My daughter started first grade this year, and I have some concerns. First off when my daughter bought lunch, she only received the main meal, no sides. She did not know why she didnt get the other foods, nor did I. So I wrote a note to her teacher and explained the problem, and asked if SOMEONE could maybe show her what she needs to do to get all of her lunch. Well the teacher's response was, its kind of craazy the first week, and that she does not eat lunch with the kids, and that hopefully next week would be better. I am aware that the teachers dont eat with the kids, thats why I said someone. So that kind of upset me. Well earlier this week her school had a curriculum night, and I am now even more worried. The first thing she said to us was to teach our kids to tie their shoes, as she will not do it, but refer them to a friend to tie it for them. She sent home some everyday math booklet with no directions. So we didnt know if we were supposed to do a page or not, so we did the first page just in case. Well we were not supposed to it she will have the kids color in a house on the page we are supposed to do. Well wouldnt you think you would let us know that when you send it home. Then she starts giving it to us because we didnt put the kids names on art shirts and socks. Well most of the supplies we bought were gonna be shared by everyone, so I assumed that was the same with the shrt and sock. Well they used the dry erase boards the other day and my daughter said she used a tissue to wipe it instead of her sock. I have recieved one piece of work since she started school. She says the havent read anything, the teacher just reads, no math, no spelling. And another thing the teacher said the district has not decided what curriculum they are going to use for their word study program. This seems to me like something that should have been decided before school started. By the way this is her teachers first year if having an actual class, previously she was a reading recovery teacher. She seems like she has no patience for young kids. So reading all of this, am I wrong for being concerned. I feel like my daughter is not learning anything. I am already worried about her because she is a young first grader, will not be 6 until mid Nov. If anybody has a first grader in Livonia schools, I would really like to hear what your child is doing now.
I just wanted to clarify something, I understand that the teacher is not going to tie the kids shoes, I dont expect her to. But my point was that I dont think that is something that needs to be brought up 7 days into school. Thanks everyone for your advice:)
What school are you at??? We are at Kennedy, but I know moms at some other schools as well. It has been kind of crazy there as well. None of my kids have brought home much in the way of homework, except Everyday Math. It will get better. My 6 year old has been soooo tired the last few weeks.
I think Meredith has a lot of great advice for you. I have a 3rd grader and a kindergartener, but I remember thinking a lot of the same things when my daughter was in first grade.
My daughter's 1st and 2nd grade teacher sent the math homework home in a booklet. She attached a cover page that explained when and which pages to do each night. (Like your daughter, they were only do homework if the house is colored in.) So you may suggest that the teacher add a cover page with a brief explanation. If this is her first year, she just may not have thought of it.
As for the shoe tying, what her teacher is doing is very common from what I hear. I have heard of kindergarten teachers who do this as well. I personally made the decision that my children will not wear shoes with ties to school until they can tie them on their own. I didn't want my kids to be disrupting the teacher to have their shoes tied. My daughter finally learned before going into 2nd grade because she saw a pair of tie shoes that she really wanted. In order to wear them to school, I told her that she had to be able to tie them on their own.
As for what they are actually doing in class, I would guess that your daughter is only telling you part of what they are doing. I can never get anything out of my kids. And we weren't seeing any work coming home. We learned that her teacher sends the homework and classwork home in packets with a comment sheet to let you know anything she feels is important. Also, we were to sign it and send it back to acknowledge that we got the packet. We could also add any comments or concerns that we felt needed to be addressed. That may be what your daughter's teacher is doing. The best way to find out what they are doing in class is to volunteer to help in the classroom. Even if you only go in once a month, you will get to meet the kids and see what they are doing.
As for her lunch, you may want to ask the cafeteria staff how that works and go over it with your daughter. Our school actually had parent volunteers to help the kids in the cafeteria the first week of school. If your school doesn't do that, you might be able to suggest it for the future.
I'm not a teacher, but I don't agree with going to the principal right away. If you are concerned and want to speak to somebody, I think you should set up a meeting with the teacher first. If you aren't happy with that meeting, then talk to the principal. The one exception would be for the cafeteria issue. You may want to ask the office who you should talk to about that.
As a 1st grade teacher myself, I agree with Meredith. I understand your frusterations, but I do believe in time things will begin to settle down. The first few weeks are transition time from summer fun to school...it takes some time for teachers to establish routines and depending on the number of students in her class (I have 32 little ones!) it can be difficult to manage at first. Teachers need to assess students before they can provide homework that is apporpriate for them, which also takes time. As for the lunch issue...totally unacceptable and I would have a major problem with that myself! I would give it another week...and then talk to the teacher personally BEFORE going over her head and speaking with the principal. We teachers very much appreciate the chance to fix things first before the administration gets involved. And in my experience, most good principals/administrators will ask you at the beginning of your meeting if you have attempted to speak to the teacher first anyways. Good luck, I do think things will improve :):)
Ok first take a deep breath! I am a former Kindergarten teacher so I think I can help!
1. The first thing to remember is that the beginning of the school year is super chaotic. If the teacher does not eat lunch with the class then it is the cafeteria staff's job to take care of what goes on in there. It is extremely difficult for teachers to communicate with the cafeteria staff. If you have a problem, you should call the cafeteria manager directly and talk with them!
2. I sort of get the tying shoes thing, but it is not something I would preach to parents about. I too would have friends tie shoes for each other because it gives them practice. This is something that I would do, but it doesn't seem important enough to complain about at open house.
3. The work book thing seems like poor communication on her part. Just don't worry about that one.
4. Also don't worry about the name issue. It really sounds like a first year teacher who wants to control her parents as much as she controls the kids (boy will she eventually learn).
5. Remember that the first week of school is more about routines, policys, and procedures rather than work. Don't be concerned about homework either. Usually principals limit homework. I have had principals that would not allow more homework than the age of the child ex: a 6 year old only gets 6 minutes of work!
Everything you wrote made total sense after reading this was her first class. First year teachers can be a good thing because they have a desire to prove themselves. It will take a while for her to find her ground, BUT if things don't improve in a month or so set up a conference with her. If things don't change after that then go to the principal. Try not to find fault with everything she does, she will make tons of mistakes. Definitely pick your battles, but in the end you are your child's best advocate! I would be very vigilant of the progress emotionally and socially your child makes this year. She is young, and if she does struggle then repeating in the early years is certainly better than later on.
Hope this helps!
Hello T. - I don't think this teacher sounds great either. My little one just started first grade and he has been bringing lots of work sheets home that he has done at school - no homework yet thankfully - and I think it is ridiculous to expect first graders to tie their shoes. Have you spoken to any other moms in the class - what are their opinions? Perhaps a few of you should meet with the prinicipal to voice your concerns. As far as lunches are concerned, my little one used to do the same thing in kindergarten - he couldn't figure out about taking the sides, but as he only went half day with a couple of long days it wasn't too much of a problem. This year I just keep telling him in the morning to take the side dishes - I tell him what to look out for, like fruit cups, potatoes, carrots, rice......whatever I think it might be. Then I ask him when he gets home what he had. It seems to be working as he is taking more side. Best of luck to you - Alison
Meredith has great advice. It isnt the teachers responsibility to teach the kids to tie shoes. Our teachers at our school has a friend tie them also. at 5 and 7 my kids still cant tie them. I bought them a tying book and sat with them for several days. So just imagine the teacher taking the time out for 25 children. It just is not possible when they have a curriculum they have to meet.
Also, i am sure she communicated the directions to the book sent home to your child. In first grade the teachers are still trying to teach responsibility. I was a bit miffed when my sons 1st grade teacher made him write his homework assignment down himself on the homework paper. I could barely read it because he was still learning to write. He would also come home with out his reading book because he forgot it. That bothered me. Then at conferences she was explaining responsibility. It is hard for us as parents to let our children fend for themselves. I know that I still want to do everything for them. Take notes of what is happening (heck print your post!) and see if it is improving. If it isnt, take the steps Meredith suggested.
as a teacher, i would suggest calling the principal directly and having him/her address your concerns. this is probably a big misunderstanding, and i bet that will help clear it up.
Yes the first week is crazy, but that is no excuse for your daughter having an incomplete lunch. I substitute teach in many districts, and am told to help the younger students for a few minutes to see that they get their lunches, especially kindergarten and first grade. There are lunch room monitors whose job it is to guide the younger students. Someone is not doing their job. I am of the belief that it is time to go to the top of the chain, the principal. Do not critize the teacher (Most principals back their teachers publicly as it should be) but approach positively with your questions and suggestions. Some work should be coming home but maybe it will be on a weekly basis ( ie. Fiday folders). It is only the 2nd week of school. Students need to learn the routines first. Have patience but be attentive. As foir shoe tying, teachers do not have the time to teach the children this skill. I am sorry, but I do think that it is a parent's job, or have velcro shoes or those whose laces are permanent.
We are in Plymouth-Canton and we have already started Math, reading, WOW words, etc.They are testing our kid's reading levels now, so they can send home reading homework every night. It sounds like your teacher is very disorganized and If it were me, I would be in the principal's office immediately on Monday having a sit down. These are all answers that you should be able to get from her, especially curriculum.
I would also ask to volunteer if you can in the classroom. This way, you can see everything first hand. I would get suspicious if she doesn't let you.
You may have to pull her out of that class. You are the only one that will be an advocate for you child.
