the other dozen + in the class) and prepare accordingly. If it were me, I'd honestly give it until around Thanksgiving.

And I disagree with mjkacmom - good teachers will not "dumb down" the class to the level of the lowest performer. Hopefully OP's daughter has one of the good ones.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

This is why we homeschool too. First, let me start by saying that I a a teacher. I stopped teaching a few years ago to stay home with both my daughters. When my second dd turned 3 we noticed she was a little advanced. Asking how to spell words for her fridge letters, trying to add her toys up. By the time her fourth birthday came she was already reading many sight words. So, we decided to start kindergarden at home last year. She did awesome! This year she will be 5 and we will be doing first grade. She loved her learning room. Dd13 stayed home too and is doing 9th grade this year.

 

[ERMama]

I guess these posts always get me a bit defensive of my son. He did go to a special ed preschool and he still entered K not knowing much. I feel like why should I have to apologize for K being "so boring" for all these super smart kids. I dont feel K is "dumbed down".
I do understand parenting a truly gifted child is a challenge. But I also dont see how hard it is to challenge a 5 yo at home for awhile to supplement what they are learning in school.
As a pp said, the first few months of K isnt just about learning.
If shes doing fine in school behavior wise, I wouldnt worry until you need to.
Perhaps shes not as bored as she says she is or as bored as you think she is.

 

[Aristomommy]

I guess these posts always get me a bit defensive of my son. He did go to a special ed preschool and he still entered K not knowing much. I feel like why should I have to apologize for K being "so boring" for all these super smart kids. I dont feel K is "dumbed down".
I do understand parenting a truly gifted child is a challenge. But I also dont see how hard it is to challenge a 5 yo at home for awhile to supplement what they are learning in school.
As a pp said, the first few months of K isnt just about learning.
If shes doing fine in school behavior wise, I wouldnt worry until you need to.
Perhaps shes not as bored as she says she is or as bored as you think she is.

I don't think there is any reason to be defensive. Children learn at different rates, some faster,some slower. I have two children, one is "gifted" and one is behind on his speech development due to a hearing problem. What I have learned is that parenting each is difficult in a public school because they BOTH have special learning needs. As our DD child began having problems at school, people thought I was crazy for a) explaining what she was doing at home (she masters math on her own or with very little instruction years ahead of the curriculum) and b) for asking the school to accelerate her curriculum. To say that I should have supplemented at home, means that she would have been (and was) bored for 4 hours at school and then put through more work when all her friends came home to play? How unfair.As for DS, the school was much more understanding of his special needs, arranged free pre-school, early intervention and many more resources.

For DD we had to pay ourselves a psychologist to do IQ tests and even then the school wasn't happy to accelerate a child in the 99.9th percentile. For DS, we didn't even have to have a hearing test, they took my word for it and then PAID for testing. My children are on the opposite ends of the learning spectrum and I am surprised how defensive the schools get over the kids needing more challenge.

As far as Kindergarten is concerned, I would say that there is a strong social component to it. But there are academic standards as well and if a child has mastered them, how hard is it to challenge them? Many educators I have "met" on these boards always say that a teacher can differentiate in a classroom. A bright or advanced student should be challenged just as a student who has not had any formal schooling before Kindergarten. Sorry for the long post, but I have now been on both sides of the issue and it has opened my eyes.

 

[marlynnp]

What are the laws in your state?

Here in PA a child must be 5 in order to start attended and must be attending by the time they are 8. Nothing says what grade they have to start in. My daughter started in first grade when she was 5.

If it's the same there, I'd wait a few more weeks to see what happens and to let the teacher see how much your child already knows. Then make an appointment to meet with the teacher and principal to discuss your concerns that your child is not being challenged by the kindergarten curriculum.

 

[TiggerStac]

My DS missed the cut by 8 days to go to K in 06-07.

He went last year and turned 6 the 2nd day of school.

He went to Preschool from age 2 and a 1/2 day K program at his preschool when he was 5. There were 10 kids in this class and they all moved onto full day K in the public system.

His teacher was wonderful!! she had 3 kids that she was giving 1st grade math workbooks to (my son being one of them) he would ask to do math, which is great...I love math. The way the school has the reading materials is a reading readiness (scott foresman?? I think) and there are all different levels. He was in the highest level. She made accomidations in the class for the kids who needed more time and the kids who neede more of a challenge.

I agree, the first couple of weeks, the teacher could be feeling out the kids and see where they all are. Several of the K in my sons class never stepped foot in a school, so they needed to learn basic classroom rules and process.