How's kindergarten?

[tennisgal]

How is the transition to kindergarten going?

So far, W is liking it. I picked up yesterday (usually MH does) and I saw his teacher so I asked how he was doing. She said that he had to be talked to a few times yesterday and he was having some of the same behaviors that he had been having in daycare. However, she did note that there were definitely other areas where he has been doing a good job.... she pointed out a time when another kid forgot how to do something and W helped this kid figure it out.

He has hardly been eating there.... which isn't exactly out of the norm for him. He tells me "I just don't have enough time to eat!" which I suspect is because he's probably a big chatterbox at lunch time!

[sandj82110]

This is week 5 for us, it's going well. He seems to really enjoy it but does groan a little when we wake him at 6am. We had an open house last week and got info on all the classes, I am pretty impressed by the curriculum. One great thing is his teacher doesn't believe in homework, just 20 minutes of reading each night (which I'll be honest we don't always do, he's not an big fan of being read to, if he's not paying attention I don't force it).

[Deleted]

It's going good. She loves her teacher and is making friends. She is also trying really hard to learn what they are teaching. She's stopped asking to not go to school (she pretended to be sick for the first like 2 weeks to try to get out of going) so that's good!

We do have 1 issue and idk how to address it. She keeps peeing her pants! I would say at least weekly. It always happens when they aren't in her classroom (lunch, PE, art, etc). We finally got her to start asking the other teacher, or any adult, to use the restroom but now she can't find it and is peeing her pants while looking for it :/ So idk how to fix that, I feel bad she's getting lost but there's not enough teachers to escort her to a bathroom.

[blane12]

B is struggling. I knew he would, and I stand by my decision to send him this year instead of next still, but it's hard.

Writing is his weakest part right now, and it's very difficult for him so some days he won't even try. He has been putting his head down and just saying no. He peed his pants one day last week at recess, and then somehow wondered inside during recess another day and the principal found him walking the halls. He doesn't eat at lunch most days, so I know that effects his afternoon work too. He is so tired every night when he comes home. He is telling me about his 'friends' - I just hope they like him too. I've told him to ask his friends to play with him at recess, and he seemed to like that suggestion. We have to pray for a couple of friends at night. The bus is his favorite part I think, and I'm pretty sure there's a little girl on there looking out for him and making sure he has his book bag and lunch box.

We took his iPad away on Tuesday after his 3rd bad day at school in a row. He flipped his shit, but had a good day yesterday so got to watch a little. I've told H no iPads or TV before school right now and we'll see how he does. I know it's hard and why he gets frustrated, but I tried explaining that the more we try and practice, the easier it will get.

Sorry for all the rambling - I just worry everyday how he's doing. It's very likely he will have to repeat, but I hate that he's having a hard time adjusting.

[laurack]

Matilda is doing great, she seems to love it but honestly there isn't a ton of information coming out of her lol. She seems happy but tired. We are TRYING to get them to bed earlier but it's hard, ugh. I have guilt about this.

Since I signed her up with a school lunch account she's been getting lunch there every day. I wasn't planning to do that but she just loves getting lunch and since it seems like a reasonable price ($3/lunch) I suppose it's fine. The food doesn't sound the healthiest ever but they do have vegetable or salad every day and a fruit.

She has been a bit emotional/tantrum-y (probably tiredness related). Yesterday she started getting really upset that she can't read. She was saying "I want a tutor, why can't I have tutoring??" because our older neighbors kid is getting tutoring for reading. I told her you don't need tutoring now, if you do later we'll get it for you. But she was crying and saying I DO NEED IT, I CAN'T EVEN READ MOM!!! Then five minutes later it's forgotten and she's chatting about snacks.

Also I was supposed to do this project with her of cutting out family pics and sticking to a heart shape and it's overdue but I'm definitely going to do that tonight. And I should be practicing letters more with her according to the pages of stuff coming home in her bag. I am failing as a school child mom!

[redmonkeystomper]

Ruby is doing well which we expected, she loves school and learning. The only issue we have is the kid who sits across from her gets frustrated and pushes her name card. I'm letting her handle it for now, she said the ese teacher is aware of it. She has homework every night and at first she would act silly and do it wrong but once I disengaged and just said she would have to turn it in the way she did it first she stopped.

[redmonkeystomper]

Sept 14, 2017 8:45:22 GMT -5 laurack said:

Matilda is doing great, she seems to love it but honestly there isn't a ton of information coming out of her lol. She seems happy but tired. We are TRYING to get them to bed earlier but it's hard, ugh. I have guilt about this.

Since I signed her up with a school lunch account she's been getting lunch there every day. I wasn't planning to do that but she just loves getting lunch and since it seems like a reasonable price ($3/lunch) I suppose it's fine. The food doesn't sound the healthiest ever but they do have vegetable or salad every day and a fruit.

She has been a bit emotional/tantrum-y (probably tiredness related). Yesterday she started getting really upset that she can't read. She was saying "I want a tutor, why can't I have tutoring??" because our older neighbors kid is getting tutoring for reading. I told her you don't need tutoring now, if you do later we'll get it for you. But she was crying and saying I DO NEED IT, I CAN'T EVEN READ MOM!!! Then five minutes later it's forgotten and she's chatting about snacks.

Also I was supposed to do this project with her of cutting out family pics and sticking to a heart shape and it's overdue but I'm definitely going to do that tonight. And I should be practicing letters more with her according to the pages of stuff coming home in her bag. I am failing as a school child mom!

I also feel like Ruby gets to bed too late most nights. We do good if she is asleep by 8:30. It's just hard especially with a younger child who needs attention too.

And I wish Ruby would buy school lunch but she prefers to take lunch. Ugh, so tired of packing lunch everyday!

[laurack]

thanks Loco Coco I think we should get her a little desk actually!

redmonkeystomper not packing lunch (or rather, packing just one lunch instead of two) has really eased my burden. I know it actually only saves about five minutes BUT for some reason mentally it's helping me!

[blane12]

laurack- I feel you on the homework and failing as a school mom!
Blake gets homework every week at the beginning and it's due by the end of the week. He is so done at the end of the school day that I hate to push him to do more. (It's just been a simple worksheet like practicing his name or writing numbers so not hard, but takes him awhile). We also get so many papers coming home every day. And every day the last couple of weeks has been a different color so they're supposed to wear that color. Red day, they need to wear red, etc. but he's become so opinionated lately on his clothes, it's a struggle every morning to explain that he can only pick through the red shirts today, and can't wear that blue one he likes.

I've been putting him to bed every night at 7p and he's gone down without a fight and is sleeping within 5min. Colton is no where near wanting to sleep, so just plays around in his room.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2017 10:54:08 GMT -5 blane12 said:

laurack- I feel you on the homework and failing as a school mom!
Blake gets homework every week at the beginning and it's due by the end of the week. He is so done at the end of the school day that I hate to push him to do more. (It's just been a simple worksheet like practicing his name or writing numbers so not hard, but takes him awhile). We also get so many papers coming home every day. And every day the last couple of weeks has been a different color so they're supposed to wear that color. Red day, they need to wear red, etc. but he's become so opinionated lately on his clothes, it's a struggle every morning to explain that he can only pick through the red shirts today, and can't wear that blue one he likes.

I've been putting him to bed every night at 7p and he's gone down without a fight and is sleeping within 5min. Colton is no where near wanting to sleep, so just plays around in his room.

That's a lot of work! I'm so glad our only "homework" is reading to her 30 minutes a day. She's so spent at the end of school I can't imagine trying to get her to do more work. I think A is behind in counting and sight words, but idk because they haven't told me a thing! I wish I could go volunteer just to see how she's doing lol

[mumegs]

We just started last week but she is doing OK. she says that she doesn't like it because its boring, she doesn't like to sit too much. Mostly all I've heard about is her friends that she's made, she likes recess and lunch and gym lol. She had a couple friends from preschool that are going to her school and I was bummed that they weren't in her class but I guess they have been finding each other on the playground every day. I haven't heard anything about the actual schoolwork from her. She hasn't had any homework but I think they are going to start bringing books home to read in October.
I worry that she thinks its boring because k is supposed to be fun, I'm afraid she is going to really think the later grades are boring.

[rxbeth]

Madison is doing really well. It's only week 2 but it's her second year of our two year kindergarten program here. She loves going and she picked up reading last year so she's reading everything all the time, including text messages and things I type on the computer in front of her. Stop being so nosy! It's almost 100% play based so she doesn't have any homework. last year they would bring home a few site words here and there.

[blane12]

@lindy - we always read before bed so that would be easy. It hasn't been hateful yet, but I wish we had the homework over the weekend so we could at least do it on days he didn't have school.
The special ed teacher (in charge of his aide and he sees for individual instruction) sends home a communication notebook with notes on how his day went. I'm really glad she does that as it's so helpful to see how he did. If it was just up to him, I would only know a bit about his friends.

[imimahoney]

HW in kindy is crazy. Let the kids relax!

Ari loves school. Our town is intense regarding parent involvement. I get at least 3 emails a day between his class, the school and the district. Omg, so much contact!

[Deleted]

Ugh she peed her pants again today. Idk what to do. She doesn't do it at home and never peed her pants at preschool, even when she was 2!

[racheliz]

So far , so good for DD. This is her 3rd year at this school, so it was not a huge transition for her. We have homework M-W (2 pages, but fairly simple), plus a letter review sheet. She has the more relaxed of the K teachers as far as discipline goes, which I am thankful for because the clip system her teacher used was super stressful for her.

[Deleted]

B loves it so far. He likes his teacher a lot and has his friends from pre-k plus some new ones. Since he goes where I work, everyone is always saying, "Oh, B is such a joy! He's so good!" Really? My child? Are you sure you have the right kid?!

His only homework is to choose two things a week from the monthly calendar and then turn it in at the end of the month. The things on the calendar are really simple though like, say the name of your school or make a leaf picture.

He has been doing great in the morning getting himself up and dressed so I don't even have to wake him up. The evenings are a different story. He is a beast and I cannot wait for him to go to bed every night lol. He's just rude, doesn't listen to anything, and draws bedtime out to an hour. It's exhausting. I'm hoping that part gets better as he gets more adjusted!

[sunflowers7]

I've been meaning to post this same topic

brady really struggled the 2&3rd weeks.  He got hi with a bad cold around then/ Labor Day weekend.  That and he was not used to the long days.  Writing is still a struggle but he's trying his best his teachers said and he's a sweet boy according to them.   The first couple weeks we had major attitude problems at home the first couple weeks too.   I have to volunteer in his class weekly so yesterday was my first day and he was on task and quiet the whole time so that made me happy.    


His his homework each week is to write site words and bring in an item for whatever letter of the week is.    By the end of the year they will have to write 3 sentences independently.   

Also im amazed at how much finished work comes home each day. I feel bad just recycling it but nothing is really keep worthy yet.  

[blane12]

Sept 14, 2017 16:32:41 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Ugh she peed her pants again today. Idk what to do. She doesn't do it at home and never peed her pants at preschool, even when she was 2!

That's crazy @lindy! Maybe they could have someone take her to the bathroom once at least since it keeps happening? Could you ask the teachers if they have any ideas since this is a new thing?

[blane12]

TrudyCampbell - I see you! How's V adjusting? She just started last week right?

[bean47]

She seems to really like it. It was an easy transition for her since her preschool classroom is right across the hall, her BFF is in her class and she went from 4 half days to 5 half days. She likes the bus when she takes it (from the sitters, H drives her the other days). I assume she's doing well in class, we haven't had contact with her teacher since the orientation day. So far everything seems very developmentally appropriate and play based. She for sure isn't being challenged academically at this point, based on the activities she recaps, but the newsletter said they are spending time getting to know what the students know. No homework, thank goodness! I'm not crazy about homework in general and certainly not in K so I'm thankful we have another year before that begins. She has her first field trip (across the parking lot - their school is nestled into an apple orchard) next week and my H is a chaperone. She can't wait! She's finally starting to talk about playing with two other girls which is huge because all we hear about usually is her preschool BFF.

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2017 19:48:40 GMT -5 Loco Coco said:

That sucks @lindy! I think I would be talking to the teacher at this point to see if she has ideas.

I know, I'm kind of embarrassed which idk why so I've been avoiding it. I'm going to try to talk to her next week, her teacher is at training this week which I guess could be making it worse. I think A is having a lot of anxiety about school in general and was very anxious to have a sub.

[fryjack2]

Everyone who's kids are struggling a bit, hang in there. K is a big transition and takes awhile to adjust. Especially when homework and longer days of being forced to pay attention are introduced.


I've been surprised by the boys. They were in pre-k at school last year, so the school isn't new to them but the days are longer which has resulted in some poor listening skills by the end of the night. They are tired.

Jack, my usually quite more introverted kid has turned into such a mature independent big kid who loves going to school. Henry, my typically outgoing kid does not seem as happy go lucky as last year. His best friend is in Jack's class (they were like the 3 musketeers all last year) and his other 2 best friends are in the other class. I think he is bummed that he isn't with Jack or his 2 buddies He just looks so sad and doesn't talk as much about school. I'm hoping its just exhaustion.

[fryjack2]

@lindy, maybe ask the teacher if she can make sure she goes to the bathroom before they leave class for PE or lunch?

Is she wearing a new type of pants? I remember peeing my pants in K because I couldn't figure out the clasp on my pants. It happened a few times before I admitted that I couldn't get my pants off.

[fusion]

All three of mine are thriving in Montessori. No homework thank god. I'm working 10+ hour days and haven't had a day off in 3 weeks so on both being the mother and a teacher at this school I am happy for that policy. We have very little work in primary that results in a take home product, but I take lots of pictures to send in my weekly newsletter to parents.

[ktstorm]

B is doing ok. He's an absolute terror in the evenings when he gets home. I send him outside to jump on the trampoline with the neighbors, lol. No homework yet, but his teacher said she'd start sending home a list of sight words to review, and let us know the topics for the week so we can discuss them at home. I don't think that will go well, he gets very belligerent and refuses to answer whenever I inquire anything about the learning aspect of his day so I have no idea how he's doing. His biggest complaint is that they do a lot of learning, and not a lot of playing and that his uniform shoes aren't fast enough.

We've got bathroom issues here too. They have one bathroom that they share between their classroom and the classroom next door. He pooed his pants (just a little) on the bus yesterday, because he didn't want to miss out on free play time, and he said when he tried to go at school, he got in trouble for taking too long.

[laurack]

OMG total mom fail AGAIN. I finally gathered random pictures of our family and printed them out on the color printer at work yesterday and put them in a folder for us to make her family collage thing. And then FORGOT COMPLETELY. And today was supposed to be the last day.

why do I suck so bad. I'm almost in tears at my desk looking at this stupid folder that I forgot to even take out of my bag when I got home.

[ktstorm]

laurack, I'm sure the teacher will take it late. Every year at back to school we've had to do some kind of picture collage. I've never turned it in on time. It's hard!

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2017 7:26:25 GMT -5 laurack said:

OMG total mom fail AGAIN. I finally gathered random pictures of our family and printed them out on the color printer at work yesterday and put them in a folder for us to make her family collage thing. And then FORGOT COMPLETELY. And today was supposed to be the last day.

why do I suck so bad. I'm almost in tears at my desk looking at this stupid folder that I forgot to even take out of my bag when I got home.

You are not failing! A's class is doing the same thing and they've delayed it 2 weeks now because they don't have everyones. You should have at least 2 weeks until you're the last one, so don't worry about it! The kids don't even know when they were supposed to start it so don't care at all.

[devonpow]

E only had 1.5 days of school before he came down with a random high fever. He's been out all week and finally went back k today where he proceeded to sob hysterically and cling to me in a death grip so that the teacher had to pry him off. Poor kid. He has trouble with transition as it is, and missing the first week of school doesn't help.