Today was the final of our parent/teacher conferences. We weren't much surprised with what the 2 teachers had to say about our kidlets. However, there was one part that irks me sooo much, and I can't let it go.
Aubrey is brilliant. There, I said it. If you don't believe me, just ask her. She has so much (often false) confidence in her own ability that she is almost unteachable. However, math is her strong subject. She (usually) loves it. This is why it's been such a concern that she comes home every day telling us that math is boring. This is where I just don't get public school.
The teacher tells me today that the new math book that the entire district is using is kinda lame (paraphrasing the teacher). They start at the very basic of an idea (stuff these kids learned in 2nd grade sometimes) and then go forward. Aubrey hates wasting a couple of days on stuff she already knows, and then gets so frustrated when there are kids that are asking questions ... when they should have learned the material in 2nd and 3rd grade. (yeah, she's really patient too). I ask the teacher if there is something we can do for GATE kids that are losing interest. She says "no, this is the book we have". So, my kid is literally being turned off to math because "this is the book we have". Seriously?! There's no extra work that can be given to her? No other way of teaching "outside of the box" when you see a kid is walking away? If she was a low scoring kid would that be same response?
We're at the point where we are just going to do extra math lessons outside of school. Fun stuff that challenges her and keeps her motivated. If any of you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment. While I really do like her teacher, seeing a kid turn off and allowing it to happen is intolerable. Am I wrong here?
8 comments:
Yeah, I was one of those kids. I started out doing the "talented/gifted" type programs. By high school, I was just the generic smart kid who didn't do AP or honors or anything, but spent my time getting homework done in class so I wouldn't have to do it afterwards. A group of friends and I would play cards every day, in about 2-3 classes.
What's the point? I dunno, actually. Find whatever Aub is interested in and get her involved. There's nothing better than being a self-starter, rather than waiting for a teacher to stimulate you (or her). In the long run, that'll be much more effective than anything taught in a classroom.
man, that's rough- I gotta say, though, I think with 30 something kids in the class it's really hard to give them all something at the level that they are qualified to be working at, although I still remember the 4th grade teacher that actually gave the effort to give us all different math pages - I loved that year (I was really good at math).. on a related side note - do I think these teachers need a PE coach to help them, no.. do I think they should be going to more conferences on new, more effective methods of teaching, sure!
Maybe look into what the hardest math class she is eligible for in middle school and start prepping her for that - that is when she will really be able to step ahead..
oh yeah, and I used to make things harder on my math pages, so like if they were doing something that I already knew how to do, I would switch the problem around on the side of the paper and do it a different way to make it a little harder - like if it is an easy division, i would take the 0's out and make them 8's or 9's.. or add a whole additional part, like on areas and perimeters.. just a thought
You are not wrong. Smart kids do fall through the cracks. There is all kinds of help if they are slipping behind but not so much if they are far ahead. I did not want to skip grades with my gifted kids so we totally had to supplement their public education. I for one could never home school. I'd rather poke my eyes out. I hired lots of older kid tutors to work with my smart kids to reach their potential.
I can't help but wonder if, "No Child Left Behind" should be interpreted as progressing each child a year's worth of curriculum from where they started at the beginning of the year. It looks like Aubrey is being left behind. I know my logic is backward sounding from most, but don't all kids deserve at least a years growth or MORE from grade to grade? I know as a teacher I got my bonus according to the kids' progression through out the year, not if they were just on level at the end. If you start 5th grade on an 8th grade level, you shouldn't leave it on an 8th grade level.
After each math unit I taught, the teachers on my grade level swapped scores and created 3 groups of kids (below, on and above level). For the next couple of days we each got one of the groups and either, retaught the low kids, reviewed with the on level kids and did fun expansion activities with the high kids...just a thought. I know they don't always give parents a very big say:(
Nicholas' class is divided into math groups, high/low. The high kids are already into pre-algebra which is definitely where Aubrey should be. I hate when smart kids are held back because the teachers aren't creative enough to give them more advanced materials.
Sounds like you have a lame-O lazy teacher. Her teacher should be supplementing with something that will challenge your little genius. We got the same speech about "the book we're using this year." Hannah has also expressed a dislike for math, "because it's just kindergarten work." The teachers DID have a say in the text book adoption, so why the blame on the book?
Edhelper.com has some great things you can print out to supplement what Aubrey is getting (or not getting) in class. At the very least, this lazy teacher should have her tutoring a slower student. Toph's grade does math in "level" groups, and that helps some.
Sorry you're having this experience. Knowing you're not alone doesn't really help though.
That stinks! There are tons of great math books out there that you can use at home.
Try some books like The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure, The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat (and other books by Theoni Pappas), and books by Marilyn Burns. A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe by Schneider has some very cool things in it as well.
Aubrey might also be interested in the San Diego Math Circle:
http://www.sdmathcircle.org/
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