Why I Don’t Want to Send Her (Back) To School
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** I originally removed this post after extreme backlash from the school. I am returning the post to my blog because it’s my opinion and I have the right to express it and I will not be bullied by veiled threats.
** 9/2011 update on Advocacy and Parental Involvement in Schools
I’m dreading sending my girls back to school.
In JJ’s class, the art activities are something like this: A pre-cut scarecrow with pre-cut material and googly eyes at a “center” with a teacher’s helper to tell the kids exactly where to glue the material and eyes. All the scarecrows look exactly the same.
This is only one of the daily centers where in my opinion, there is one differentiated activity which is the guided reading group that meets with the teacher. (Differentiated meaning adjusted to what the child know and needs to know.) The rest of the centers are 1) cut and paste 2) listening to a book on tape 3) “art” activity where each child is asked to follow the teacher’s directions, not think for themselves and 4) a worksheet. This happens everyday. Since the start of school.
When I volunteer during the morning centers, I love getting to know the little cuties but I’m shocked at the dullness of this reading rotation.
My daughter doesn’t like school except for recess, could she be as bored as me? She already knows her letters, and already could cut with scissors and use glue long before kindergarten. She’s ready to learn something new. She needs a classroom that differentiates for her needs AND that doesn’t make her do their way of art. (Aren’t we beyond this kind of instruction? – I remember this as an example of what not to do in education classes.)
I’m a teacher. I get how challenging a classroom full of kids at different levels can be . . . but it is possible.
I want JJ to love learning and thinking. I want her to be challenged to imagine and use her imagination in school.
But, except for the socialization, she might as well be home with me all day.
And, frankly I’m considering my options.
Unfortunately, I do this every year and we’ve already moved neighborhoods and schools once. Do we move again in hopes of the holy grail of good education? or is it an impossible dream?
My other daughter (AJ)went from above grade level (4s) in Kindergarten with an amazing, gifted and experienced teacher only to drop below proficient by the end of first grade (2s) because she didn’t have a strong teacher. AJ is still catching up two years later.
This month, let’s talk about education. Let’s talk about educational change (perhaps you’ve read Ralph Fletcher’s Walking Trees?) and what we want for our children’s education. What makes a good teacher anyway? What about a good curriculum and standards? What makes a good learning environment for a classroom – let’s get specific!
If you think you’d like me to consider a guest post from you, email me at Melissa@imaginationsoup.net and I’ll send you my criteria for a guest post. Otherwise, please comment as much as you can to share your opinions!
My next post, we’ll look at teachers – good ones. How do you know if the teacher is good? Be ready to weigh in!
What do you think about my situation? What would you do if you were me? Has this happened to you?
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I feel the same way as you. I know I’m not capable to homeschool. My three goofy kids would put me over the edge if I taught them all day. I help them with reading and teach math concepts in a concrete way at home. My husband is developing their music and I help with art. We help them be creative at home. I’d be all for a half day of school, but that’s not possible. We’ve had some good teachers with strengths and weaknesses. Classes are overcrowded. That is one thing I’d like to change in our country.
I feel bad when I know my children are doing too many worksheets, boring art projects, and dealing with other student behavior problems. I volunteer once a week in my twins’ second grade class and am the room mom for my fourth grade son’s class. I see the challenges in our public school system. So far my children are doing okay. I send them to school with a little guilt everyday too.
I like the social interaction. My children are grouped by reading level.
I do see a little benefit in children completing assignments even if an assignment or project is boring or too easy. As adults we do boring tasks and need to complete them.
Our education system does need some changes! I’m sorry about your daughter’s experience in first grade. It is frustrating!
I’m so sorry! We are blessed to have our daughter in a progressive public school that values experiential learning, development of critical and creative thinking skills, and concern for community — but I know it’s rare, and getting even more so. It’s good that you’re considering all options — and whatever you decide, you have such wonderful reserves of knowledge and experience that you will make any choice great.
(P.S. — I love Ralph Fletcher! I like Lucy Calkins’ Raising Lifelong Learners too, especially if you’re going to ‘supplement’ school. Looking forward to this month’s series!)
I don’t think private schools are always better — in fact there isn’t another private elementary school in my area that would be a good fit for us — but it is worth pointing out that many private school populations can be more diverse than you would expect, and the kids still do learn about tolerance and patience and sometimes being bored in school 🙂
As a first grade teacher I want to shout out to all of you wonderful ladies that it is not like this everywhere!! I teach in Maryland and at my school we differentiate for ALL learners! My centers are interesting and educational…not cut and paste!! I am saddened when I hear people think that all children are expected to be cookie cutter children.
I have 3 children in elementary school and I know I do not always agree with what their teachers do, but I am also their teacher and it is my job to expand their world, too! I am glad that my their teachers don’t always do things the way I would do them and I am grateful that my children are learning to be flexible and adaptable to new people and situations!!
I also do not agree that private schools are always better places. I want my children to learn that the world is full of all kinds of people and sometimes we have to be patient and understanding and tolerant of differences (so sometimes they might be bored at school.) They might also have to be around children who do not speak the same language as them (what a wonderful gift to know someone who can speak another language!!)
I also want to point out that my salary has nothing to do with my worth…I may not make as much as someone who has the same degrees that I do, but I could not be happier being a teacher!! I also love being a mother. My children learn from me and also from their teachers. I would not want them to only have me as their teacher…I am blessed because I have the option to send them to public school (and they do not go to the BEST school in our district-according to test scores or demographics!)
It IS difficult to provide for the needs of every child – even determining those needs is difficult. But like you, I believe it’s possible to differentiate the curriculum. I also know I’d rather my kids were taught by someone who loves to learn, to create, to share their own love of reading, writing etc with kids.
The trick is to make that work, isn’t it? You can’t keep putting your kids into schools then swapping around again. Would homeschooling work in your situation? Would there be a private school as Kristi suggested? Someplace you can research and sit in on some classes before you commit? Can you ask around amongst other parents where you live, or find a homeschool group in your area and see if that would answer some questions you no doubt have about children’s social needs?
Susan,
I wonder about homeschooling but I’m not sure I”m up for it. I love working – which is writing and blogging. Plus, my oldest isn’t exactly cooperative. Another thing I worry about is the extreme homeschooling groups – I’m not interested that.
Private schools are not only expensive, they’re aren’t perfect either as some have mentioned.
And, switching around wouldn’t be great, either.
Hmmm . . . not an easy thing is it?