Talk me down re kindergarten at an arl school

[Anonymous]

Is this ATS OP?

[Anonymous]

Op again - thanks. I wasn't counting music. There are two pe classes each week - he told me they danced in one.

I'll keep asking questions but boy, the teacher is so hard to talk to! Flat affect, doesn't say much. Argh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again - thanks. I wasn't counting music. There are two pe classes each week - he told me they danced in one.

I'll keep asking questions but boy, the teacher is so hard to talk to! Flat affect, doesn't say much. Argh!

Are you trying to talk right before or after class? I think this is quite different from preschool/daycare where it was so much easier to chat with the teachers for a few minutes at pickup time. Our teacher has already said that she is very accessible via email, and checks it morning, night and during her planning period, but trying to grab time with her as school is letting out isn't the best way to have a conversation. Perhaps your son's teacher is the same?

[Anonymous]

1. I doubt he only got 10 minutes of recess unless there was some other activity going on.
2. As far as the line with lips pursed, etc., it sounds to me like the teacher may have been making a game of it or exaggerating it in order to ensure that the kids keep their hands to themselves in the hall. She is probably trying to set the standard so that the kids understand. I doubt it is enforced. Some K kids have no concept of not pushing or keeping hands to themselves. I agree that it sounds bizarre, but it may be purposeful. It is easier to teach WHAT to do rather than what NOT to do. So, keeping your hands by your side, is easier to teach than "don't touch the kid in front of you".........I taught K, and while I don't recall teaching it quite like you described, I don't think it is as bizarre as you think. I'm sure she just wants them to keep control of their bodies while they are walking in the hall. That is not always an easy task. I used to play a "follow the leader" type thing: one day it might be walk like a soldier, the next day it might be walk like a quiet cat, another day, it might be put your hands on your hips, right hand on your head, whatever. One thing, though, it was to teach some kind of order and control in the hall.
You may find that wrong, but it is really teaching consideration of all the others in the school. Now, if she does this in the classroom or on the playground that is a different story.
Eventually, she will probably trust them to walk quietly however they like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op again - thanks. I wasn't counting music. There are two pe classes each week - he told me they danced in one.

I'll keep asking questions but boy, the teacher is so hard to talk to! Flat affect, doesn't say much. Argh!

Are you trying to talk right before or after class? I think this is quite different from preschool/daycare where it was so much easier to chat with the teachers for a few minutes at pickup time. Our teacher has already said that she is very accessible via email, and checks it morning, night and during her planning period, but trying to grab time with her as school is letting out isn't the best way to have a conversation. Perhaps your son's teacher is the same?

agree with this. Also RELAX! It's the first few days of school, your kid will adjust and be fine!!! I'd recommend stepping back until at least back to school night, if not first parent teacher conferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op again - thanks. I wasn't counting music. There are two pe classes each week - he told me they danced in one.

I'll keep asking questions but boy, the teacher is so hard to talk to! Flat affect, doesn't say much. Argh!

Are you trying to talk right before or after class? I think this is quite different from preschool/daycare where it was so much easier to chat with the teachers for a few minutes at pickup time. Our teacher has already said that she is very accessible via email, and checks it morning, night and during her planning period, but trying to grab time with her as school is letting out isn't the best way to have a conversation. Perhaps your son's teacher is the same?

This OP. She's likely got around 20 kids and associated parents and I just don't think it's the same vibe as preschool or a daycare. Send an email and see if you get a better response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that this isn't developmentally appropriate but it's the reality of public kindergarten these days. Short or private or red shirting I'm not sure what can be done. Does he seem miserable?

It is NOT the reality of public K. My DD's public K was nothing like that at all. My DD literally skipped out of school every day. OP, I would give it a little more time. I've come to realize one small interaction during the day can set the whole tone in her mind. Just make sure you get the straight story before making such a decision.

How much recess does your child get?

40 minutes plus 30 minutes lunch.

[Anonymous]

OP,
Pick your battles. It is quite doubtful that the kids are only getting 10 minutes of recess--especially the first week of school. And, your child is not the only one and right before or right after school is never the right time to catch the teacher. She has many other things on her mind that she needs to take care of.
Wait a few days before you put her on the spot about the recess. It's is unlikely they are only getting ten minutes and it makes you look like "that" mom.

[Anonymous]

Please share which school! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your 5yo told you he had 10 minutes of recess and you believe him without question?

Hahaha - no. I have the schedule. It lists a 15 minute recess and it was shortened today, per him. Even if he's wrong about that, I think 15 mins is inadequate.

15 min may be inadequate, but it seems to be the norm.

What would you suggest they do about it?

I would suggest they give the kids more recess, so that they can actually focus when they are in the classroom. It's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Kindergarten in APS is the new 2nd grade. I used to say 1st, but it keeps getting worse and worse.

How else are they going to have their high test scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your 5yo told you he had 10 minutes of recess and you believe him without question?

Hahaha - no. I have the schedule. It lists a 15 minute recess and it was shortened today, per him. Even if he's wrong about that, I think 15 mins is inadequate.

15 min may be inadequate, but it seems to be the norm.

What would you suggest they do about it?

I would suggest they give the kids more recess, so that they can actually focus when they are in the classroom. It's not that hard.

Does each school decide how much recess? I thought that was decided way further up the chain. They need X amount of teaching time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kindergarten in APS is the new 2nd grade. I used to say 1st, but it keeps getting worse and worse.

How else are they going to have their high test scores?

You know I really bought into this before my kid started. But I've been pretty pleasantly surprised. Virtually the whole afternoon is snack and specials. Art, music, gym, Spanish.

I don't know, the schedule just doesn't seem as crazy intense as everyone made it out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your 5yo told you he had 10 minutes of recess and you believe him without question?

Ha!

[Anonymous]

Look, I'd be worried about this too, but don't become THAT parent this early in the year. Your school should be having a back to school night (or something? Conferences?) this month to talk to all the kindergarten parents. If you're still worried about it, bring it up then.

I just say this as a parent who has a tendency to ask questions early rather than sit on my hands for a while -- I feel like I have paid for it in losing the good will of some of the teachers right off the bat. Learn from my mistakes, grasshopper.