Kindergarten and Homework

I remember as a child in kindergarten, all we learned was the alphabet and how to take turns with each other. One thing that sticks in my head is that everytime it was time to go to the bathroom, we had to name a flashcard before we could leave to go. If you missed it, you would have to go to the end of the line. That certainly sucked if you didn't know your flashcard. I vividly remember missing a card and nearly peeing in my pants. I recently just told my mother this and she was pissed that I never said anything back then. I guess we, as kids, were scared of our teachers back then. Anyway, got off point. I only went 1/2 days to kindergarten and I turned out just fine. Make great grades in school, got into college and had a wonderful career. Why so much pressure on 5 year olds?

Kindergarteners these days are expected to do too much too soon. I am not worried that Kyle doesn't get it because he does and he loves learning. Just wanted to bitch about it. Edited to add: Kyle actually is way ahead academics wise for kindergarten.

After the Christmas Holidays, homework started coming home. One exercise each day. No big deal because actually Kyle did stuff like this at preschool but it was only one sheet per week. Things like tracing letters, filling in the blank, etc. He loves doing his homework and we never have any problems.

Homework is turned in on Friday and he gets a new packet on Monday. When I got his first packet back, his finished one was still in the folder. I thought, oh well, she forgot to take it out. Again, it happened the next week. No writing or "grading" on it and last week the new homework was not in it. I knew he was to get it because I was at the school the week before putting them together.

So, on Tuesday, I emailed the teacher asking where the homework was. She informed me that Kyle "never" turns in his folder with the homework and she actually "forgot" to check it to put the homework in. Ok, 2 weeks in a row Kyle "forgets" to put the homework in the basket and she is just now telling me. I emailed her back and told her that she needed to "show" him. Plus, dang, she forgot so what is the big deal. It actually wasn't a big deal and he didn't get marked down for it. But, here is the doozy..................

Here is her email to me after I told her to remind him about his homework.

I have shown him where to place his folders. No, I have not given him a mark for not turning in his folders.
Yesterday I moved his dot, and he received a mark in his folder. He cried so loud that a Pre-k teacher and the
teacher from across the hall came running into the room to see if he needed to be placed in a different room.
I said , no , he just needed to complete his work. He did not complete his work, therefore he had to take it home with a note attached to finish. Today, he did not complete his work by center time. I had him come to my table, where he finished his work in five minutes. I had to keep watching him and telling him to focus on his work.
Again, he cried so loud , because he thought he was going to get a mark in his folder. It is very disturbing to the other children. They are upset when he is crying so loud.
He just needs to have someone watch over him , so that he will complete a task. He is very distracted by his surroundings. I think that it is time to move him back to a seat that is closer to my desk. My other thought on this , is that he needs to be able to complete his work on his own, without someone looking over him at all times.

I hope this gives you a little insight on what is going on.
I value your continued support and you thoughts on how we can help Kyle be successful in school.

I was PISSED. It happened 2 days in a row and I am just now finding out about it AFTER I sent HER an email. I didn't respond to her until the next day. I wanted to cool off.

Here is my reply............(Politically correct) (We have a scheduled conference on the 10th)

Thank you so much for your informative email. I wasn’t aware that Kyle was crying in class and disturbing the other children. I do prefer that you move him back to be closer to your desk. Has this happened before this week?
This really threw me for a loop. If you would like to have a conference before 02/10 then let me know. I would like to know how this "moving dots" thing works anyway. It obviously upsets him. He is certainly a child that is eager to please and trying to do his best.
If you have any other suggestions as to what we may do at home to correct this, please let me know. We will be glad to work with you any way that we can in order to solve this problem.

I had a long talk with Kyle that evening. Asking him about "moving his dot", etc. He tells me that it is a bad thing. I tried to tell him that when he gets a mark in his folder that we will just try to do better the next day. He has never gotten "in trouble" for getting a mark so I have no idea where this came from. I did remember though one day when his Dad kinda got on him for his mark so maybe he is remembering that. Well, after the talk we had the next 3 days he did great. Even got a note on his folder saying that he did great and completed his work and on time.

She doesnt' want to meet before the 10th, didn't think it was necessary. I know that emails don't come across as some would like them too, hell, I am even guilty of writing an email that is very sincere but comes across the wrong way. However, I should of been called on Monday or just a note in his folder would of done the trick.

I really like his teacher because she is open to any and all suggestions. I think sometimes she forgets that he has a receptive delay. Hell, sometimes I forget.