So much time spent disciplining kids in K

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

PP here. And of course, overcrowded is a major limitation on recess time too. Our K teacher I think would love to give more outdoor time but the slots are so limited due to sharing the space. And god forbid there's bad weather. Ugh.

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

Utter nonsense. If you don't agree with standardized testing as one of many assessment tools for students and teachers alike or want very small class sizes and lots of extra bells-and-whistles then public school is probably not for you. No such thing as a free lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

PP here. And of course, overcrowded is a major limitation on recess time too. Our K teacher I think would love to give more outdoor time but the slots are so limited due to sharing the space. And god forbid there's bad weather. Ugh.

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Reams of research that suggest that adequate exercise is complementary and even necessary for learning. Finnish kids go outside every 1- 1 1/2 hours in order to learn to mop the floor with us on international exams. When I was a kid, we had 4 recesses a day, and yet I somehow learned enough to eventually go to an Ivy League school.

[Anonymous]

My child's class has 1 problem child. He's normally sent to the Dean's office when he acts out.

I would be pissed if the entire class was punished for one person misbehaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saying all kids with SN have behavioral problems is absurd. My child is SN and has some delays but is in no way a behavioral problem. SN is a broad term from ADHD to language, occupational therapy and other delays.

To me the bigger issue is that parents and preschools are not preparing children for the structure of K. The play based are failing our kids by not teaching them the basics and foundations on how to be successful at school. We go to preschool/school that has academics and structure and by the time the kids get to K., they are all more than prepared. As a parent, it is your job to make sure your child is prepared. If you blame the school or academics saying they are too much, maybe you child is not ready for K. and should do another year of preschool (or two). K. is for learning, not play.

So, your point is that you know nothing about child development? You don't prepare kids to be in an overly academic environment at a young age by putting them into an overly academic environment at an even younger age.

Also, if you think learning and play are opposites, you really don't know anything about child development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child's class has 1 problem child. He's normally sent to the Dean's office when he acts out.

I would be pissed if the entire class was punished for one person misbehaving.

But we don't know that's what's happening. It might be that a significant portion of the class is having the issue. If multiple kids are participating in misbehavior, it might well make sense to have the whole class face the consequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

PP here. And of course, overcrowded is a major limitation on recess time too. Our K teacher I think would love to give more outdoor time but the slots are so limited due to sharing the space. And god forbid there's bad weather. Ugh.

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Reams of research that suggest that adequate exercise is complementary and even necessary for learning. Finnish kids go outside every 1- 1 1/2 hours in order to learn to mop the floor with us on international exams. When I was a kid, we had 4 recesses a day, and yet I somehow learned enough to eventually go to an Ivy League school.

I cannot imagine anyone having 4 recesses. Maybe you should use your ivy league education to homeschool. Then your kids can have as many as they need. I'm not worried about what Finnish kids do. I'm worried about what my child does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's class has 1 problem child. He's normally sent to the Dean's office when he acts out.

I would be pissed if the entire class was punished for one person misbehaving.

But we don't know that's what's happening. It might be that a significant portion of the class is having the issue. If multiple kids are participating in misbehavior, it might well make sense to have the whole class face the consequence.

Generally kids that age talk about other kids behaviors and not their own. It is possible that OP child was contributing to the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saying all kids with SN have behavioral problems is absurd. My child is SN and has some delays but is in no way a behavioral problem. SN is a broad term from ADHD to language, occupational therapy and other delays.

To me the bigger issue is that parents and preschools are not preparing children for the structure of K. The play based are failing our kids by not teaching them the basics and foundations on how to be successful at school. We go to preschool/school that has academics and structure and by the time the kids get to K., they are all more than prepared. As a parent, it is your job to make sure your child is prepared. If you blame the school or academics saying they are too much, maybe you child is not ready for K. and should do another year of preschool (or two). K. is for learning, not play.

So, your point is that you know nothing about child development? You don't prepare kids to be in an overly academic environment at a young age by putting them into an overly academic environment at an even younger age.

Also, if you think learning and play are opposites, you really don't know anything about child development.

My child and many others do far better with the structure and having an academic environment absolutely got them ready for school. There is plenty of play, too much for what I want. But, you cannot complain kids are being reprimanded for not standing in a line or following directions if you throw them into a new environment where the expectations are very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

PP here. And of course, overcrowded is a major limitation on recess time too. Our K teacher I think would love to give more outdoor time but the slots are so limited due to sharing the space. And god forbid there's bad weather. Ugh.

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Reams of research that suggest that adequate exercise is complementary and even necessary for learning. Finnish kids go outside every 1- 1 1/2 hours in order to learn to mop the floor with us on international exams. When I was a kid, we had 4 recesses a day, and yet I somehow learned enough to eventually go to an Ivy League school.

I cannot imagine anyone having 4 recesses. Maybe you should use your ivy league education to homeschool. Then your kids can have as many as they need. I'm not worried about what Finnish kids do. I'm worried about what my child does.

How about you send your child to Basis and those of us who believe in the value of play will stay where we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saying all kids with SN have behavioral problems is absurd. My child is SN and has some delays but is in no way a behavioral problem. SN is a broad term from ADHD to language, occupational therapy and other delays.

To me the bigger issue is that parents and preschools are not preparing children for the structure of K. The play based are failing our kids by not teaching them the basics and foundations on how to be successful at school. We go to preschool/school that has academics and structure and by the time the kids get to K., they are all more than prepared. As a parent, it is your job to make sure your child is prepared. If you blame the school or academics saying they are too much, maybe you child is not ready for K. and should do another year of preschool (or two). K. is for learning, not play.

So, your point is that you know nothing about child development? You don't prepare kids to be in an overly academic environment at a young age by putting them into an overly academic environment at an even younger age.

Also, if you think learning and play are opposites, you really don't know anything about child development.

My child and many others do far better with the structure and having an academic environment absolutely got them ready for school. There is plenty of play, too much for what I want. But, you cannot complain kids are being reprimanded for not standing in a line or following directions if you throw them into a new environment where the expectations are very different.

you seem to have a pretty low opinion of the capacities of a 5 year old. Even if they have never stood on a line in their life it should be something they can pick up within a week or two.

[Anonymous]

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Reams of research that suggest that adequate exercise is complementary and even necessary for learning. Finnish kids go outside every 1- 1 1/2 hours in order to learn to mop the floor with us on international exams. When I was a kid, we had 4 recesses a day, and yet I somehow learned enough to eventually go to an Ivy League school.


Comparing homogenous Finland to heterogeneous America is asinine on so many levels. Finland is half the size of Texas in land mass with a population of only 5.4 million, 5.9 million live in Maryland, 8.4 million live in NYC.

Finland: Universal services and financial benefits to promote the well-being of all children and families

Finland has one of the lowest child poverty rates in the EU, while the female employment rate is among the highest. This is largely thanks to strong state support for children and families. Child and Family policy in Finlandpdf emphasizes reconciling paid employment with family life and ensuring an adequate level of income for families. Access to public day care is guaranteed to all children under seven and a generous system of family leave and allowances is designed to help parents cope with their child-raising duties, while keeping their jobs secure. Services for children and families are based on the principle of preventive support.

http://europa.eu/epic/countries/finland/index_en.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Reams of research that suggest that adequate exercise is complementary and even necessary for learning. Finnish kids go outside every 1- 1 1/2 hours in order to learn to mop the floor with us on international exams. When I was a kid, we had 4 recesses a day, and yet I somehow learned enough to eventually go to an Ivy League school.


Comparing homogenous Finland to heterogeneous America is asinine on so many levels. Finland is half the size of Texas in land mass with a population of only 5.4 million, 5.9 million live in Maryland, 8.4 million live in NYC.

Finland: Universal services and financial benefits to promote the well-being of all children and families

Finland has one of the lowest child poverty rates in the EU, while the female employment rate is among the highest. This is largely thanks to strong state support for children and families. Child and Family policy in Finlandpdf emphasizes reconciling paid employment with family life and ensuring an adequate level of income for families. Access to public day care is guaranteed to all children under seven and a generous system of family leave and allowances is designed to help parents cope with their child-raising duties, while keeping their jobs secure. Services for children and families are based on the principle of preventive support.

http://europa.eu/epic/countries/finland/index_en.htm

Then they can get it before and after school. Its a parenting responsibility. You cannot compare both countries. They have a completely different structure.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I don't think this is a low or high SES issue. My kid is a Janney and the K teacher has her hands full with active kids that are learning the rules (raising hands, not shouting, etc etc).

I think part of the problem is that there's so much instruction time where kids are supposed to sit there quietly while the teacher talks. yes, that's something they need to learn. But the teachers would have to discipline less if they weren't creating environments were kids had to be quiet.

+100. Friends with kids in private school talk about more recess time, art and PE, drama lessons and more active learning all around than my kid gets in a strong WotP DCPS program. In MHO, DCPS has become so obsessed with meeting Common Core assessment benchmarks that teachers come under heavy pressure to tend to lose the forest for the trees in K, and in general.

PP here. And of course, overcrowded is a major limitation on recess time too. Our K teacher I think would love to give more outdoor time but the slots are so limited due to sharing the space. And god forbid there's bad weather. Ugh.

If your child needs more recess, take them before school or after school. It is not the schools job to worry about recess. It is their job to teach. Your child getting enough exercise is your responsibility.

Recess isn't just for exercise-- it's a brain break. In good weather, some of them just lay on the grass and watch the clouds. 7.5 hours without breaks is for robots, not human children. I teach first grade and yeah, I "worry" that kids need their downtime and some parents just don't get it.