Not a Single Eraser was Thrown
I met with Vika's teacher yesterday, and it actually went pretty well. She's certainly not warm and fuzzy, but she's no stern tyrant either. I focused mostly on Vika's status as an English language learner, and my concerns about her falling through the cracks. But once we had that covered, I segued into the topic of Vika crying at school ("Vika mentioned that she cried last week while completing a worksheet. Can you tell me more about that?"). To my surprise, Mrs. K. didn't even know that Vika had been upset. The girl really isn't much of a crier, so she probably kept it pretty quiet; but still, I would like for the teacher to be a bit more aware of how her students are feeling. Of course, with twenty 6-year olds running around, that is much easier said than done.
The movie topic was the trickiest to broach - how do you ask about such a thing without coming across as questioning the teacher's instructional skills? So, I just plunged right in, and fortunately, Mrs. K. did not get defensive or seem offended. She said that they do watch a video every day, but it is a "We Sing" video that lasts about 10 or 15 minutes. She shows this after the last recess to calm the kids down before they finish up their day. On Fridays, they watch a movie with another 1st grade class, kind of like an "interschool relations" type of thing - I can totally live with that, and even think it is a good practice (once a week is fine, every day is not).
All in all, the meeting went really well. I'm still not 100% thrilled with Mrs. K. (Vika's kindergarten teacher is a hard act to follow-up), but I feel much better about her and the fact that Vika is in her class.
The movie topic was the trickiest to broach - how do you ask about such a thing without coming across as questioning the teacher's instructional skills? So, I just plunged right in, and fortunately, Mrs. K. did not get defensive or seem offended. She said that they do watch a video every day, but it is a "We Sing" video that lasts about 10 or 15 minutes. She shows this after the last recess to calm the kids down before they finish up their day. On Fridays, they watch a movie with another 1st grade class, kind of like an "interschool relations" type of thing - I can totally live with that, and even think it is a good practice (once a week is fine, every day is not).
All in all, the meeting went really well. I'm still not 100% thrilled with Mrs. K. (Vika's kindergarten teacher is a hard act to follow-up), but I feel much better about her and the fact that Vika is in her class.
I think you approached the topic well and you had a fruitful meeting. I know someone mentioned to just take your kid out of the class, but that is not the kind of thing you want to do. Always sit down and talk things over before you jump ship. I know you would appreciate it as an educator yourself. Sometimes things said in class are just mistaken or taken out of context. Hopefully Vika will have a better week this week coming up.
Glad it went well. And good that you're honing your skills interacting with your kid's teachers. I once had to deal with a teacher who said my pracious daughter was "skulking in the shadows....."
Glad it went well!
p.s. I re-read my comment on your post about Vika crying and I think I sound like a total jerk. I hope you understood what I meant to say.
Glad to hear that she was reasonable and hasn't been on full-day movie marathons with the kids.
Nice job, Jenni. I could totally feel your apprehension in asking questions without sounding confrontational. I'm glad it worked out.
BTW... at work right now. Say You Say Me just came on the radio station. Coincidence? I think not.
: )
So glad it went well!
Excellent!
Glad it was a movie marathon kind of thing.
We go to Suzanne's Back to School on Tuesday!!
:)
Glad it went well, and that you're feeling better about the teacher in general. 10 minutes of a video a day is probably a good bribery tool to keep the kids behaving and not as bad as things initially sounded!
Glad it all went well! I hate we sing, but my kiddos love them (I teach 8 4 yr olds righ tnow )soon to be 12.. ugh) and they do work very well as a calm down (we do them before our workbook work after recess).
Glad all is well in the teacher front for now!
~Hawk
Yeah well that Ms. K better watch her p's and q's...make Vika cry again and there'll be trouble!