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Powderhound
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/10 17 total posts
Name:
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Class Size?????
I need some feedback on what I should do. My son is in 4th grade and at his first day of school he was put in a class with 5 boys and 15 girls. The entire 4th grade class has 49 boys and 57 girls for 5 teachers. So with those numbers the most you should have is two more girls than boys.
This was a problem when my son was in 2nd grade and we spoke to the principle and he told us this would never happen again. The class that year was 7 boys and 13 girls.
We spoke to the principle about this and he told us that nothing could be done.
I was also told that the PTA has no input on who is in what class.
The students are sitting at 5 separate tables and each table has one boy.
Am I crazy because I think this should be an even ratio of boys to girls?
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Posted 9/5/18 10:46 PM  |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Class Size?????
This is very odd.. are parents requesting switches so the girls can stick together? I don't think you're wrong, I would want and expect a better ratio. There is no reason why there are only 5 boys in the class unless it was a specialized class or something and the 20 students had to be in that class.
It also seems a little unfair set up since boys and girls are different. Also it seems like there is may be a class predominantly boys? That is also unfair to the girls in that class.
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| Posted 9/5/18 11:20 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Class Size?????
I've had classes like that. One year, I had 6 boys and 18 girls. I never separated them so drastically though. I had tables of all girls so boss could sit with other boys
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| Posted 9/5/18 11:45 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Class Size?????
That is very strange. Our PTA has no say either, it is just the Principal who makes up the class mix. I would be upset if we had a similar class ratio.
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| Posted 9/5/18 11:46 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Class Size?????
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
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| Posted 9/5/18 11:55 PM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Class Size?????
Each district and building (within the district) have guidelines for how classes are formed. Gender is only one factor. I'm not sure how they do it, but if you ask the building representatives or district admins about it, the situation may make more sense. It also may make no sense if there is no standard to making up classes... I've always said that it is such a complicated and multi-faceted process, I'd hate to have that job.
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| Posted 9/6/18 4:27 AM |
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Cruisin
LIF Infant
Member since 2/16 253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
My son’s 2nd grade class was 11 girls, 6 boys. They looped with the teacher in 3rd and it was 11 girls, 5 boys. 4 of the boys are great kids and get along great. Teacher would put 2 and 2 at a table with girls. No real issues with the small number except with the 1 problem boy (but he always sat with just girls). I’m glad they mixed up the kids for 4th grade for a change (except for the fact that they went from 3 classes in the grade to 2.......... now we have 13 boys and 13 girls! Yikes! Be careful what you wish for)
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| Posted 9/6/18 5:54 AM |
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Sweetlax22
LIF Adult
Member since 5/10 1904 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by LIRascal
Each district and building (within the district) have guidelines for how classes are formed. Gender is only one factor. I'm not sure how they do it, but if you ask the building representatives or district admins about it, the situation may make more sense. It also may make no sense if there is no standard to making up classes... I've always said that it is such a complicated and multi-faceted process, I'd hate to have that job.
This! Things like how many children need special services (speech , ot, resource room , etc) , academic level, male/female teacher , or even different teachers teaching style and how you child responds are factors that sometimes can come before a 50/50 male/female split.
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| Posted 9/6/18 8:29 AM |
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Mags1227
Just a mommy ...
Member since 10/10 2665 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
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| Posted 9/6/18 9:09 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
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| Posted 9/6/18 9:47 AM |
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Laura1976
Member since 5/05 5754 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by Powderhound
We spoke to the principle about this and he told us that nothing could be done.
I was also told that the PTA has no input on who is in what class.
Bad planning on their part, but at the same time there are so many factors that go into putting a class together. At this point, it would be unfair for them to move any child into or out of their class.
PTA definitely has nothing to do with it. I'm on the board of mine and I get the craziest phone calls and emails about school happenings that have nothing to do with the pta. 
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| Posted 9/6/18 11:30 AM |
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M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Me too
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| Posted 9/6/18 11:34 AM |
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Class Size?????
By 4th grade, we were assigned to classes by academic ability, so maybe that caused the skew in gender demographics. I'd maybe talk to the teacher about the seating arrangements if it's that big of a deal for your son, but I don't really see what's a big deal about sharing a table with girls.
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| Posted 9/6/18 11:48 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
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| Posted 9/6/18 11:48 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by lululu
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
Well, sadly there is nothing that can be done about it.
It stinks but I am sure he will see his friends at recess which is the time they get to do the most socializing anyway.
I am sure the school had a reason, but who knows.
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| Posted 9/6/18 11:57 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Class Size?????
It’s a life lesson. The parents making a fuss is only going to worsen the situation.
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| Posted 9/6/18 12:25 PM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Class Size?????
I wouldn’t care about the ratio, but might ask the teacher to put 2 boys at one table and 3 at another.
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| Posted 9/6/18 12:32 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by lululu
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
Well, sadly there is nothing that can be done about it.
It stinks but I am sure he will see his friends at recess which is the time they get to do the most socializing anyway.
I am sure the school had a reason, but who knows.
I just think it’s dumb that it even set up that way when the girl to boy ratio isn’t that off.
And what if there is a class with mostly boys who tend to be roudy since they don’t mature as fast as girls. It’s more likely the class would be the “bad” class. Now the eacher has to spend most of the time calming the kids down. It just doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t make a big stink of it but I would definitely question it if it was brought up to my attention because it doesn’t seem right.
My son mostly hangs out with girls so he wouldn’t care but I still thinks it strange.
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| Posted 9/6/18 12:35 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
I think it's weird bc in theory they should have on average 9-10 boys and 11 or so girls in each class. But there must be a reason they did it that way. It's totally normal that the PTA has no input into class assignments. It would just be total chaos if schools allowed that.
Is this a problem for your son? If so, I would focus on that in discussion with the teacher and principal. Demanding to know how and why they made the class up that way will be unproductive in my opinion.
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| Posted 9/6/18 12:58 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by LuckyStar
It’s a life lesson. The parents making a fuss is only going to worsen the situation.
That is always my answer when people complain about wanting a certain teacher, wanting their child to be with all their friends, etc.
Life isn't always perfect.
You are going to end up with a shittty college professor, a shittty boss, a shittty roommate, etc
You can't control everything and make life perfect all the time.
You get what you get sometimes.
I happen to work in an industry that is male dominated.
I would love to have more female co-workers.
But that's just the way it is
Message edited 9/6/2018 1:07:36 PM.
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:06 PM |
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Marbo
LOVE
Member since 7/08 2374 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
So my younger DD in 2nd grade has a similar situation...10 boys and 5 girls in one class and 10 boys 7 girls in the other...the imbalance came from one girl being pulled from my dds class first day of school to be in other class with friends..,so originally each class had 6 girls. Anyway there are 3 table groupings and there were 2 girls at each but now that the one left my DD is the one girl at a table with all boys. I know this because parent orientation was last night so I saw the set up. My DD was not upset but I can see how a kid would be...they do switch seats up throughout the year...I would have preferred they put 2 and 3 girls and had an all boy table, but then the teacher probably doesn’t want an all boy table so it is what it is.
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:26 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by Sash
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by lululu
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
Well, sadly there is nothing that can be done about it.
It stinks but I am sure he will see his friends at recess which is the time they get to do the most socializing anyway.
I am sure the school had a reason, but who knows.
I just think it’s dumb that it even set up that way when the girl to boy ratio isn’t that off.
And what if there is a class with mostly boys who tend to be roudy since they don’t mature as fast as girls. It’s more likely the class would be the “bad” class. Now the eacher has to spend most of the time calming the kids down. It just doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t make a big stink of it but I would definitely question it if it was brought up to my attention because it doesn’t seem right.
My son mostly hangs out with girls so he wouldn’t care but I still thinks it strange.
I think it's dumb also!
In my experience...and this is my experience only....classes that my child has been in that have a large makeup of boys tend to be rowdy. The boys wrestle, fight, some have fist fought, talk back, taunt the girls, etc. Now our grade is FULL of kids with behavior problems. The majority of them, the boys. So I would be thrilled with mostly girls in the class. But again, this is our experience with the boys in my child's grade level. Like you said, the boys mature much slower than the girls. Not say that girls can't be behavior problems, because we have a few of those also.
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:26 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by Marbo
So my younger DD in 2nd grade has a similar situation...10 boys and 5 girls in one class and 10 boys 7 girls in the other...the imbalance came from one girl being pulled from my dds class first day of school to be in other class with friends..,so originally each class had 6 girls. Anyway there are 3 table groupings and there were 2 girls at each but now that the one left my DD is the one girl at a table with all boys. I know this because parent orientation was last night so I saw the set up. My DD was not upset but I can see how a kid would be...they do switch seats up throughout the year...I would have preferred they put 2 and 3 girls and had an all boy table, but then the teacher probably doesn’t want an all boy table so it is what it is.
how are schools even entertaining pulling kids out from classes so they can be with friends???
I thought they purposely broke friends up to widen their circle and avoid chatting, etc?
That is ridiculous
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:29 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Sash
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by lululu
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
Well, sadly there is nothing that can be done about it.
It stinks but I am sure he will see his friends at recess which is the time they get to do the most socializing anyway.
I am sure the school had a reason, but who knows.
I just think it’s dumb that it even set up that way when the girl to boy ratio isn’t that off.
And what if there is a class with mostly boys who tend to be roudy since they don’t mature as fast as girls. It’s more likely the class would be the “bad” class. Now the eacher has to spend most of the time calming the kids down. It just doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t make a big stink of it but I would definitely question it if it was brought up to my attention because it doesn’t seem right.
My son mostly hangs out with girls so he wouldn’t care but I still thinks it strange.
I think it's dumb also!
In my experience...and this is my experience only....classes that my child has been in that have a large makeup of boys tend to be rowdy. The boys wrestle, fight, some have fist fought, talk back, taunt the girls, etc. Now our grade is FULL of kids with behavior problems. The majority of them, the boys. So I would be thrilled with mostly girls in the class. But again, this is our experience with the boys in my child's grade level. Like you said, the boys mature much slower than the girls. Not say that girls can't be behavior problems, because we have a few of those also.
I have a son and I cringe at the but he is a boy. But its true, they do tend to be more rowdy and PIA. When I sit with the teacher for my son, she would tell me that my son wasn't the only one. Alot of the boys in the class were like that. I couldn't imagine a class filled with 15 boys like my son and 5 girls when it could be prevented. Those poor girls and teacher.
ETA: just wanted to add my son isn't even that bad. But he does talk, can disrupt the class and is so disorganized.
Message edited 9/6/2018 1:37:48 PM.
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:35 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Class Size?????
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Sash
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by lululu
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Mags1227
Posted by LuckyStar
I honestly don't see what difference it makes and wouldn't think anything of it.
same here
Same. I wouldn't even think to ask my DD when she got home how many boys were in the class vs. how many girls. She probably wouldn't even be able to tell me an exact number anyway.
How do you know the exact class stats?
I always feel so out of the loop on the things people seem to know about/complain about.
I have no idea which teacher is which, which teacher is pregnant, which one just got back from maternity leave, who is in the class.
I just go about my life, and send my DD to school.
If my 4th grade boy was put in a class with almost all girls he would be devastated. He is almost at the puberty stage and he can't even talk to girls he gets so embarrassed. Maybe a class full of girls would be good for him however, I think it would just make him upset that there aren't more boys to play with/connect with.
I get it that we have to be gender blind now in addition to everything else but these are kids and kids at this age typically want to play with kids that are the same sex as them. Not always, NOT EVERYONE, but I would say more children than not mostly play with kids of the same gender in 4th grade.
Also I doubt this mother asked - the son probably came home upset and TOLD HER. And I am sure if you had a child that was impacted by something going on at the school, you would make yourself aware of the situation.
OP I would be furious if I were you, but in reality there is nothing that they can do about it now. They aren't going to shift the classes around. I'm sorry that you have to go thru this.
Well, sadly there is nothing that can be done about it.
It stinks but I am sure he will see his friends at recess which is the time they get to do the most socializing anyway.
I am sure the school had a reason, but who knows.
I just think it’s dumb that it even set up that way when the girl to boy ratio isn’t that off.
And what if there is a class with mostly boys who tend to be roudy since they don’t mature as fast as girls. It’s more likely the class would be the “bad” class. Now the eacher has to spend most of the time calming the kids down. It just doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t make a big stink of it but I would definitely question it if it was brought up to my attention because it doesn’t seem right.
My son mostly hangs out with girls so he wouldn’t care but I still thinks it strange.
I think it's dumb also!
In my experience...and this is my experience only....classes that my child has been in that have a large makeup of boys tend to be rowdy. The boys wrestle, fight, some have fist fought, talk back, taunt the girls, etc. Now our grade is FULL of kids with behavior problems. The majority of them, the boys. So I would be thrilled with mostly girls in the class. But again, this is our experience with the boys in my child's grade level. Like you said, the boys mature much slower than the girls. Not say that girls can't be behavior problems, because we have a few of those also.
But.......kids need to learn to deal with this stuff. The boys should be taught to not fist fight and wrestle and taunt and the girls should be taught to stand up for themselves. Part of life is learning how to navigate social situations and deal with people who are different or people you don’t necessarily like.
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| Posted 9/6/18 1:39 PM |
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