Who here had a big summer back slide?
Cade knew about ten math facts when school began this year. This is a stark comparison to where he left off last year (timing out of 100 addition and subtraction facts in 5 minutes). Remind me to do a little something next summer besides hang out at the beach.
I purchased "Hooked on Math" and we've done 15 minute lessons 5 nights a week. After digging in for the past month, we are "back" to where we left off at the end of first grade. Next summer when I'm all laissez-faire about everything, will somebody please put a foot up my behind and tell me to do SOMETHING?
I love his school, class size, and his teacher is *pretty* good. I think that it is difficult for me because his last two teachers were absolutely phenomenal.
Kendall started a new "preschool" this year. I wasn't ready for her to go to Cade's montessori b/c they only offer a five day a week program and the cost is prohibitive on our budget right now. This church program (2 hours a day/3 days a week) has a philosophy that is 180 degrees from montessori. When I told her teacher where Cade attends, her teacher launched into a huge diatribe about why they didn't teach A,B,Cs and academics at three because they needed to learn how to play and get along.
Her preschool has tons of toys and creative play while a montessori classroom has concrete, realistic materials scaled to a child's size. Montessori also believes that children innately desire to learn and that there are no limits on their abilities at this age. I sensed quite a bit of disdain for the montessori method from Kendall's preschool teacher. It is funny how vehement people get over this particular pedagogy, both for and against it.
I make no excuses, I think that montessori is fantastic when done correctly. After searching for montessori schools, I can tell you that there are a ton of mediocre schools which give montessori a bad name. Still, in its truest form, it is both a potent and gentle method of education.
Bottom line, Kendall likes going to play and is in a loving environment. That is what is most important to me. Meanwhile, Mommy gets a break! Nonetheless, I can tell you that she will be at Cade's school next year for preschool.
How is the new academic year going in your house? Did your kids backslide?
Kelly
Cade knew about ten math facts when school began this year. This is a stark comparison to where he left off last year (timing out of 100 addition and subtraction facts in 5 minutes). Remind me to do a little something next summer besides hang out at the beach.
I purchased "Hooked on Math" and we've done 15 minute lessons 5 nights a week. After digging in for the past month, we are "back" to where we left off at the end of first grade. Next summer when I'm all laissez-faire about everything, will somebody please put a foot up my behind and tell me to do SOMETHING?
I love his school, class size, and his teacher is *pretty* good. I think that it is difficult for me because his last two teachers were absolutely phenomenal.
Kendall started a new "preschool" this year. I wasn't ready for her to go to Cade's montessori b/c they only offer a five day a week program and the cost is prohibitive on our budget right now. This church program (2 hours a day/3 days a week) has a philosophy that is 180 degrees from montessori. When I told her teacher where Cade attends, her teacher launched into a huge diatribe about why they didn't teach A,B,Cs and academics at three because they needed to learn how to play and get along.
Her preschool has tons of toys and creative play while a montessori classroom has concrete, realistic materials scaled to a child's size. Montessori also believes that children innately desire to learn and that there are no limits on their abilities at this age. I sensed quite a bit of disdain for the montessori method from Kendall's preschool teacher. It is funny how vehement people get over this particular pedagogy, both for and against it.
I make no excuses, I think that montessori is fantastic when done correctly. After searching for montessori schools, I can tell you that there are a ton of mediocre schools which give montessori a bad name. Still, in its truest form, it is both a potent and gentle method of education.
Bottom line, Kendall likes going to play and is in a loving environment. That is what is most important to me. Meanwhile, Mommy gets a break! Nonetheless, I can tell you that she will be at Cade's school next year for preschool.
How is the new academic year going in your house? Did your kids backslide?
Kelly
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