Two weeks in and really struggling

[Anonymous]

My daughter is at a center, third grade AAP. She comes home everyday just defeated. She says her teacher is mean and feels overwhelmed to the point of heavy sweating during class.
She says she doesn't feel like she can talk to her teacher and it's too fast paced for her. I tell her to communicate her feelings to her teacher and give it some time.
I'd like to hear your personal experiences and/or advice.

[Anonymous]

1. you are right to encourage her to let the teacher know where she is feeling lost.

2. nothing wrong with reaching out to the teacher and asking what she sees and expressing what you are observing. You can request a conference at any time and I've known parents who try to get in front of any troubles by having a conference in the first weeks of school. Work with your teacher to help this child find success.

3. stay with it until the end of the first quarter (at least), but preferably until Tgiving or Xmas. If she is still struggling so much at that point, then it might be the time to change course. It's too soon to do it now. Your child might settle down.

[Anonymous]

i would talk to the teacher about this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is at a center, third grade AAP. She comes home everyday just defeated. She says her teacher is mean and feels overwhelmed to the point of heavy sweating during class.
She says she doesn't feel like she can talk to her teacher and it's too fast paced for her. I tell her to communicate her feelings to her teacher and give it some time.
I'd like to hear your personal experiences and/or advice.

Is she saying she sweats or her teacher does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is at a center, third grade AAP. She comes home everyday just defeated. She says her teacher is mean and feels overwhelmed to the point of heavy sweating during class.
She says she doesn't feel like she can talk to her teacher and it's too fast paced for her. I tell her to communicate her feelings to her teacher and give it some time.
I'd like to hear your personal experiences and/or advice.

Is she saying she sweats or her teacher does?

My child.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP about reaching out to the teacher. I would also ask the teacher if it would be a good idea to include the school counselor. In our experience, the school counselors (multiple schools) have served as a fabulous resource for students, and the counselor and teacher can collaborate on how to best help your child.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend enrichment in the areas she is having the most trouble in. By enrichment I mean, 1 - 2 hours on the weekend working with a person (not her parents0 that can talk to her about those subjects from a different perspective. Many times when kids are in the throws of doing the work and trying to keep their head above water...they can't see the bigger picture. When it is the bigger picture they need to see before they can understand the details.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend enrichment in the areas she is having the most trouble in. By enrichment I mean, 1 - 2 hours on the weekend working with a person (not her parents0 that can talk to her about those subjects from a different perspective. Many times when kids are in the throws of doing the work and trying to keep their head above water...they can't see the bigger picture. When it is the bigger picture they need to see before they can understand the details.

^(not her parents) so they can....

[Anonymous]

It's part of the plan. 3rd grade teachers are the worst. They are on a mission to get as many out of the program as they can.
4th grade will be so much better.
Don't get defeated.
BTDT!

[Anonymous]

PP here. I was being serious with my post. One aap teacher told the kids 1/2 of them didn't belong. She was very mean. I just reiterated to my daughter that some people shouldn't teach kids, and that she did belong in aap. DD and I took a lot of walks - talking the whole time. It was good to hear my DD. The teacher went on maternity leave in late fall, so that was awesome! But, really, don't allow your DD to get defeated. Teach her breathing techniques and imagery to get over the stress of the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Wow. definitely talk to the teacher now. My son had a rough 3rd grade year at aap center, as the math went really fast. but I don't think he ever did not like it. sounds maybe more like pressure/anxiety issues for your child.

my 2nd is at the local level 4, and they seem to have barely cracked a book--but she does not tell me much. I am sure they are learning something. mostly pre testing so far.

[Anonymous]

blame the teacher? seriously? maybe just maybe your kid along with many others are not ready for this program and you put her there because...........yes, you want to say your kid is in the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:blame the teacher? seriously? maybe just maybe your kid along with many others are not ready for this program and you put her there because...........yes, you want to say your kid is in the program.

And maybe not...nice kicking a dog when it's down. Shame on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:blame the teacher? seriously? maybe just maybe your kid along with many others are not ready for this program and you put her there because...........yes, you want to say your kid is in the program.

OP here, I put her there because her teacher and vice principal really encouraged me to do it! I'm simply looking for advice. Please project your anger somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Parallel path. Have your daughter talk to the teacher, but if teachers are telling kids that half of them don't belong in AAP, that conversation is beyond the scope of an 8-year old to have. You need to talk to the principal or even further up the chain.