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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]At BTSN DS’s 4th grade teacher seemed to be discouraging instrumental music. She kept mentioning that kids miss instruction time and have to make up on their own with the parents help. She also mentioned that it’s better to start in middle school etc. This is my youngest kid and the first time any teacher has discouraged taking instrumental music in 4th grade. My 3 older kids all did it and had no issues and I didn’t get this negative/discouraging rant from any of their 4th grade teachers. In fact they were all very supportive. 
Anyone else experience this ?[/quote]

We got that too - many kids miss compacted math, which already goes so fast.  So if a kid is borderline, it can be a problem to miss half a class a week. [/quote]

This is why the instrumental teachers rotate the lesson times, so the same group is not always missing the same portion of the teaching day.  Sometimes it can be tough for the kids to keep track, but that, too, is a good life lesson.[/quote] 
I told my 4th grader that she was allowed to stay in class and skip instrument if she thought she was going to miss important content.  I think she took me up on this twice last year, both times when she had been out for illness and didn't want to miss another math lesson.  I fully supported her choice.

She's been playing piano for years and can already read music, putting her way ahead of most of the class. It's fine to choose not to miss class--sometimes you have to prioritize.[/quote]

Bad idea as they don’t have piano in most schools and they only teach specific instruments in elementary.  [/quote]
Yes, she is learning a different instrument than piano in elementary.  But she's far ahead because of her piano lessons.  She has picked up a second instrument very quickly and is quite good.  Hence, it sometimes makes sense for her to choose to stay for math and skip the instrument lesson.  [/quote]

You can work with her on the math at home.  My kid was advanced but went as it was fun and a good experience.  If you want advanced, then have them do a private orchestra.  But, its also learning to play with a group and many other things you will not get via piano.[/quote]
Gosh, reading comprehension is crap these days.

Yes, she signed up for instrumental music to get the benefit of playing in a group and all of the wonderful things that come with it.  She skipped class just twice when she thought she needed the extra time spent on math.  That's a totally reasonable choice.    [/quote]

Maybe you are the problem.  She will be fine missing math.  They rotate the times the kids go so she will not always miss math.  Maybe you should work with her at home.  She will be ok missing one 30 minute math class where they probably only teach for 5 minutes and then give them busy work.  If she isn't attending, stop wasting the teachers time.[/quote]

That's not how fourth grade math works but thanks for playing. There are at (bare minimum) least 20 minutes of instructional time. Then it's problem set, small group rotation, and extra practice on Zearn. (And no...no one is using Zearn to teach..it's supplemental ONLY) Maybe educate yourself first before posting. [/quote]

I know as been through it before.  There isn't 20 minutes and problem sets.  And, stop dumping the kids on computer games and try teaching.  We heavily supplemented at home because of teachers like you.  And, 20 minutes even if you are doing that is very little.  They can miss that.  And, if you are that worried, you can find time to go over the material with the kids.  Many of our kids did instrumental music and were in compacted math with no issue.  Compacted math is still really slow.[/quote]

Different fourth grade teacher here and you are not only completely clueless, you're a bully and you sound like a horrific person. Fourth grade math is *exactly* as the other person described. Zearn is NOT a game. To go through life so actively misinformed but pretending you know everything..is something....I feel extremely sorry for your children. [/quote]

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