Test for First Graders?

Hi J.:

I homeschool my children but I have to say that if my child was loosing sleep, feeling stressed and not wanting to do school...... I WOULD take action IMMEDIATELY! Dont worry about what others have to say... you do what is BEST for your child! Change her to another teacher IMMEDIATELY, before she gets soooo overwhelmed and discouraged she will not like school anymore... Please let us know how it goes!

May the Peace of God be with you :)

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I am in total agreement with you. I personally believe that first grade should be a time to instill a love for learning, not to teach stress anxiety. Which of these is instilled at this early age will follow them throughout their academic life, as you can now see in your oldest daughter. I had a very similar situation when my oldest daughter was in Kindergarten. We ended up homeschooling, although that option may not be something you are interested in. I would definitely meet with the teacher but would also really try to get her in another class. If you are adamant, the principal should listen to you and change her. There comes a time in life, where she will have to learn that everything is not as you want it to be and deal with people that are more demanding and difficult; HOWEVER, that time should not be when you are in first grade and shaping your academic life. Education is too important to let things like this slide and cause your child to hate school and learning. Good luck.

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Hi J.,
This is one of the main reasons that I decided to homeschool. There is waaaay too much stress put on children at such a young age and the system puts a lot of stress on the teachers. This causes burn out and school drop outs.
Granted there are children that do well under pressure, but most do not and it causes them "hate" a subject that they would normally enjoy.
I suggest that you really pray about this and think it through, because if you're already getting stressed at the beginning of the year, you may need to change some things.
I love being able to homeschool. We go at our pace and they love learning and we do so much outside the classroom that children would not normally be able to do in a classroom setting.
I hope the year will go better for you.
Take care,
V.

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Hi, J.. Honey, I believe you have a good reason to be concerned, even disturbed, by what your child is telling you. #1, any child who feels yelled at by the teacher is not going to be comfortable in the learning environment. If the teacher is, truly, yelling at the kids, this is bad. It's unprofessional, and it's cruel.

I never heard of a first grade classroom where there were so many tests. Aren't they still learning how to read and write in first grade? I would definitely get some answers.

I think you're absolutely right to be in favor of teaching to children's different learning styles. In fact, this is the modern way of thinking, and teachers are being taught to use a variety of teaching methods and appeal to all the senses and all the different ways of learning, all the time.

I don't think it's wrong to be testing kids frequently, but the stress that's put into getting ready for these tests seems wrong. These kids are not in boot camp, and they're not being trained to fight in Iraq, but it sounds like the teacher has this mindset. Definitely get to the bottom of this. Even if the teacher is introducing them to testing to get them ready for FCAT conditions, for crying out loud,the FCAT doesn't come until third grade!

I hope you can get a better teacher for your little one.

Peace,
Syl

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Find out the other teachers policies and have her moved into another class room.

Hi J.,

I think you should go and observe several first grade class in her school and see which fits your daughter better. She may be a good teacher for some kids but may not be for your daughter. If she is putting pressure, as your daughter (and you may be) perceives it, and your daughter is having stress then no point in changing the teaching style of that teacher, instead you can transfer her to a different teacher. I had my twins last year in first grade and I loved the teacher (so did my child who had this teacher) because she was giving the Math and Spelling test every Friday and we knew what he was learning .. they got stickers on the paper when they did good but my son loved it and thrived in that atmosphere, so much so that I had to push the school to move my other son to the same teacher (he wanted to take the tests and get the stars also). The teacher was strict and had the rules written. My boys did great and I loved it because I knew what they are learning. My older son who is in 5th grade now, also likes a teacher who has clear defined rule, and is "all business" than the more lovey dovey teachers. They all are great at academics and I always stress at home that there is no need to worry about test, you will be fine if you know the stuff. And if you did not do good, then you will know where you need to focus. There is nothing to worry about taking the test .. even when they have FCATs .. I do not believe in all the Hoo Haa about FCAT .. my older son laughs that why school does so much drama before it. If you have studied and did the right thing, you will be fine at the test. And all three of my boys seem to thrive with a strict teacher and with lots of tests. Actually I am going to ask the teachers this year that how come no testing is happening this year yet .... so what I mean to say is that different environments work for different kind of people. Your daughter might thrive in another teacher's classroom even if she has the tests .. she may just not be getting along (or scared of) with this teacher .. it is no one's fault ...just go and observe couple of teachers and see which might be a better fit for your daughter, you know your child the best and ask the admin to help you to move her so she is happy.

Take Care

Sounds like their 'teaching to a test' to me and not developing a 'learning' environment. Check out http://www.discovercca.org and consider Classical Education. We love it.

get her out of that class,k

Hi J.,

I'm agree with you in the fact that kids must be happy and stress free in school. My daughter was in a small school were there was almost no homeworks and a few test during the year. I changed her to another school (this one is from elementary to high school)because the other do not meet my expectations (it's supposed to be an english only school but all subjects were in spanish). In this new school she have tests all weeks( this week she has test for math, spanish, science and christian ed.). She cries every single day and she don't want to go to school. She said she don't like the school because it is so much work and she dont like the teacher either because she yells to much. In the other hand, my son love the new school even though he has a lot of work too (this week he has test for math, spanish, english, catechism, social studies and science). He is in third grade and he also have to train 2.5 hours daily in the afternoon (he is a FINA swimmer ranked #1 for his age at backstroke style in PR). I can't have my kids in two different schools and I know that this new school is one of the best school in this country. I'm working with my girl, and looking for advise too, in order to make her love school. I know that if she adapt to the new school, it will be hard now but it will be easier when she go to college.

My daughter just went into 2nd grade. Last year I remember her having tests on Fridays - she would have a spelling test and a reading test (they studied the story all during the week) - and I know she would have math tests and science too. I'm not sure if those were on the same day though. From my experience, I think the tests are normal ... But maybe your daughters teachers' teaching style just doesn't work for your daughter. I know it would upset me if my daughter came home and said how the teacher yelled all the time....and especially if my daughter didn't want to go! That would concern me.

Hi J.,

I agree it's too much pushiness from teachers and/or parents. It's also really difficult to have a structure like this and expect all the kids to react the same way to it. Some kids feel the pressure more than others, just due to personality. Why put them all through it? You're right that she may be anxious about learning if it's always performance-based like this.

Have you thought about home schooling?

morning
my daughter had a similar problem last year with one of my great grand daughters first grade teachers. the teacher was used to teaching the 6th grade and before that she taught the special needs. thus causing the teacher to be more intent on the testing, also they have the pressure of the grades the schools are given. which i disagree with.
the no child left behind is also a problem for the students and the fcat testing creates a lot of pressure on the children as well as the teachers.
my daughter tallked to the principal and thus the teacher is now teaching the 6th grade this year and students and teacher are doing great.my great grand daughter and new teacher as well as the whole class room are doing very good this year. good luck and GOD BLESS

My daughter is in the first grade and after 3 weeks of school they have had several tests and my daughter loves school. I think the tests are a good way to judge how well the material is absorbed by the students so the teacher can plan lessons accordingly. If this teachers policy is stressing your daughter too much then perhaps you should ask to have her speak to the school counselor about it and see about having her moved to a different class, but realize that this teacher's methods may work very well for other students.

I agree with you! There is way too much stress being laid upon our little children in their very early learning years! The back packs are also way too heavy for our children, but it's all about the grading system for our schools these days, not what is truly best for the children! I will keep you's in my prayers and hope that The Education System wakes up soon! God bless & comfort you all...
Kathy N.

It sounds like this might just be the style of this teacher. When you meet with her, one of the things you can ask is if the entire 1st grade team is on the same strict academic routine or if it's just the way she does things. The most important thing is to let her know what your concerns are. She won't know unless you tell her. Sometimes teachers press on, not realizing they aren't doing what's best for all of the kids. You never know-- if a couple of parents speak up, she may change her ways a bit. Be sure to let her know that your child is stressed about the tests and she may have some advice or a way to make your daughter feel more comfortable and have less pressure

I agree with you. Developing a love for learning is the most important thing at this age. Have you ever considered homeschooling. If you would like to know more about it, email me at ____@____.com is by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done. On top of curriculum questions, I also wondered if it was wise to have my children out of the home with a group of 20 or more peers for the most productive seven hours of the day. Instead we spent our days reading, learning and playing together.

J. S.

My first grader is in a public elementary school where they have been pulling the kids aside each Friday to do some "assessment tests". This is for the teacher to get an understanding of each child's talents and abilities, so each one can move forward with a more individualized plan for the rest of the year. I think my son enjoys the little tests and getting some individual attention from the teacher. He always says school was awesome or great, but doesn't elaborate much! I am curious to see how it will go for the rest of the year. I have already asked for a conference. I am concerned about the amount of homework assigned, and some of the other parents are as well. We did get a note from the teacher last week that said that "soon" (when the assessment period is over) homework assignments will become more individualized (more challenging or remedial) depending on the child's needs. I don't know what to say about the yelling that might be going on. Every child has a different sensitivity to an authoritative manner, so try to talk to some other moms of kids in the class. Take a deep breath and make some notes of questions you have, and then make an appt to ask your questions and do a lot of listening. Then share your concerns and if you think the school is not responsive, be more assertive. No one else will advocate for your child like you will :) Good luck.

I completely agree with your concern. I have a Master's in Early Childhood Education and also have a young daughter (14 months) and am already fearful of putting her into a structured academic setting. It seems our culture has lost sight of children's needs as learners in an attempt to further their academic abilities.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has a great resource called "Developmentally Appropriate Practice" (DAP) which outlines best practices for learners from birth through age 8 based on research and experience. It definitely sounds like your daughter's teacher is not engaging in developmentally appropriate practices which should be concerning to you as a parent. You can get more information at www.naeyc.org.

Unfortunately, as with many areas of society, accountability has taken over education. Teachers are now fearful of not getting raises or bonuses based on their children’s achievement and want to “ensure” their students are learning what they need to know. This means they are overlooking the way children learn and what a first grader is developmentally (physically, mentally and emotionally) ready to do.

Are all of the teachers teaching this way? If not, request a different teacher- most schools have at least two teachers per grade. You are right, all students have different learning styles, but remembers we are human too! Teachers each have their unique teaching style. We teach primarily based on how we think the children will best understand it. While many teachers will explain things an alternate way if a child does not understand, the child must indicate a need for this. If your daughter is afraid that the teacher is going to yell at her, she may be afraid to talk to her about anything (including this issue). Talk to the teacher yourself, and if you do not feel satisfied, request a different teacher. You are the parent, you make the final decision. Teachers are there to teach, not to parent- it is up to you to decide what is best for your daughter. If you do request a different teacher, make you sure you do not give the school an option. "I am unhappy with my child's current teacher, I do not think her teaching style meshes well with my daughter's learning style. I have discussed this with the teacher, although I do not feel my concerns have or will make a difference. I want the best for my daughter and I want her in Mrs. X's class. Please let me know if there is any paperwork you need me to fill out to make this change, as I would like my daughter in Mrs.X's class tomorrow." Good luck! Keep us posted

You are the one who is right. Come from your heart and stick to your guns. Learning should always be fun and uplifting. I would see about getting my child into a different learning environment.

Funny I should read your request today. I just left the prinicpal's office at my son's school. My son is complaining his teacher yells all day. At him and at the entire class. The yelling is stressing him out.

His teacher is super stict and unyielding. That coupled with the yelling is making my 7yr old crazy.

I spoke with the prinical this morning. Principal is going to speak with teacher, then we will all have a meeting together. I am very hopeful things will even out and my little guy will have a good year.

Don't hesitate to advocate for your child. If you don't, who will?

S.