At our public ES the 5th grade goal for independent reading is 45 minutes by the end of the year. They start at about 15 work their way up and it’s embarrassing how few of them can sit and read A BOOK OF THEIR OWN CHOiCE for 15 minutes. They fidget, they flip the pages too fast, they ask to choose another book, they stare into space.

Parents, if your child can’t read for 15 minutes on their own at 5th grade, you have failed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

I still teach but another grade level.

I agree with you, 4th and 5th graders should be able to sit or read for 10 minutes! Is that PP saying kids can't? I took my 3rd grader to a medical appointment recently. It lasted an hour and he sat in the waiting room with a book (I had called and asked if it was ok with the receptionist).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

As a former preschool teacher, I'm going to say that some kids can do this at 3, and the vast majority at 4. I mean, many of them are looiking at books, not reading them, but sitting for 5 minutes with a book is a realistic expectation before Kindergarten.

My kids in 4th and 5th weren’t coloring pictures. They were doing homework but when is all this down time “between classes”? Usually they are putting away things and getting out the things for the next class.

“All of this down time” was 5-10 minutes before lunch or resource. Not enough time to start a new activity especially since other students were still working. Draw or read were the choices and many kids couldn’t handle unstructured time. They were used to always having something to do.

Guess you had bad classroom management skills. But sure, blame the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

You seriously think a kid can't sit quietly for ten in FIFTH GRADE? Your kids must be feral monsters.

Getting crayons out in 5th grade in the middle of the day sounds weird. Is this some kind of no homework school?

Crayons? Reading comprehension isn’t your thing, huh?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

As a former preschool teacher, I'm going to say that some kids can do this at 3, and the vast majority at 4. I mean, many of them are looiking at books, not reading them, but sitting for 5 minutes with a book is a realistic expectation before Kindergarten.

My kids in 4th and 5th weren’t coloring pictures. They were doing homework but when is all this down time “between classes”? Usually they are putting away things and getting out the things for the next class.

“All of this down time” was 5-10 minutes before lunch or resource. Not enough time to start a new activity especially since other students were still working. Draw or read were the choices and many kids couldn’t handle unstructured time. They were used to always having something to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

You seriously think a kid can't sit quietly for ten in FIFTH GRADE? Your kids must be feral monsters.

Getting crayons out in 5th grade in the middle of the day sounds weird. Is this some kind of no homework school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

As a former preschool teacher, I'm going to say that some kids can do this at 3, and the vast majority at 4. I mean, many of them are looiking at books, not reading them, but sitting for 5 minutes with a book is a realistic expectation before Kindergarten.

My kids in 4th and 5th weren’t coloring pictures. They were doing homework but when is all this down time “between classes”? Usually they are putting away things and getting out the things for the next class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

As a former preschool teacher, I'm going to say that some kids can do this at 3, and the vast majority at 4. I mean, many of them are looiking at books, not reading them, but sitting for 5 minutes with a book is a realistic expectation before Kindergarten.

You sound like a good teacher. Some of it is about structure and teaching them at the preschool level. We had amazing teachers who started this at 3/4 so come K, it was never an issue and they knew the expectations.

Nothing, mine is in daily activities, sometimes more than one a day and very active. Its usually about the parents not wanting to spend the money or drive. My parents had all kinds of excuses why we couldn't do activities and sports but it came down to them not interested and their needs came first.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

As a former preschool teacher, I'm going to say that some kids can do this at 3, and the vast majority at 4. I mean, many of them are looiking at books, not reading them, but sitting for 5 minutes with a book is a realistic expectation before Kindergarten.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

You seriously think a kid can't sit quietly for ten in FIFTH GRADE? Your kids must be feral monsters.

Today's parents tend to forget that they are more than a financial role model. Younger kids are looking to them for cues. Should I like this? My parent thinks it's a good idea and I want to please them. It doesn't mean it's a good idea. It just means your kid is trying to make you happy so you are happy with them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

I still teach but another grade level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.

I can see why you are no longer a teacher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught in a UMC area a few years ago and when kids are constantly in motion and have activities provided to them all of the time, they become anxious/uneasy when there is down time. “What do I do know?” They couldn’t sit and draw or read for a few minutes in between classes. They would ask that question repeatedly. Any kind of downtime was a problem that they wanted an adult to solve.

What age were you expecting kids to sit and read between classes?

I taught 4th and 5th graders. By that age, kids should be able to sit quietly and read or draw for 5-10 minutes.