What are they doing in your Kindergartener's class?

[Anonymous]

My DC is in kindergarten in MCPS. It seems like there is not a whole lot going on in terms of academics. Does the pace pick up after the holidays?

I am happy with the teachers, classmates, etc. but it seems like my child learned more in pre-K than kindergarten.

They are learning a few simple words, but it is not like they get a list of words every week. They read and have discussions about the story, characters, setting, etc. In math, there is a lot of counting going on, but that seems to be it.

Just curious if this is the county-wide K experience.

[Anonymous]

Well that certainly was our experience last year (entire year). I thought maybe with new curriculum things may have changed.

First grade things have picked up and they are adding/subtracting two digit with carrying. And the writing assignments are definitely challenging.

[Anonymous]

I've actually been pretty impressed with what DD is doing in K, especially what they are doing in reading. They are doing lots of writing about what is happening in the story (writing sentences about what happened in the beginning, the middle and the end or about the characters, setting, etc.)

As far as math, they've started doing one digit adding now- that's been slower paced.

[Anonymous]

I have to say I am impressed as well with what my K child is learning in school.

He brings home sight words once a week to learn. He is working on easy addition in math.

He is writing about books that they are reading in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is in kindergarten in MCPS. It seems like there is not a whole lot going on in terms of academics. Does the pace pick up after the holidays?

I am happy with the teachers, classmates, etc. but it seems like my child learned more in pre-K than kindergarten.

They are learning a few simple words, but it is not like they get a list of words every week. They read and have discussions about the story, characters, setting, etc. In math, there is a lot of counting going on, but that seems to be it.

Just curious if this is the county-wide K experience.

Welcome to MCPS frustration.

[Anonymous]

I've been pleased with what my son has been doing in K this year.

They have new "wall words" every week. I like the techniques they are teaching him regarding early reading (i.e. sounding things out, looking at the pictures for clues). Probably less has been done with math, but I see that they do have work in math. He's done addition/subtraction problems and lately counting in 10s and learning about tally marks. And, I don't discount the stuff they've done in the social sciences and sciences - like weather, plant/animal life cycles.

[Anonymous]

I've also been pleased with what my son has been doing in K this year.

He does 2 new sight word every week and is bringing a book or two to read at home. He needs to draw what happened in the story and write a sentence about it.

In math, he's doing addition up to 10. He's done counting by 2, 6 and 10s to a 100. Also he can read a pattern and use tallies. We've been practicing subtracting at home, but I can tell they haven't covered it -because he didn't know the (-) minus sign. So far they have been doing a lot.

[Anonymous]

My son is reading chapter books. He, however, does not always get the correct answers on his 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction problems.

[Anonymous]

What the hell is a "DC"?

[Anonymous]

DS=dear son, DC=dear child(ren), DH=dear husband

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is reading chapter books. He, however, does not always get the correct answers on his 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction problems.

Is he in K? That's great he can do chapter books. There is one boy in my child's class who is reading at that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is reading chapter books. He, however, does not always get the correct answers on his 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction problems.

Is he in K? That's great he can do chapter books. There is one boy in my child's class who is reading at that level.

Just FYI since we've been down this road... doesn't matter what you can read. In first grade its ALL about the writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is reading chapter books. He, however, does not always get the correct answers on his 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction problems.

Is he in K? That's great he can do chapter books. There is one boy in my child's class who is reading at that level.

Just FYI since we've been down this road... doesn't matter what you can read. In first grade its ALL about the writing.

I disagree with this. My child's 1st grade teacher told me "1st 1/2 of 1st grade is about reading, 2nd 1/2 is about writing."

[Anonymous]

PP - I guess it depends on how fluent a reader your child is. Mine was also reading chapter books before K and is a very quick reader. He has been working on writing all of K and first grade. His reading level is lower because his writing lags behind.

[Anonymous]

To PP whose son is reading so well. Is he bored in class? How does the teacher make sure he stays challenged in school?
Specific examples would be great if you know.