Many of you know that i hemmed and hawed (sp?) over where to send Bode to kindergarten this year. We decided on the local charter school based largely on its smaller class sizes and more "hands-on" curriculum. We didn't get into their full-day program, but the school decided to add one AM class and that is where he goes.
I've been THRILLED with how quickly he got comfortable and how much fun he seems to have. He talks about recess and music and PE and media. But i haven't seen any learning. I've been reminding myself that i wanted him to just thrive socially and see that school and learning is fun. His teacher has never been a classroom teacher before. She got her degree 20 years ago and is raising a family with 5 kids. I've been trying to be patient. She just needs a few weeks to get the kids oriented. To get things moving. To get into a groove.
Well, it's been a month now. I truly don't see a curriculum presented to the kids. I don't see much structure. The occasional worksheet comes home, which doesn't impress me. When i ask Bode what they learned about today, he's stumped. At dinner last night, his answer was, "We just keep learning the same thing over and over." I'm not sure what that means, honestly. I wasn't worried before school started about the learning. I figured it would happen. And Bode is a really bright kid. A little advanced in some areas, right around average in others. Thus my bigger concern being social. But i'm not happy sending him to school where it's basically playtime. A parent pulled me aside to ask if i'd been in the classroom recently and she told me what she saw when she volunteered and said, "It's not good. They're being babysat" She spoke to the principal and he told her this teacher is working with a "mentor" and a "school designer" (?) and that things should improve.
I'm now planning to volunteer in the classroom next week to really see firsthand what goes on. And i've scheduled a morning to observe the kindergarten class in our neighborhood to see what they're learning/doing so i can actually compare apples to apples.
I spoke to a friend last night who has a child in kindergarten at the neighborhood school (and in the class that Bode would most likely go into due to being smaller in size). She is very happy with it. She told me about the different learning centers, the schedule, the good communication between teachers and parents. But what they're learning doesn't seem that impressive to me (one letter a week? That's why i want to observe. Do they learn those letters and write sentences or what? Because we're way past letters here). But overall, the structure and organization sounds excellent and from these basic beginnings i can see how they build on it over the year.
My dilemma? Assuming my fears are confirmed after volunteering in Bode's class and there is little to no learning time, do i move him? My child who struggles with change/transition (right before/after a new baby is born, too)? My sensory sensitive child? Do i move him from a class of 14 to a class of at least 22-25? Or do we leave him in a non-learning environment and deprive him of opportunities to learn in order to stay in a place that is comfortable and social? I've already been supplementing/teaching him at home 3-4 days a week. For the most part, i'm happy to do this. I figure parents need to be involved their kids' learning. But i notice that anytime i correct him (ever so gently correct him) he gets mad at me. Some kids learn/take criticism better from outside sources. Bode is one of those. And i don't know how well i'll be able to continue this little homeschooling bit after i have the baby.
Sooooo. Move him or leave him alone? Thoughts? Opinions? Personal experiences? Ready, set, GO!
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As an addendum to my post, i found this post over at Segullah after i wrote my thoughts. i'm finding the discussion/comments to be very interesting. Different situation but still similar issues.
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5 comments:
I think you have to look at your biggest concerns. If it is really social - I say you leave him (especially if transitions are hard and he seems happy). Supplement learning on your own and then change him next year with the school year - as long as you know what the 1st grade requirements are, you can make sure he isn't behind. Just one opinion. :)
Ugh, I can't even begin to tell you what's best. Our teachers are on strike here so we haven't even started school yet. I hope things work out for the best though!
i'll be home tomorrow night. we'll talk. good idea doing the comparison observations, though!
My gut agrees with Mimi. Switch at the next school year and continue with the charter till then. It sounds as if a lot of sources agree that this particular teacher isn't cut out for teaching a group, but it's a nice environment for Bode and you're able to supplement as needed. Not the best situation, but a doable one:) Good luck! Bummer on the charter not being all that great. My MIL teaches at one and I would seriously reconsider homeschooling if we lived there.
So, here's my thing. I don't know what it is here in the West, but they seem to think kids can't possibly learn anything until 1st grade. Charter school, public school, whatever. They all seem to have the same curriculum, which is not impressive. I guess I'm used to a program where they assess each child and move them where they'll be challenged, but that's just not the program here.
so, what am I trying to say? I guess, if you really are uncomfortable with the class, change him, but my guess is it probably won't make that much of a difference. I hope that teacher gets it together soon, though. I think they just don't expect much of 1st graders, so kindergarten really is just like babysitting.
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