Wednesday was Back to School Night at Kwabena’s school. I ended up going alone because Kwasi didn’t want to. I was disappointed that he didn’t go, because I really want him to stay involved in the school process, which includes going to these appoitnments, especially if we can get his mom to watch the kids while we’re there. But he didn’t want to go.
It was pretty informative. We started out in the cafeteria, and the Kindgergarten teachers started out talking about the curriculum for the school year, and how it’s changed a bit since previous years. Since this is our first time in the school system, it hasn’t changed for us, per se. One thing that has changed is the math curriculum. I guess it used to be more “learn this, this, and this. Okay, now move on to the next thing.” But because the school system was finding that more kids in upper grades were not learning and really being able to apply the math concepts to know HOW they got their answers, and not critically thinking, they decided to change the math curriculum for elementary school and hopefully provide a better thinking foundation for the kids.
I think that makes sense. Any parenting book I have read has stressed not so much WHAT kids learn, but HOW they learn. And being able to think critically and get that good foundation for learning, so they’re not just reguritating information.
Anyhow, after the cafeteria speeches, we all moved to our kids’ classrooms. Kwabena is in Mrs. Garner’s class, Room #2. All the parents sat in their kids’ seats, and she gave a little presentation about how they start their day each day, and that they reinforce numbers. They are counting the first 100 days of school, so each day they write down a new number…..add a link to the 100-days-of-school chain, while each 10th (10, 20, 30) will get a blue link. The objective is to teach kids how to count to 100 not just 1…2…3….But to get them counting my 10’s, and 5’s, and 2’s, and really understanding it. I think it’s great, actually!
They also have things like Star of the Week, for kids that have shown exceptional behaviors, helped others, etc. I am hoping that Kwabena can earn this!
I noticed that his seat is not in the same location as it was during the Open House. A friend of mine, her son has changed twice in his classroom, and she thinks it could be to some sort of grouping on skill level. But I think it could also be grouping by behavior, as well. If you have an easily distracted kid (ahem–Kwabena), then it could be beneficial if he is seated next to kids that are more focused, perhaps?? I’ll have to remember to ask next time I see his teacher.
At the Back to School night, also, I was looking on the outside of his class at the work that he and his classmates have done. And it was SOOOOOO obvious the level of maturity in GIRLS’ work versus BOYS’ work! I mean, all the really nice looking, color-in-the-lines creative stuff was from the girls. And the boys stuff, albeit colorful, was like a MESS! lol And there was this one boys work, named Arthur, who Kwabena has commented to me before, “Arthur doesn’t listen too well in class,” well, I happened to see Arthur’s sheet on the wall, where the assignment was to draw 3 things that make you happy (Kwabena chose “Buttons the dog,” and “Sammy the dog,” and his stuffed nightlight Twilight Turtle), and HOLY CRAP, Arthur’s picture looked like he had MENTAL CHAOS in his head. You couldn’t even look at it and tell what he was trying to do or draw. Various marks all over the sheet, unintelligible, actually. And then you had Kwabena’s sheet, which was okay, but defintely not very creative or colorful.
I think Kwabena’s problem is that he defintiely runs out of time. And then he’s left with non-colorful work and half-finish work sometimes. We definitely have to try to get him improving on this. I need to get a timer that I can use at home, too, during homework.
The kids started their reading (and I think math) assessments this week, too. So hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be able to find out how Kwabena did. 🙂 Then they will start putting them in groups, but within the same class, to further meet their assessed levels.
More later!
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