By: admin

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:30:56 +0000

Oh, Shannon. That “Nooooo!” broke my heart. If it gets to be too much for you and your family, you don’t have to pull them completely out. It’s possible for kids to homeschool part of the day and attend school the rest of the time.

By: Shannon Oquist

Shannon Oquist — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:50:19 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more! During my first year of teaching, I often saw how we were failing kids miserably by taking the fun out of learning. When I took time off to have my own children I decided to get a Montessori certificate, even though I was sure I may never need the paper part of it. I was however, very interested in her philosophies of more child-centered approach. I later saw that she too taught a very adult directed style in certain aspects, but it was certainly better than what I’d learned in college in that regard. I am struggling now with whether or not I should keep my mouth shut when it comes to my own children’s reading instruction. Thankfully both of them ready far above grade level, but being in only Kindergarten and 2nd grade, they are at a level where their teachers feel they must pound the rules, and make kids read and re-read stuff they could care less about. I actually heard my son’s entire 2nd grade class sigh “Noooo” when their teacher said “get out your reading books.” The curriculum is simply from one reading text and the poor souls partner read, the same story all week, whether it’s easy or hard or what have you. Sadly, that is the extent of the reading, other than a lame spelling lesson, which is entirely teacher directed. My daughter’s teacher is amazing, she has been teaching for 50 years and I truly love her, and so do the kids. However, I found she too spends a ton of time teaching the rules, giving them worksheets on the rules, and teaching rules again. She at least does give them some variety. So, as a parent what do you do? I want to so badly say “Hey, have you ever tried this approach?” Or even a subtle “you should read this article” type hinting, but I don’t want to offend anyone. I am almost considering homeschooling next year because of it, it’s hard to sit and watch this happen to the kids, I can only image what these kids are going through. I also tutored and owned a tutoring business and saw the whole “breaking things down” B.S. and I’ve got to say you told your friend the right thing, unless she uses a private tutor who can simply bring back the joy in reading to her child, her money will be wasted, and lot’s of it too. What is a mother to do?

Comments on: Johnny CAN read

By: admin

By: Shannon Oquist