Have been stereotyped as a 'Tiger Mom.' Strangest note from teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people crying racism here? Maybe those kids that the teacher perceives as being taught at home happen to be Asian or Russian. Maybe all the other kids aren't as advanced. I think people are jumping to conclusions here.

There are several parents around here (both Asian and non Asian) that are teaching their kids at home way beyond what the kids are doing in class because the parents feel that class work isn't rigorous enough, especially math. And the parents may be teaching the kids math the old way, which is very different from 2.0 math. In some cases, the kids are probably not ready for such advancement but the parents push.

The teacher may be hearing some of the kids stating "that's not how I learned" type of stuff. I can see how it might be frustrating for the teacher. It's hard to explain to a 6 or 7 yr old why we are not going to do it that way, and to break that for now. Don't worry, eventually, in the upper grades, they do "carry the one".

I have taught my DC how to do math the old, but quick way, but I have emphasized to DC that DC must still know how to do it the way DC is taught at school, and we do review those methods as well.

Parent-teacher conference is coming up. You could also address it then, too, but a quick reply that you don't teach the kid at home may let the teacher know. I would try to find out why the teacher thinks this way about your DC.

I don't get the"Asian or Russian" comment. We are clearly talking about Indian or Idian-Americans here.

How is that clear? I don't see that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Indian-American mom. I have taught my kids multiplication tables. I have told them to not let anyone know that they know their tables.

We do all our learning in a secretive and clandestine way in our house. In front of the world, we pretend to follow common core, but we are so deep undercover and learn the old ways so surreptitiously, that you may think I am a "Sloth Bear" mom.

You can't just pretend to follow common core if you want your kid to get Ps or ESs in class. They do actually have to know it to get through the school work. And I'm not sure why you have to do all the learning at home in secret. MCPS is not the gestapo.

Part of the deep cover is to actually be good in common core and get the Ps and ESs in class and meet all the MCPS requirements. It is not really hard to do because MCPS math is not really rigorous or hard.

[Anonymous]

troll post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can kind of understand what the teacher means. I was taught math a certain way and now with this common core everything is taught backwards. My guess is she doesn't want the children picking up bad habits and having to unlearn then relearn the new way.makes sense sad I can't help a first grader with homework but gosh it's so advanced these days and done backwards.

Perhaps Common Core is a veiled attempt to guarantee job security?

You can't teach old dogs new tricks. They just assume new tricks are infieror.

[Anonymous]

Like most things in life look out for your child. Do not place 100% trust the MCPS math teacher and script will get it right. Prepare your child if necessary if MCPS math prep falls short.

[Anonymous]

Post the email or it didn't happen.

[Anonymous]

I actually think I'd take this to the principal. It seems obvious to me that your child's teacher does not believe in differentiation and she wants to do what she can to avoid having to expend the energy that differentiation takes. This teachers boss needs to be aware.

[Anonymous]

I think that it would be helpful if OP posted the teacher's e-mail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people crying racism here? Maybe those kids that the teacher perceives as being taught at home happen to be Asian or Russian. Maybe all the other kids aren't as advanced. I think people are jumping to conclusions here.

There are several parents around here (both Asian and non Asian) that are teaching their kids at home way beyond what the kids are doing in class because the parents feel that class work isn't rigorous enough, especially math. And the parents may be teaching the kids math the old way, which is very different from 2.0 math. In some cases, the kids are probably not ready for such advancement but the parents push.

The teacher may be hearing some of the kids stating "that's not how I learned" type of stuff. I can see how it might be frustrating for the teacher. It's hard to explain to a 6 or 7 yr old why we are not going to do it that way, and to break that for now. Don't worry, eventually, in the upper grades, they do "carry the one".

I have taught my DC how to do math the old, but quick way, but I have emphasized to DC that DC must still know how to do it the way DC is taught at school, and we do review those methods as well.

Parent-teacher conference is coming up. You could also address it then, too, but a quick reply that you don't teach the kid at home may let the teacher know. I would try to find out why the teacher thinks this way about your DC.

I don't get the"Asian or Russian" comment. We are clearly talking about Indian or Idian-Americans here.

How is that clear? I don't see that.

Not clear to me either. Russian parents can be as hardcore as Chinese or Indian. Early education is taken quite seriously there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that it would be helpful if OP posted the teacher's e-mail.

[Anonymous]

WTF kind of educational system is this? I had never heard of schools that don't want students to learn anything before MCPS.

OP - I would send the email to the Washington Post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTF kind of educational system is this? I had never heard of schools that don't want students to learn anything before MCPS.

OP - I would send the email to the Washington Post.

If there is one, and it says what OP says it does.

[Anonymous]

I'm curious what the email actually says. I know that I've misread things and wonder if OP is misinterpreting what the teacher had to say. Bottom line - I would ask the teacher for clarification!

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked the teacher was dumb enough to put these thoughts in writing. I volunteer in our school's office where you hear all the teachers talking. I have been shocked about how they stereotype parents and how much animosity there is towards parents who teach their kids at home. Its just bizarre and sad how they dismiss kids who are really smart because their parent must be prepping them or working with them.

I do not get this perspective that it is bad for parents to do educational things with their kids at home. The curriculum is very, very easy now. It takes next to nothing for many kids to be far ahead. Should we be teaching our kids to act dumb so that the school system is happier? Makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm shocked the teacher was dumb enough to put these thoughts in writing. I volunteer in our school's office where you hear all the teachers talking. I have been shocked about how they stereotype parents and how much animosity there is towards parents who teach their kids at home. Its just bizarre and sad how they dismiss kids who are really smart because their parent must be prepping them or working with them.

I do not get this perspective that it is bad for parents to do educational things with their kids at home. The curriculum is very, very easy now. It takes next to nothing for many kids to be far ahead. Should we be teaching our kids to act dumb so that the school system is happier? Makes no sense.

I agree with this poster. The only thing shocking is this teacher put this in writing, if the OP's story is true. The sentiment itself is well known.