Panicking a little!

[CariOfOz]

My boys start school for the first time in 10 days... we've homeschooled for 3yrs.  I'm panicking  a bit because my almost 9yo can only manage a little cursive, and is pretty meh on his times tables :S  and my 6yo is not yet a 'reader' and he's going into 2nd grade.  He can read a *little*  but I'm nervous that they'll get in there and struggle.  And I'm worried that the teachers will be looking at me wondering WTF I did for the last 3yrs      Help?  Reassurance?  anything??

lol... I'm trying not to be a nutcase, really I am~

[oceanbaby]

We started school this year for the first time - 4th grade and 1st grade.  I was super worried about my 4th grader because his handwriting and spelling were pretty horrible.  I knew he had a strong conceptual math base, but he wasn't drilled on his facts.

It turned out to be kind of a non issue.  Not to be too insulting about school, bit it's kind of a joke.  It's complete regurgitation, and anything ds didn't know he easily picked up.  His handwriting is still awful, but it just doesn't really matter.  There is such a range of kids in there.  Some will know their times tables, others won't.  So much will depend on the teacher - some are super uptight and punitive about drill and kill, others are more relaxed about it. 

I work in my first grade son's classroom, and there are a few kids in there who are really struggling with basic reading.  I assume that the teacher will probably have him in a special reading program, which is what they do here - she pulls aside some of the struggling kids and works one on one with them while the other kids are doing other work.  Again, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  (Is there a reason your 6yo is going into 2nd grade and not first?  My son turns 7 in July, and he is one of the last ones in his class to turn 7.)

As far as the judgement goes, you might get that attitude and you might not.  I have learned from experience that the best way to handle it is to project confidence about your child and homeschooling, regardless of your own doubts and insecurities.  Whenever it's been an issue, I just say something like "We chose to focus on his areas of interest - science and math - and are confident that he will develop the skills he needs in his own time."  Don't get drawn into a discussion defending why you did or do not do a particular thing.  They don't understand.

[CariOfOz]

Thanks oceanbaby for the reply :)  My 6yo is going into grade 2 because well.... that's where most kids his age are here? lol how's that for a non answer?   Here children start k/prep when they are 4y9m (turning 5 before the halfway mark of the year, which is mid june), go to 1st  generally when they  are 5.5-6.  He turns 7 in mid March, so he'll be about in the middle of the age range for his class.  *although*, I did find out that for the first part of the year they will be in multi age classes, so that's not *as* much of an issue.

According to the system here, my youngest who is going to turn 5 in early June, should be going to k/prep this year.  But he is such a young 4yo, emotionally speaking, that I have decided to give him a year of preschool 2-3 days a week instead :)

It does seem sort of silly to worry about my 9yr olds multiplication & cursive... when the kid can read stuff I was reading in middle/high school, and has a great memory, and awesome skills with ANY type of technology. He prints just fine and is catching on to the multiplying (thans to timez attack.. I swear if they let him use technology to learn them he'll have em down pat in no time). 

I am still working daily with my 6yo on reading eggs, doing the computer lesson & the printables from the site and he IS improving!  The principal actually asked for my opinion on the program as they may buy a subscription for the learning reader ages

They are both super smart and sweet kids, and  I know they will each shine in their own ways,  but I guess I'm just nervous for them.  I AM however, making sure they have no idea of that fact, so that they don't feel self conscious.  I have told them there may be things we haven't learned, but not to worry, as there will be other kids that haven't learned it yet either.

Thank for the reassurance from the btdt point of view!

[elizawill]

My best friend homeschooled with me, but a couple of years ago put her children in public school.  They were going into 1st grade & 5th grade at the time and had always been homeschooled.  Her 1st grade daughter was behind in reading & writing, but it wasn't a big deal. Many kids are across the board at that age, and with your son only being 6 & in second grade, I imagine he'll be one of the younger students in the class.  The teacher is used to accomodating a wide range of skills.  My friend's little girl caught up very quickly. She did have an IEP for reading in grade 1, but it was to her advantage to have the one-on-one instruction there.  That was a few years ago & both kids are doing fabulous and are right on target now.  Don't worry about it at all!  My friend worked really well with the teachers to support them, and in return, I think it helped the relationship between the student/teacher and the entire transition was an easy one.  Good luck

[Peony]

Interesting about the different cut offs, my DD1 is in 2nd grade, she is 8 as are most of the children in her class. Some are 7 during the first part of the year, but none would be 6. DD2 will be one month away from being 6 when she starts K! 

Back to the homeschooling entering school thing. DD1 went to school in 1st grade and was very behind, she didn't know how to do any math, could barely count to 20 actually. Reading was not there at all, she is dyslexic, because the students here are not as young as the ones where you are, they learn to read in K, all are reading by 1st grade. She was not, she didn't even know her ABC's. The reading issues we address privately with a therapist but it was not an issue in the school, they just made changed some things around for her, she had a reading buddy that would read to her and explain things. Her math quickly caught up. Now in 2nd grade she is at grade level for math, and everything else except reading which she will remain to be behind for quite some time. She has come a long way and is now reading some but is is difficult for her. 

[lindberg99]

My son is 10 and I really don't think he ever writes in cursive. I remember him learning it in 3rd grade but he says now (5th grade) they never have to do assignments specifically in cursive. His printing is not that neat but if he has a report or other project where neatness counts, he just does it on the computer and prints it out.

And yes, for stuff like times tables and reading, there will be such a wide range of kids, your boys will be fine! I remember when my daughter was in 6th grade last year, their class had to do an iMovie of a book. The books really had a range, from books my 1st grader could have read to "young adult" (which I guess is jr high/high school?) reading levels.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by Peony 

Interesting about the different cut offs, my DD1 is in 2nd grade, she is 8 as are most of the children in her class. Some are 7 during the first part of the year, but none would be 6. DD2 will be one month away from being 6 when she starts K! 

Back to the homeschooling entering school thing. DD1 went to school in 1st grade and was very behind, she didn't know how to do any math, could barely count to 20 actually. Reading was not there at all, she is dyslexic, because the students here are not as young as the ones where you are, they learn to read in K, all are reading by 1st grade. She was not, she didn't even know her ABC's. The reading issues we address privately with a therapist but it was not an issue in the school, they just made changed some things around for her, she had a reading buddy that would read to her and explain things. Her math quickly caught up. Now in 2nd grade she is at grade level for math, and everything else except reading which she will remain to be behind for quite some time. She has come a long way and is now reading some but is is difficult for her. 

Agreed, the younger age ranges bugs me honestly :(  I don't think there is any reason at all a 4,5yo needs to be in 'school'!  I would almost be happy if they suggested rolling connor (the almot 7yo) back into grade 1 I think.

Thanks for the replies ladies, I REALLY appreciate the reassurance!  In my logical mind, I know they will do fine and they'll adjust well.. but my mama mind is a nervous wreck lol.
 

[CariOfOz]

Well, today is the first day of school here!  I dropped them off & we found their classrooms, met teachers etc this morning.  They seemed to do really well with it.. and seemed to settle into their classes ok (considering it's day one I guess lol)  The teachers seem lovely and gave us a paper with their email addy's and such if we need to discuss anything :)   Only two hours till I can head out to pick them up.  And it is FAR too quiet in my house :S   I am sure I will get used to it, but it seems so bizarre right now!

[ollyoxenfree]

It's nice to hear that they have had a good start! The first day of school always seemed like a bit of an adventure. My dc have switched schools a lot, thanks to moving about from city to city and country to country. They did some homeschooling, too. Accepting that there will be adjustments, realizing that if there is a gap in learning then that's what the school is supposed to help them with, and staying positive about the experience always helped us. I routinely offer homeschooling to them (especially when I hear a complaint about an assignment or a teacher), but they have always preferred to go to school whenever they had the choice. I hope your children have good experiences too. Good luck with it. 

[robinia]

Hi Cari, just wanted to say that, a Year 4 kid who isn't much for cursive or times tables really will be just like most of the other Year 4 kids!  Re the technology, the school may use Mathletics which has a times tables section.  A Year 2 beginner reader will probably get some reading recovery assistance - you could even suggest this to the teacher if you want to look proactive - but there will be others in the same situation.  Most unlikely that they'll be singled out in any way.  Glad to hear that they had a good start.

[CariOfOz]

Thanks for the replies :)  I'm pleased that they are off to a good start,  I really want this to be a positive experience for them!  They came home talking about all the sporting equipment they could choose from during recess (sadly the play ground structures were delayed by our flooding & bad weather, but they're working on it)  and how they made lots of friends.  I am going to try to set up a time to chat with my grade 2 kiddos teacher, so I can see what strategy she plans to use with him (and the others) that are struggling at reading.  I'm also going to keep up our reading eggs at home, as it seems to be 'sticking' more lately when he works on it :)    Just about time for pick up!