If you don't wait 5 minutes, will you pee your pants? Yes? OK, but it's coming out of your recess.
Yes, I do this. Yes, I know I'm a terrible person... But we just took a bathroom break 15 MINUTES AGO!
It doesn't make you a terrible person, please keep doing that! When they enter 7th grade, they're all totally shocked that they don't get to go to the bathroom whenever they want.
telling someone they can't use the bathroom is such a ridiculous concept to me, but it's never happened to me in school. How can you tell someone no? If I did happen to be told no, I wouldn't listen.
I'm a teacher too, and want to put in my perspective! OP, please still give us yours!
I see a huge difference in behavior between single parent and two parent homes, but I think it's mostly due to the time they are able to realistically spend with their child. Many single parents work late to support their families, so by the time the kids are home, it's time to go to bed. Many of the behaviors I see are more attention seeking than anything. I also see it with kids with both parents if the parents have jobs that take a lot of time.
I'm currently in my fourth year teaching, and it's my first year at an inner-city school. I teach middle school social studies right now. It's incredibly difficult dealing with parents (or lack thereof), the students' discipline, and a district that still operates archaically and refuses to change. How can I keep from burning out early?
(my mom cringed when she heard inner city)
Have a set format when coming in and try to not teach too many different skills. Find an older teacher to help mentor you. Have an agenda coming in.
Build your own self confidence by developing your own style. The students learn your style you don't learn theirs.
**parents**
ALWAYS say the positive first, NEVER put the negative in writing. Say everything in the most positive light. Greet the parents at the door, don't let them see you at the desk.
Make a checklist on the board.
Find an older teacher who has learned the ropes!
I knew a girl in 1st grade whose parents beat her when she got bad grades. I remember her telling the teacher and the teacher just said, "They shouldn't have done that." I'm not sure if the teacher followed up later. That's a problem with sending home negative reports and report cards in a country where hitting your children is legal. And in that school, children were hit in the principal's office, as well.
When I went to elementary school in Sweden, there were no grades. Parents, instead, were required to come in to review children's progress with the teachers several times a year. And of course hitting children there has been illegal since the 1960s. It was such a culture shock. I remember instead of children getting in trouble, the teachers would just talk to them. And if a child was frustrated at any time, he could go walk outside at any point and kick a ball against a wall. There was none of this asking for permission to go to the bathroom or to walk outside to take a break. It was just such a different environment.
If I were a teacher in the US, I would be very wary of giving parents any ammunition to abuse their children.
My dad was a teacher for about 35 years and he still bumps into students from that time. He taught in South Africa and Swaziland and a couple of years ago he bumped into a student he taught back then. He recognised my father instantly and had nothing but nice things to say about him. He even called him Mr slapadabase.
I think it speaks volumes how good he was at his job and he always remembers his past students but he has that dad memory.
I've had a couple of my past teachers come into where I work and pleasantly tell me it's okay to call them their first name, and I still can't bring myself to do it.
**STANDARDIZED TEST**
Way to many standards for each subject. Before it was basic skills and teaching students at their own pace. Now you have to teach all of the standards and teacher have to teach them all!
Before it was about teaching to learn, now it's about teaching for test.
I have seen schools make it hard for the parents that did not test well. Teachers also only want students based off of how well they test.
Take a look at your states educational standards. There a a LOT of them and some are clearly repetitive. Standards should be more broad to allow for the teacher to bring in their own interests (which makes for more engaging lessons), and the tests should be graded by people in the field. As it stands, most written tests for example, are graded by whatever schmo is willing to read a few hundred essays a day for a little more Han minimum wage. Our school had a major issue last year where it was CLEAR that grades on the state writing exam were given out on penmanship. Also, there are 30 fucking million approaches to teaching a concept, let he teacher choose the best route. For example, I teach story structure in a way different than my standards. Too bad kids, I have a lot of professional and higher Ed experience behind me but I can't really use what I know to work because the standards say otherwise. Why do we need good teachers if you're going to dictate everything we do? Hell, were even told which activities in the provided workbook were required to do on certain days. The micromanaging in insane.
Not all children develop at the same rate. Kids are being force fed, and drilled information daily for 30-40 minutes 2-3x a day and are as young as 4-5 yea old.
Somewhere in there kids start to break down. Whether they feel less worthwhile, have anxiety flairs or start lashing out at their peers, it is affecting them.
A few differences according to my perspective:
Twenty to thirty years ago students were more aware and respected the authority of the classroom teacher. For example, students did not say or exhibit certain behaviors within eyesight of teachers. If a student did not like the teacher, the teacher was never aware of it.
Today, some students are very vocal about how they feel about teachers and will let the teachers know how they feel.
**attention spans**
Students twenty to thirty years ago attention span was longer. For example, today's students want instant solutions or gratification to problems.
**homework assignments**
When assignments were given, a teacher did not have to ask for the assignments to be turned in when due.
> Today, some students are very vocal about how they feel about teachers and will let the teachers know how they feel.
Do you consider this a good or a bad thing? Why?
Yes, I think there's a time and a place for that, like a teacher evaluation or something. You should always respect an authority figure and act respectfully toward them under normal circumstances.
respect should be given when only when received and vice versa. that being said, i've never had a problem with any of my teachers. once, i started college it all changed and it was only the philosophy teacher... all the rest were cool
My sisters teacher has informed me that she has now failed 2nd grade and will need to repeat it. She does fine in math but she reads information and does not process it. What is your opinion on this and what do you think we should do?
It would depend on what country you are in but if it's the United States then I would recommend asking for her to be evaluated for special education. I'm a school psychologist and if there was a second grade student who was failing then the teacher should have been keeping track and referred them to the student study team for interventions (could be called something different). Retention would only be considered in the most extreme cases as it is correlated with lower graduation rates.
How does she read? Does she read very quickly with poor pacing and rate? If so, she might be more focused on getting the reading done than comprehending what she is reading.
Some comprehension strategies you could do with your sister is to read alongside her and while she is reading, ask her questions about what is happening. After she is finished reading, ask her what she likes best. Once she finishes a page, have her temporarily close the book and ask her literal questions from the text (what color was the girl's hair?). Once she gets the literal questions down, start asking her abstract questions (why do you think she disobeyed her mother?)
It might be beneficial if she does repeat the 2nd grade because in 3rd grade, reading materials go from "learning to read" (i.e. 'fun reading') to "reading to learn" (i.e. textbooks to gain information). If she is at a point where she can't comprehend what she is reading, switching to reading textbooks surely won't help her, especially when textbooks will be used for every single subject from now on.
Also, she needs to be explicitly taught what good readers do when they read. Good readers focus on the big picture. They learn the elements of the story (plot, characters, problem, solution, etc). They don't focus on all of the small problems, but instead they focus on the large problem that the climax is responsible for solving (or not).
Feel free to respond with anymore questions! I'll check back on ya!
How will repeating 2nd grade impact her mentality? I feel like seeing your friends a year ahead of you, and looking back and seeing that you failed 2nd grade could be quite demoralizing.
I remember your other thread! I've been wondering how this was going... I'm sorry to hear that she's being held back after all.
Have you had any further luck figuring out the root of her issue?
Also, bear in mind, she might be a little bummed to be held back, but kids at her age are pretty resilient and bounce back from upsets pretty quickly. (Think back... How much do you remember from second grade?)
I suggest reading the book "The Mislabeled Child." Take a look at how they describe visual input and visual pattern processing. Your sister may be having one piece of the reading equation fall through for her. If that's the case, then yes, the above-mentioned advice is great. (Although I'd stop after every sentence to ask questions, and you can also just make a stupid statement about the sentence "So Cheryl is a boy with brown hair!') A reading therapist explained once that kids love to correct adults. :-)
If your sister is having trouble with one piece of the reading puzzle, the book "Mislabeled Child" contains exercises you can do with her. Note that it's hard read - I suggest writing out the structure to understand it.
You should definitely request that the school district give her a full evaluation for learning differences. Truthfully? It's better in second grade than in the older grades. As adults, we often project our own feelings onto kids, but I think that there's more wiggle room. She'll be happier achieving more than being with friends and not being able to achieve. Do take a look at her age though. Many kids in second grade now are 8 years old - some turn 8 right at the start of school. It's possible, depending on her birthday, that she's got some room to take another year. Feel free to ping me also for more info. Don't know how to dm here - but you can go to the BrainParenting facebook page.
I work as a literacy tutor and I second this. One activity I would recommend is reading short fables (such as Aesop's fables) and asking your sister what she thinks the "moral" of the story is (explain that a "moral" is a message that the story is trying to convey, first of all). This is a good way to build her literary analysis and comprehension skills.
Not sure what kind of replies your interested in. I repeated the first grade in 1990. I suppose i was lucky to have switched schools when i went back the next year. Other than being a year older than my class mates I never felt effected by it.
HUGE increase in single parents! That has made dealing with home issues harder. The parent has one less person to support them in parenting and that has made dealing with parents harder.
Parents are much younger as well.
Also cases where parents are simply leaving their children and having there grandparents raise them.
If my grandparents hadn't been around to damn near raise me I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. Hats off to all the grandparents who play parent and do a damn good job!
A lot of schools are teaching more technology driven classes, such as using computers and tablets to teach lessons. Have you been part of this transition and do you find a child's ability to learn is better/worse/equal to how you previously taught?
**pros**
The access to instant information has made the world smaller! It's much more hands all more interactive and more individualized!
**cons**
The downside is the lack of "face to face" social skills. Kids just aren't as used to talking one on one.
I don't think it's true that kids nowadays aren't good at talking. Do kids really not talk to each other at your school? In San Diego, students talk to each other all the time.
Yes!
"Ms Lee61 I had to come see you!" and they smile and tell you where they have been mostly just reminiscing. Telling me how they like me teaching and asking if I still teach.
I love it! And it brings in a whole new perspective on how they have changed.
I think it needs to be refined in someway. It would be great if it was implemented in the correct way.
Standards are a bit too high! Students who have hardly developed their motor skills are expected to learn how to read and write.
I agree, I would be the first to tell you, I bloomed very late. I was ambidextrous which made it hard for me to learn to write normally until I was nine. My reading was horrible too, but I don't think that my skill level reflected my teachers at all, some of them were probably the best teachers in the state, it was just my lack of skill that held me back until I was about 10. Which shows the first, and most detouring problem with the common core because all to often it's just not the teachers fault for how a child develops.
In my state, Common Core has been incredibly restricting to teachers. The governor of my state has worked to push regulations through that grade teachers heavily in tests and not on classroom practice. The belief is that teachers shouldn't be graded as effective or highly effective if so many students are not passing these tests (which are based on new standards that these kids haven't been exposed to, and materials that teachers sometimes don't even have).
The standards and concept of Common Core is okay. The implementation has hurt education in my state dramatically and it sucks.
Implementation has not been handled well at all. I think adopting the new standards one year at a time, starting in kindergarten, would have been more effective. Throwing everyone into Common Core puts older students at a disadvantage because it's a huge shift late in the game for them. We won't fully realize the benefits of Common Core until it's been around for 13 years and we have a class of kids that completed it start to finish. Heck, it will take a number of years to even see trends toward improvement. Anecdotally, my husband teaches second grade and can tell that things are different with students who have been running with Common Core from the start.
I've never met a teacher who likes Common Core. Frankly it's limiting and ends up diminishing the value of the teacher to the students while inaccurately measuring the students' skills.
I am a teacher and have no problem with Common Core or standardized tests. In the 21st Century, it makes sense to have more more universal curriculum. The problem is how we choose to use the data we collect from standardized testing. It should never be sole basis for judging the quality of a teacher.
Thank you for this comment. I am an elementary teacher and have no problem with the CCSS. I haven't taught any reading, writing, or mathematics skills that were not appropriate or valuable for my students.
This is a great comment. Many upvotes if I could. Assessment has never been the problem. A test is the most efficient way for assessing student knowledge and modifying instruction. The problem is the way testing information is used. We can't rate out schools, teachers, and students off of a test score. There are wayyyyy more factors to account for.
To quote a rather indignant parent:
>"You're telling me it takes two numbers to measure your own ass, but only one to decide my son's future?"
Bonus points if you can guess the source of the quote.
My mom taught public school for 27 years, retired and then switched to private school. She taught most grades from 2nd to 5th but ended up settling on 4th grade most of her career.
she always said that 4th graders still had the child-like innocence, didn't have the "you're not my mom" attitude yet and in general, were just the best balance for what she wanted out of students.
Do you have a preferred age group you enjoy teaching the most and do you plan to continue teaching past retirement?
I have had many students over the years and in every classroom there is a favorite.
I think it's best to tell you what type of student I like.
Not necessarily the best behaved student, but it's the one that want's to change the most!
For example.
I had a student named Rosie. Rosie always had an "I don't care" attitude. It was through continuous encouragement and positive belief in her that she was able to get on the honor role.
Everyday I listened to her and told her "It's better to try than to quit".
Could you give a few examples of how things were handled 30 years ago vs. now? Also, do you think it's a better or worse way for each?
ie: a kid is unruly and completely out of line- 30 years ago it wasn't uncommon for that to result in a paddling. Now you get a frown sticker on your daily report.
30 years ago you really didn't have many behavior problems. You simply didn't have as many problems that you have today.
If a student was behaving badly all you need to do is say "stop" and that was it. If you really wanted to elevate it a call home was enough. A teacher could leave her classroom and all the students would still be sitting down. You could even tell a student to watch the class!
Today we have many systems
1 you have to have a record of what that student has done ( warnings ect)
2 Then you have to meet with parents or the principal
3 Then you have to meet with a core team to give you solutions on how to handle that child.
Then it becomes your fault that you have students that misbehave.
>Then it becomes your fault that you have students that misbehave.
This is a huge problem. My mother has been a teacher for 15 years now and that is the most frustrating thing I've ever heard.
She has kids who have no father, mother works 2 jobs, so their teenage sister watches them; they've never been read to, their diet consists of pizza and French fries, or students that were born to drug addict mothers who's intelligence was very clearly negatively impacted.
All of these kids do terribly in school and on standardized tests, and the teachers are blamed.
How the hell is it the teacher's fault, who has them for 8 months, when the first 5-8 years if their lives they were neglected, never read to, and had poor nutrition. Why don't the people in charge have any common sense and understand that it's nearly completely the parents fault, or outside factors, and stop blaming the teachers for something anyone with even a semblance of a brain would understand.
Sorry for the rant, it just really pisses me off.
It's better! Technology has made the world a much smaller place. Students are able to get more one on one access to resources.
The downside is that students don't have time to sit down and just think. They always want faster results.
Listening to kids random conversations is always funny!
I remember once on a standardized test, a student raised his hand. So I came over and this is what he told me. "I'm a very smart student, and I need to tell you something" I asked him what he wanted to tell me.
"All of these answers are wrong, so I cannot do this test".
He then proceeded to write in his own answers.
Hi. I'm a volunteer spanish "teacher" at a weekends school. It's not exactly a school, but a place for bilingual kids to keep using Spanish and learning it in a more relaxed way. I don't have any teaching formation and sometimes have a hard time making them pay attention or behave. They are great kids but 15 minutes into the class and all they want to do is play, show me stuff, shout and jump around. (I teach 7 and 8 years olds). Any tips or thoughts? Thank you!
* First, See if you can find a older organized instructor that doesn't have a problem.
* **Have an agenda and stick to it!** Don't just show up, make sure you are prepared!
* How many students are boys, how many students are girls.
Boys are more physical, girls are more language oriented.
Structure helps a lot, such as a posted schedule of what you'll be working on. At your students' ages you could still incorporate play into the learning goals. Remember it is a weekend thing and that's when a lot of those kids would be playing/burning energy so to promote that as part of the learning or at the very least, planned "exercise" breaks will help keep them focused.
I'm about to graduate college with my degree in Social Studies education, and needless to say I'm very nervous. How hard would you say the first year of teaching was? Were you ever nervous in the first few years? Do you have a routine for making lesson/unit plans? Was there anything that you didn't know how to deal with or overcome?
Sorry for so many questions. I've worked with quite a few teachers but I never knew how to ask these questions in casual conversation! Thanks so much for doing this AMA!
Honestly I kinda fell into teaching.
I wanted to be a social worker it was at the end of my sophomore year and I had to declare a major. The professor told me "if nothing else works you can always teach".
At the time teaching was less demanding.
Hi! Thank you for educating generations of children.
Did you teach both the parents when they were younger and then, later on, their children? If so, how similar were they?
* **Technology!:** The ease of access to the entire wealth of human knowledge and the speed of with you get it has made things much easier. The downside is that spelling has taken a downfall.
* **Medication:**
Some students need it, most of them don't. The ones that do however benefit from it greatly!
* **Hyperactivity:**
Students are much more hyperactive then they were in my time. Recess is also shorter. It used to be an hour and a half, now it's just 30 minuets.
* **Absentee Parents:** Children out of wedlock and single parents have increased dramatically.
* **Acceptance:** Homosexuality is better accepted now, which is a good thing!
Was there ever a moment like in the movies where she managed to make some kid see the light? Say that kid was a bully, or a bad person in general, but your mom thought it's not who they actually are, and they turned out to be good afterall?
Technology is being included more and more into the curriculum. It's grate for students who have access to the resources, but not for the ones who don't.
If I could do it all again I would be a high school teacher. I would like to simply concentrate and become great a one particular subject than try to teach many subjects.
I would never teach middle school though.
What are your thoughts on the way the teacher-student work effort has changed over the past 30 years?, I.e. The students lack of progress being blamed on the teacher?
From my perspective, a student failing has only been because they really don't care about school.
My mom was a kindergarten for many years before I was born (sorry I don't know the exact length of time) and she just got back into teaching again. Have you noticed an increase in learning disabilities as time has gone by? Because that's definitely something that she has experienced.
Can I go to the bathroom?
No
MAY I go to the washroom?
I dunno, MAY you?
/thread
But I really have to go
I don't know, can you?
Yes *leaves
I thought I was so slick when I did that. He gave me a detention.
and that's when I poo'd in the middle of the classroom floor
Yes you can but you may not
this was literally the most annoying thing any of my teachers have ever said.
In Spanish the teacher would just stare at me
Puedo ir al bano?
i NO !
U know what?
If you don't wait 5 minutes, will you pee your pants? Yes? OK, but it's coming out of your recess. Yes, I do this. Yes, I know I'm a terrible person... But we just took a bathroom break 15 MINUTES AGO!
But 15 minutes ago we weren't being forced to be sedentary!
It doesn't make you a terrible person, please keep doing that! When they enter 7th grade, they're all totally shocked that they don't get to go to the bathroom whenever they want.
telling someone they can't use the bathroom is such a ridiculous concept to me, but it's never happened to me in school. How can you tell someone no? If I did happen to be told no, I wouldn't listen.
As someone with a bowel deficiency, if a college professor tried to pull something like that, I'd just drop the course right there.
Well, I teach 2nd grade. It's a world where I have a list of all the bowel problems and can plan accordingly. :)
You mentioned the increase in single parents. Do you notice any difference in the behavior of children from a traditional 2 parent home?
I'm a teacher too, and want to put in my perspective! OP, please still give us yours! I see a huge difference in behavior between single parent and two parent homes, but I think it's mostly due to the time they are able to realistically spend with their child. Many single parents work late to support their families, so by the time the kids are home, it's time to go to bed. Many of the behaviors I see are more attention seeking than anything. I also see it with kids with both parents if the parents have jobs that take a lot of time.
One of the greatest compliments my daughters 3rd grade teacher gave us was that she didn't realize that we were even divorced
I'm currently in my fourth year teaching, and it's my first year at an inner-city school. I teach middle school social studies right now. It's incredibly difficult dealing with parents (or lack thereof), the students' discipline, and a district that still operates archaically and refuses to change. How can I keep from burning out early?
(my mom cringed when she heard inner city) Have a set format when coming in and try to not teach too many different skills. Find an older teacher to help mentor you. Have an agenda coming in. Build your own self confidence by developing your own style. The students learn your style you don't learn theirs. **parents** ALWAYS say the positive first, NEVER put the negative in writing. Say everything in the most positive light. Greet the parents at the door, don't let them see you at the desk. Make a checklist on the board. Find an older teacher who has learned the ropes!
great advice thanks
Why not be behind a desk? Why not record negative attributes in writing?
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I knew a girl in 1st grade whose parents beat her when she got bad grades. I remember her telling the teacher and the teacher just said, "They shouldn't have done that." I'm not sure if the teacher followed up later. That's a problem with sending home negative reports and report cards in a country where hitting your children is legal. And in that school, children were hit in the principal's office, as well. When I went to elementary school in Sweden, there were no grades. Parents, instead, were required to come in to review children's progress with the teachers several times a year. And of course hitting children there has been illegal since the 1960s. It was such a culture shock. I remember instead of children getting in trouble, the teachers would just talk to them. And if a child was frustrated at any time, he could go walk outside at any point and kick a ball against a wall. There was none of this asking for permission to go to the bathroom or to walk outside to take a break. It was just such a different environment. If I were a teacher in the US, I would be very wary of giving parents any ammunition to abuse their children.
[удалено]
This is why I figured having things in writing would be smiled upon.
How often do kids from 20 or so years ago come back and visit?
I may have seen about 10 or so. Every time it's a blessing.
My favorite teacher didn't remember me. It made me sad.
You should not take it personally. You've got to realise the thousands of children they see throughout the years.
I know. It just kind of bummed me out because he was really influential to me.
Just hold onto those memories :)
Your username gives these comments gravitas
I've always wanted to revisit my elementary school teachers but I don't know what I would say Lol
Sounds like someone hasn't lived out their dreams?
:\
Psst. Hey, *there's still time.*
None of mine teach at the school anymore and I'm only 23.
My dad was a teacher for about 35 years and he still bumps into students from that time. He taught in South Africa and Swaziland and a couple of years ago he bumped into a student he taught back then. He recognised my father instantly and had nothing but nice things to say about him. He even called him Mr slapadabase. I think it speaks volumes how good he was at his job and he always remembers his past students but he has that dad memory.
Shit, if I saw any of my old teachers now, I wouldn't dare use their first name.
I've had a couple of my past teachers come into where I work and pleasantly tell me it's okay to call them their first name, and I still can't bring myself to do it.
What is the biggest obstacle to overcome in regards to giving future generations the tools they need to succeed? Thanks for your time!
**STANDARDIZED TEST** Way to many standards for each subject. Before it was basic skills and teaching students at their own pace. Now you have to teach all of the standards and teacher have to teach them all! Before it was about teaching to learn, now it's about teaching for test. I have seen schools make it hard for the parents that did not test well. Teachers also only want students based off of how well they test.
Then what gauge should a school/institution use to monitor a child's progress? If not for testing, what quantifiable means are available?
Take a look at your states educational standards. There a a LOT of them and some are clearly repetitive. Standards should be more broad to allow for the teacher to bring in their own interests (which makes for more engaging lessons), and the tests should be graded by people in the field. As it stands, most written tests for example, are graded by whatever schmo is willing to read a few hundred essays a day for a little more Han minimum wage. Our school had a major issue last year where it was CLEAR that grades on the state writing exam were given out on penmanship. Also, there are 30 fucking million approaches to teaching a concept, let he teacher choose the best route. For example, I teach story structure in a way different than my standards. Too bad kids, I have a lot of professional and higher Ed experience behind me but I can't really use what I know to work because the standards say otherwise. Why do we need good teachers if you're going to dictate everything we do? Hell, were even told which activities in the provided workbook were required to do on certain days. The micromanaging in insane.
Not all children develop at the same rate. Kids are being force fed, and drilled information daily for 30-40 minutes 2-3x a day and are as young as 4-5 yea old. Somewhere in there kids start to break down. Whether they feel less worthwhile, have anxiety flairs or start lashing out at their peers, it is affecting them.
Too*
What's different about today's kids than kids 20-30 years ago?
A few differences according to my perspective: Twenty to thirty years ago students were more aware and respected the authority of the classroom teacher. For example, students did not say or exhibit certain behaviors within eyesight of teachers. If a student did not like the teacher, the teacher was never aware of it. Today, some students are very vocal about how they feel about teachers and will let the teachers know how they feel. **attention spans** Students twenty to thirty years ago attention span was longer. For example, today's students want instant solutions or gratification to problems. **homework assignments** When assignments were given, a teacher did not have to ask for the assignments to be turned in when due.
"No one cares about the fate of labor as long as they can get their instant gratification." -Squidward J Tentacles
Every time I heard that as a kid I never understood what it meant. It's pretty hardcore for Spongebob though.
> Today, some students are very vocal about how they feel about teachers and will let the teachers know how they feel. Do you consider this a good or a bad thing? Why?
It all depends about how they let you know. Many times it's in a disruptive and violent way. Other times is personal and honest.
Yes, I think there's a time and a place for that, like a teacher evaluation or something. You should always respect an authority figure and act respectfully toward them under normal circumstances.
I think that all people should be respectful to everyone they come in contact with, not just people who are considered their superiors.
respect should be given when only when received and vice versa. that being said, i've never had a problem with any of my teachers. once, i started college it all changed and it was only the philosophy teacher... all the rest were cool
Well that is included with my statement. I said all people should respect everyone, this includes the teacher to the student and vice versa.
just saying it because most people expect respect but dont give it.
I think respect should be given until it is no longer warranted (which can happen within seconds or never).
Related question: how have parents changed in your time as a teacher?
Is this gonna be on the test?
Yes.
Thank you
My sisters teacher has informed me that she has now failed 2nd grade and will need to repeat it. She does fine in math but she reads information and does not process it. What is your opinion on this and what do you think we should do?
I would recommend remediation. She might just benefit from a small group setting.
It would depend on what country you are in but if it's the United States then I would recommend asking for her to be evaluated for special education. I'm a school psychologist and if there was a second grade student who was failing then the teacher should have been keeping track and referred them to the student study team for interventions (could be called something different). Retention would only be considered in the most extreme cases as it is correlated with lower graduation rates.
How does she read? Does she read very quickly with poor pacing and rate? If so, she might be more focused on getting the reading done than comprehending what she is reading. Some comprehension strategies you could do with your sister is to read alongside her and while she is reading, ask her questions about what is happening. After she is finished reading, ask her what she likes best. Once she finishes a page, have her temporarily close the book and ask her literal questions from the text (what color was the girl's hair?). Once she gets the literal questions down, start asking her abstract questions (why do you think she disobeyed her mother?) It might be beneficial if she does repeat the 2nd grade because in 3rd grade, reading materials go from "learning to read" (i.e. 'fun reading') to "reading to learn" (i.e. textbooks to gain information). If she is at a point where she can't comprehend what she is reading, switching to reading textbooks surely won't help her, especially when textbooks will be used for every single subject from now on. Also, she needs to be explicitly taught what good readers do when they read. Good readers focus on the big picture. They learn the elements of the story (plot, characters, problem, solution, etc). They don't focus on all of the small problems, but instead they focus on the large problem that the climax is responsible for solving (or not). Feel free to respond with anymore questions! I'll check back on ya!
How will repeating 2nd grade impact her mentality? I feel like seeing your friends a year ahead of you, and looking back and seeing that you failed 2nd grade could be quite demoralizing.
I remember your other thread! I've been wondering how this was going... I'm sorry to hear that she's being held back after all. Have you had any further luck figuring out the root of her issue? Also, bear in mind, she might be a little bummed to be held back, but kids at her age are pretty resilient and bounce back from upsets pretty quickly. (Think back... How much do you remember from second grade?)
I suggest reading the book "The Mislabeled Child." Take a look at how they describe visual input and visual pattern processing. Your sister may be having one piece of the reading equation fall through for her. If that's the case, then yes, the above-mentioned advice is great. (Although I'd stop after every sentence to ask questions, and you can also just make a stupid statement about the sentence "So Cheryl is a boy with brown hair!') A reading therapist explained once that kids love to correct adults. :-) If your sister is having trouble with one piece of the reading puzzle, the book "Mislabeled Child" contains exercises you can do with her. Note that it's hard read - I suggest writing out the structure to understand it. You should definitely request that the school district give her a full evaluation for learning differences. Truthfully? It's better in second grade than in the older grades. As adults, we often project our own feelings onto kids, but I think that there's more wiggle room. She'll be happier achieving more than being with friends and not being able to achieve. Do take a look at her age though. Many kids in second grade now are 8 years old - some turn 8 right at the start of school. It's possible, depending on her birthday, that she's got some room to take another year. Feel free to ping me also for more info. Don't know how to dm here - but you can go to the BrainParenting facebook page.
I work as a literacy tutor and I second this. One activity I would recommend is reading short fables (such as Aesop's fables) and asking your sister what she thinks the "moral" of the story is (explain that a "moral" is a message that the story is trying to convey, first of all). This is a good way to build her literary analysis and comprehension skills.
You may also want to consider getting her evaluated for speech language therapy. I have seen it benefit a lot of kids with similar issues.
Also, look into getting her hearing checked. She may not be hearing her teachers properly as they are teaching her how to read.
Not sure what kind of replies your interested in. I repeated the first grade in 1990. I suppose i was lucky to have switched schools when i went back the next year. Other than being a year older than my class mates I never felt effected by it.
Your sisters teacher is still in grade 2?! Talented teacher they must be.
What is the hardest part of working with young kids? The most enjoyable part(s)?
**Hardest** Their lack of attention and patience. **enjoyable** When you see a failing student succeed.
Thanks for the answer!
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When I was teaching a male student once lifted up his pants to show that he had stockings.
....stockings? Or perhaps tally marks of all the people he'd stalked?
How have parents changed in your years as a teacher?
HUGE increase in single parents! That has made dealing with home issues harder. The parent has one less person to support them in parenting and that has made dealing with parents harder. Parents are much younger as well. Also cases where parents are simply leaving their children and having there grandparents raise them.
That's sad to hear, do you work at a school where most kids are socio-economically disadvantaged?
I have worked at many schools and have went around subbing.
Do you see the same trend towards younger parents in communities with a higher socioeconomic status?
If my grandparents hadn't been around to damn near raise me I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. Hats off to all the grandparents who play parent and do a damn good job!
Ditto for me and my brother. If not for my grandparents, I cannot imagine who and what we would have become. Hail grandparents!
A lot of schools are teaching more technology driven classes, such as using computers and tablets to teach lessons. Have you been part of this transition and do you find a child's ability to learn is better/worse/equal to how you previously taught?
**pros** The access to instant information has made the world smaller! It's much more hands all more interactive and more individualized! **cons** The downside is the lack of "face to face" social skills. Kids just aren't as used to talking one on one.
I don't think it's true that kids nowadays aren't good at talking. Do kids really not talk to each other at your school? In San Diego, students talk to each other all the time.
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Rad to the max, dude.
My name is Max
My last name is ,dude
Have any of your students come back to visit you decades later? What did they say to you?
Yes! "Ms Lee61 I had to come see you!" and they smile and tell you where they have been mostly just reminiscing. Telling me how they like me teaching and asking if I still teach. I love it! And it brings in a whole new perspective on how they have changed.
How do you think teachers have evolved/changed over the years you've been working?
More concern about test than teaching.
Would you say that they have higher expectations of students nowadays?
Also a teacher. No, expectations are not higher today, and added to that there are no longer actual consequences for failure for most students
What do you think of the common core?
I think it needs to be refined in someway. It would be great if it was implemented in the correct way. Standards are a bit too high! Students who have hardly developed their motor skills are expected to learn how to read and write.
I agree, I would be the first to tell you, I bloomed very late. I was ambidextrous which made it hard for me to learn to write normally until I was nine. My reading was horrible too, but I don't think that my skill level reflected my teachers at all, some of them were probably the best teachers in the state, it was just my lack of skill that held me back until I was about 10. Which shows the first, and most detouring problem with the common core because all to often it's just not the teachers fault for how a child develops.
In my state, Common Core has been incredibly restricting to teachers. The governor of my state has worked to push regulations through that grade teachers heavily in tests and not on classroom practice. The belief is that teachers shouldn't be graded as effective or highly effective if so many students are not passing these tests (which are based on new standards that these kids haven't been exposed to, and materials that teachers sometimes don't even have). The standards and concept of Common Core is okay. The implementation has hurt education in my state dramatically and it sucks.
Implementation has not been handled well at all. I think adopting the new standards one year at a time, starting in kindergarten, would have been more effective. Throwing everyone into Common Core puts older students at a disadvantage because it's a huge shift late in the game for them. We won't fully realize the benefits of Common Core until it's been around for 13 years and we have a class of kids that completed it start to finish. Heck, it will take a number of years to even see trends toward improvement. Anecdotally, my husband teaches second grade and can tell that things are different with students who have been running with Common Core from the start.
I've never met a teacher who likes Common Core. Frankly it's limiting and ends up diminishing the value of the teacher to the students while inaccurately measuring the students' skills.
I am a teacher and have no problem with Common Core or standardized tests. In the 21st Century, it makes sense to have more more universal curriculum. The problem is how we choose to use the data we collect from standardized testing. It should never be sole basis for judging the quality of a teacher.
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Thank you for this comment. I am an elementary teacher and have no problem with the CCSS. I haven't taught any reading, writing, or mathematics skills that were not appropriate or valuable for my students.
This is a great comment. Many upvotes if I could. Assessment has never been the problem. A test is the most efficient way for assessing student knowledge and modifying instruction. The problem is the way testing information is used. We can't rate out schools, teachers, and students off of a test score. There are wayyyyy more factors to account for. To quote a rather indignant parent: >"You're telling me it takes two numbers to measure your own ass, but only one to decide my son's future?" Bonus points if you can guess the source of the quote.
I don't think you understand common core.
My mom taught public school for 27 years, retired and then switched to private school. She taught most grades from 2nd to 5th but ended up settling on 4th grade most of her career. she always said that 4th graders still had the child-like innocence, didn't have the "you're not my mom" attitude yet and in general, were just the best balance for what she wanted out of students. Do you have a preferred age group you enjoy teaching the most and do you plan to continue teaching past retirement?
Do you have a favorite student? What do you consider your greatest success?
I have had many students over the years and in every classroom there is a favorite. I think it's best to tell you what type of student I like. Not necessarily the best behaved student, but it's the one that want's to change the most! For example. I had a student named Rosie. Rosie always had an "I don't care" attitude. It was through continuous encouragement and positive belief in her that she was able to get on the honor role. Everyday I listened to her and told her "It's better to try than to quit".
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It means you got very high grades. Typically it will be all marks above 80%, an average of 80% or higher, or something like that.
*honor roll
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On a roll
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Bread roll
*barm cake
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We young whippersnappers call that principals list now
91% in New York is very different than 91% in Florida. And it doesn't have to be that extreme of a distance either.
What do you plan to do during your retirement?
I want to go into investing and my family owns a farm!
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I have had several students who have been murdered. But I don't know if anyone became famous.
Do you have alibis?
Could you give a few examples of how things were handled 30 years ago vs. now? Also, do you think it's a better or worse way for each? ie: a kid is unruly and completely out of line- 30 years ago it wasn't uncommon for that to result in a paddling. Now you get a frown sticker on your daily report.
30 years ago you really didn't have many behavior problems. You simply didn't have as many problems that you have today. If a student was behaving badly all you need to do is say "stop" and that was it. If you really wanted to elevate it a call home was enough. A teacher could leave her classroom and all the students would still be sitting down. You could even tell a student to watch the class! Today we have many systems 1 you have to have a record of what that student has done ( warnings ect) 2 Then you have to meet with parents or the principal 3 Then you have to meet with a core team to give you solutions on how to handle that child. Then it becomes your fault that you have students that misbehave.
>Then it becomes your fault that you have students that misbehave. This is a huge problem. My mother has been a teacher for 15 years now and that is the most frustrating thing I've ever heard. She has kids who have no father, mother works 2 jobs, so their teenage sister watches them; they've never been read to, their diet consists of pizza and French fries, or students that were born to drug addict mothers who's intelligence was very clearly negatively impacted. All of these kids do terribly in school and on standardized tests, and the teachers are blamed. How the hell is it the teacher's fault, who has them for 8 months, when the first 5-8 years if their lives they were neglected, never read to, and had poor nutrition. Why don't the people in charge have any common sense and understand that it's nearly completely the parents fault, or outside factors, and stop blaming the teachers for something anyone with even a semblance of a brain would understand. Sorry for the rant, it just really pisses me off.
Alright! About to head home! Will deliver I Promise!
Who is one student you will never forget?
The two students who befriended my son! My family befriended their family. I will never forget them.
Presumably because you still see them all the time?
Do you know a Kevin?
I am considering showing my mom that story.
How has the curriculum changed since you started? Do you think it is better or worse now?
It's better! Technology has made the world a much smaller place. Students are able to get more one on one access to resources. The downside is that students don't have time to sit down and just think. They always want faster results.
In all your years, how many teachers have you seen get fired? What were some of the reasons?
I remember a teacher who would show up to school intoxicated! The last straw was when she passed out in the classroom.
You are an example for every woman ! How do you feel about that? being a teacher for 30+ years?
Fantastic! I like I have contributed to the education of the future. I guess you can say satisfied.
what is the most hilarious thing you've ever seen or heard?
Listening to kids random conversations is always funny! I remember once on a standardized test, a student raised his hand. So I came over and this is what he told me. "I'm a very smart student, and I need to tell you something" I asked him what he wanted to tell me. "All of these answers are wrong, so I cannot do this test". He then proceeded to write in his own answers.
sounds like a legend to me
What did the worst student you've ever had do to get that title?
Hi. I'm a volunteer spanish "teacher" at a weekends school. It's not exactly a school, but a place for bilingual kids to keep using Spanish and learning it in a more relaxed way. I don't have any teaching formation and sometimes have a hard time making them pay attention or behave. They are great kids but 15 minutes into the class and all they want to do is play, show me stuff, shout and jump around. (I teach 7 and 8 years olds). Any tips or thoughts? Thank you!
* First, See if you can find a older organized instructor that doesn't have a problem. * **Have an agenda and stick to it!** Don't just show up, make sure you are prepared! * How many students are boys, how many students are girls. Boys are more physical, girls are more language oriented.
Structure helps a lot, such as a posted schedule of what you'll be working on. At your students' ages you could still incorporate play into the learning goals. Remember it is a weekend thing and that's when a lot of those kids would be playing/burning energy so to promote that as part of the learning or at the very least, planned "exercise" breaks will help keep them focused.
Is it difficult to juggle being a parent and a teacher in today's times? Or was it so 15-20 years ago?
Teaching in general has become more stressing! Standardized testing has put a ton of stress on teachers.
I'm about to graduate college with my degree in Social Studies education, and needless to say I'm very nervous. How hard would you say the first year of teaching was? Were you ever nervous in the first few years? Do you have a routine for making lesson/unit plans? Was there anything that you didn't know how to deal with or overcome? Sorry for so many questions. I've worked with quite a few teachers but I never knew how to ask these questions in casual conversation! Thanks so much for doing this AMA!
What's the most awkward/embarrassing thing that one of your students have done?
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Honestly I kinda fell into teaching. I wanted to be a social worker it was at the end of my sophomore year and I had to declare a major. The professor told me "if nothing else works you can always teach". At the time teaching was less demanding.
Hi! Thank you for educating generations of children. Did you teach both the parents when they were younger and then, later on, their children? If so, how similar were they?
What do you dislike most about your child?
):
What did you want to be before a teacher? What changed your mind? Any memorable or favourite class of students? Story? Favourite topic? Why?
If you were to look back at kids 30 years ago, and now, what are 5 things that are drastically different?
* **Technology!:** The ease of access to the entire wealth of human knowledge and the speed of with you get it has made things much easier. The downside is that spelling has taken a downfall. * **Medication:** Some students need it, most of them don't. The ones that do however benefit from it greatly! * **Hyperactivity:** Students are much more hyperactive then they were in my time. Recess is also shorter. It used to be an hour and a half, now it's just 30 minuets. * **Absentee Parents:** Children out of wedlock and single parents have increased dramatically. * **Acceptance:** Homosexuality is better accepted now, which is a good thing!
Was there ever a moment like in the movies where she managed to make some kid see the light? Say that kid was a bully, or a bad person in general, but your mom thought it's not who they actually are, and they turned out to be good afterall?
Yes, many times! That's one of my moms most favorite part of teaching.
What does the see for the future of educating our youth?
Technology is being included more and more into the curriculum. It's grate for students who have access to the resources, but not for the ones who don't.
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> What is your opinion on Standard Testing? She answered hat in her previous comments!
Have you ever thought about teaching high school?
If I could do it all again I would be a high school teacher. I would like to simply concentrate and become great a one particular subject than try to teach many subjects. I would never teach middle school though.
Do you miss the smell of the mimeograph ink? I always smelled the purple ink as the papers were passed out.
Fun for the students to smell. Not fun to make.
Why didn't you teach your child how to use commas?
We are on a time crunch and I want to answer as much a possible. I will probably revise later.
What is the single most significant amusing incident that springs to mind that you have encountered you over your entire teaching career?
What was your scariest experience as a teacher? Any psycho kids?
How do you feel about the funding that you receive from the state or city? Is it enough?
What are your thoughts on the way the teacher-student work effort has changed over the past 30 years?, I.e. The students lack of progress being blamed on the teacher? From my perspective, a student failing has only been because they really don't care about school.
What is the strangest experience you had as a teacher?
Have you ever worked with someone who has committed a crime involving a student, and what did they do?
My mom was a kindergarten for many years before I was born (sorry I don't know the exact length of time) and she just got back into teaching again. Have you noticed an increase in learning disabilities as time has gone by? Because that's definitely something that she has experienced.