Green Jello

The Freak Out

I was waiting for it, but didn't expect to burst into tears while I filled out the form for my son's milk card. In a little over two weeks he will start Kindergarten, and to make sure all parents panic, the school sent 50 pages of information, all double sided. Supply lists, important dates, conflicting dates and times, picnics, expectations, hot lunch schedule, pick up times, and the milk card.

His teacher assignment was not my first choice, or my second, but I am trying to be positive about it. I've heard the kids love her, but the parents have a hard time talking to someone who treats them like a child too. She likes to send letters home if your child does not sit with his feet on the ground. I know I will have a problem with those, but I will be good. The good news is, some of his friends are in his class. Nice kids and parents, so I look forward to being surrounded with people we can talk to.

I don't understand why I feel so upset about this. I should be happy for him, but I want him here with me. I don't want them to crush his spirit. Deep down I know they won't, but I still worry. How do you let go of that little hand? The one you spent the last six years protecting? Can someone slap me into reality? How do I approach his teacher so that she feels like I am on her side and not a thorn in it? How do I keep from wailing on the first day of school? Sorry for my absence, I will be back to normal soon.

Kindergarten Assessment #2

For those of you who are reading about this for the first time; we decided not to send my son to Kindergarten last year because he has a Summer birthday and felt he was not ready. Our school district has a Kindergarten assessment that takes place in the spring. According to them, they use this assessment to balance out classrooms and adjust their curriculum to meet the needs of the incoming students. I don't like assessments or anything that assigns a number to a 5 or 6 year old before they have started school, but that's another post.

I was interested to see how my son would do this year, since he finished another year of preschool and is now reading. Imagine my surprise when his scores were basically the same as last year. For reading readiness the possible score was 102; last year his score was 54, this year 65. I'm not disappointed in the number he received, just curious as to why it hasn't really changed. I'm not bragging about his ability to read, but he does read. Not chapter books, but most of the words in any early reader book. My guess is this is just a number written down by the woman who met with him for 20 minutes. Maybe her coffee was getting cold, or he was tired that day. What bothers me is this number concerned me last year. It made me wonder if he was ready for Kindergarten, and that is why testing and assigning numbers like this is bad. I know my son and I think he is smart...yes, I am biased, but I let something like this make me think otherwise. I don't like that another parent received this letter today and is now fretting over their child's score, when it is not accurate. I hope that by discussing this here, another parent will feel better or understand this process more.

At the end of the letter it states, "You may wish to work on any skills identified as below the expected level during the summer months." So, are we supposed to cram them with letter sounds and sight words in the next 6 weeks? Make sure they are frightened of school and testing? I think there is more to Kindergarten readiness than reading; can they separate from Mom? Can they put on their coat or tie their shoes? Can they hold a pencil? Know their address and phone number? Are they prepared to be tested until they can no longer think?

Your thoughts? Does your school have Kindergarten assessments? Am I going to survive this without bursting into tears in the Target school supply aisle?

He Can Read

I was putting my youngest son to bed tonight when my husband burst into the room holding a book and said, "He can read." My son wanted to show me, so he crawled into his brother's bed and read an entire book. I sat there with my mouth open, unable to react the way I thought I would with a lot of tears. Oh there was rejoicing, but I wasn't prepared. I thought it would be months or years of frustration until the day it all clicked, not "Oh, I can read."

The book was Go Away Dog. I know this is just the beginning; he isn't going to start reading Chapter books tomorrow, but I'm thrilled for him, and hope that he grows to love books as much as I do. I can't take any credit either; I bought some books on phonetics, but I haven't opened them. I thought he had just memorized the book, but this isn't one we read all the time. He was guessing on some pages, but on most of them was able to sound out the words he didn't know. Children are our teachers; relax and enjoy learning, and the rest falls into place. I'm one proud mama tonight. (Um, B, maybe you could ease up a bit on all this growing up super fast stuff, I just accepted the loose tooth last week, and now this, and Kindergarten registration-you are making Mommy a basket case-thanks.)

ea, ey, ai

 

My husband and I thought we would use our son's extra year home to introduce reading to him at a slow, fun pace. The problem is, we have no idea how. I've tried to keep "learning" at home low key and hidden by using games. They seem annoyed if we pull out flash cards or other tools that are too school like. We read books and occasionally point out words, but is that enough? Do we need a program with a reading frog or funky phonics? A friend recommended the books; Alphaphonics or Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and I've heard that the BOB books are good, so I'm going to check those out. I'm interested to hear (especially if you home-school) what worked for you? What did your child find frustrating learning at home or school? Why does there seem to be disagreement over which method is best - whole language vs. phonics? What's the best way to learn sight words? I've read that some children are visual learners - how do you know if this is how your child processes information?

I'm amazed how many products there are on the market, but most seem so complicated it would take me a year to figure out where to begin. I don't remember how I was taught to read - probably a combination of memorization, phonics, fear, and public humiliation. I've always loved to read and I hope my sons feel the same way, so I hesitate to start too early or carry flash cards in my purse. I know they will read one day, but I wanted to do something at home before our public school starts drowning them in worksheets and deadlines.