It's almost 6:30 and I'm...
Still at work. That may not seem late to many of you, but as a teacher/mom, it's pretty damn late for me. Been working hard on my research paper. I decided to go with Kelly's idea about delaying boys who turn 5 in the summer from entering K until they are 6. It's been pretty interesting to research. The most interesting aspect for me was how this is helping to cause the achivement gap. It's almost always middle class/upper class white boys who are delaying entry until they are 6. Children from lower income homes, and children of color are entering K at age 5 because their parents can't afford an extra year of daycare/preschool. As a result, they are at an extra disadvantage when they enter school. Also, due to kids entering K later, parents have demanded a more rigorous curriculum, which then sprirals upward. I would love to hear JRowe's take on this, since she is a K teacher.
Speaking of JRowe, I've been having a disagreement with one of her husband's friends. Check it out (the disagreement is in the comments) , and tell me if I'm crazy. (well I know I'm crazy, but are my arguments crazy?) I had this same disagreement with MK last year, and I stand by my feelings.
Anyways, off for my first parent teacher conference with Jacob's teachers. Am slightly nervous, even though I talk to them every day, and don't think there will be any surprises. We'll see.
Oh, and T is giving notice at his apartment complex today. Now that he's working mostly in Boston, he realized it's just too hard to live in NH. A friend of his is looking to sublet her apatment, and it's just 15 minutes away from my house!!1
Gotta run.
love,
b
Speaking of JRowe, I've been having a disagreement with one of her husband's friends. Check it out (the disagreement is in the comments) , and tell me if I'm crazy. (well I know I'm crazy, but are my arguments crazy?) I had this same disagreement with MK last year, and I stand by my feelings.
Anyways, off for my first parent teacher conference with Jacob's teachers. Am slightly nervous, even though I talk to them every day, and don't think there will be any surprises. We'll see.
Oh, and T is giving notice at his apartment complex today. Now that he's working mostly in Boston, he realized it's just too hard to live in NH. A friend of his is looking to sublet her apatment, and it's just 15 minutes away from my house!!1
Gotta run.
love,
b
17 comments:
I got in on the argument... :o)
B - Although I don't know much about the history of the "Christmas tree", it seems pretty obvious that it has little literal or symbolic connection to the birth of Jesus. It's certainly not mentioned in the parts of the bible that describe the birth. The tree doesn't have any symbolism that I'm aware of that is connected theologically with Christianity. I really don't mean to be offensive, but I wonder if it's really so bad to put up a tree with lights and decorations, even if you're not celebrating Christmas, just because it's fun and pretty and a nice tradition for winter time. Have you read The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri (it's a great book, if you haven't)? It is about a Bengali couple that moves to New England from Calcutta, and raise their kids here. Although they aren't Christian, they start having a Christmas tree because it's fun for the kids. That is really a MINOR part of the book, but I just thought of it when reading your arguments. Despite my suggestion that maybe having a tree even if you're not celebrating Christmas isn't so bad, I agree with your arguments about "Merry Christmas", and I think the people who are scared that Christmas is going to be taken away if they have to say Happy Holidays are completely missing the point of Christmas, among many other problems they obviously have.
couldn't find your disagreement on your friends site but do remember your discussion last year. BTW, this year I have seen plenty of Chanuka candles to buy at least so don't wait until last minute.
I have no problem with people saying Merry Christmas as long as they acknowledge that not everyone celebrates it and they should say the appropriate phrase to the rest of us.
Don't have time to check out the link right now, but I did want to comment and say YAY about your research paper topic. VERY interesting. I will look forward to seeing the full results. (Just a reminder...you are a FAB writer, but I'm a good editor if you need someone to look it over for you!)
I could have sent Seb to school a year earlier than I did. All the children who had very similar birthdates went the year before he did. There was absolutely no way he was ready to start school. Even though he would have had the academic ability to cope, his ability to cope emotionally and socially were almost non-existant. He didn't turn 6 until 4 months into his Kindergarten year though. I'm convinced that her would have developed behavioural problems had I sent him earlier.
Let me know if you want more info.....
Oh, there is an Aussie author/psychologist, Steve Biddulph, who advocates not starting any child until they are 6, but especially boys because of where they at in their developmental stages at age 5.
We have the same socio/economic disparity in children being sent and held back here. Michael taught Kindergarten for 8 years and found that generally those who were held back often had an advantage. Those sent too young developmentally can be receive too many negative messages in the school environment because they are unable to concentrate, sit still and master fine motor skills.
Ali
I love the topic you chose for your paper. I have to agree with what you are finding. In the district you teach, many parents do hold boys back until they are six. Also the cut off is 5 by the end of August.
You can see a definite developmental difference between the kids. Summer boys have a disadvantage compared to the older kids. Kindergarten is becoming more a first grade with curriculum requirements. Most kids attend some type of pre-school or day care, which also has to do with parents asking for a more rigorous curriculum.
What's interesting is here in NY the cut off for entry to K is 5 by Dec. 1st. It totally changes the dynamics of the developmental age of the kids at each grade level.
The summer boys move along at their own developmental rate, but tend to lag behind the class. They've made their own successful achievements by the end of the year, but when you look at the class as a whole the 6 year olds naturally achieve more. Partially because of there age, but they also seem ready to absorb more of the curriculum.
I've heard that research proves by third grade they all end up at the same place. Do you find this to be true with your class or are the same summer babies struggling? I'd be interested to know what you are seeing.
D is a Sept. baby. As a teacher, I don't know if I'd send him when he just turned 5. I think it truly depends on your child. Also look to their pre-school teachers for guidance.
As for a tree for B -please don't buy a tree. I think your family has your own traditions and is developing new ones. I think now that Jacob is in school...he'll appreciate them more.
Growing up I was always intreged with Chanuka...I thought the kids that got presents for 8 nights were way luckier!
Does T celebrate Chanuka or Christmas? Just curious.
Oh T celebrates Christmas, and this year we will be celebrating with him, and his family in Syracuse. Oy Vey.
Interesting topic for me, because I wonder if S will be socially ready for kindergarten next year. He's a WILD child.
On the other topic, last year I wished one of my Jewish friends "Happy Holidays." She responded with "Merry Christmas."
I looked at her quizzically, and she said that she hates "Happy Holidays" and always uses the greeting for the holiday her friend celebrates.
"So you wouldn't find it odd if I wished you a Happy Hannukah? -- or disrespectful because I don't celebrate it?"
"Not at all!"
So, in an attempt to un-water-down the English language, I will cheerfully use whatever greeting I know to be appropriate.
Thought i would give you a little info on your paper
Last year in kindergarten Zoe born on April 4 was the second to last child to turn 6 in her class Most had turned 6 before December I had once thought she would be average age in her class and now seems to be one of the youngest...N
Reason #875,749,043 I avoid religion.
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So you are going to meet the famliy at home...wow big steps! You'll have a fantastic time. Very exciting.
Your arguments are not at all crazy. The whole "majority rules" mentality really can't apply when it comes to things like religion, speech, and all the other important crap. I just don't get it -- is it really that hard to ask about a person's religion before engaging them in a celebration of one particular religion? Boof.
Your arguments are not at all crazy. The whole "majority rules" mentality really can't apply when it comes to things like religion, speech, and all the other important crap. I just don't get it -- is it really that hard to ask about a person's religion before engaging them in a celebration of one particular religion? Boof.
on? Boof.
For the record, I did not say the above comment twice and I have no idea what "on? Boof." is supposed to mean.
no that's strange...
You know B, I dont celebrate Christmas on the 25th, I am Orthodox. We celebrate New years as many holiday, and for new years we have a tree up. Nothing to do with Christmas, as far as I am concerned. We usually say Happy New Year, or Happy holidays, and if someone is wishing me Merry Christmas, I would wish them back.
Hope you have a great 2007 year!!!
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