1st grade is a bad as we suspected

[Anonymous]

I am a regular sub (3-4 days every week) at our local elementary school. Today was my first time in 1st grade this year. WOW. Academically and behaviorally I can honestly say this class was more behind than any other class. Honestly, the kindergarteners were better behaved. A lot of undiagnosed ADHD. And academically some of them are so behind they should be repeating K. Some of them literally don’t know what sounds letters make or how to use a pencil to do basic writing.

We discussed all last year how bad this would be but I secretly hoped we’d be pleasantly surprised. It was bad and I fear it will take years and years (if ever) for some of these kids to catch up.

[Anonymous]

I believe it, I am guessing the peer to peer comparisons are more drastic with some getting more focused at home learning last year than others.

[Anonymous]

I can’t take you seriously when after a day as substitute teacher you report that there is a lot of undiagnosed ADHD in first graders.

[Anonymous]

Oh gee, a substitute teacher who thinks she’s qualified to diagnose ADHD in 6 and 7 yos, when even experts will tell you that at those ages many kids will grow out of their supposed ADHD symptoms within a year or two as they mature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t take you seriously when after a day as substitute teacher you report that there is a lot of undiagnosed ADHD in first graders.

The teacher leaves a list of kids who need to be watched more carefully and who are more likely to act up. I also sub for the sped resource teachers and have a sped background. But I don’t care if you believe me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe it, I am guessing the peer to peer comparisons are more drastic with some getting more focused at home learning last year than others.

Clearly some of them have just been on an iPad for 18 months.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Substitute Teacher!

[Anonymous]

You aren’t qualified to diagnose. Maybe you are a bad sub and kids were neglected for a year by their parents.

[Anonymous]

Fine none of them have ADHD. You are missing the point. It’s way worse than was expected. And nothing like first graders pre Covid. And the deficiency is worse than in other grades. It’s just interesting.

Wow you guys are a prickly bunch. No wonder there is a sub shortage? Who wouldn’t want to deal with that for $15/hour?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who subs who said the same thing (well, except for the ADHD comment!). They'll catch up, but 1st and 2nd graders are really behind socially.

[Anonymous]

But some are not behind at all, making the gap huge. I feel badly for the ones not behind. It’s going to be a long year for them. Did some parents really do nothing for a year and a half?

[Anonymous]

This is what parents of kids this age said ALL LAST YEAR WHEN THEY WERE NOT IN SCHOOL.

Yes, I am yelling because I find this so unbelievably infuriating. And now it's wow...can you believe it. Yes. This is the most predictable outcome ever. No one gave a crap about these kids.

I am genuinely sympathetic to teachers who are now dealing with this shit show. And also, the deafening silence last year (at least in my school district) from any teachers about what this would surely do to kids this age was sad. No one speaking at the School Board meetings. No letters to the Editor. No posts on social media. No petitions. No leaked emails to the principal about how this was going to really be a problem for this particular age group. No "teacher association" (aka union) statements. Dead. Silence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a regular sub (3-4 days every week) at our local elementary school. Today was my first time in 1st grade this year. WOW. Academically and behaviorally I can honestly say this class was more behind than any other class. Honestly, the kindergarteners were better behaved. A lot of undiagnosed ADHD. And academically some of them are so behind they should be repeating K. Some of them literally don’t know what sounds letters make or how to use a pencil to do basic writing.

We discussed all last year how bad this would be but I secretly hoped we’d be pleasantly surprised. It was bad and I fear it will take years and years (if ever) for some of these kids to catch up.

WTAF.

Pro-tip, sweetie. If you see behavior problems everywhere, you're the common denominator. But thanks for the medical diagnosis. What are your credentials?

(p.s., they are SIX years old).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a regular sub (3-4 days every week) at our local elementary school. Today was my first time in 1st grade this year. WOW. Academically and behaviorally I can honestly say this class was more behind than any other class. Honestly, the kindergarteners were better behaved. A lot of undiagnosed ADHD. And academically some of them are so behind they should be repeating K. Some of them literally don’t know what sounds letters make or how to use a pencil to do basic writing.

We discussed all last year how bad this would be but I secretly hoped we’d be pleasantly surprised. It was bad and I fear it will take years and years (if ever) for some of these kids to catch up.

WTAF.

Pro-tip, sweetie. If you see behavior problems everywhere, you're the common denominator. But thanks for the medical diagnosis. What are your credentials?

(p.s., they are SIX years old).

Interesting I’ve been in every other grade this year (including K) and none behaved anywhere near this badly. How often have you been in a classroom for an entire day dearie darling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what parents of kids this age said ALL LAST YEAR WHEN THEY WERE NOT IN SCHOOL.

Yes, I am yelling because I find this so unbelievably infuriating. And now it's wow...can you believe it. Yes. This is the most predictable outcome ever. No one gave a crap about these kids.

I am genuinely sympathetic to teachers who are now dealing with this shit show. And also, the deafening silence last year (at least in my school district) from any teachers about what this would surely do to kids this age was sad. No one speaking at the School Board meetings. No letters to the Editor. No posts on social media. No petitions. No leaked emails to the principal about how this was going to really be a problem for this particular age group. No "teacher association" (aka union) statements. Dead. Silence.

Yup. This years 2nd graders had about 6 months of Kindergarten before covid hit. Six months. And fcps virtual learning was garbage - I am not saying teachers didn't try hard, and I am not saying it was not hard on them, but it was a joke for this age group. We worked with our kid to complete every assignment, took photographs of every bit of work requested and submitted it. Zero feedback the entire school year. No "work on x" no "good job on y". Nothing. 2nd grade is showing we reap what we sowed.