Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 12:24     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Teachers now need to "differentiate" students by setting up small learning groups, changed during the year. It's hard to do differentiation in one big group, easier in 3 or 4 smaller groups.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 12:09     Subject: Re:First week over, how did it go?
Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Still wondering why on earth teachers persist in grouping all the desks together instead of simply placing them in rows. And they wonder why the kids keep talking?


I do it because:

1. It takes up less space. It would be wall to wall desks if I spread them all out.
2. It's easier for them to work collaboratively.

I don't want my students to be quiet all day. They do a good job listening when it's time to listen and talking when it's an ok time to talk. There is a fair amount of time when many aren't even working at their desks.


This is name of the game in education today. Teachers are being discouraged from seating students in "cemetery rows" to allow for more collaborative work.


In 22 years I have never set the desks up in rows.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 11:36     Subject: Re:First week over, how did it go?


Anonymous wrote:
Still wondering why on earth teachers persist in grouping all the desks together instead of simply placing them in rows. And they wonder why the kids keep talking?


I do it because:

1. It takes up less space. It would be wall to wall desks if I spread them all out.
2. It's easier for them to work collaboratively.

I don't want my students to be quiet all day. They do a good job listening when it's time to listen and talking when it's an ok time to talk. There is a fair amount of time when many aren't even working at their desks.


This is name of the game in education today. Teachers are being discouraged from seating students in "cemetery rows" to allow for more collaborative work.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 09:44     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Anonymous wrote:Still wondering why on earth teachers persist in grouping all the desks together instead of simply placing them in rows. And they wonder why the kids keep talking?


I do it because:

1. It takes up less space. It would be wall to wall desks if I spread them all out.
2. It's easier for them to work collaboratively.

I don't want my students to be quiet all day. They do a good job listening when it's time to listen and talking when it's an ok time to talk. There is a fair amount of time when many aren't even working at their desks.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 08:57     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
1st grader says she liked it. But she was a grumpy crying mess each evening, I guess just too much "keeping it together" at school? We are in Loudoun so this was her first full day experience.

H, and my 3yo and I missed her like crazy!! Hoping next week is easier.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2014 08:31     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Still wondering why on earth teachers persist in grouping all the desks together instead of simply placing them in rows. And they wonder why the kids keep talking?
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 22:00     Subject: Re:First week over, how did it go?
Anonymous wrote:
First week a lot of understanding the rules...shocking since it's sixth grade. Rules should be known.


If the teacher is teaching them, it's clear that the students have been coming in not knowing them. Duh!


Duh, I'm sure all teachers have a checklist of things to cover.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 18:14     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Organization, executive skill issues. Working to improve those.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 17:18     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
I was so worried about how kindergarten would go, but my kid loved it. It was such a relief. Maybe after a few weeks (or even a few more days!) her enthusiasm will dampen, but so far, so GREAT!
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 16:33     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Great. Middle school was, well, middle school. No tears so that is good

So far, my first grader is the "good kid". Who knew? If it lasts I need to talk to the teacher!
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 16:30     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
Difficult. Hoping for a better second week.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 10:15     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
The school part was fine. The Friday evening part, where they unspooled after four days of holding it together during the new routine? That was . . . less than fine.
I am trying not to hold it against them.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 09:31     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
AC problems here too.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 07:37     Subject: Re:First week over, how did it go?
First week a lot of understanding the rules...shocking since it's sixth grade. Rules should be known.


If the teacher is teaching them, it's clear that the students have been coming in not knowing them. Duh!
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2014 07:22     Subject: First week over, how did it go?
School had AC problems

First week a lot of understanding the rules...shocking since it's sixth grade. Rules should be known.

A lot of self expression writing..poems, paragraph, etc.

No switching yet for accelerated classes.