My nieces K class, what do you think?

My niece started Kindergarten this year and she is very bright. She is completing the work quickly, from what she tells my sister, and so she has extra time after the projects and activities that they do.

Last week she came home and told my sister that because she was so "Smart" the teacher had her sit next to a boy who has a hard time in the class. My niece told her that he doesn't follow directions, needs reminders to do his work, and needs help with his assignments. SO my niece does hers quickly, and then helps him with his.

My sister was upset about this becuase she feels that her daughter shouldn't have to help him with his work. She feels like the teacher should be helping him, or a group of kids on a rotating basis should help him, but that it shouldn't always be her daughter.

Now today she came home from school and said that she has to write his name on the top of his work with a yellow highlighter so that he can trace over it, because he isn't yet able to write his own name.

My sister is really upset. She is a Kindergarten teacher as well. She feels that if the boy needs to trace his name, the teacher should have the paper ready for him, and shouldn't be counting on another 5 year old to do it for him!

I told her that she needs to call the school and speak with the teacher about it. She doesn't want to be "that" Mom, since there are always PITA Teacher Moms, and she doesn't want to be one of them.

What do you think she should do? What would you do in this situation?

I say teacher Mom or not, if you are unhappy about something that your child's teacher is doing, you should make a phone call to the school!

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I would be unhappy about that as well and I would call the teacher.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

As a parent and a teacher, I would not be upset if my child was doing this. If my DS was helping a fellow student, I think it would be teaching him to be caring and kind. If more was being asked of her such as teaching him to read or do math, I would question it, but to just be this child's buddy I do not think is a big deal. This child might respond better to peer help than to a teacher and might only need this help for a little while. I think it's an honor that your niece was thought so highly of that she is trusted to help her classmate.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

This wouldn't bother me in the slightest. If someone is struggling & my child isn't, I'd rather they help if they were done. My only concern is if my child started feeling stressed because she was "responsible" for this kid learning.

If they weren't challenging my child in other ways or kept giving my child easy work, then I'd have an issue with it.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I remember last year my son toldme he had to help a fellow student since he did his work well and quickly. He mentioned it a couple times. I thought it was nice and it made my son feel good. Maybe it is something some schools do. I think there is no reason your sister can't write a note asking the teacher to call her to get clarity on what exactly they do and the reasoning. You never know how a story changes when retold by a 5/6 yr old. Plus it may just ease her mind on what is going on. I can't see a teacher having issue with that. AS for being challenged - I think that comes with time. I now my son was bored in K with the work esp early on and still is now in 1st grade. I think as the teacher accesses them - they will do more. If it is a concern - she should talk to the teacher.

Message edited 9/30/2011 8:59:34 PM.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I'm a teacher as well & also tend to put lower functioning students with students that are quick to do their work correctly and students that are good leaders. I think like others have said, that it does benefit both children.

We do tend to change seating monthly so the students get familiar with other children.

Also she is finished w/ her work & is doing something that keeps her busy and helps out the other student. Does this bother the girl that is helping?

If it is bothering your sister, I'd definitely ask to speak to the teacher & explain her concerns.

Message edited 9/30/2011 9:20:34 PM.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I would not be upset about it but if like your sister I was upset then I would definitely call the teacher and speak to her about it.

The teacher might think she is giving your niece some other tools of life outside of academics, ie helping others, empathy, caring etc.

I would also like to know if the story is entirely true NOT that I am saying your niece might be embellishing the story but my five year old likes to embellish a lot and if I were to feed into it I know her story would get bigger and bigger.

I would they can work it out

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I see it the same way as mainstreaming works. The other children help the children that are behind. I dont see it as a problem. If you want to tell the teacher that you guys dont think your neice is being motivated to do more and is bored, that I could see...not an issue. They need to figure out how to acomodate your niece but I wouldn't use this other child as part of a bigger picture. Just my feeling.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

My DD is in Kindergarten right now and my initial reaction was that the teacher is probably still doing assessments on all the kids in the class, which mostly need to be done one on one, and so that is probably why the kids have more "busy" work and your niece is "helping" this other student. I'm surprised your sister isn't still doing assessments in her own classroom still.
And also, is she only going off what your niece says about what they're doing in class? Bc my daughter only remembers like an eighth of what they do all day, so she should probably call the teacher since it seems unlikely that your niece is doing busy work all day.
And trust me, I have an unbelievably smart 5 year old who reads on a 2nd grade level and does math on a first grade level, so I know the fear of your child doing busy work. But it seems unlikely that's the actual case, imo.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

I am very much in favor of mentoring. Unless your niece is bothered by it I would leave it alone, the school year really just started.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Honestly, I cannot see what your sister would be so upset about AND if she called the teacher - I don't think she would seem like a PITA - I think she would seem rude and ridiculous. What does it matter if her DD helps another child? IN FACT, she should be proud rather than annoyed. I don't think this could possibly do any harm - if anything it will give the child a sense of confidence, self-esteem and reinforce the things she is learning in the classroom. What would your sister rather her do then - just sit there? As if this other child being not as smart is contagious? I don't get it. My DS is in a montessori school and they believe children learn just as much from teaching others as they do from learning first hand. DS is in a class with kids a year younger than him and a year older and - I think it SO good for him to help out and "teach" the younger kids.

If your sister feels her DD is not being challenged - that is entirely different issue I think - one that has nothing to do with the rest of the story IMO.

Message edited 10/2/2011 9:52:50 PM.

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Unless your neice is feeling stressed, I kind of like this idea. My daughter would feel special about being helpful, and I think its a nice lesson for kids to learn about patience and empathy.
Maybe pass along some of what we've said to your sister to give another perspective. But it doesn't matter too much what we think- if it bothers your sister, then she should call..."that' mom or not

Re: My nieces K class, what do you think?

Posted by jgm26

But it doesn't matter too much what we think- if it bothers your sister, then she should call..."that' mom or not