Just my kid? Shouldn’t all elementary Reading in MCPS have group meetings with the teacher?

[Anonymous]

Yep. My DS never received reading instruction on his level in ES. He was grouped with the above level kids starting in K. They only instructed them one grade level above even though my son was 3+ years above grade level. He actually increased his own reading level mostly by doing independent reading for the vast majority of time. By 5th grade, his teacher only met with his group once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. My DS never received reading instruction on his level in ES. He was grouped with the above level kids starting in K. They only instructed them one grade level above even though my son was 3+ years above grade level. He actually increased his own reading level mostly by doing independent reading for the vast majority of time. By 5th grade, his teacher only met with his group once a week.

Op again - I am not even asking for instruction on DC’s level. DC and other above level kids in class are not getting ANY reading group meetings. Ever. Not even once a week.

[Anonymous]

My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

They never once met to discuss the basic theme of a book, why the characters did what they did, to have any class conversations at all about what they were reading with each other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

They never once met to discuss the basic theme of a book, why the characters did what they did, to have any class conversations at all about what they were reading with each other?

Yeah, this seems unacceptable. I don't understand why PP thinks it's "not a big deal."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, DCUM. I’m looking for some perspective and hopefully some facts before I approach the teacher.

DC is in third grade. Last year, there were regular meetings with the teacher and a reading group, at least a few times a week. This year, my child has read a couple of books and done some worksheets, but no group discussions. No table time with the teacher and other students. At all.

There ARE reading groups in the class, and DC says that they sometimes meet with the teacher.

What is the standard for reading instruction in MCPS third grade? Do all reading groups have teacher meetings and discussion? Should I expect DC to have this regularly? Every day? Once a week? Is there a place where MCPS lists the minimum block of time students should be receiving instruction like this?

Our school is not yet doing the new ELA program, as far as I know.

My elder DC had the same experience at 3rd grade. He was the highest reading level, the teacher just let him play a math app on chromebook everyday during ELA class for the whole year. I tried to talk with the home teacher during teacher-parent meeting. She just said "he is perfectly fine. Don't worry. It's time to meet the next parent. Goodbye." I was pretty upset. This situation is completely solved when he went to CES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, DCUM. I’m looking for some perspective and hopefully some facts before I approach the teacher.

DC is in third grade. Last year, there were regular meetings with the teacher and a reading group, at least a few times a week. This year, my child has read a couple of books and done some worksheets, but no group discussions. No table time with the teacher and other students. At all.

There ARE reading groups in the class, and DC says that they sometimes meet with the teacher.

What is the standard for reading instruction in MCPS third grade? Do all reading groups have teacher meetings and discussion? Should I expect DC to have this regularly? Every day? Once a week? Is there a place where MCPS lists the minimum block of time students should be receiving instruction like this?

Our school is not yet doing the new ELA program, as far as I know.

My elder DC had the same experience at 3rd grade. He was the highest reading level, the teacher just let him play a math app on chromebook everyday during ELA class for the whole year. I tried to talk with the home teacher during teacher-parent meeting. She just said "he is perfectly fine. Don't worry. It's time to meet the next parent. Goodbye." I was pretty upset. This situation is completely solved when he went to CES.

Wait, are you serious?!

That's completely unacceptable. I'm glad your kid got into CES and it was better, but what about the kids who don't get into CES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

They never once met to discuss the basic theme of a book, why the characters did what they did, to have any class conversations at all about what they were reading with each other?

Not until 5th grade. It was not a big deal because dc was already so far ahead. I couldn’t make waves at school about this in case a real problem came up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, DCUM. I’m looking for some perspective and hopefully some facts before I approach the teacher.

DC is in third grade. Last year, there were regular meetings with the teacher and a reading group, at least a few times a week. This year, my child has read a couple of books and done some worksheets, but no group discussions. No table time with the teacher and other students. At all.

There ARE reading groups in the class, and DC says that they sometimes meet with the teacher.

What is the standard for reading instruction in MCPS third grade? Do all reading groups have teacher meetings and discussion? Should I expect DC to have this regularly? Every day? Once a week? Is there a place where MCPS lists the minimum block of time students should be receiving instruction like this?

Our school is not yet doing the new ELA program, as far as I know.

My elder DC had the same experience at 3rd grade. He was the highest reading level, the teacher just let him play a math app on chromebook everyday during ELA class for the whole year. I tried to talk with the home teacher during teacher-parent meeting. She just said "he is perfectly fine. Don't worry. It's time to meet the next parent. Goodbye." I was pretty upset. This situation is completely solved when he went to CES.

Wait, are you serious?!

That's completely unacceptable. I'm glad your kid got into CES and it was better, but what about the kids who don't get into CES?

GREAT QUESTION. maybe peer cohorts self-started their own book clubs during 3rd grade ELA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

They never once met to discuss the basic theme of a book, why the characters did what they did, to have any class conversations at all about what they were reading with each other?

Not until 5th grade. It was not a big deal because dc was already so far ahead. I couldn’t make waves at school about this in case a real problem came up.

I think this varies school-to-school. My child did this kind of "book club" activity staring at the end of 2nd, and then through 3rd with the William & Mary curriculum. My child did leave their home school for the CES, but the home school piloted the enriched literacy curriculum that provided many of the same enrichment activities.

This was a Focus School in Blair cluster, for what it is worth.

[Anonymous]

I sometimes question whether kids are super accurate and saying they never got any kind of reading instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid didn’t get one minute of reading instruction K - 5th grade. Then it was all test prep (how to answer SAT type comprehension questions). Not a big deal. She was obviously way above grade level.

So what was she doing during whole group instruction?

[Anonymous]

I would honestly raise some questions but take it with a grain of salt that your kid is getting some kind of instruction it may not be one-on-one but it's still something.

I think the only thing I would be really concerned about as the kid on the Chromebook not actually doing reading work during reading

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, DC is well above level. All the kids got regular instruction/discussion time last year, regardless of level, so I am wondering if there is a policy shift once in third grade? I completely appreciate that there are worse problems and some children need more, and DC can certainly read independently for some reading blocks. But zero discussion time with the teacher or a peer group? Ever?

There are no whole class discussions in your child's class? That's bizarre.

Or is this one small portion of the day where some kids who are above level, and able to work independently do so, and the kids who need some extra help get guided reading groups which are a remedial strategy in third grade? If so, and your kid doesn't need them, be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. My DS never received reading instruction on his level in ES. He was grouped with the above level kids starting in K. They only instructed them one grade level above even though my son was 3+ years above grade level. He actually increased his own reading level mostly by doing independent reading for the vast majority of time. By 5th grade, his teacher only met with his group once a week.

So, did the rest of the kids catch up, or did he stay 3+ levels above? If the latter, then obviously the teachers knew what they were doing, and met his needs.

Above level readers benefit from large amounts of independent reading. It's what they need. A good teacher respects that.