This truly floored me...

[mamamuse]

I often read teacher's message boards, for new ideas to use in our homeschool. The "A to Z Teaching" link at the top of this board is awesome...you should check it out if you haven't.

Anyway, I was reading the fifth grade board over there because my oldest is heading into 5th, and that's uncharted territory for me! I opened the thread about what to do the first week, and read these comments:

~"I think that the first few weeks of school is all about procedures/routines/rules etc. I typically spend 6 weeks on this stuff."

~"After finishing my first year in 5th grade, I have learned that this following year I will spend MUCH more time on procedures, routines, and rules. I would not recommend jumping into the curriculum until you have thoroughly established these things."

~"I normally do procedures/routines with a few get to know you activities thrown in to break up the monotony. It's also key to model EVERYTHING. Don't take for granted that 5th graders know how to line up etc."

~"I usually spend the first week doing community building activities, getting to know you games, and we spend TONS of time on procedures and rules."

Now, I'm not knocking the teachers. I taught art in a private school for a year, and I understand how necessary it is to have good classroom management. However, I didn't realize it could take SIX weeks to instill this kind of stuff in a fifth grade classroom?! (Other teachers do chime in and say that they don't devote anywhere near that much time to rules, etc. before delving into the curriculum.)

I'm just sharing that because reading it has given me a whole different perspective on the efficiency of homeschooling....and on my state's mandatory rule that we devote 4.5 hours to academics each day. At home, we don't really have to waste any time on rules and procedures because the kids already know them.

[wolverine_jd94]

I used to be my son's aid when he was in public school (he's autistic and they had mainstreamed him) and I can say that I've seen these things quite often. It was a normal occurence to see a class walking back to their class, just to start walking back down the hall. All because someone had talked in line or... oh my stepped out of the line. Which of course caused them to be late getting to go out for reccess or go to lunch. I don't know how many times I saw kids just barely sitting down to eat their lunch and the bell would ring and they were told to throw their lunch away because lunch was now over.

[JLee74]

I can say I am floored right along with you. I mean I understand needing to make things clear but geeze thats nuts.

[Carla W.]

Sad!

[JenniferErix]

SIX WEEKS to learn how to stand in line?
Oh! They will never get my kids....
My kids will consider hiring their kids one day, maybe.... Because there is no way those guys could be leaders...

[MonkeyMamma]

Originally Posted by JenniferErix

SIX WEEKS to learn how to stand in line?
Oh! They will never get my kids....
My kids will consider hiring their kids one day, maybe.... Because there is no way those guys could be leaders...

[Jackie]

But necessary! If you are "mean" in the beginning, you can back off and be "nicer" once they know you mean business. But if you start "nice" and it doesn't work, it's almost impossible to tighten the reigns.

I agree that by 5th grade the kids should have the routine established, but also by 5th grade they're becoming more defiant.

[kyzg]

Now, now, ladies! Don't be so harsh! Think of all the wonderfully perfect little cogs-in-the-machine they are producing! And think of the wonderful self-esteem building experienced by the smug little goodie-two-shoes who relish being the teacher's pet by pointing out the others who are not conforming as they should!

God HELP America!

[TeacherMom]

Wow, I never realised that either! IN fifth grade we had a new room ( why do I remember all this in detail? I have no idea!) We were in a big room split by those moveable bendable walls and three classes were in the same big space. Mr Truscott was my teacher and I remember he was big on drawing and art.
lol!
I can visualise my picture on the wall, is that weird? But, I do not recall any rules or regulations other than if one student was waiting to talk to the teacher at his desk, you waited quietly while he helped the first student.

[becky]

Originally Posted by Jackie

But necessary! If you are "mean" in the beginning, you can back off and be "nicer" once they know you mean business. But if you start "nice" and it doesn't work, it's almost impossible to tighten the reigns.

I agree that by 5th grade the kids should have the routine established, but also by 5th grade they're becoming more defiant.

The best teachers Kevin had were the ones who were clear and stood by their rules. Their classrooms were the quietest and they were the friendliest teachers on the teams each year.