First Grade Tribe - Page 2

[OakEmber]

My daughter is also starting Grade 1 this year, and we are both a little apprehensive about it. She wants to stay in Kindergarten and is worried about missing me. I am worried about missing her, and also her staying dry at school as she tends to have accidents still when she is feeling stressed. Also she will be in a split class, a 1/2 and I worry that she will compare herself to the older kids...at the same time she does gravitate towards older kids so I know she will be happy socially in the class. Anyone else going to be in a slpit? We don't start until the first week of Sept. so I am gladly joining the tribe and I will get to see some insight before we get there.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by OakEmber

My daughter is also starting Grade 1 this year, and we are both a little apprehensive about it. She wants to stay in Kindergarten and is worried about missing me. I am worried about missing her, and also her staying dry at school as she tends to have accidents still when she is feeling stressed. Also she will be in a split class, a 1/2 and I worry that she will compare herself to the older kids...at the same time she does gravitate towards older kids so I know she will be happy socially in the class. Anyone else going to be in a slpit? We don't start until the first week of Sept. so I am gladly joining the tribe and I will get to see some insight before we get there.

We are the homeschoolers, but one of the schools I'd be happy to send her does splits all the way through. I would prefer it, as the school also accomodates to the individual a little better too.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Originally Posted by moondiapers

We homeschooled until January, then DS went to PS kindergarten. He'll be starting first grade Sept 5th I'd love to chat too.

Moondiapers, what made you switch from HSing?

[Fieryfly]

My DD will be starting first grade this fall in our homeschool. She is so excited. We have taken a nice long break over the summer and will start up again during the last week of August.

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
My main wish for her is for her to become a comfortable reader. Her reading is coming along so well and its only a matter of time before she just bursts through to the next level.
I also wish for her and her brother to reconnect after his year of public school last year. I can already see a difference in their relationship over the summer, and I hope that it continues to strengthen as we become a complete homeschooling family again.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)
I really want to get into Girl Scouts this year. My DS has so many great memories and life-long friends we made through scouts and I want the same for my DD.
I want to do a lots of traveling this year, close to home. Our state has so many great places to visit that I've never even heard about even though I've lived here most of my life! DD is at the age where she is starting to remember more about our trips and experiences, so we're gearing to go!

Do you have any worries or concerns (doesn't matter if they're irrational-get them out now !)
I'm always worried at the beginning of the year that I won't be able to find the balance throughout the year in regards to homeschooling. I worry that everthing will be too structured or too relaxed and it will affect the kids. I worry that I'll expect too much or not enough. It always works out in the end though, and after 5 years of homeschooling you would think I'd have it down pat, LOL!

[mata]

good morning everyone!

answering my own questions:

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?

I'd like for her to feel more stimulated than she was in kindergarten. She loves learning and working on projects, reports, etc.-I hope they can challenge her that way. I'd also like for her to have good friendships, ones where she is treated the way she deserves to be treated. I'd like for her to feel confident in new situations, and to be comfortable being herself. I hope she is able to learn from challenging situations without being traumatized.


What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)

I hope she gets a teacher that can handle discipline problems, first of all. Her kindergarten teacher wasn't very strong in this area and it set the tone for the whole class. It seemed the class was more about dealing with behavioral issues than learning interesting topics. In the area of friends, I really hope she meets some children who are interested in being friends on the same level she is. A few of the kindergarten room moms have commented how they want dd to be in their daughters' class next year because she's a good friend to them. She doesn't play head games and genuinely cares about them. In the past dd has made the observations that "her friends don't treat her very well" and it's true. I hope she meets some kids who are a bit more caring.


Do you have any worries or concerns (doesn't matter if they're irrational-get them out now !)

These are small-the adjustment to full day, how she will be at lunch (she doesn't feel safe in the cafeteria,) etc. On a bigger scale I am concerned that she will be so different from her classmates that they will shun her. I've tried to help her embody being different to the point where people will find her interesting, but that can always backfire. I'm concerned that she'll be bullied, although I think she was able to establish her turf in kindergarten and she won't attract those kids. I don't want a repeat of her kindergarten year, where I was pretty much on edge the whole time, and worried about her. I'd like to see her enjoy it so that I can enjoy it!

[wildmonkeys]

Good questions Mata -
What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
That is continues to be the really relaxed, positive, broad experience broad that ds enjoyed for Kinder. He loved the social aspect of it, his basic academic skills took off, and he seemed to pick up lots of additional interests through their "science" units as well as loving the art, gym and music teachers/activities.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)
I have actually heard good things about all of the first grade teachers at our school (I will be very stressed when waiting to find out who his second grade teacher is though as I have heard REALLY negative things about one of them who is also my neighbor so it will be very uncomfortable if I have to request a different teacher)

My biggest hope is that he continues to enjoy friendships with both boys and girls. Some of his closest friends last year were girls, but at the pool lately it seems the boys are all together and the girls are all together (though it isn't overtly exclusionary or anything but just seeming to workout that way) Also, at a birthday party last week he was really left out of the girl loop created by one of his friends girlfriends The ironic thing was that the girl leading the "run away from the bad guy" game is hs'ed and I always have heard that gender exclusionary stuff kicks in later for hs'ed kids) Anyway, I had to talk to him afterwards because he was really mad at his school friend for treating him that way and I had to sort of prepare him for the fact that sometimes as kids get older some of the boys and girls stop playing together. He was really sad and concerned that his friend/neighbor (who is going into second grade) wouldn't want to ride on the bus with him, but when he asked her he said they would always be "bus buddies"

Do you have any worries or concerns (doesn't matter if they're irrational-get them out now !)
His reading really progressed last year and they wanted him in the most challenging reading/math group, but I thought the teacher who taught the second most challenging material seemed much more interesting/creative/engaging so I resisted them "moving him up". His teacher is recommending him for the most challenging class next year and I really hope it isn't too challenging/academic/boring. I expressed my concerns and she said she thought he would be fine and that this group would allow him to work at his own level and maintain his confidence without getting bored so I am trying to trust her judgement (she was a great/experienced teacher and didn't seem overly focused on pushing kids who were not ready for more academics)

BJ
Barney & Ben

[mommy68]

I don't have one starting K this year but she will be next year. I can't remember when my oldest started K, that was soooo long ago! My kids both attended daycare though when they were real young and then preschool so they were okay with kindergarten once that rolled around.

They all get tired at school. My oldest is almost in middle school and always comes home tired after school and just worn out. I don't think that ever changes.

[emcare]

I would love to join. Dss had a tough time in K last year and is not looking forward to 1 next month. Just yesterday he asked if he could be homeschooled becase he doesn't like all the yelling in school.

We are custodial parents, but his mom has already made her position (she disagrees with it) known. I told him that we'd do a trial run before school starts, now I'm in a mad rush to figure out what I'm doing.:

Either way, home or school, I would love to be a part of the off to first grade tribe.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Ooh, Fieryfly, we'd love to get into Girl Scouts too - also travel, if we can come up with the funds.

[HomeBirthMommy]

Hi! I also have a dd starting 1st grade this year. She did full day kindergarten last year and loved it. She's so excited about school starting on Aug. 14th.

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
I hope that she is happy first of all. I hope that she has a teacher that recognizes her intelligence even though she is shy.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)
I agree with a pp who wanted a teacher that has good classroom control. Her K teacher did not and there was a little boy who tormented her. I am so worried that same boy will be in her class again this year. I hope that she is tested for the gifted program (they don't do gifted in K here), so she will get the extra stimulation she needs.

Do you have any worries or concerns (doesn't matter if they're irrational-get them out now !)
My main concern is that we will be having a baby 3-4 weeks after school starts and I'm afraid that *I'll* be too overwhelmed to be as involved at school as I like to be. I want to be that parent that all of the teachers and other parents know is involved. Also, I like to be up there volunteering to really know what's going on in the school and to meet the other kids and parents. I hope I'll still be able to find time to do that.

Slightly OT-DD was in Daisy Scouts last year and had a BLAST! She is so exicted about her first Brownie meeting on Aug. 23rd. Personally, I'm a little scared of the cookie selling since Daisies don't do that and it will be our first year.
DD also is doing violin lessons and gynmastics and I'm worried that she and/or I will get burned out doing too many activities.

[jkpmomtoboys]

I'll answer the ?'s:

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?

I hope he continues to enjoy school and all the cool first grade things he gets to do in the afternoon (science, p.e., etc...)

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)

Because we're in a split grade, Sudbury-type school, he has the same teacher, same classroom and same kids this year as he did last year, so not much is really changing, thankfully.

Do you have any worries or concerns (doesn't matter if they're irrational-get them out now !)

I was worried he wouldn't go to the bathroom at school, but during the last week of K, he started asking if he could go to the bathroom, which is good. Other than that, most of my concerns are for me than him...

[Mirzam]

Another brand new 1st grader here too, starting August 28. Toby will not only be going into 1st grade he is also going to a new school. I think I am more excited than he is. The school is a comtemplative elementary school based on the Shambhala Buddhist teachings and Toby will be in a a combined 1st/2nd grade with two teachers, one Waldorf trained and the other Montessori trained. I am helping to set up the library, so we are already very involved in the school.

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?

That he loves his new school, has fun and is challenged academically. He was wasn't very academically stimulated in kindergarten last year.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)

The school has a very strong mission, so I hope that it lives up to that -- I am pretty sure it will. We already know his teachers; they are two of the most awesome teachers I have ever met and were really one of the main reasons we choose to send him to the school.

Do you have any worries or concerns?

Not really, although Toby is shy so making new friends is challenging for him.

I am pleased he will be in a small school and won't have to deal with a large lunch room full of kids, that he will get plenty of time to be outside -- the school has a wonderful playground and the whole school goes on a walk first thing in the morning, rain, snow or shine!

[latinmom]

The boys are starting 1st this year, too. They have a July birthday, so they're some of the youngest in their classes, but have enjoyed K and did quite well. We're just waiting for the letter telling us about their teachers-we think ds1 is getting the same teacher he had in K, and she is a goddess! Anyone who can handle his SI is great with us. ds2 can get along with any teacher, thankfully. It will be fun hearing from all over the country about 1st grade!

[mamaJ]

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
just want a experience that encourages her to continue to love learning.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of
teacher, friends, etc.)
I want a teacher that can recognize who my child is and try to work with her, and encourage her abilities. Also I wouldn't mind someone who can push her in a positive way..

Do you have any worries or concerns?
Oh gosh I have so many concerns.. my daughter is quiet and I think she has a strong tendency to be passed over because she isn't a trouble maker. I just hope the teacher takes time and gets to know her. Also she didn't make any strong friendship bonds last year, I just hope she makes good friends. It didn't bother her any so maybe I shouldn't worry.. but you still want friends for you kids.

[1xmom]

Another soon-to-be-1st Grader mom joining in. My dd really liked K, she wasn't too crazy about the teacher's assistant but she did well.
What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
That my dd gets a good teacher. My dd can be shy at times, but is truly bright and needs to be challenged. Actually a lady my brother went to school with is a 1st grade teacher at her school and she was saying she would love to have my dd in her class. She is also a very good teacher and I have heard nothing but postive things about her.


What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of
teacher, friends, etc.)
My dd did well and was able to develop friendships w/both boys and girls. This one boy in particular she always called her buddy b/c he made her laugh all the time.
As far as teacher, I just hope she is a good teacher who is able to keep control of her class but not in a loud boisterous way. My dd closes up to people who are loud and do alot of yelling and things. Although her teacher last year was very good and always seemed to stay calm.

Do you have any worries or concerns?
Not really. I am pretty comfortable w/the school so far. I stayed pretty active there so I knew what was going w/the classroom, teachers and her friends.

[mata]

bump

haven't some started already? how did this week go?

[`guest`]

I'll join in. My son loved k, and is very excited to start 1st grade. I was so sad to end last year, I actually cried to the teacher, and she was emotional, too. I will miss him very much. At the same time, HE is so into school, that I am happy for him. The eternal parent situation. I wish for him that he has a teacher who "gets" my dreamy boy. Also that he lives up to his potential, has good friends and comes home happy to have gone to school that day and wakes up excited to go (okay maybe not every day, but lots of the time.)

He just jumped into sight reading, but needs work on his writing (I have to work on that with him. ) i love him so much, and my heart feels so much with this transition (as I am sure we all feel.) Happy, yet bittersweet.

[mata]

SMUM, my dd's teacher and I were crying the last day, too.

[sphinx]

Thanks for this thread, I have been really thinking about dd 's school career these past few days, so I'm glad to have somewhere to talk about it! I was very excited to continue unschooling, but a combination of circumstances have arisen that makes it more or less necessary for dd (almost 7) to go to school in September, BUT luckily we have a really interesting and affordable private school two blocks from my house. She is excited about trying it out. The kids have 20-30 minutes of actual academic instruction and the rest is free play and/or activities that they can choose. Art and theatre group projects are the main medium of all of their learning. From first to fourth grade school goes from 8:30-1pm (school ends right after lunch). The best part is that she doesn't have to go every day - she can stay home 2x a week if she wants. This is the closest I could get to the feel of homeschooling in a school.

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
That she doesn't get sucked up into the social status problems; that she doesn't get bulllied; that she makes a good friend or two, that the teachers respect her individuality, that she feels comfortable and enjoys herself.

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)
A warm loving teacher, ditto friends, enjoyment of the many resources that school and a group can afford that we as a family can't provide. I hope it is for her a time of strong self-affirmation and self-discovery.

Do you have any worries or concerns
I worry about the social scene, particularly that she will lose herself and start trying to act like everyone else (she has this tendency). Or that she will end up without friends. I am afraid it will be so stimulating and exciting at school that she will be bored when not in school, and that this may start killing her natural sense of wonder and desire to learn. I am also afraid she will learn undesirable behaviors at school and bring them home, or just become more aggressive from the overstimulating environment there. And I don't want her to be angry that I'm going to pick her up before lunch (since I know lunch is a time for bonding with friends) because they serve really crap food that I just can't in good conscience let her eat, but it's illegal to bring a lunch.

[Losgann]

My dd is going to first grade this year. She did pre k 5 mornings at 4 and kinder all day at 5.

What is your wish list for your child's first grade year?
I hope that she continues to fit in as well as she has and continues to be her own person and not become a follower. I hope she has fun!

What sort of experience would you like to manifest for them (type of teacher, friends, etc.)
I'd like a teacher who is kind and motherly but also firm. Willow can be a little headstrong at times but she's incredibly sensitive. It takes a skilled hand to guide her without upsetting her. I hope the teacher will be able to push Willow to do her best and not just settle for what Will feels like doing (or not doing!)

I'd hope she continues to be friends with the bright and imaginative kids she met last year and not be too swayed by the girls who are all ready playing the 'pretty and popular' games.

Do you have any worries or concerns
Willow will start seeing the school counselors this year to help her cope with her brother's illness. I hope our upcoming move isn't too traumatic for her and that she won't be too affected by his issues.