Anonymous wrote:I've been impressed with my son's social studies and science activities. They learned about the life cycle of frogs and trees, and planted seeds in class to watch the plants grow. They've learned about US historical figures, national symbols, land forms (e.g. volcanos, rivers, etc.). And these are just the things he tells me about.

My DCs did not do this. They were at Potomac Elementary. What school do your DCs go to?

Anonymous wrote:So 13:19, what should I do? The school is unresponsive, private is too expensive, we don't have the option to homeschool ...

I think that's what's called a rock and a hard place. Oh, and museums on the weekends.

So 13:19, what should I do? The school is unresponsive, private is too expensive, we don't have the option to homeschool ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, where did I say I was horrified? I think it's totally normal for a kid in K to be learning basic words. My point was that this can't be the first year they've had a range of experiences and I'm surprised they aren't more adept at dealing with it.

From my experience this is how they deal with it. They are waiting for the other kids to catch up and then in first grade she will start learning again. Sad, but that's how it was for us.

"Waiting" for other kids to catch up is not acceptable. The first 6 years are some of the most critical years with respect to brain development and learning. That's not to say others aren't as important, but you get the most bang for your buck (ie. your effort) during this time frame. Putting your child into a holding pattern because a small sub-set of the parents of children in your kid's class didn't recognize this is simply not acceptable. Like the other poster said, you guys are getting soft.

The USA is going soft. My son is 2 years old, knows his alphabet, sight words, is working on phonics, can swim the complete length of the pool either doggy paddle or on his back, is learning to ice skate, and though far from a master of it, I do slip in a fair bit of Spanish vocabulary in his day to day goings on.

In 3 years he'll be a lean, mean, raging, kindergarten machine.

Get with the program MCPS. A big reason parents move to (and stay in) this county because of the purported strong academic program.

21:58 - do you feel like in 1st it was less frustrating once there was more of an equal level and your DC was learning more?

Anonymous wrote:Um, where did I say I was horrified? I think it's totally normal for a kid in K to be learning basic words. My point was that this can't be the first year they've had a range of experiences and I'm surprised they aren't more adept at dealing with it.

From my experience this is how they deal with it. They are waiting for the other kids to catch up and then in first grade she will start learning again. Sad, but that's how it was for us.

Um, where did I say I was horrified? I think it's totally normal for a kid in K to be learning basic words. My point was that this can't be the first year they've had a range of experiences and I'm surprised they aren't more adept at dealing with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been impressed with my son's social studies and science activities. They learned about the life cycle of frogs and trees, and planted seeds in class to watch the plants grow. They've learned about US historical figures, national symbols, land forms (e.g. volcanos, rivers, etc.). And these are just the things he tells me about.

I agree with this 100% ... But also that DD hasn't progressed much with reading, writing or math. I know it's a challenge, but this can't be the first year MCPS has had to account for kids reading chapter books, like a PP's son is, and kids still learning basic words!

I guess I'm not too bothered that kids who enter kindergarten reading chapter books aren't progressing more by now. Ease up on the daughter, let her enjoy reading outside of school, and see what other lessons she might be able to learn in kindergarten. You betray your Tiger Motherness by being horrified that some 5-year-olds are still learning to read "basic words." What slackers!

Seriously, when I was in Kindergarten, all I remember is listening to stories and doing crafts. Ease up on the academics folks! They'll get there eventually, and it has no bearing on whether tehy're Ivy League material.

Anonymous wrote:I've been impressed with my son's social studies and science activities. They learned about the life cycle of frogs and trees, and planted seeds in class to watch the plants grow. They've learned about US historical figures, national symbols, land forms (e.g. volcanos, rivers, etc.). And these are just the things he tells me about.

I agree with this 100% ... But also that DD hasn't progressed much with reading, writing or math. I know it's a challenge, but this can't be the first year MCPS has had to account for kids reading chapter books, like a PP's son is, and kids still learning basic words!

Yes they do still have fun.

Do they have fun?

My kid is 3 so this is a serious question. I know things have changed in K but I remember the sandbox, the playhouse, and singing songs in K...do they still do that in addition to the academics?

I've been impressed with my son's social studies and science activities. They learned about the life cycle of frogs and trees, and planted seeds in class to watch the plants grow. They've learned about US historical figures, national symbols, land forms (e.g. volcanos, rivers, etc.). And these are just the things he tells me about.

My son was reading chapter books before he started K and has been pretty bored for the last two years (and his class is full of advanced readers). But they have to slog through the first grade curriculum which includes a lot of anthology (aka basal readers) reading. The stories are pretty boring. They do have DEAR time each day so they can read whatever they want.