First Grade Tribe-November/December

[mata]

new thread!

here's the old:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=532829

[`guest`]

Yay a new thread! Thanks mata. Okay, I am going to a parent teacher conf today. We don't get report cards, but do get progress reports. I love my son's teacher, but am cognizant that there are probably things she will want us to work on. Good luck to y'all.

[mata]

have fun, SMUM-I'd love to hear how it goes.

Time is going so quickly-November break next week, then in just a few weeks we'll have three weeks off for winter break-it always seems like the intensity of school is centered around September/October, then it becomes much more relaxed around here. I like!

[`guest`]

Yes, mata, the beginning was rough, but now it seems to be smoothing out.

The conference went so well. My son's teacher really gets him! And she loves him! And he's doing well. I feel so happy, I see I was pretty nervous, last year's teacher didn't quite understand my son, so this is a wonderful start to the year. Hope everyone else got good feedback.

[1xmom]

Glad your son is doing well. Looking forward to hearing how all her progressing as 1st Graders.

[Mirzam]

I am glad the conference went well too SMUM. Ours isn't until next week.

[`guest`]

Thanks guys. Let us know how it goes uccom! I didn't realize how nervous I was until afterward.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by SMUM

Let us know how it goes uccom! I didn't realize how nervous I was until afterward.

I will! I am actually really excited. The teachers have alloted 45 minutes which I think is a nice long time and we will be able to have a decent discussion. I don't anticipate many problems with him.

[ABand3]

Hello! I'm just jumping over from the october thread.

I've been really unimpressed with my son's school this year, to the point that my DH has finally agreed that homeschooling is the best option right now. I've been working on him for years, but now he sees firsthand what a bad match this school is for our DS. There are lots of magnet schools in the area that would probably be so much better, but they admit on a lottery system, and we couldn't switch until next year, that's just too long too wait for a shot at maybe getting in - and most of them are 30-60 minute bus ride, I would not feel good about that. So originally our plan was to pull him out of school at winter break, but now we're going to start home schooling after thanksgiving. YAY! YIKES! I hope I can still lurk here :

[flyingspaghettimama]

Of course you can still lurk here! Can you tell us more as to why the school isn't working for you (I'm just totally wanting to hear gossip)?

We have a few more days until our PTC. We're on half-days this week, which is nice, but I have to give the babe a nap soooo early.

[Mirzam]

Hi ABand3. I am sorry that your DS's school hasn't worked out, but good luck with homeschooling. I homeschool my 9 year old DD even though my 1st grader is in school. I certainly would be homeschooling DS if his school wasn't so awesome. (It only goes up to 2nd grade this year and DD is a 3rd grader.)

Homeschoolers are equally welcome to post here. A 1st grader is a 1st grader whether they learn at home or at school.

[mata]

Hi ABand3-congratulations on convincing your dh-that would be a tough sell with mine, too. Good luck with applying to the magnet school-or maybe hsing will work out so well you'll want to continue.

Yesterday I was watching dd as we were walking home from school and was struck by how she's growing and maturing, and how animated, happy, and secure she is in herself. It makes me so happy. I can tell all of the experiences in her life are supporting that, and it feels good to know many pieces are in place for now, especially after the whole period of soul-searching where I wondered if I was doing what's best for her. Whew!

[Mommabelle]

Good Morning 1st grade tribe. I'm so sleepy this morning..it's yucky weather here and I want to crawl back in bed!
uccomama..wow 45 min for conferece. That's great.
ABand3..good for you! Hope it all get's better from here.
I'm still not crazy about dd teacher but she's a little better.

[ABand3]

Originally Posted by flyingspaghettimama

Can you tell us more as to why the school isn't working for you

The school system here is a mess, IMO. From the outside looking in (which we were a year ago, before moving here) it looks great - good test scores, innovative programs, diversity. But, there are few true neighborhood schools - my DS attends our 'base' school, but no one else on our street goes there - they go to a year round, magnets, private. Our school has no sense of community. It looks and feels very bland and generic to me, no excitement, no pride, low morale.

Also, my son has started feeling bothered by the fact that school is boring. He was academically ahead starting in preschool, but he never noticed or was bothered by it until now. He says he feels like he's still in preschool. His teacher is very sweet and concerned for him, and has made accomodations to try to keep him challenged and interested, but she also has 20 other students to worry about, and her job really is to make sure those who are struggling are up to grade level. Yup, it's all about the test, and those children who already know what's on the test are expected to just hang out while the others catch up. He's bored and frustrated that school and homework take time away from things he wants to be doing, like reading books and learning spanish.

[momof2boys1girl]

Hello,
I am new to mdc and trying to find my way around. I hope it is ok for me to join this thread. I have a dd who is in 1st grade.
We had parent teacher conf last month and ours are only 20 min long, 45 min wow!!
I love dd's teacher she is a older teacher probably in her 50's she reminds me of the teacher from the magic school bus. She is very caring and takes her time.My dd is also in speech and has been since she was 3.She is also getting help in speech w reading because she is having a bit of a problem in that area.She is just won a award last night from the optimist club for being caring,kind and welcoming to new students.One child from each grade is selected each month.

[sea island mama]

We had our PTC a couple of weeks ago & I think it went pretty well.
Dd's teacher is very happy with her & the only things he really suggested she work on were being more 'self-directed' & 'listening & following instructions more closely'.
He talked for a while about how he likes to see the students do things for themselves & have parents just drop them off & leave. When he was done I told him (very tactfully, I think ) that we have a different philosophy & that we try to do everything for dd that we can if she asks, so she feels that support & trusts that we will be there to help her. He seemed very surprised & a little taken aback (but in a good way), like he had never heard anything like that before! He said that whatever we were doing seemed to be working, but he would still like to see a bit more independence in the classroom as far as getting her day started. She is fine when I am not there, but if I stay, she is looking to me to help her.
Part of the problem is that we are often running late & I'm helping her rush in & get things ready before her day starts - my fault :.
Anyway, I think we get report cards week after next - I also am not so concerned about any kind of 'marks' as such, I just like to read about all the wonderful things someone else sees in my dd .

[1xmom]

Anyway, I think we get report cards week after next - I also am not so concerned about any kind of 'marks' as such, I just like to read about all the wonderful things someone else sees in my dd .

Me too

[mata]

weighing in with our parent/teacher chat-it went as well as I expected-the teacher had lots of nice things to say and dd is exceeding expectations in all areas. The teacher said she's particularly strong in math and literary analysis (funny to be using that phrase with a first grader) and had some good ideas for special projects she thought dd would enjoy doing. I'm all for that! But most importantly she said dd applies herself well, loves learning, tries to do her best, and treats her classmates well.

[`guest`]

That's great, mata, and all the others, it's always good to hear how wonderful your child is!

[Mirzam]

mata what a great conference. You must be very proud of your DD!