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DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Reading Disparities
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Anonymous
Reading/Writing Workshop is more of a strategy than a curriculum. It can be used through elementary, up to 6th grade, perhaps even beyond. |
Anonymous
| I was just about to say that my daughter is at Janney, is a very advanced reader, and they adapt the program to suit her needs as well as all the other levels. I'm shocked to hear this is not universal across DCPS. |
Anonymous
Even worse -- some schools insist that teachers use the packaged Houghton-Mifflin curriculum, which is truly awful. |
Anonymous
| There are teaching/curriculum disparities within schools as well. Some teachers at workshop schools fully embrace these programs while others resist because it is not the way they have always done things. My advice is to ask about teachers and try to advocate for a teacher placement that fits your child's needs. Some schools are more open to these requests than others. |
Anonymous
Great tip, thanks. |
Anonymous
| OP here. My child is at Murch, so there is something woefully wrong, and nothing has changed in the month + since the initial post. |
Anonymous
That's unfortunate to hear. Have you involved the administration at all? It doesn't sound like the teacher is utilizing the tools at her disposal to the best of her ability. Maybe another teacher can do better? |
Anonymous
| Find out what reading assessments have been done on her. If she maxed out whatever test they gave, ask that the reading specialist at the school (or equivalent) test further. With demonstrated achievement, i.e. testing, it might be easier to get better placement or accommodations. |
Anonymous
| OP, ASAP, in writing, request a parent/teacher conference to discuss this and ask that an administrator join you. If for some reason they cannot accomodate you reasonably soon (which would be ridiculous), ask that an administrator join you for your parent/teacher conference on Dec.7. |
Anonymous
| I am the PP, I meant to finish with, talking with both teacher and principal will show you pretty quickly whether or not it is a teacher issue or school policy. |
Anonymous
| What exactly do you think that she is not getting? Is it just the books she is forced to read during reading? Isn't there a resource teacher and reading groups? As the mom of one very advanced reader, I honestly didn't think it was a huge deal. She read what she wanted to read all the time! What do you want the school to do? There are many kids who are not advanced readers in Kindergarten or 1st grade, but who are, nonetheless, extremely bright. I guess I just don't understand what you think your kid is not getting. |
Anonymous
her child might be bored to tears. it happens. |
Anonymous
| My DD is in K at Murch and while I can't be sure without observing in your DD's class, it doesn't sound like what goes on in her class. I don't love the comment of the teacher either. I wouldn't conclude that it is a wasted year, I'd request a meeting with the teacher, the reading specialist and an administrator. Is her teacher fairly inexperienced? She may need more guidance on differentiation. For example, in my DD's class, they may be told to find a book and pick out the words that they know, since my DD reads well, she just reads the book during that time. The activities work well for to accomodate a range of readers. That's what I've seen and heard from my DD, hope I'm not just being Pollyanna. |
Anonymous
What about Lafayette? I got the impression on the tour that if a child is reading ahead, they let them practice their writing in a journal - DH thought they used the term writers' workshop but it doesn't sound like what is described here? |
Anonymous
|
Lafayette and Murch use both Readers' Workshop and Writers' Workshop.
OP, I am the PP with a child in Murch K. How is it going? Did you meet with the teacher? |