As some of you may know, I am once again in the classroom - teaching kindergarten. Years ago, I taught first grade. It seems like there are higher and higher expectations of these youngsters with each year that passes.What I used to do in first grade, I am now doing and more in kindergarten.
We had our first spelling test last Friday. It was only a list of 10 words but 10 words for 5 year olds!!! The class got another 10 words today. Some were expressing some anxiety if they were getting another spelling test soon... poor kids...
It is report card time in a couple of weeks - so it is crunch time... testing and more testing. The children only get 20 minutes of recess each day. That is 10 minutes for snack and 10 minutes for play... and back to grind... did I say poor kids already?
By May, my school district expect my kindergarteners to write 3 descriptive sentences. The sentences have to be different from each other. They should have at least 5 words each, correct punctuation is of course expected, spelling, all the mechanics...etc. In the past few years, a picture prompt was provided for the children during the Writing Assessement. I liked that because the children had some sort of a starting ground from which their writing took off.
This school year, my school district decided to take out the picture prompt because the "brains" there said that the picture "inhibited the children's abstract thinking"... Get serious! Abstract thinking and 5 year olds!
I wonder if I am instrumental in turning some education-anxiety ridden kids into the world... hmmm, scary thought actually-
Comments (6)
Eden, I know what you mean. I'm in awe of what the kids are being expected to learn now.
I can't help looking back at my first grade reading books: Dick & Jane --
and wondering how boring they would be to today's kids.
Posted by Deborah | February 27, 2008 3:42 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 15:42
You've got to be kidding! Are kindergarten children 5 years old like thay are ehre in Ontario?
Posted by Jerry | February 27, 2008 3:54 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 15:54
Yes, Jerry, our kindergarteners have to be 5 year olds by December 1 to start formal schooling. No nap time or graham cracker snacks here though. :)
Deborah, children are so easily bored these days. It is amazing what and how much they are exposed to and know at such early age. I did compound words last month and I got words like "blackberry" and "bluetooth"...
Posted by Eden | February 27, 2008 7:44 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 19:44
I'm glad Kim featured your blog this week...I somehow missed that you had one. Welcome to the madness!
And no nap time in kindergarten?!?! Oh the injustice! :-D
Posted by Jill | February 27, 2008 8:01 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 20:01
Not only no nap time, but also many days, no center time!!
I teach preschool special ed on an elementary school campus and cringe at what Kindergarten has turned into.
And now, they are starting to try to make preschool into Kindergarten, however I refuse to go along with the "new thinking" for preschoolers.
Posted by girasoli | February 28, 2008 9:12 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 09:12
My kids (pre-K and 2nd grade) are more advanced than I ever was at their ages. I'm waiting for the time when I can't keep up with their homework!
Posted by Rebecca | February 28, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 11:24