October 3rd was International Walk to School Day!
Considering the fact that the Midwest has been hard hit by drought this year, it was ironic that it should rain on Walk to School Day.
The fall colors were a little muted on this cloudy day.
We walked to a central meeting place which made it a longer walk to school for us.
It didn't dampen the spirits of all the students who took part in this fun morning.
A long procession of teachers, children and parents walked to school where refreshments awaited the children indoors. I hope it was hot chocolate.
After school we worked on KC's homework. This is a week's worth and was not difficult for KC. However, I was stunned to see what the expectations were for a little kindergartener. She is learning word families, alphabetical order, handwriting, beginning consonant sounds and digraphs (ch, sh, th), sight word recognition and spelling, creative writing, patterns, etc. And this was only after the first month of kindergarten!
When I was teaching first grade in this same district, kindergarten was developmental. Children were not taught handwriting and were certainly not expected to write on lines. All that happened in first grade. Kindergarten was a time for children to get adjusted to being in school and to acquire learning and social skills.
Although KC is loving kindergarten and feeling very proud of her new abilities I worry about children who don't get the same kind of support KC gets at home from both parents.
In the month that we were there, I saw KC's understanding of reading, writing, and math blossom. No longer shy about making new friends, I saw her confidence grow.
I hope the next 16 years or so of schooling will be just as happy.
Considering the fact that the Midwest has been hard hit by drought this year, it was ironic that it should rain on Walk to School Day.
The fall colors were a little muted on this cloudy day.
We walked to a central meeting place which made it a longer walk to school for us.
It didn't dampen the spirits of all the students who took part in this fun morning.
A long procession of teachers, children and parents walked to school where refreshments awaited the children indoors. I hope it was hot chocolate.
After school we worked on KC's homework. This is a week's worth and was not difficult for KC. However, I was stunned to see what the expectations were for a little kindergartener. She is learning word families, alphabetical order, handwriting, beginning consonant sounds and digraphs (ch, sh, th), sight word recognition and spelling, creative writing, patterns, etc. And this was only after the first month of kindergarten!
When I was teaching first grade in this same district, kindergarten was developmental. Children were not taught handwriting and were certainly not expected to write on lines. All that happened in first grade. Kindergarten was a time for children to get adjusted to being in school and to acquire learning and social skills.
Although KC is loving kindergarten and feeling very proud of her new abilities I worry about children who don't get the same kind of support KC gets at home from both parents.
In the month that we were there, I saw KC's understanding of reading, writing, and math blossom. No longer shy about making new friends, I saw her confidence grow.
I hope the next 16 years or so of schooling will be just as happy.
it is amazing how much advanced children are in Kindergarten now, I'm not sure what this says about us as a poeple , are we rushing things, pushing.I agree with your comment on children that have not as much parent interaction , are those children left a bit behind, maybe feeling a sense of inadequate at such a young age, maybe too much pressure.I think of this often, I have two grand children, your Grand daughter is a beautiful bright child with loving caring involved parents, all we can do is hope that other children are as lucky!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad KC is getting the challenges she needs in order not to be bored in class.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to laugh about the walk to school day. In Chicago I had to walk to school for 13 years.
Homework? In Kindergarten? I'm actually a little shocked. I thought as well it would be soon enough in first grade. Love those rain pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful header. Sometimes I think I should have been an early education teacher because I enjoy those little ones so much. Their enthusiasm is so contagious.
ReplyDeleteSince most children go to day care or preschool now they don't need as much time to acclimate to a school setting as they used to.
ReplyDeleteit's wonderful when kids thrive in school...I used to teach 1st grade and I'd say kids today are much further ahead than then plus with all their computer-technology skills acquired before school begins.
ReplyDeleteIt's much the same in the UK schools now, though perhaps not quite so much homework. But I wonder if it's actually worth it, and whether they are missing out on lots of creative play, time to be bored and invent games, time to read a book, time to just relax. Children in many countries don't start school until they're six or even seven, and they don't seem to be behind our children when they leave school.
ReplyDeleteWow! That was first grade work 20 years ago. Looks like a fun time on the drizzly walk. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI too have been stunned by the work load of school children. My 13-year old grandson, now in Middle School, is taking on projects as difficult as those I did years ago as an undergraduate in college. I fear some children will be left behind in this brave new world. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI think the kids are actually smarter. My 5 year old granddaughter is reading without much coaching that I can see. It's just the atmosphere at home and in school that makes her eager to become a reader.
ReplyDeleteWe have tended to cater to the slow developers in elementary school, which has held the kids back who take naturally to the school environment. It's hard to balance the needs of all the students in an elementary school class, but I am glad that my grandkids are being allowed to stretch their abilities.
Best wishes to the cute kid! Yup, I am here in Taiwan. We leave for India in less than 2 hours. Will try to keep in touch with everyone's blog. You know me, I love to blog and can't do without the Internet.
ReplyDeletethat's amazing how much kindergartners are expected to know!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you got to spend this precious time with KC. Spending time with her as she starts her school life is a gift for both of you. It does seem they do jump right in with academics in kindergarten these days. I think it is a little early for some, but with great family support like KC has, the curriculum seems quite appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWow, KC is so bright! With dedicated parents and grandparents, I'm not surprised, but I am surprised at all the things they have to learn in kindergarten. And homework! I wonder what she'll learn next year. Physics, perhaps, or computer programming.
ReplyDeleteSo nice you were there for walk-to-school day!
K
So glad it all seems to be flowing well for dear KC
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki,
Comfort Spiral
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I'm amazed at how much kids learn these days too. Our 6yo first grade grandson wrote a nice letter thanking us for his stay. I was impressed that he wrote the entire letter by himself (wrong spelling on some words like "Hellow" lol but he got most of the words spelled correctly).
ReplyDeleteKC's clothes are always the cutest!!
L...w
That does seem accelerated for kindergarten. Tom taught kdg for many years and his program was more like you remember from the "old days", like a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a teacher and my four siblings all teachers. Education has changed and not necessarily for the better. It is great KC gets so much support and she will do well. The size of that homework is going to grow isn't it? She and Tif are lucky they have you too to give some guidance.
ReplyDelete