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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
cat
mat
hat
chat
I
the
What would your reaction be? This is their 3rd week of spelling tests.
Message edited 10/5/2009 4:35:03 PM.
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Posted 10/5/09 4:34 PM  |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I'd be highly annoyed. My DD is in preschool and she is working on these kind of words and was working on them at 3.
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:35 PM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I'd be annoyed. My dd knows most of those and is learning other short words like these, she's in pre-k this year.
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:36 PM |
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BaroqueMama
Chase is one!
Member since 5/05 27530 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
ETA: Also remember that not all kids have the background in spelling. They may have been in more relaxed K classes, not attended preK, etc. First grade is really the first grade that is mandated for kids to be in. I know plenty of kids who go straight to first grade and have never been formally in school. If this is a public school, there's probably a lot of kids in the class and will take the teacher some time to know all of her students' levels and abilities. I teacher in an independent school with small classes of like 12, and I know the first grade teachers are still doing assessments because it takes time. HTH.
Message edited 10/5/2009 4:44:44 PM.
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:42 PM |
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hannahsmom
Yummy yummy cookie...
Member since 10/08 2005 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
My DD is in 2nd grade and her spelling test on Friday was all the short e words... pen, men, bet, pet.
I am hoping it's just because it's the beginning, but my DD definitely needs to be challenged a bit more than this.
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:44 PM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
Hmm, that's an interesting point. I guess since kindergarten isn't mandated in NY the teacher has to assume some of these kids have not had any prior schooling?
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:45 PM |
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BaroqueMama
Chase is one!
Member since 5/05 27530 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by CathyB
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
Hmm, that's an interesting point. I guess since kindergarten isn't mandated in NY the teacher has to assume some of these kids have not had any prior schooling?
Well, even if they have had prior background, developmentally,not all kids are ready to read and spell in Kindergarten. Now, if another three weeks to a month goes on and it's still all middle of the road things and easy words, I'd call the teacher and ask for some more challenging work. More often than not, a teacher has a reason for what they are doing , but again, if it's not getting any harder and her dd is still board and acing it all, then she should definitely call.
Also, just because you can spell a word, doesn't necessarily mean the comprehension of the word is there, so I'm sure they're using the words in sentences and probably learning proper sentence structure with those basic words.
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:48 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
ETA: Also remember that not all kids have the background in spelling. They may have been in more relaxed K classes, not attended preK, etc. First grade is really the first grade that is mandated for kids to be in. I know plenty of kids who go straight to first grade and have never been formally in school. If this is a public school, there's probably a lot of kids in the class and will take the teacher some time to know all of her students' levels and abilities. I teacher in an independent school with small classes of like 12, and I know the first grade teachers are still doing assessments because it takes time. HTH.
Thanks, I assumed thats what she was doing. The only issue I personally have, is that my DD already knows all of these words, she can easily read and write them. She's through all of her first grade sight words too...reading and writing all of them. I'm partially concerned because she is getting bored in school, and at home she gets frustrated with her homework because it is not challenging for her.
I want to add that this is an inclusion class (my DD's 2nd year being in an inclusion class btw), so I'm not sure if its a slower pace because of that?
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| Posted 10/5/09 4:52 PM |
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BaroqueMama
Chase is one!
Member since 5/05 27530 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by greeneyes361708
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
ETA: Also remember that not all kids have the background in spelling. They may have been in more relaxed K classes, not attended preK, etc. First grade is really the first grade that is mandated for kids to be in. I know plenty of kids who go straight to first grade and have never been formally in school. If this is a public school, there's probably a lot of kids in the class and will take the teacher some time to know all of her students' levels and abilities. I teacher in an independent school with small classes of like 12, and I know the first grade teachers are still doing assessments because it takes time. HTH.
Thanks, I assumed thats what she was doing. The only issue I personally have, is that my DD already knows all of these words, she can easily read and write them. She's through all of her first grade sight words too...reading and writing all of them. I'm partially concerned because she is getting bored in school, and at home she gets frustrated with her homework because it is not challenging for her.
I want to add that this is an inclusion class (my DD's 2nd year being in an inclusion class btw), so I'm not sure if its a slower pace because of that?
It shouldn't, in theory, be any slower because that's what the SPED teacher is there for. Definitely give it another couple of weeks and see where it goes and call the teacher to ask for more challenging work. You probably won't be the only parent calling if it continues.
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| Posted 10/5/09 5:07 PM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by prncsslehcar
Posted by greeneyes361708
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
ETA: Also remember that not all kids have the background in spelling. They may have been in more relaxed K classes, not attended preK, etc. First grade is really the first grade that is mandated for kids to be in. I know plenty of kids who go straight to first grade and have never been formally in school. If this is a public school, there's probably a lot of kids in the class and will take the teacher some time to know all of her students' levels and abilities. I teacher in an independent school with small classes of like 12, and I know the first grade teachers are still doing assessments because it takes time. HTH.
Thanks, I assumed thats what she was doing. The only issue I personally have, is that my DD already knows all of these words, she can easily read and write them. She's through all of her first grade sight words too...reading and writing all of them. I'm partially concerned because she is getting bored in school, and at home she gets frustrated with her homework because it is not challenging for her.
I want to add that this is an inclusion class (my DD's 2nd year being in an inclusion class btw), so I'm not sure if its a slower pace because of that?
It shouldn't, in theory, be any slower because that's what the SPED teacher is there for. Definitely give it another couple of weeks and see where it goes and call the teacher to ask for more challenging work. You probably won't be the only parent calling if it continues.
I'm a SpEd teacher in an inclusion classroom and I think that the biggest myth with inclusion is that it is taught at a slower pace. I know in our classroom, we are able to differentiate more because there are two of us and a TA all day long. We have a pretest at the beginning of the week, then give out spelling lists based on how the students did on the pretest. I would talk to the teacher and ask how the spelling lists are determined. I'm sure that the teacher has a reason for giving the words that he/she gives (or maybe they need a wake-up that some of the children need a bit more of a challenge).
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| Posted 10/5/09 5:45 PM |
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QuackQuack
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/06 572 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I know when I student taught in a second grade class their spelling list was based on what they were working on that week, plus some words that are level appropriate.
For example, this week I would assume that her class is working on the "at" sound (it has a more formal name, but i can't think of it at the mmoment), as well as two sight words "I" and "the". So the first six words address those. I would also assume that there should be four more words, which woud be assigned based upon the child's level.
I think if you are uncomfortable, send in a nicely worded note, asking how the spelling lists are determined, and mention that you feel as though your child is bored with their homework because they are not being challenged enough.
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:05 PM |
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InShock
life is good
Member since 10/06 9258 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
As a first grade teacher, I can tell you that those are extremely appropriate spelling words for the very beginning of the year.
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:22 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
My daughter is in 3rd grade and in our school the kids are assessed and given words appropriate to their ability. I actually have her spelling book from 1st grade I am going to look at it later and let you know, but they sound way too easy.
ETA: If she is getting bored and you feel as if she needs more, why not make up your own words and spelling tests at home too. It can only help
Message edited 10/5/2009 6:48:14 PM.
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:36 PM |
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MrsGmomof3
...
Member since 6/08 3290 total posts
Name:
Irrelevant
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I would think that its perfectly appropriate. Its still the first few weeks of school, and I am sure that the teachers are at this point, trying to get all the kids "on the same page" so to speak. My 1st graders spelling list is similar.
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:41 PM |
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My3Shmoos
Me and my Monkey
Member since 7/06 2437 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
What program is she doing. It looks like it might be Fundations. If this is it, then it is appropriate due to the nature of the program. She should be getting more challenging words to read and write during her Guided Reading session with her teacher since she can read at a higher level.
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:42 PM |
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CmC720
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 868 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by InShock
As a first grade teacher, I can tell you that those are extremely appropriate spelling words for the very beginning of the year.
I agree..I teach first grade and we always use word families as the spelling words.
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| Posted 10/5/09 7:42 PM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
My nephew is in the first grade and this week his spelling words are:
Friends
Here
Where
Was
I would be annoyed if I were you too
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| Posted 10/5/09 7:44 PM |
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an9elic
♥ HJ ♥
Member since 6/07 3331 total posts
Name:
kristen
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by MrsGmomof3
I would think that its perfectly appropriate. Its still the first few weeks of school, and I am sure that the teachers are at this point, trying to get all the kids "on the same page" so to speak. My 1st graders spelling list is similar.
ITA and my DD's in 1st grade and also has similar spelling lists.
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| Posted 10/5/09 8:07 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Although we do not so spelling tests, as a first grade teacher I feel these words are appropriate for this point in the year. The hard thing about 1st grade (& it is true for all grades, but I think 1st especially) the range of abilities is unbelievable! I literally have kids coming in to my class not knowing all their letters and others reading chapter books!! Looking at those words you posted, I would have some kids fly through them and others without a clue as to what they say. It's very challenging.
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| Posted 10/5/09 8:41 PM |
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Michmouse
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 1260 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Another teacher commenting....
The words are perfectly apporpiate for the beginning of first grade.
Parents, remember.....A child will be more successful is they feel/believe they are successful. This is SO important. Best to begin slow and lay a solid/confident foundation in each child to build upon. I am sure that is exactly what this teacher is doing.
Message edited 10/5/2009 9:03:24 PM.
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:01 PM |
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MrsH
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/07 766 total posts
Name:
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
I am a teacher and I think those words are appropriate for the beginning of first grade. First of all, as others have stated the range of abilities varies greatly in the beginning of first grade and the teacher is still getting to know his/her students. Secondly, at this point they are still learning the process of word work in their classroom. So it is possible that the teacher is using "easier" words so that the focus is on the routines of word work that they are trying to establish. Once they have the routines of their daily lessons down the words can be the main focus. The first six weeks of first grade is a lot of routines, procedures and assessments.
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:01 PM |
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mamasita27
OHANA
Member since 8/07 5974 total posts
Name:
MB
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by prncsslehcar
I'd think the teacher is still in the process of assessing all of her students and is not going to overwhelm them before she's sure of where they're all at. If it continues, I would ask her to differentiate a bit by adding more difficult bonus words, etc., but I would imagine it's going to get much more difficult and she's still assessing and reviewing at this point.
ETA: Also remember that not all kids have the background in spelling. They may have been in more relaxed K classes, not attended preK, etc. First grade is really the first grade that is mandated for kids to be in. I know plenty of kids who go straight to first grade and have never been formally in school. If this is a public school, there's probably a lot of kids in the class and will take the teacher some time to know all of her students' levels and abilities. I teacher in an independent school with small classes of like 12, and I know the first grade teachers are still doing assessments because it takes time. HTH.
ITA!
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:06 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
as a teacher i feel it is 100% appropriate.
the point of spelling words is not to spell words that are above their level, but to learn word families/blends/digraphs/onsets/rimes/etc. parents don't always understand that. it doesn't matter that the word is "easy", it matters that they learn the "-at" family and can recognize it and use it to spell a harder word like "attention" (at a MUCH later date!)
general ed students in an inclusion setting will be generally challenged more than most students with one teacher. the teacher/student ratio is considerably less and it's a HUGE misconception with parents that the curriculum is "dumbed down"--the opposite is actually true. the general ed teachers on my grade level get very upset with my co-teacher and me because we're able to do so much more with the kids just for the fact that there are 2 of us with the same number of kids. your child has truly won the lottery by being placed in an inclusion setting for so many reasons.
have your child use those words to write sentences and a meaningful paragraph. when she has to use it in context, you will start to see why they are considered appropriate. having her learn to spell a word like "attention" in first grade would be meaningless and counter productive.
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:08 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by cj7305
Although we do not so spelling tests, as a first grade teacher I feel these words are appropriate for this point in the year. The hard thing about 1st grade (& it is true for all grades, but I think 1st especially) the range of abilities is unbelievable! I literally have kids coming in to my class not knowing all their letters and others reading chapter books!! Looking at those words you posted, I would have some kids fly through them and others without a clue as to what they say. It's very challenging.
Thanks for the insight! What do you do for kids who are more ahead of the others during classroom time? Or do you have any recommendations for me, to keep her from getting bored/frustrated? At what point does everyone usually catch up, and the work starts becoming more difficult?
DD knows all the Dolch sight words for first grade, and some second grade words as well. Over the summer we went over them, used them in a sentence and wrote paragraphs with them. So she is very bored in class when they do reading/writing, and gets everything done much quicker than the other kids. She told me that when she finishes work before everyone else she gets to read a couple of books.
I guess I'm nervous because I was advanced in school and I remember being so so bored with school, I don't want that to happen to DD.
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:29 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: How would you feel if this was your 1st grader's spelling words list
Posted by browneyedgirl
general ed students in an inclusion setting will be generally challenged more than most students with one teacher. the teacher/student ratio is considerably less and it's a HUGE misconception with parents that the curriculum is "dumbed down"--the opposite is actually true. the general ed teachers on my grade level get very upset with my co-teacher and me because we're able to do so much more with the kids just for the fact that there are 2 of us with the same number of kids. your child has truly won the lottery by being placed in an inclusion setting for so many reasons.
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See, she was in inclusion last year and I thought it was great! I loved her teachers, the classroom environment, etc. This year I do feel like they are moving much slower than last year, but I;m not sure if its just everyone getting to know each other or if this will be the situation for the entire year, kwim?
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:32 PM |
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