Anonymous
11/30/2022 15:11
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:MCPS teacher here - learning skills don't really follow your kids through elementary school. Most teachers I know rarely give out N's on learning skills unless there are very real concerns. So, I would definitely ask the teacher to elaborate on how your daughter earned the N's and what she needs to do to improve.
DP here. Our kid has a couple of "PRG" on his report card but it was not at all obvious to me whether that meant he was substantially below expectations or whether it may be a skill they haven't had many opportunities to demonstrate or what. We had other questions we wanted to pursue in the conference so did not ask this directly. V helpful--TY for this, PP.
Anonymous
11/30/2022 12:30
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You absolutely should care. Teachers will not give Ns in these areas unless your child is preventing the class and/or themselves from learning. These are the skills that the child will need their whole lifetime including in their professional life. Ignoring can set up your child for failure and low self esteem in the future.
Work with the teacher to find out what supports the school can offer and work with your child as well. No amount of "being bored" prevents a child from being able to collaborate or have basic good work skills.
OP here. We did have a parent teacher conference, but the teacher just complained about our kid and didn't really have any solutions (she was generally extremely negative, even when discussing the things our kid was good at, for example "she's doing well in math... for now.") We're trying to reinforce some stuff at home (for example, she gets upset and tantrums over minor things.) FWIW, we know that this teacher has a reputation for being strict and in the past, many kids have been moved out of her class. But yes, our kid can also be a handful. She's only 7, so hopefully, with some extra direction and increased maturity, things will improve a bit. We're definitely working on getting her the skills she needs to succeed in life, we're not ignoring the issues, my question was just how/if the school considers this information.
I would follow up with a conversation with the principal if the teacher can only be negative and not constructive in an area where the teacher has identified a weakness for your child.
Anonymous
11/23/2022 12:12
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
I don't think they are formally used, but maybe informally in order to make classes for next year.
To me though that part of the report card is what I care most about. I can see how my kid does academically by looking at individually graded assignments; the "soft skills" assessed in the learning skills are to me even more important. When she has gotten PRG I have always asked why and what I can do to support her growth.
To me though that part of the report card is what I care most about. I can see how my kid does academically by looking at individually graded assignments; the "soft skills" assessed in the learning skills are to me even more important. When she has gotten PRG I have always asked why and what I can do to support her growth.
Anonymous
11/23/2022 09:31
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
MCPS teacher here - learning skills don't really follow your kids through elementary school. Most teachers I know rarely give out N's on learning skills unless there are very real concerns. So, I would definitely ask the teacher to elaborate on how your daughter earned the N's and what she needs to do to improve.
Anonymous
11/23/2022 08:49
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant the "Learning skills" on their report card, for example: Follows directions, collaborates well with others etc. They don't get grades, they get N (doesn't demonstrate yet), PRG (in progress), or DEM (demonstrates.) Does this info get uses in some way besides letting the parents know how the kid is behaving? (We're working on some of the ones daughter has N and PRG in)
OP again - just wanted to note that I had written this, so I never implied that we don't care about daughter's behavior.
Anonymous
11/23/2022 08:45
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:You absolutely should care. Teachers will not give Ns in these areas unless your child is preventing the class and/or themselves from learning. These are the skills that the child will need their whole lifetime including in their professional life. Ignoring can set up your child for failure and low self esteem in the future.
Work with the teacher to find out what supports the school can offer and work with your child as well. No amount of "being bored" prevents a child from being able to collaborate or have basic good work skills.
OP here. We did have a parent teacher conference, but the teacher just complained about our kid and didn't really have any solutions (she was generally extremely negative, even when discussing the things our kid was good at, for example "she's doing well in math... for now.") We're trying to reinforce some stuff at home (for example, she gets upset and tantrums over minor things.) FWIW, we know that this teacher has a reputation for being strict and in the past, many kids have been moved out of her class. But yes, our kid can also be a handful. She's only 7, so hopefully, with some extra direction and increased maturity, things will improve a bit. We're definitely working on getting her the skills she needs to succeed in life, we're not ignoring the issues, my question was just how/if the school considers this information.
Anonymous
11/23/2022 06:41
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
You absolutely should care. Teachers will not give Ns in these areas unless your child is preventing the class and/or themselves from learning. These are the skills that the child will need their whole lifetime including in their professional life. Ignoring can set up your child for failure and low self esteem in the future.
Work with the teacher to find out what supports the school can offer and work with your child as well. No amount of "being bored" prevents a child from being able to collaborate or have basic good work skills.
Work with the teacher to find out what supports the school can offer and work with your child as well. No amount of "being bored" prevents a child from being able to collaborate or have basic good work skills.
Anonymous
11/22/2022 21:42
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant the "Learning skills" on their report card, for example: Follows directions, collaborates well with others etc. They don't get grades, they get N (doesn't demonstrate yet), PRG (in progress), or DEM (demonstrates.) Does this info get uses in some way besides letting the parents know how the kid is behaving? (We're working on some of the ones daughter has N and PRG in)
Its all subjective so sometimes its just about the teacher liking or not liking your child.
Unlikely to the bold above. You should pay attention to it, as there may be an issue down the road. You can always reach out to the teacher and ask how you can support your child better in that area. The answer may be as simple as, they'll grow out of it, or they may have some solid suggestions.
FYI, this kind of attitude from parents (must be because of the teacher doesn't like my snowflake, not because there is a real challenge with my snowflake), is part of why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Denial, denial, denial
That is not why teachers are leaving. And, they should try communicating with parents.
Anonymous
11/22/2022 21:38
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
OP in my experience, MCPS likes to talk about learning skills but they don't do much to move the needle. They rely on students' individual personalities, parent input, and luck.
Anonymous
11/22/2022 16:01
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant the "Learning skills" on their report card, for example: Follows directions, collaborates well with others etc. They don't get grades, they get N (doesn't demonstrate yet), PRG (in progress), or DEM (demonstrates.) Does this info get uses in some way besides letting the parents know how the kid is behaving? (We're working on some of the ones daughter has N and PRG in)
Its all subjective so sometimes its just about the teacher liking or not liking your child.
Unlikely to the bold above. You should pay attention to it, as there may be an issue down the road. You can always reach out to the teacher and ask how you can support your child better in that area. The answer may be as simple as, they'll grow out of it, or they may have some solid suggestions.
FYI, this kind of attitude from parents (must be because of the teacher doesn't like my snowflake, not because there is a real challenge with my snowflake), is part of why teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Denial, denial, denial
Anonymous
11/22/2022 14:51
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Anonymous wrote:Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant the "Learning skills" on their report card, for example: Follows directions, collaborates well with others etc. They don't get grades, they get N (doesn't demonstrate yet), PRG (in progress), or DEM (demonstrates.) Does this info get uses in some way besides letting the parents know how the kid is behaving? (We're working on some of the ones daughter has N and PRG in)
Its all subjective so sometimes its just about the teacher liking or not liking your child.
Anonymous
11/22/2022 14:46
Subject: Re:Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant the "Learning skills" on their report card, for example: Follows directions, collaborates well with others etc. They don't get grades, they get N (doesn't demonstrate yet), PRG (in progress), or DEM (demonstrates.) Does this info get uses in some way besides letting the parents know how the kid is behaving? (We're working on some of the ones daughter has N and PRG in)
Anonymous
11/22/2022 14:18
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
What's your question?
Anonymous
11/22/2022 14:16
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
We did workbooks for math and english, worked on handwriting - print and cursive, math facts, and later typing. It probably is boring.
Anonymous
11/22/2022 11:50
Subject: Learning skills in early grades in MCPS
Does anyone care about them and are they used for anything, or are they just "nice to know?" 2nd grader has good grades, but has trouble paying attention in class (she said it's "too boring.")