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1st grader teacher can't reach
My 6 yr old 1st grade granddaughter refuses to do her school work and the teacher has to tell her over 4 times to put her coat in locker or drawing away. She plays teacher at home everyday. Sometimes she likes to do her homework and others not so much. She sometimes writes her letters backwards. She crys almost everyday when it is time to go to school. I have spoken to her teacher on several ocassions. One day I went to the school and asked to see the teacher and she said over the intercome she can come in if it isn't going to be a long time drawn out thing. I questioned her about this and she apologized and said the children acts up if she is away from this for a specific amt of time and she would rather see parents/grandparents after school.
Hm. I honestly would say that our school wouldn't allow a parent to come in during the middle of the school day and request that they leave the class. They simply wouldn't do it and I believe that would be the case most everywhere. Makes sense to me. If you need a conference, then you ask for some time outside of the classroom. I actually think the teacher did the right thing and you were wrong to suggest she leave her whole class to meet with you during the day. They have to have subs in our class if a teacher is not present----------- never would you walk into a room without a teacher there. And I think most parents would be quite unhappy if they did. So I think with that you are off base.
I think that one thing you CAN do is volunteer in the classroom. This gives an opportunity for you to see what is going on yourself. It also gives you an opportunity to get to know the teacher. At times like recess you can chat a bit knowing that she is also keeping her eye on the kids.
Reversing letters is not uncommon in the first grade. I also have a first grader and work in my son's classroom 1 to 2 days a week. I grade a lot of papers and kids do tend to reverse letters still at that grade level. What you do is take a sheet of paper and write the letter the right way and the reverse way and then ask her which one is right. Then hand back the paper that she has them reversed on and ask her to change it.
Your granddaughter is 6 and in first grade--------- she must be young as the year is almost over. Only summer birthdays are left for first graders meaning some of the kids are a full year older than her. I do think in early elementary years being the youngest in the class can make for more difficulties. I agree also with Sandman that knowing what happens in the classroom after she gets there is important.
I agree that some information gathering is important. Some kids do not like to do homework. For those kids, it is important that a child have a set homework routine. Everyday, snack when entering home, debriefing of the day and then homework. But I do like to do a physical activity before homework as some kids can focus better after that.
Does she hang her coat up at home? I would start trying to have some consistency with things at school as at home. Some simple jobs at home that she is responsible for may help. She must hang up her coat, put her backpack in a certain spot, etc.
I think that one thing you CAN do is volunteer in the classroom. This gives an opportunity for you to see what is going on yourself. It also gives you an opportunity to get to know the teacher. At times like recess you can chat a bit knowing that she is also keeping her eye on the kids.
Reversing letters is not uncommon in the first grade. I also have a first grader and work in my son's classroom 1 to 2 days a week. I grade a lot of papers and kids do tend to reverse letters still at that grade level. What you do is take a sheet of paper and write the letter the right way and the reverse way and then ask her which one is right. Then hand back the paper that she has them reversed on and ask her to change it.
Your granddaughter is 6 and in first grade--------- she must be young as the year is almost over. Only summer birthdays are left for first graders meaning some of the kids are a full year older than her. I do think in early elementary years being the youngest in the class can make for more difficulties. I agree also with Sandman that knowing what happens in the classroom after she gets there is important.
I agree that some information gathering is important. Some kids do not like to do homework. For those kids, it is important that a child have a set homework routine. Everyday, snack when entering home, debriefing of the day and then homework. But I do like to do a physical activity before homework as some kids can focus better after that.
Does she hang her coat up at home? I would start trying to have some consistency with things at school as at home. Some simple jobs at home that she is responsible for may help. She must hang up her coat, put her backpack in a certain spot, etc.
It sounds like the teacher is overly stressed. Children can pick that up and stress out because of it. I'm all about discussing things with teachers, but it has to be done discreetly and professionally. I would go to the board of directors or the principal to express my concerns.
It sounds to me as if the teacher gets on her case, if the child is upset at going to school I would want to know why .....
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Secondly, the teacher meeting is not the problem. What you granddaughter is going through is the problem. What you do need to find out when you meet with the teacher is how does your granddaughter act once she enters the classroom? Is she still crying? - or is she happily engaged with the other kids.
We really need more information. I see two possibilities. One is that she is overly stressed due to an inability to function in the classroom. The other is that she is used to getting her way and is in a bit of a power struggle. Of course, you said you are her Nana and she obviously spends a lot of time with you. Is her mother in her life? That alone can contribute to the way she feels and would explain a lot.
In short, you need to work with the teacher to find out what is going on. The teachers request is reasonable. Make the appointment and listen to the teachers opinion. Best wishes.