What's my role in this situation? Teachers, please read!

[Noah's mommy]

Background: I (and my DH) teach at an American private school in South America. I am currently on 6 months of maternity leave.

My DS is a first grader at the same school. He has a new teacher (new to Brazil, not new to teaching) that I really don't know very well since I haven't been at school this year. I have some concerns about the Language Arts I see coming home-all independent reading, no instructional books (and no guided reading for him AT ALL), word study (spelling) is all the same for every child, and little support for him growing as a reader.

DS is decoding at a high level (more like end of third grade) but needs to learn some comprehension strategies to support the longer books he can "read". Three letter words for spelling (met, set, bet, etc...) are too easy and boring for him-even the challenge version. I don't think any preassessments were done.

The dilemma? I'm the Language Arts coordinator for the Lower School. I KNOW what should be done and now I feel like (frankly) my kid isn't getting what he should be. He's bright, but I don't want him ignored as a consequence of meeting end of year benchmarks in August. So do I advocate for my kid? What's the best way to do it while still respecting my colleague and maintaining a good rapport as a literacy coach in the school?

I know what it is like to have high maintenance parents in the classroom, and most of the time it is a really big pain. I don't want to be that person, but I want the best for my kid, too.

[Amatullah0]

Could you meet with the new teacher and ask him what's up? why is he giving such easy words?

Additionally, can you supplement at home? Instead of practicing the "too easy" words, give him words that more at his level. I know what you mean by not wanting to be THAT parent, as a student in gradeschool, I hated THAT parent just as much as the teachers must have.

[annethcz]

I understand your dilemma, I teach at the school my children attend.

I will admit that I'm more likely to let issues go, in order to maintain a good working relationship with my coworkers. That said, I do address issues that I feel are a big deal, and I think what you're dealing with is a big deal. I just make sure to address the child's teacher in a non-confrontational way and make it clear that I'd like to 'put on my parent hat' and discuss my particular child. I don't make sweeping generalizations about the class, I speak very specifically about my child and try to come up with ways we can meet the needs of my child.