Kinda missing kindergarten

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing OP didn't mean "ranking" kids against each otehr in the class, but just a rubric or score for each area. "ranking" usually means ranking agains other children. (best, worst, etc.) This sounds like giving feedback on study skills and behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, our kid started first grade this week and all I can say is I'm blown away by how different it is from last year. K was gentle, kind, loving, easy. Fast forward to first grade - the teacher is good and experienced, but suddenly the kids are getting numeric grades, taking spelling tests and getting math and reading homework every night. One kid (not mine) left school crying today because the teacher passes out a weekly page ranking each kid on a set of seven criteria including things like learning independently and self-motivation (this child did not do well and was very upset by it, which in turn upset my child even though she did fine).

Just wasn't quite expecting things to change so completely from one grade to the next. Anyone else?

This cannot be true. At least, I hope it isn't.

I think OP isn't describing it well, but I'm pretty sure it is a learning skills checklist. Students in grades 1-5 also receive "grades" on their report card for learning skills, so many teachers use this weekly checklist to show how they're doing in the different categories: returning homework, completing tasks, staying engaged, listening, following directions, etc. They are rated I for independent, L for limited reminders, F for frequent reminders, or N for never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, our kid started first grade this week and all I can say is I'm blown away by how different it is from last year. K was gentle, kind, loving, easy. Fast forward to first grade - the teacher is good and experienced, but suddenly the kids are getting numeric grades, taking spelling tests and getting math and reading homework every night. One kid (not mine) left school crying today because the teacher passes out a weekly page ranking each kid on a set of seven criteria including things like learning independently and self-motivation (this child did not do well and was very upset by it, which in turn upset my child even though she did fine).

Just wasn't quite expecting things to change so completely from one grade to the next. Anyone else?

This cannot be true. At least, I hope it isn't.

I think OP isn't describing it well, but I'm pretty sure it is a learning skills checklist. Students in grades 1-5 also receive "grades" on their report card for learning skills, so many teachers use this weekly checklist to show how they're doing in the different categories: returning homework, completing tasks, staying engaged, listening, following directions, etc. They are rated I for independent, L for limited reminders, F for frequent reminders, or N for never.

It is still inappropriate for first grade. This is not the way to properly give a six year old feedback. School is not about constantly being judged and graded when you are SIX YEARS OLD! I have been a teacher for 24 years. The most important trait by far that should be instilled in a first grader is the love of learning and showing them that school is the greatest place to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - our school is in the Rockville/Potomac area. Don't want to be too specific for obvious reasons.

This doesn't surprise me at all. We moved in February from an area in North Potomac/Rockville where Kindergarten was like first grade and the children were treated like little robots. We now are in a different school in the Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village area and are very grateful for the change. My son had a little bit of homework that was very easy, but no spelling tests or anything too unbearable for the first week. What you describe is over the top.

[Anonymous]

OP here - 12:12 is correct, sorry if I wasn't clear. It's the Learning Skills checklist. And yes, it is true that one of my daughter's friends was crying both in class and when she got home from school after this experience.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes the truth hurts. My son's first grade teacher sends home a behavior checklist everyday which we have to sign. I love it. His K teacher was great but I had no idea that he had any behavior problems until the Nov. parent/teacher conference. Now I know what he is doing everyday and at the end of the week, most of his classwork is sent home too.