I think there should be *more* of it, not less. I think the parents get a better understanding of the classroom and all the kids benefit from extra attention while the teacher is busy. In the early years sometimes just reading to an adult is helpful even if it's not explicit instruction. If you observe in the classroom often enough it's easy to see how the teacher handles situations (like "how do I spell this word?") The teacher is right there to ask if you don't know what to do! There might be a hiccup once in a while, but in our school teachers see quickly which parents have a knack for following instructions and working with kids, and which do not and give them more suitable work. Frankly, I've heard far more hair-raising stories about aides, which in some counties must not be very well paid or well hired. Maybe the difference is that the parents are motivated to volunteer. I like that my child knows other adults not their parents or their teachers are also interested in them as people, and in their success.

Anonymous wrote:It is amazing that places as wealthy as Bethesda can't afford to have aides. Where is all the tax money going?

Wouldn't this be a county-wide decision? Just because Bethesda is wealthier doesn't mean its schools are more posh.

It is amazing that places as wealthy as Bethesda can't afford to have aides. Where is all the tax money going?

A few years ago MOCO eliminated teachers aids in the lower grades. As a result, parents volunteering on a regular basis is common place. Is it strictly necessary? I do not really know. Does it help? Don't know, but I suspect it does. I know i am grateful that the teacher gets lots of support in large and small ways so that the kids get more of her focused time. So, if a parent is reading to one group while she does guided reading or something else.

Do i wish K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd still had dedicated aids - of course.

I am sure that sometimes parents teaching in the classroom can be a good thing. The teacher can be good. No argument there. I don't think this is necessarily a reflection on the teacher. But I think the reason this is worth discussing is that parents teaching in the classroom is a sign of a broken system.

which school is this?

Anonymous wrote:PP here. BTW, the teacher who had the parents in writers workshop, her class was far ahead of the others kindergartens in that school for reading at the end of the year. The writing is a component of the reading assessment, so I am grateful for the parents who were able to volunteer. For the record, there was a good number reading close to 2nd grade level.

PP here. BTW, the teacher who had the parents in writers workshop, her class was far ahead of the others kindergartens in that school for reading at the end of the year. The writing is a component of the reading assessment, so I am grateful for the parents who were able to volunteer. For the record, there was a good number reading close to 2nd grade level.

Anonymous wrote:Its usually the really bad teachers who need help. Its not an honor, its a necessity if your child is in a grade where the teacher can't handle the class.
A competent teacher doesn't need or want assistance.

Well, you couldn't be more wrong. Parents volunteering allows the students to get extra assistance without having to wait for the teacher. It was common in my daughter's K class for a parent to be in the room for "writers workshop" to help the kids when the got stuck on a word or concept.

Now, my DD is in 2nd, one parent, who is a nutritionist, has been helping to teach nutrition.

The teacher is absolutely fabulous, so PP full of SH*T.

When my kids were in second grade in a Bethesda public, I often volunteered in the reading classroom. Kids were working independently on packets and I walked around and answers questions. Meanwhile, the teacher tested kids one on one. Always testing. Always a number of kids twiddling their thumbs. Always a few kids pretty far behind. Very disheartening.

I'm a MoCo mom with a teaching credential (I don't teach in MoCo.) When I'd come to volunteer in my DC's class, the teacher would ask me to work in a small group with children needing extra assistance/re-teaching of a concept while she worked with another group of students. It didn't bother me since that's essentially what I do for a living and I'm certified to do it.

Sad that the only way to challenge a subset of strong moco students is if volunteers come in to the class and teach higher level materials on the side.

Its usually the really bad teachers who need help. Its not an honor, its a necessity if your child is in a grade where the teacher can't handle the class.
A competent teacher doesn't need or want assistance.

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing that wha,tever they teach is supplemental.

I'm the poster who teaches an advanced math class and yes, it's considered supplemental under 2.0. In other words, it's an "extra" and not in any way required.

Ritchie Park asked parents to come in and learn how to teach math to help the teachers I didn't sign up to do it, and I don't know anyone who did, so I don't know what happened to this and if it happened, but I know that is was asked.

I am guessing that wha,tever they teach is supplemental.