Anonymous wrote:...which is why the USA currently ranks less lower than 20 other nations in terms of math and general academic ability in schools.

which is why common core was set up in the first place.

The US currently ranks low on standardized tests in math, etc., because they believe that the purpose of public schools is to produce educated citizens, instead of most narrowly to teach math, etc.? I wonder what the higher-ranked countries would think about the idea that the purpose of their public schools is not to produce educated citizens.

In our experience the games are not really games. You roll a die and write down what number you see. Cool! Then the next person rolls and writes down the number he gets. If you try to play a different "game" to make it more fun the teachers get upset.
Sometimes if the teacher is feeling really creative you get to color a triangle.

Anonymous wrote:In Dd's school (not a W feeder; Focus school) they did various game type things for math. For instance one of 4 math groups would be with the teacher, one on the computers, one at a table doing things like grouping different ways and another on the ground maybe doing something hands on like playing with dice.

Not the same as "play play" but still not just worksheets. They had daily specials. Only 1 recess. Would have preferred either 2 recesses or a daily play center time as well.

...which is why the USA currently ranks less lower than 20 other nations in terms of math and general academic ability in schools.

which is why common core was set up in the first place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

My kids have plenty of opportunities for play and sports outside school. Parents cannot expect the schools to do everything and their primary goal is to educate. If your child needs more, then as a parent it is your job to provide that.

In other words, yes, you do believe that the sole definition of learning (and education!) is acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk.

Not the PP, I'm an earlier poster, but No. That is not the sole definition of learning and education. it is however, the objective of formal education in a school environment. All the other social skills are nice by-products, but should not be the purpose of a classroom. And in my mind telling me to look on the bright side at all the social skills my kid will gain in K does not re-assure me. I send my child to school for academic instruction. It's my job as a parent to help teach and model and expose him to opportunities for social-emotional growth.

No. The sole objective of public education, in this country and others, is to produce good citizens. Academics is a part of that, yes. But it's not the only part, or the most important part. Especially in K.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

In other words, yes, you do believe that the sole definition of learning (and education!) is acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk.

Not the PP, I'm an earlier poster, but No. That is not the sole definition of learning and education. it is however, the objective of formal education in a school environment. All the other social skills are nice by-products, but should not be the purpose of a classroom. And in my mind telling me to look on the bright side at all the social skills my kid will gain in K does not re-assure me. I send my child to school for academic instruction. It's my job as a parent to help teach and model and expose him to opportunities for social-emotional growth.

No, it's not. At least it's not in public schools in the US. You might think that it should be, but it isn't.

Yeah, my kid reviewed how to line up to a wall. For about a year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

My kids have plenty of opportunities for play and sports outside school. Parents cannot expect the schools to do everything and their primary goal is to educate. If your child needs more, then as a parent it is your job to provide that.

In other words, yes, you do believe that the sole definition of learning (and education!) is acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk.

Not the PP, I'm an earlier poster, but No. That is not the sole definition of learning and education. it is however, the objective of formal education in a school environment. All the other social skills are nice by-products, but should not be the purpose of a classroom. And in my mind telling me to look on the bright side at all the social skills my kid will gain in K does not re-assure me. I send my child to school for academic instruction. It's my job as a parent to help teach and model and expose him to opportunities for social-emotional growth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

My kids have plenty of opportunities for play and sports outside school. Parents cannot expect the schools to do everything and their primary goal is to educate. If your child needs more, then as a parent it is your job to provide that.

In other words, yes, you do believe that the sole definition of learning (and education!) is acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk.

Yes, schools are not babysitters and are there to educate/learn. That is why our country is falling so behind others in academics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

My kids have plenty of opportunities for play and sports outside school. Parents cannot expect the schools to do everything and their primary goal is to educate. If your child needs more, then as a parent it is your job to provide that.

In other words, yes, you do believe that the sole definition of learning (and education!) is acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

My kids have plenty of opportunities for play and sports outside school. Parents cannot expect the schools to do everything and their primary goal is to educate. If your child needs more, then as a parent it is your job to provide that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friends 7 year old son just started his 3rd year of kindergarten. He can read, count and is at a 1-2 grade level but he has social and rage issues. He keeps getting held back because he can't get along with others. Kindergarten is not just academic.

Wow that's really screwed up. So he will rage at kids 2 years younger than him!?

It's mostly directed at the teachers. He also just shuts down. Won't do his work, won't speak or walk, goes limp like a toddler when he is upset. If he doesn't want to do it, he won't. His school uses carpal punishment so he gets sent to the principals office and he gets hit almost daily. I personally think he is autistic, but no one else does. I wonder if he will be a 15 year old kindergartener one day.

Why does your friend have their son in a school that uses corporal punishment and thinks that the third round of kindergarten will succeed even though the first two rounds didn't?

She can't afford private and she is a big believer in hitting her kids. She uses a belt on his because he is so bad. She just doesn't know any better and he is a handful.

Oh dear. Lots of problems here. I am sad for your friend's son.

Anonymous wrote:If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

You seem to believe that the sole definition of learning is "acquiring knowledge about academic subjects via paper and pencil while sitting at a desk." I do not share this belief.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friends 7 year old son just started his 3rd year of kindergarten. He can read, count and is at a 1-2 grade level but he has social and rage issues. He keeps getting held back because he can't get along with others. Kindergarten is not just academic.

Wow that's really screwed up. So he will rage at kids 2 years younger than him!?

It's mostly directed at the teachers. He also just shuts down. Won't do his work, won't speak or walk, goes limp like a toddler when he is upset. If he doesn't want to do it, he won't. His school uses carpal punishment so he gets sent to the principals office and he gets hit almost daily. I personally think he is autistic, but no one else does. I wonder if he will be a 15 year old kindergartener one day.

Why does your friend have their son in a school that uses corporal punishment and thinks that the third round of kindergarten will succeed even though the first two rounds didn't?

She can't afford private and she is a big believer in hitting her kids. She uses a belt on his because he is so bad. She just doesn't know any better and he is a handful.

If parents want play based, keep your child in preschool another year. School is to learn. I do not get all the concerns as kids in preschool should have the tools they need to make the transition. Maybe preschool is the issue and play based is not giving the kids what they need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friends 7 year old son just started his 3rd year of kindergarten. He can read, count and is at a 1-2 grade level but he has social and rage issues. He keeps getting held back because he can't get along with others. Kindergarten is not just academic.

Wow that's really screwed up. So he will rage at kids 2 years younger than him!?

It's mostly directed at the teachers. He also just shuts down. Won't do his work, won't speak or walk, goes limp like a toddler when he is upset. If he doesn't want to do it, he won't. His school uses carpal punishment so he gets sent to the principals office and he gets hit almost daily. I personally think he is autistic, but no one else does. I wonder if he will be a 15 year old kindergartener one day.

Ever wonder what is wrong with the school and parents for handling the child that wAy and not giving him the supports he needs. This thread is not about a child with behavioral problems or special needs. That's a very different topic.