WwyD? (teacher related) - UPdATE in lower post

kindergartner comes home and says he won't have recess tomorrow...some story about getting in trouble (no clear details, kid sounds confused) and this is the punishment. there's no note from teacher.......do you write note and ask what happened? or leave it be? child is generally very well-behaved.

Message edited 10/1/2013 7:09:13 PM.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Maybe it was the whole class who won't get recess?

WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

thanks goobster! no - it was just him (from what he said, at least)

he said that when kids don't get recess, they just sit on a bench and watch kids play the entire time

not saying it wasn't justified (still can't get the story) but just wondering if this sounds severe enough to ask the teacher what happened (since it doesn't sound like just a time out, you know?)

Message edited 9/30/2013 9:31:56 PM.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I was thinking of writing a note just saying I heard he wasn't getting recess and just wondering what happened. I'm not one of those parents who think their kid won't do anything wrong - but I am curious!

I just was wondering if the so-called punishment sounded big enough to warrant an inquiry, you know? like I'm thinking recess is a half hour and he will be just sitting there the entire time..when it could be just like 10 minutes, you know?

ah, parenting.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Unfortunately, as sad it is to say I have experience with this. I would definitely reach out and see what my child did. Im actually surprised the teacher didnt mention it. I would send an email or ask casually if its true he will not get recess and why. I dont think its bad to ask, it may be something you want to discuss with him aside from school disciplinary action.

In my sons case, during the first week of school he had the mother of all tantrums cause he wanted to continue to play on a slide when it was time to go. At first he lost 5 min of recess the next day but when he refused to get off the slide and the teacher had to physically rip him off it, the punishment went to no recess.

Mind you my son does not have tantrums at home or anywhere else, for the most part No is No. He is well behaved but in school, its different. To me it was justified. When the teacher told me what he did I said in front of him, "He is lucky it wasnt me giving the punishment, Because he wouldnt have recess for a whole a week". I was just so appalled and shocked by his behavior.

Message edited 9/30/2013 9:59:52 PM.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I have NO problem with discipline if they see fit. BUT my child did something disruptive enough to be disciplined for it I fully expect a note, call or email before they do so if it will not be taking place immediately. If they choose an immediate action, I still expect some form of communication during the day or evening letting me know what happened.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I would definitely send a note asking about it.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

My DS is in 2nd grade and from what I've seen over the past few years, losing recess is a fairly typical punishment. I hate that, because I feel like it is literally their only time during the school day to play. But on the flip side, what other bargaining chip does the teacher have?
I would probably wait until DC comes home and ask how the day went. If recess was lost, push DS to tell you why he got in trouble in the first place. Then ask how it felt to miss out on recess. Use this as an opportunity to show how important it is to follow rules in school. Otherwise there are consequences to his actions.
This will probably be a one time thing. If it occurs more frequently, then definitely reach out to the teacher. In the meantime, I wouldn't bother. She's in charge of your child, and probably 20 others, for the entire day. She needs to establish the rules, and unless its over the top, I would support her efforts to try to have her classroom run smooth.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

DS's teacher last year had a warning system.
1 block was a warning
2 blocks you lost 5 minutes of recess
3 blocks and you lost recess.

The rules for her room were very clear and she gave the kids a lot of chances without the kids knowing that they were getting a second block. I think there were only a few instances were someone lost recess. She really was fair about it.

The block would go on the child's desk and at the end of the day the blocks would be collected and the next day the kids started fresh.

This year in 2nd grade his teacher has a board with all the kids names on it and next to each name is a red, yellow and green square that is cover. Each warning gets a a color uncovered and if you get to red your in trouble.

I am sure there is something in place that is similar. I wouldn't ask what he did, but what warning system does she use and see if he understands it.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I would call the teacher.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

This happened to DS last week. He finally broke down right before bed time crying to tell me he never wanted to go to kindergarten again. I didn't get a note but DS told me that he was playing blocks with another boy when a third child came over, pushed the blocks down and took them away. DS told him he couldn't play like that. The teacher overheard this and told my son that he was being mean and would not get playtime the next day. DS couldn't understand why since it was the third child that wasn't playing nice, he was just telling him to not do that, that hew was getting punished.

I'm not sure what the teacher heard or the actual events and words spoken. It turns out he did get to have play time the next day, so maybe the teacher said that they have to behave otherwise they won't get playtime, idk. But man did it break my heart seeing him cry and me not being able to fix it. It must have been eating him alive the whole afternoon until he caved and told me.

WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I don't think that witholding recess should ever be a punishment in Kindergarten. These kids are young and full of energy and NEED that outlet in the middle of the day. It's hard enough for them to just stay still during the morning hours, then again in the afternoon. It's ridiculous to make them miss the only play time they have all day.

WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Thanks all

I'm gonna see what happened today when he gets home. I wonder if maybe he misunderstood her.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I would email asking what the issue is.

Catholic school?

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Posted by neener1211

This happened to DS last week. He finally broke down right before bed time crying to tell me he never wanted to go to kindergarten again. I didn't get a note but DS told me that he was playing blocks with another boy when a third child came over, pushed the blocks down and took them away. DS told him he couldn't play like that. The teacher overheard this and told my son that he was being mean and would not get playtime the next day. DS couldn't understand why since it was the third child that wasn't playing nice, he was just telling him to not do that, that hew was getting punished.

I'm not sure what the teacher heard or the actual events and words spoken. It turns out he did get to have play time the next day, so maybe the teacher said that they have to behave otherwise they won't get playtime, idk. But man did it break my heart seeing him cry and me not being able to fix it. It must have been eating him alive the whole afternoon until he caved and told me.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Was it def. time off recess, or time off "free play" at the end of the day? I am not a fan of taking away recess, though I know thats what alot of schools use (have yet to hear of it in K).

And I agree about the little girl with no homework

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

WwyD? (teacher related) - need answer tonight

I would agree with you guys - but the homework is printed out on a sheet for the week with directions for each day. They child wouldn't even know what the Hw is unless a parent read it to them (or if they could read in kindergarten). It's not a print out that's put in the folder, ya know?

But that's neither here nor there.. Not even sure if that was true and I know most teachers have the best interest at heart.

Message edited 10/1/2013 5:30:03 PM.

WwyD? (teacher related) - UPdATE in lower post

Update

So I found out he had no recess at all. Had to sit out entire time. I wrote a note to teacher for tomorrow. Dying to know what happened .. I just asked for a brief synopsis of what happened and if she could review discipline procedures with me.

Message edited 10/1/2013 7:11:36 PM.

Re: WwyD? (teacher related) - UPdATE in lower post