kindergarten day 2 problem - Page 2

[ollyoxenfree]

You've had some good advice about coaching your child and helping her to empathize and avoid negative comparisons as she waits for differentiated work. I'm actually a little impressed that by Day 2, she's already had a learning assessment, the teacher has identified her needs and has acted to obtain materials for her. That speaks volumes about the commitment of the teacher, who is also trying to just learn the names of all of her students, nevermind assess each student's individual needs and implement a learning plan for all of them. Since this school has a primary gifted program, it's likely that there are a number of students in your dd's class with similar needs. I am a little surprised that the classroom doesn't already have a variety of materials for these students. It sounds like there's no resistance to supplying differentiated work though and that's wonderful.   

I strongly agree with the warnings about trying to turn her into a peer tutor in kindergarten. There is a place for peer tutors but it requires the right temperament and a fair amount of support and guidance from the teacher to do it right. DD does a lot of peer tutoring but she's in high school, has good social skills and she's naturally a generous, empathetic teacher. I wouldn't expect a 5 y.o. to have the patience, insight and skills to help a classmate with reading. Particularly one who already characterizes early reading as an activity for babies. In any event, your dd is at school for her own learning benefit, so I'd focus on working with the teacher to keep her engaged and challenged in her own schoolwork.

[chaimom]

Thanks, everyone for your ideas and advice. We've had a talk with her and role played some things she might say to her teacher if necessary, but I encouraged her to go with the program for a few weeks until things settle down and teachers are able to finish assessments and group the kids.  At any rate there are other activities she can learn from--today she was assigned to the "letter center," and was spelling words, so that's great.   

As for why the teacher couldn't get books from the library or older grades-- I'm assuming this is a specific reading & assessment program that's designed to go methodically step by step.  During her assessment, my daughter had to read each book presented to her without mistakes in order to move on to the next one and the next and the next.  I guess (and I didn't have a chance to quiz the teacher and I wasn't allowed in the room) she read beyond what they were prepared for in the K assessments, so her assessment actually isn't finished.