[BCFD]

<p>DD is in 1st grade in a charter M school.  This year, they have spelling workbooks that they have to do for homework.  One lesson is 4 or 5 pages, so it's basically one page per night.  On Friday, they have a "pre-test" and then an actual test.  It's done with paper and pencil.  I'm not exactly sure how it's administered, but I'm assuming the teacher sits down with a group of kids and says the word outloud and then they have to write it on the line.  It's about 8 - 10 words total every week.</p>
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<p>DD has not wanted to work in this book and has been crying (real tears!) saying it's too much work and too hard.  She can totally do this work, but now it has evolved into a power struggle with her. Now she's behind 2 lessons and she needs to do about 4 pages by tomorrow.  We are telling her there will be consequences if she doesn't get caught up and she is sobbing in her room right now saying it's too hard and it's taking too long.  We've been at it for about 45 minutes.  She could have done this work in 5 minutes. </p>
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<p>I hate the fact that she has to work in a spelling workbook and then "take a test" which then gets graded.  This week she got 4/8 right.  The paper came home with the corrections next to the word and <strong>4/8</strong> on the page.  I am just BESIDE myself that this has to happen in a Montessori school.  I get it's a charter school.  I get they have to meet district standards.  Besides this, it's an amazing school - lots of art, cultural work every day, peace education, etc.  I love her teacher.  I just have a real problem with this spelling workbook and I just don't know what to do.  I don't think it's an option for her to not do it.  </p>
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<p>I could really use some advice.  I wish I could pull her out and put her in a private Montessori school, but we have 3 kids and it's just not possible.</p>

 

[AllyRae]

<p>Yeah, it sounds like it's the charter school thing.  Workbooks and spelling tests are about as anti-Montessori as one can get. <img alt="lol.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com//images/smilies/lol.gif">: </p>
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<p>Poor kid...  Unfortunately, my personal opinion is that if they are in a particular school, they need to follow the rules of the school--that includes homework and workbooks.  Even if they are anti-Montessori, it's an assignment her teacher gave her, and she probably needs to make sure she does it.  Is there a way to get a moveable alphabet at home so she can use it to help her with her spelling words?  Maybe her teacher could help you find a more Montessori-like way to get her to learn the spelling words?  Just because she has to do the work, doesn't mean she doesn't have options on how to best learn the material.  It just might take some creativity. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com//images/smilies/smile.gif"></p>

 

[BCFD]

<p>Thank you SO much for the response!  You totally just backed up everything I have been saying to friends/family.  We do have a moveable alphabet at home (even got the d'nealian font like they use at school!)  As much as I really dislike this workbook thing, she is going to have to do it.  I have thought about asking her teacher if we can use the workbook words as a guide, use the moveable alphabet, take a picture and have her write the words 5 times.  Another class does something like that (no workbook, just using words, writing them, and then the teacher tests them.  I call it "show Ms. X that you can spell the words" vs. "Ms. X is going to be testing you on this".</p>
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<p>I keep saying that at least everything else is very true to Montessori.  It's an AMS school and just recently DD's classroom had a visit by some Montessori organization (I'm assuming somebody from AMS?) where they observed the teacher and classroom.  They gets lots of great cultural work, peace education, etc.  My kids love the school and their friends, so I guess I just need to get over the worksheet and/or talk with the teacher and find a different approach.  I don't think she would object, honestly.</p>
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<p>Also, DD stopped crying and I found a way (letting her sit in my lap on the bed) to get her to finish the pages she needed to finish. She did one page in two minutes, so it's not hard.  She just didn't WANT to do it.  Now that she is caught up, I don't think she will feel so overwhelmed.</p>