Yes, as an educator, I feel we are drowning our students in the name of state testing, NCLB, and meeting the needs of the business world. The focus has become being prepared for the world at a rate much faster than a child's mind can handle. As parents- we need to stand-up and stop the madness.
We should demand ours schools - look at the developmental needs of children, give them the opportunities to play, explore, enjoy and discover who
they are through learning and success. It is truly time to send a message on behalf of children to congress and educational institutions across this country to put the social, emotion, physical well being of our kids first and they will become the best they can be.

Hi, I have a son in 4th grade and I feel that not enough time is spent on a concept. It seems that they only spend about 2 weeks on a concept, especially in Math. My son seems to barely understand a concept and then they're on to the next topic. I don't see where on concept builds on the next.

I agree that Retention is used too much when there is so much negative sides of retention. Please read the article "The Pros and Cons of Dention". It is amazing that the schools still think it is ok to retain. Retention and Special Ed are being abused by the schoos in order to cover up the inability to teach and understand the children. It has gotton so out of hand and parents really need to speak up. Many children will grow up with low self -esteme and the feeling that they are failures.

I am 100% agree with you, I wish that every parents feel like us in order to give support to our children. We parents sometime can make the difference but in this cases the school or District does NOT listen to us. the only word they know is "RETENTION" if they are not ready to move on!! I am frustrated as you, since my 7 years old boy has Dyslexia and APD (auditory processing disorder) making him very hard to learn. the teachers are frustrating him more doing that I believe is not correct. if he gets a C for a grade in a test, they make him retake the test (ok as per his IEP) but if the second time he gets a worse grade they combine the grade giving him the worse.. example: 1/test he got a C - 2/test he got and F= Final Grade a D!! he started crying when he saw the D, saying to me but mommy why if I got a C first Now the teacher is giving me a D..It's very upsetting and frustrated for him and for me too... but like I say to everyone I won't give up the fight!! He has my support and love all the way!!

I understand your point about teachers having to teach what they have been instructed to teach however many teachers are not educated or trained to deal with the childrens frustrations or the parents concerns. The parents need to be instructed in a better way on how things such as Everyday Math is being taught. I do not think the elementary schools are handling the demands
any better than many of the children and parents. My son just turned eight and is expected to act like he is 16. Both parents and teachers need to band together and speak up to the states otherwise our children will be so emotionally stressed and frustrated by the time they are in 6th grade. It is not healthy to force children to develope faster than they should be. The poor kids start stressing about the CT CMT tests in first grade. Children are children no matter what century we are in.

OK tomorrow I'm going too meet with the principle at my sons school. I sent a note too the teacher that i would like too meet with her too give me a call to see when we could meet and i received a phone call from the principle .Maybe he knows whats going on, this teacher must not be an experienced teacher (that he will know )yesterday she sent home a paper that my son did not complete there were 8 questions with only one not completed seem she couldn't figure how to explain it for him too understand or maybe just didn't feel like going threw the hassle who knows. What really bothers me is that hes so confused in adding and subtracting i hope that normal or is he having problems concentrating? I guess the older they get the harder it gets i should have figured the infant years was just too easy.I will update tomorrow night about the visit too the school.

I have to say that I completely agree with the fact they are teaching too much at one time. I understand that some children know much more than others before they go to school. All 3 of my kids, as most kids do, learn on a different level. My 1st grader has a hard time keeping up and is finally getting some extra help, but some of the things they are sending him home to do blows my mind. I also know that, like mentioned in someone else's comment, the teacher's are told what they have to teach when. I also know that it's very difficult for them to give one on one to students, like my son, that needs it sometimes. My high school student has brought home Math work that I have never seen before. When my other daughter was in 2nd grade 3 years ago, she had to have reading glasses, which the eye doctor told me was very common now because the up close work these children are having to do puts too much strain on their eyes before their eyes are ready for so much.

hi, it's always nice to read a teacher advice and comments.. thank you... i have a Q: my son has Dyslexia/ ADP and minor hearing loss.. (he is &-1st grade) what would be the best curriculum for him as per his L/D conditions? he is in a regular classroom now.. as a promise by the school, he will be in a resource classroom for 2nd grade.

I know the feelings... my kindergarten brings home homework of Learning the Clock", fractions and even he needs to learn a poem and sometime in both languages ENg/Span. Just try to help as much as you can, don't let your kid see your frustration or bad comments "kids repeated everything".. talk to his teacher and let them know that you are not understanding the homework and that your kid is getting to frustrated and confused taking him more than 45 minutes to complete only 1 task. keeping a good communication with the teachers sometimes works.. i have 3 kids and some days I have to calls a few friends that are teachers for them to explain, because as for me i am in the moon!! I am struggling with homework and daily activities with my older boy that has L/D - DYSLEXIA AND HEARING LOSS. so imagine his frustration and Mine!!.. when ever you need support Here we are" Great School" site is the Best!! don't worry about the spelling/grammar.. ignored the SmartComments!! if you know what i means...:)

thk u.. i just ignored the comments.. true that when you are typing fast and trying to say to many things at once at last don't make that much sense.. but that the main point is clearly Understood!!.. thks again..

As for brians/mom some people are better ignored.As for the topic at hand my son has not brought home decimal work lately what is really bugging me is stuff like kilogram and grams/estimating measuring in inches/measuring in centimeters/estimating and measuring with centimeters. Now i feel this kind of stuff is not something a 7 year old should be learning he still doesn't even have his adding and subtracting down packed.I understand that the teachers have too do what the state demands i also made it clear to my son that its not the teachers fault that they throw so much work at him. My biggest fear is him failing his scores look better than the work he brings home we go over most of the work he gets wrong it takes alot of pounding but he does eventually understand till a few weeks later when we see it again i have too remind him again how we did it.He does have 12 years of schooling i wish they would take one step at a time instead of the brain twisting they are doing!

Not to sound rude "BriansMom" but the poster of the topic was not asking for you to criticize her grammar and proper punctuation, etc. That was really not needed. People do type fast and do not always use spell check, etc. My husband is horrible at typing on the computer, but is very smart. Let's stick to the topic. And that is our children and how they are learning in school. I noticed you had nothing to really say on the actual topic. No one is perfect.

I am a teacher of 22 years. I can tell you that the curriculum approved by the Board of Education or School Board for your district selected and approved the curriculum. The teacher must teach the approved curriculum.

It sounds like you are describing a spiral curriculum where specific skills and concepts are taught briefly several times throughout the year. Each time the topic is revisited, it becomes more complex. Personally, I hate this philosophy and in my opinion, many universities and countries have proven through research that this is not the best way for young kids to learn math.

Decimals are typically a concept taught in 4th grade so I am curious in what context your child is working on decimal homework.

Every area of mathematics, from geometry to algebra, measurement to graphs and data analysis has a foundation in early grades.

Number sense: counting, ordering numbers, estimating are a few
Data analysis and probability: bar graphs, tally charts, picture graphs, spinners, coin flips, likely or unlikely outcomes
Algebraic thinking: patterns, open equations, missing symbol, balanced equations**
**All this means is...
3+4=6+1 Both sides should equal the same number.
Another 3+__ = 8 or # + # = 10, # = 5
Geometry, Measurement: basic shapes, over/under, using a ruler or blocks to measure, comparing length, exploring and filling containers, etc

Don't get me started on homework. Other than reading to or with your child everyday, I don't think younger grades, even third grade should have regular homework. Occasional project-based assignments to wrap up a unit are plenty. Drill and practice can actually be harmful.

I agree with those who say the homework curriculum is all over the place. When my son was in kindergarten (he's now in 1st grade) I had to call my husbands aunt who's a kindergarten teacher) just to see if what they were doing as far as jumping all over the place and not sticking to one thing very long was normal. She didn't agree with how fast they were moving through subjects but said the things he's learning is what's taught in kindergarten.

Not to be rude, but the lack of appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation in your post tells me your child probably will benefit from as much help at school as possible.

Poor kids!,God bless them,like my son and daughters,they are going to start the kinder in the nexts months and more headaches for them and me too.

that's is the reason I believe that the modern education is not working appropiated. my 2 boys complained as well as yours, it is to much for them to handle. so I really do not understand neither what doctors and educator says about the aerly the start learning thier brain accepts more info/..we just need to hand in there and give them love and support. my kids brings homework (alot) everyday, a poem to read. they are only 5 and 7. plus math...no mentioning my girl in 4th grade...no even when I was in highschool I had that much homework!!

You're right chaez 2,my son is coming to home saying the same thing,so they haven't time to do all the things,ans I can't see him happy because sometimes he cry because he haven't enough time to eat the luch,to do the work ,he say the teacher put time for all,the poor kid look like machine doing all very fast.For me the system don't work with the kids ,my son has many troubles with math specially,because he forget very easy all what he learn,they only teach to work the memorization of the kids,and I'm believing so the best is the quality no the quantity of the things so you put in the child's brain.

I dont quite understand ,are you saying todays kids have a more powerfull brain than us older people had back in the 60's-70's? I dont thinks so the learning process is the same as when we were younger life is alot faster today but the clock and calender are still the same.Now my son is coming home telling me that they didnt have enough time to do things or it was cut short because of time. Now that its getting so close too the end of the school year they are throwing everything together to meet the goals the state has set for them too complete.Im counting on the teachers teaching my son there are things i work on with him hes inproving but the basics still confuse him like telling time and reading a calender forget it .Heck hes not brought homework home for two weeks the teacher probally doesnt have time now to get it together trying too meet the deadline even though there is 12 years of school.I hope next year shows better inprovements.Dont get me wrong he has learned alot but only really half of the complete subject .That may be what they are trying to do for the following grades just give them an idea so when they see it again they have an idea of what its about.I work with my son as much as i can but being a single parent there are alot of things on my list too do.Thanks for the responce

What's happening is due at least in Florida State is due to the FCAT test. Also a responded that I got from my school kids counselor is that since as a proven Fact kids brain is developing faster and their are capable to accept all this learning pressure. the bad things is if they don't do good they get retain!!..but it is very hard.. i have a kindergarten/1gr with L/D and a 4 Grd...

It does seem like that but as the school year goes on you'll notice a big difference. The kids will start reading more and progressing in everything. My daughter is in 2nd grade and i felt the same way you do about k and 1st grade. I felt the homework she had was so much for her but i just sat with her and helped her as much as i could :)

i'm with you, my son is in first grade and i can't believe the the work he brings home. i think in this day and age they are pushing these kids to hard to know so much and then before you know they are on to something else!!

Hi,
I do feel your pain. It seems we did not get the memo! I have a third grader and a fifth grader, and what you described do sounds like a lot for a kid that is still trying to read. However, since you are stuck with the situation, lets start him on the "reading". This is the approach that I took with my kids. Allow him to read first. This will let you know exactly what he needs help with (fluency, pronouncement, accuracy, eyesight) and so forth. Make sure that he stops at a period and pause at a comma .....this will prevent him from pooling an entire paragraph together, he will follow better and get a better understanding of what he reads. Take the time to explain the meaning of what he has read. I did this at the end of each sentence and later on at the end of a paragraph. To see if he is following you, let him take turns at explaining what he has read to you. Once he gets into the habit of doing that, he will become less dependent because first he needs to understand what he reads or what the instruction is, in order to execute it. So, with the homework, let him read the instructions, then let him underline and number the first thing that he is being asked to do, and let him do that. Go back to the instructions, he now needs to identify the second thing and do it. Repeat until the assignment is completed. When the assignment is completed he needs to go back to the instructions and make sure that he did each thing that was asked. If he does not understand something, give him an example and explain. If he is working on math, do not go any further until he can identify which formula to use and make sure that he understands how to set it up. Use step by step process, when explaining to him, go slowly and repeat. Then let him show you that he understands what to do first, second and well you know. If he knows the formulas and when to use them, he is on his way. If he is not reading enough to be able to understand, he will hold you hostage! by the way, I heard that you are back in first grade! lol (joke) yes! we do go back to school when they start school, hello, you will know when he gets it and is on his way. By then you will not be able to touch his book or look over his shoulder without him snapping at you. The good thing is, it will become fun as the years go by. When he is not in school (weekends, vacations, summer) review all written work of the past grade and prepare him for the next grade. The reward is...movies, park, beaches, amusements....and don't worry, he will do it if he want's to get out and have fun. Good luck!

Yeah I'm with you,this thing is true,I'm feeling the same,my son each week see differents thing from one thing jump to another,for me really I don't believe so this is helpfull and he's learning because there is too much information at time and my poor son is processing all the information like computer and i can't see he's progressing,because for learn something he forget things so he alredy learned.I think too the kids are forced to diggest all the curriculum very fast.Sometimes I feel frustrated too,because in the home I need to help my son with the homework all time and sometimes I feel like teacher doing all the work of the teacher.

Curriculum can change like the wind or like hemlines - it shifts direction constantly and kids and families go up and down with it. As another poster said, modern math curriculum discovered the 'constructionist' approach to learning but whether any of the constructionists ever had one of their own children take 1st grade math is another question altogether.
This new approach might work well for some children but it certainly doesn't work well for all children.
But it's not likely to change overnight simply because schools usually try to use newly purchased textbooks for at least 5 years so you and your son might have to put up with this.
Is his teacher new? Sometimes new teachers move at a faster pace not realizing they're leaving their class behind. If the teacher's an experienced one, don't hesitate to ask "What can I do as a parent to help my son with his math? He often doesn't seem to understand it."
Phrasing it in that way usually leaves the teacher feeling comfortable and willing to dialogue - perhaps other parents have spoken to the teacher. It never hurts to ask around and see how other parents have to say.
And I hope it doesn't hurt to say that I found I had to sit down with my sons, night after night, to help with homework all the way through school. I worked all day and would have liked the evening off but they consistently had homework that was far too complicated for them to tackle successfully on their own.

Chaez2,
Have you asked the teacher if she's open to parent volunteers coming in the room and helping? Or maybe having a volunteer come in and help tutor a couple days a week? I'm not sure of your school rules, but in my class, my room parents are welcome to come and volunteer and that usually helps me because then its like having an assistant who can also walk around and help students one-one who are not getting it. See if your schools PTO/PTA could set up a program like that to help the teachers out. It would directly benefit the children...not only by giving them an additional adult in the room for help but also by showing them that the community supports education.

Keep your head up...your doing a wonderful job and you sound like a great dad!

THANK YOU THANK YOU its crazy too try to feed so much into such a young mind this is one way too get a kid too almost give up on trying too learn or even going too school i say lets teach them the basics about life first.I will be honest with you some of the stuff my 7 year old son brings home for homework stumps me and im in my 40's.But i guess if the kids make it threw school they sure will be smart.Also lets not forget the teachers this puts alot of pressure on them im sure out of the 25 students in the class there are probally 20 of them who need one on one help and theres only one teacher per class so theres 15 of them left too send home for the parent to teach and it really makes me wonder when i see the same thing over and over again and he still dosnt understand how to do it.Thanks for your input

It is called the construcivist approach to mathematics. It is the "enlightened" response to "drill and kill" which constructivists believe "slaughtered" generations of students. Ok, I'm one of the "slaughtered"--I know the addition facts, I know multiplication facts and I can perform those operations in my head--am I slaughtered? Not really. I'm not a math genius, I just had to learn the facts and I did. Constructivists believe that students should construct their own knowledge of math, rather than "drill and kill" being foisted upon them. I don't know the answers, I just recognize the problem and, I, like you, am very concerned.

Thanks for your input i am also located in TN. also im a single father i raised him by myself since he was 2 1/2 weeks old my son gets frustrated very easy.The teacher sent home today the TN. mathematc standards 2009-2010 implementation that consisted of mathematical processes,numbers and operations,algebra,geometry and measurement,data,probability and statistics. Incredible now i dont know who to feel sorry for the theacher or my son algebra for a 7 year old too understand now thats a challange. THANKS

I understand your frustration. I don't know what state you live in, so I can't be specific on what your son is learning, but I'm in TN. As a kindergarten teacher, I can tell you, school isn't anything like what we experienced as children. My kindergarteners are expected to learn things that we were taught in first grade when we went to school. State standards are much higher now than they were 10 years ago and there is so much pressure put on children to learn it right then, right now. The only advice I can give you is to keep working with your son on skills that he has missed and when he gets frustrated...let him take a break. Homework should be a review of skills covered. If he has been paying attention in class, he should be able to do the homework, unless he doesn;t understand what to do. If that's the case, then I would speak to his teacher about that and find out if there is a reason why he doesn't understand....is the teacher spending enough time on that skill in class? What does he/she do if other students are not getting it? Usually in Kindergarten, you are introducing the skills and by first grade they are expected to know those and build on them.
First grade is one of the hardest grades for students. Second grade is easier and is a repeat of first grade skills and building upon them. Third grade gets harder as newer concepts and skills are introduced.
I hope this helps you and your son. He is lucky to have such a caring mother. Just keep supporting him and try talking to his teacher.