UPDATE page 2 - Parent-teacher conference tomorrow

[tiggerlover]

We have our first parent-teacher conference of the year tomorrow and DH and I have some concerns, however, DH is away on business so that leaves me to attend by myself. DS is in the first grade, he is in a small school so he is in a kindergarten/first grade combo class. His class is made up of 4 first graders, 7 kindergarteners, one teacher and one teacher's aide.

DH and I are concerned that DS is not getting the full benefits of a true first grade education, we feel he is missing out. Some of his homework is so simplistic and seems repetetive of kindergarten, as does some of the school work he brings home. There are only two times during the day where actual 1st grade work is taught, one time is for 40 minues during the kinders nap time and the other is another 40 minutes period during the day when they are all together. In August when I found out there was going to be a combined class I brought my concerns to the principal and he said that the teacher has to teach to standards for each group, but in my limited knowledge of what a first grader is supposed to learn, I just don't think it is adequate. My problem now is how do I go about approaching the teacher tomorrow? I am so afraid of DS falling behind and not being on the same level as his peers elsewhere.

Does anyone know what a child in first grade should be learning at this point in the year? I thought they would be learning time or doing basic math problems, not counting numbers 0-9 or making letter animals.

 

[amid chaos]

Ask that the principal be at the meeting and bring along his simplistic papers that have come home.

Is there a full first grade at the school? Can you ask that he be move there? or maybe you ought to think about pulling him out of the school.

Your concerns are very valid..don't be intimidated.

 

[sharbear]

I really can't remember what my first grader was learning in first grade but I just wanted to say good luck. I've had issues before too so just remember to say what you want, write it down if you think that you'll forget.

My DD could read Junie B Jones books by the fall of first grade and she wasn't a very advanced reader for her class. And I know she could count to a hundred in K so I am sure that they were doing addition by first grade. I know that they were writing in journals, we do whole language so spelling wasn't an issue. But I am sure she had spelling tests of simple words. Hope that you get more answers from actual parents of first graders

 

[Cindy B]

I live in a district that has a good school reputation, and the first few months of first grade were too easy...it was a repeat of kindergarten until at least January.

But here's a few thoughts:

One) this class is busy more attending to the kindergartener needs.. 40 minutes to first grade, that is unacceptable.

If I was teaching, I would teach to the "middle". Make it challenging enough for the kindergarteners, and still do a lot for the first grade.

Combine projects.. maybe in science... say a soil/plant unit. You can have the kindergarteners just plant, and talk about what goes on, but with the first graders do that, and then talk about the parts of a plant, the process, photosynthesis, etc...

The teacher should have the aide do more with the kids. Have the younger ones do a story while the first graders do a reading lesson.


Reading, read to the K's, and do other things, but

 

[The Mystery Machine]

While I do understand your concerns, I don't know if that is the way to go about getting something positive out of your conference. Since your ds needs to be where he is at I might approach it from a more "positive" angle.
Perhaps you could bring the papers but say ds "really seems interested" in doing work that is more challenging, etc. Maybe you could enlist her help and go about it that way.
Good Luck

 

[emmy]

My first grader does a lot of math- this weeekends homework included a sheet on telling time, 2 on frames and arrows and one on finding the rule. She also has to read a book each week(very small booklet type) and practice writing high frequency words in sentences. Her other sheets are filling in the missing letters and making maps(of our yard, neighborhood etc.)Also working with money is big!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I can't remember too much, my youngest is in ninth grade, but I do know that they were reading easy books by Christmas.

I just read a book about the importance of reading in education. It stressed much free voluntary reading.

This won't help you for your conference today, but there is a good series of books by E. D. Hirsch called What your First Grader Needs to Know . They progress up through each year of school. It was used by our elementary school for core knowledge education. You might try looking at that.

 

[RitaZ.]

My DS#2 is in 1st grade in a Multi Age class, 1st and 2nd graders. The focus for the first graders seems to be writing and reading. I have already seen tremendous improvement in his reading and writing skills. Counting money and telling time are some of the things that he did in Kinder.

They also do math problems (number and word problems). They have a weekly spelling test (8 words), have to write "meaningful sentences" with their spelling words, rhyming, papers where they have to write the missing word, have to write stories using their spelling words or write a story about a particular subject, etc. They also do some Science. There is homework and reading every night and also one sheet on the weekend. There is also a weekly sheet where you can choose at least 2 activities every day from~ Reading for 15 minutes, Practice Math Facts and Study Spelling words. We have to sign this and send it in at the end of the week. It's nothing like Kinder though, definitely more challenging.

I would tell the teacher that the work may be too easy for your DS and ask if he can be assigned more challenging work. Don't be intimidated or nervous, you'll be fine. Just remember that you are your son's advocate. Good luck!

 

[piratesmate]

I taught a 1st/2nd combo class for 2 years and later a 2nd/3rd class for a year. It was also a small school - mine was the only class for children of that age. I had no teacher's aide or parent helpers. There were children whose IQ's ranged from 79 - 148. This is not an easy task.

That being said, it is quite possible to do this & challenge all of the children. However, it takes an awful lot of work! I didn't have children at the time & DH was still in school.

It wasn't a terribly popular approach with the parents, but I started the year focusing on reading. I put off teaching math until mid to late October. By then the 1st graders were well established with reading & the math came easily.

I would teach one group for 15 - 20 min & then assign follow-up work. While they did the seat work, I taught the other group. It alternated like that all day, except for art, music & gym which I taught combined.

From what you've described, the work does seem simplistic. I understand your concerns and would express them without being challenging. It's possible that the teacher feels overwhelmed. However, the class size is quite reasonable & with an aide this should not be happening. JMHO

Deb

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I agree with piratesmate. This should definitely not be happening. Our boys were advanced from day one and we have had some very negative experiences trying to get something done. Someone suggested the 'nice' approach, which is great, if it works. All we got when we tried that was an "Oh, yes... I can do that, no problem...." Only to see NOTHING different being done. Kind of like patting a dog on the head, you know?

Keep after them, they can do better, but they probably won't unless you make some noise. As a teacher friend of mine says.... "In education (as well as life) the squeaky wheel gets the grease!"

Squeak away!!!

 

[aahmom1]

I don't think I would be too thrilled about that scenario either. He should be learning how to read, write and do simple math at this point. You have very valid concerns. What will happen next year when he goes onto 2nd grade and doesn't know the material. If they don't listen to your concerns or you feel in a short time that he's not learning anything new, I would consider changing school until 2nd grade. It's certainly not fair to the 1st graders to have to 're-learn' Kintergarten material.

Maybe you could go sit in on a class and see what is really being taught.

 

[ratsrule]

Originally posted by CJMickeyMouse
Our boys were advanced from day one and we have had some very negative experiences trying to get something done.

Out of the womb into Harvard

 

[tiggerlover]

From reading some of the responses, I guess I wasn't too clear, or maybe I was just focusing my complaint on one thing. Reading is a BIG part of DS's day. I know the teacher reads to the class and I know the students have time during the day to sit and read. DS also brings home level books to read that we have to sign off on once he has mastered the book, then he brings the book back to read to the teacher and if she is satisfied they move onto another book. DS is the second strongest reader in the class and I can honestly say I have seen an improvement on his reading skills since the beginning of the year.

As far as math goes, he has done some graphs, but I haven't seen basic math like 9 + 4 = 13, 2 + 5 = 7, etc. They have not worked on time or money, which I thought would/should be taught this year. In DS's backpack today were some math sheets, he was to circle the pictures that showed equal parts, on the bottom of the ditto it said to be used with K workbooks. I know they have a math book in school, but I am not sure what that contains. DS also said that they do journal writing every day, so I am curious to see his tomorrow. DS also gets sight word lists every week, but no spelling words at all.

To answer a few questions, amid chaos, this is the only first grade class available, changing schools is not an option because we live in Italy and this is the only school available to us.

Sharbear, Junie B. Jones books have been coming home regularly, DS was able to read the first page of chapter one. He also said that the teacher often reads Junie B. books in class.

Cindy B., I totally agree with your thoughts, I just wish I could get the teacher to practice them. Perhaps I just am out of the loop a little and need to really discuss the day with the teacher, maybe there is just something DS is leaving out. But I am sure of the homework and school work that comes home and I know I am not satisfied with it.

Emmy, as far as homework goes, DS usually gets a packet on Monday (unless it is a short week, he gets none), and there is usually a page of homework for each day of the week. DS never has homework on the weekends or holidays.

Rita Z., I do see a lot of focus on reading and a bit of writing, especially neatness. This is the same teacher DS had for kinder and they definitely didn't work on time, but I do think they touched a little on money. After reading your reply and those of others I really truly believe DS is missing out on some of his education and it makes me so frustrated.

piratesmate, I do think the teacher is overwhelmed. On a couple of ocassions she has mentioned that she hasn't found her groove yet. I was requesting certain work and she apologized because basically she hasn't gotten her act together. But personally I think a little over two months into the school year she should have her act together.

aahmom, sitting in on class may be what I need to do. But when that happens I would imagine the teacher would be on her best behavior so to speak.

I appreciate what each and every one of you has written and I plan to sit down after DS goes to bed tonight and make myself a list so I don't forget what I want to discuss. I want to stick with the friendly approach and hope to get results because I don't want to cause trouble. But if I don't get sufficient responses to my inquiries, I will have to come up with a plan B.

 

[Buckalew]

Tiggerlover,
Being the packrat that I am, I pulled Hunter's 1st grade update from November 3, 2000.

Phonics-- reviewed syllables, rhyming words, root words and suffixes, charts 6-10, special sounds "ing", "ong", "ung", "ink", & the suffix-s.
arithmetic-- introduced A.M. and P.M., one half of a group, 8 subtraction family, onehour=sixty mins., review the clock, combining dimes, nickles, and pennies, reviewed # families 1-8.
Bible-- Ruth and Naomi, The Lord's Prayer, November verses have been changed to Psalm 100.
Reading-- Groups are reading books Tiptoes, Stepping Stones, and Secrets and Surprises.
Spelling-- We now have 15 words for our new lessons from here on out. This week we start having a bonus word. This word will not count against students if it is missed. List 9-- round, shout, cloud, south, cow, now, down, brown, clown, crown, town, slow, snow, what, was, and bonus word--pilgrims.
Activities were PE, Library, Art & show and tell.

Hope this might help you out in some way.

 

[ripleysmom]

tigger, based on your second post I think it might still be a little too early for what you are expecting.

DD is in the 1st grade here and they are not yet learning addition although I think that will kick in shortly. They have been learning money though as part of the math so you may want to ask about that.

 

[aahmom1]

Here's a thought, make sure you ask her what the kids HAVE to know to move onto second grade. I know that here the kids have to be able to recognize and spell 150 words. Kindergarten is 50. Also ask her the standards for math. That should help you understand a little better if he is doing what is appropriate for 1st grade.

 

[piratesmate]

I wasn't going to say anything, but . . . .

Yes, I know I'm old & went to college in the last century, graduating in 1973. However, I hate this new trend to giving spelling words in 1st grade! It used to be that spelling was taught on words that had been mastered in reading the year or two before. Therefore, no spelling before 2nd grade. Spelling always seemed easier - i.e. children learned it easier - than it does now. I know very few GOOD spellers in the grades now. For that reason, I wouldn't be worried.

Also, having no homework over the weekend is extremely reasonable for 1st grade - unless it's to read.

I think that 2 months is a good amount of time to get your act together in the classroom. Earlier I said that the class size was reasonable - I should have said small!!! Especially with an aide, I would hope to have seen some changes by now.

From my earlier post, I deleted the comment that perhaps you have the luxury of being able to offer your time - to assist in small tasks that would free her up to spend more time with the students. Things parents did at DDs school were: listen to children read aloud, run copies of pages, cut paper for projects, help preparing materials for "centers" (places children go when their seat work is completed to work on enrichment activities) ...

Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how it goes.

Deb

 

[jellymoon]

WOW!!! You child is in a class of 11 with a teacher AND an aide?!?!?

I'm salivating out here from the land of 30+ in a kindergarten class with only one teacher, no money for counselors, art or music. Our PTAs must raise the money to hire "artists in residence" to do art, and to bring in a music teacher for part of the year. We have no librarians. At the high school level we have 1500 kids in a building with just 1 principal and 1 counselor--- no other administrative support. Parents volunteer to man the phones and the reception office.

I want to move where you are!!!!!!

 

[ZebraStripes]

Tiggerlover
My DD7 is in first grade also. I think while 1st grades all over learn basically the same things, it seems that the pace is different. My DD is starting with learning time (just the big hand), simple addition and subtraction, writing sentences spelling words how they hear the letters, reading 4 to 5 word sentences in books, beginning to learn and recognize those 100 words they should know before they leave 1st grade.

I can understand where you are coming from though. We started our DD in K at 6. Her class was mostly 4's and early 5's. While she has mild learning disabilities, she was somewhat ahead in some areas. When she started 1st grade, I gave the teacher about 5 weeks before I went in for a conference. Conferences are usually in November, but I stay on top of things and meet with the teacher 4 or 5 times a year. Write down everything you are concerned about; take that list with you. Go through the list with the teacher item by item until you get answers to the questions. If I don't understand something, I ask for them to explain it in a way I can understand (I've asked for a parents guide to psychological exam reports; haven't gotten it yet, but I will!). I also ask to see examples of completed work and have the process explained to me. Tell the teacher your concerns. I've found that being blunt sometimes gets to the heart of the matter sooner.

I am fortunate that we have had very understanding and accomodating teachers. They have welcomed our involvement even when I come across as the neurotic parent (only sometimes).

One more suggestion, ask the teacher if she minds if you record the meeting with a tape recorder. Explain that your husband is away and you wanted to be able to fill him in with all the correct information (I sometimes forget details after the meetings; information overload).

I hope the teacher understands that you are a concerned parent advocating for you child. Good luck.

Kris

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Originally posted by ratsrule
Out of the womb into Harvard

So, what you are so eloquently saying is that children who are advanced should just sit and be quiet until everyone else catches up? Sorry, I don't buy into that.

Education has adopted a teach to the middle philosophy which has created, IMO, a crisis. This is especially scary in multi-age classrooms. Our district was more concerned about the social aspects than the possible academic gains.

Believe me, you must have a suit of armor in place if you children are 'outside the circle'. Our kids are in middle school now and my armor is about as thick as a brick wall. We are doing what is right for OUR children. Tiggerlover has to decide what is best for her children.