The New First Grade: Too Much??

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14638573/site/newsweek/ ^

[roostercogburn]

The New First Grade: Too Much Too Soon? Kids as young as 6 are tested, and tested again, to ensure they're making sufficient progress. Then there's homework, more workbooks and tutoring.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

It takes too much time from watching TV and doesn't do enough for baby sitting.

[Madame Dufarge]

Basically, I think the most important thing you can do for your child is make sure they know how to read by the age of four or so. That's what my parents did for me

Bingo.

But, of course, I grew up in the Paleolithic Era, when parents actually took this as a given.

[riri]

I didn't have homework until 7th or 8th grade.

[Jim Noble]

I went to a K-6 Elementary school (public) which did not assign homework other than book reports, State reports, etc. (no exercises or worksheets). I had an average of 1 hour homework in JHS (7-9), and about 1.5 hours in HS (10-12).

I got 1526 on the (old) SAT and 800 on the (old) MCAT.

I'm on my thirtieth year in full-time medical practice.

All the homework mania in elementary school is nonsense. Teach 'em while they're there.

[riri]

I don't know if today's first grade is too hard or just day care but if the parents (or someone) fails to make a kid appreciate learning - early - the next eleven or so grades won't mean a thing

It really is a defacto babysitter. It also doubles as a place for bored housewives to give themselves a sense of purpose. We have mothers who must spend 25 hours a week at the elementary school. I am all for being involved but at some point it's not about the kid anymore, it's about YOU.

[montag813]

If 'life' does not include learning, something, at every opportunity and as a habit learned early, then 'life' is not only pointless, it is self defeating.

Homework is the act of a teacher passing the buck to their students to make up for their own inability to impart the required knowledge in the ample time give to them. It is completely unneccessary, and intrudes greatly on a student's family time, which is far more important than any course they will ever take.

[raybbr]

We are getting pressured to hold our four year old back year and start him in first grade when he's six. From teachers, fellow parents and the school. He turns five next Sept. We, at this point are planning to send him to first grade next year. They want us to keep him back and send him to a private pre-school so he's "ready" for first grade.

Isn't that what first grade is for? To get started on the learning process?

[SuziQ]

Not all kids learn to read at the same pace. Our #1 son read, but struggled and wasn't interested until about 4th grade, and it was Dungeons and Dragons strategy books that did the trick. Our #2 son was reading highway signs when he was 3 1/2, and is a terrific reader. Our daughter read well, and by 3rd grade was reading well above grade level. #3 son was similar to #1 son, in that he just wasn't interested; still isn't much, but does read above grade level.

We always read TO them, even when they were up into middle school. We'd choose books that were a little above their reading level and would have interesting vocabulary to stretch that skill as well.

[mysterio]

That seems like a pretty good strategy.

[RightWhale]

It can be a lot easier on the kid to start just a little later than a little earlier. If he is gifted it won't matter since he will be learning on his own no matter where they are in class, but he will fare better socially if he is somewhat older rather than one of the youngest all the way through.

[roostercogburn]

And the other point by NewsweAk is too place blame on the No Child Behind Act.
They are just using this story to help the Dems. Believe me, this story wouldn't be printed if the Dem had control.

[SuziQ]

With boys, it is more a matter of maturity than intelligence. We had the chance to put our #1 son in first grade just before he turned 6, but we decided to wait. He was always very comfortable in school, even though he was a few months older than most of the kids in his class.

Our #2 son had just barely made the cut-off and we did put him in school, but it took him almost until high school to truly feel comfortable. He was always miles ahead academically, though, so that probably contributed to his feeling so different from everyone else. Thankfully, he was in a small Catholic school, and all the kids were very supportive of him, until 7th grade, when two new boys moved in. They were real jock types and gave him a lot of grief. That was the first time he ever wished he could have been held back. When I pointed out that he would have been even MORE ahead of that group academically, he saw my point and just gutted it out.

Frankly, I wouldn't push your son, unless he's already demonstrated that he can handle classroom situations well. Even if he is ahead academically, he may need some time to settle in socially.

[The Westerner]

Totally agree, do the "home" work in school instead of all the non-three A subjects. The only help I needed at home was from my grandmother or mother who taught me to read phonetically. I was schooled with Dick and Jane.

[DoughtyOne]

Second graders should know times table up to 12 x 12 by the end of the year. HS seniors should be fluent in Latin and Greek and calculus.

I don't think the times tables need to be taught to kids this young. I'd be a lot more supportive of them knowing them by the end of the third year.

As for the second set of suggestions, I'm not convinced they are right either. Calculus would be a waste of time for most kids. Latin and Greek would be as well.

Perhaps you can sway me on these issues, but I'd at least need for you to give some support for them.

[raybbr]

Hmmmm..... He seems to be pretty mature for a four year old. At least socially. When he's at the playground he tends to lead. He's kind of head strong and doesn't take any guff. When older boys try to taunt him he just stands there and looks at the kid as if to say, "What is your malfunction?"

I don't know. We can't really afford to send him to a pre-school. We have time.

[The Westerner]

Interestingly, I was listening to a biographical tape of a Russian immigrant who stated that grammar school started at age 7. This was a thoroughly Westernized education, excepting some religious classes. And in universities back then, the only test (at least that I know of in the humanities) was an oral examination at the end of the year. This school system produced some of the world's greatest writers and composers so it must have been quite good.

[old and tired]

I know with our boys we tended to keep them back when they were close to the cutoff. It's a maturity thing more than anything else. Also, grade school is pretty much geared toward the girls - sit down, shut up, and color in the lines.

Also, I'd find out what it is the boys in the primary grades are playing on your school's playground. If they're primarily throwing a ball around, make sure your son can throw if you're going to send him ahead. If they play basketball, make sure he's comfortable shooting and rebounding.

It may sound silly, but it's all about fitting in at that age. And all the interacting with other kids he's doing is laying the groundwork for the next 12 years.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

What, get home and plug into the MTV? Do chores? Practice the piano. Ahh, yes, football!

[mysterio]

Do kids even still watch MTV? I thought that was my generation. I think kids now mostly play video games and talk to each other on the internerd. Most of the ones I know are starting bands in their spare time. But I think there should be definite time to decompress after school. Otherwise, the kids will get burned out and might not go to as much college as they need to.

That's just my opinion, though.

[pollywog]

Homework is the act of a teacher passing the buck to their students to make up for their own inability to impart the required knowledge in the ample time give to them.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!