Teachers I need to pick your brains... please and thank you.

citychicks

My DD has been in kindergarten for 6 weeks now and we got the less than stellar teacher. The other class does all of the kindergarten basics (paints, playdoh, cutting, cooking, dress-up etc), Portia's class watches tv. Seriously, so much tv that in the 6 weeks she's watched "The Lorax" twice now. Parent teacher interviews are coming up next week and I'd like some advice on how to address the fact that as a teacher she's not really doing much academic teaching or "play based learning." I never thought that we'd be the parents that complained (you get a new teacher evey year and it's not my job to micro manage the teacher) however, the amount of tv combined with the lack of paint, playdoh, cooking, cutting and even academic work is nuts. I don't plan on "going over her head" but I would like some help with the "phrasing" when I address my concerns at the parent teacher interview.   

a2pfunk

I'd start with, "Can we talk about the curriculum in the class?  Is there a required district curriculum or is it up to your discretion to cover whatever you'd like?"

fancynewbeesly

I would also ask if the movie/television is a reward/celebration for something. The kindergarten teachers that I work with rarely have anything on tv--and if it is a movie, it is 99% of the time something they worked towards and earned a party for. The other 1% of the time it is a fun celebration, like they watched some Curious George movie because they were celebrating Curious George's birthday. Things like that. It is never just because. 

citychicks

a2pfunk:

I'd start with, "Can we talk about the curriculum in the class?  Is there a required district curriculum or is it up to your discretion to cover whatever you'd like?"

Love it. 

I don't want to come across as confrontational, but I know for a fact that they are not supposed to have tv's in their classrooms.

citychicks

Starearedkid:

I would also ask if the movie/television is a reward/celebration for something. The kindergarten teachers that I work with rarely have anything on tv--and if it is a movie, it is 99% of the time something they worked towards and earned a party for. The other 1% of the time it is a fun celebration, like they watched some Curious George movie because they were celebrating Curious George's birthday. Things like that. It is never just because. 

It's daily. Fridays are the early dismissal days and yet they watch 3 episodes of "Magic School Bus" every Friday. MSB is awesome, but that's close to an hour of tv for a bunch of 5/6yr olds.

catycate

If you know for a fact that the teachers are not supposed to have televisions, you should absolutely go over her head to complain. I'm not sure why she thinks she would be getting away with that- these aren't babies, these are kids who can tell their parents about their day.

I get what you are saying, you don't want to be "that" parent, you don't want to micromanage, but that's ridiculous and I doubt you'd be the only one to complain.  

stdldb29

We cant even show movies at our school unless you have permission from the principal--that includes even 10 minute video clips. We do show movies if recess can't be done outside. 

ppants

-auntie-:

DS's private kindie only ever did movies during indoor recess if they couldn't go outside.

The curriculum was academic with free play during the afternoons after specials. Dress up, painting and playdoh were Preschool activities for DS.

My kids go to a public school and it was like this.

rebs

I would ask what her philosophy towards early childhood learning is.  DOes she believe in play based learning, centers in rotation, child directed inquiry. Then I would ask what the connection of the movie/tv shows are to what they are learning. I would say something like "I know their are a lot of educational shows out there that can support classroom learning, but I am concerned about the amount of tv the class seems to watch. How much do they see on an average week?"

Also, make sure you have your facts straight.  Are you sure they are watching that much tv and that there is no playdough, paint, etc?

If you don't get answers go to the principal.

rebs

Also I just want to say be nice when you ask and listen to the responses with an open mind.  She could very well be a 'less than stellar' teacher.  She could also have some major issues in that room with no help and is simply trying to survive.

Smootchy

I've never heard of tv in a kindergarten room.

citychicks

rebs:

I would ask what her philosophy towards early childhood learning is.  DOes she believe in play based learning, centers in rotation, child directed inquiry. Then I would ask what the connection of the movie/tv shows are to what they are learning. I would say something like "I know their are a lot of educational shows out there that can support classroom learning, but I am concerned about the amount of tv the class seems to watch. How much do they see on an average week?"

Also, make sure you have your facts straight.  Are you sure they are watching that much tv and that there is no playdough, paint, etc?

If you don't get answers go to the principal.

This is a great answer, thank you.

stdldb29

chapski:

I've never heard of tv in a kindergarten room.

Really? It may not be a TV, we have projectors in each of our rooms and can DVD or download something from a streaming source. Just an idea. We have projectors and smart white board systems in all classrooms from Pre-k-12th grade.  

ridesbuttons

chapski:

I've never heard of tv in a kindergarten room.

Me neither.

Colour me speechless.

IncognitoSuperhero

rebs:

She could also have some major issues in that room with no help and is simply trying to survive.

Even if this is the case she teacher should be proactive in getting help instead of waiting for parents to have complaints. Kids deserve better, they need a teacher to help them thrive, not one who is just trying to get through the days.

cgr8979

Are you friends with any of the other childrens' parents? Maybe call them and ask them what they think. I would think the more people you have to discuss this issue the better chance you will see change. B/c you don't want to be "that mom" but you won't be that mom if you have others following your lead.

Smootchy

stdldb29:

chapski:

I've never heard of tv in a kindergarten room.

Really? It may not be a TV, we have projectors in each of our rooms and can DVD or download something from a streaming source. Just an idea. We have projectors and smart white board systems in all classrooms from Pre-k-12th grade.  

I wouldn't be surprised if our schools have them now, but no, I've never experienced a tv in a kindergarten class. Guess it was quite a few years ago I was there...lol. But we just had a chalkboard and I remember the alphabet people very well. Also brown bear brown bear.
We also had half day kindergarten, and I've been told they are full days now.

OCNewlywed

-auntie-:

DS's private kindie only ever did movies during indoor recess if they couldn't go outside.

The curriculum was academic with free play during the afternoons after specials. Dress up, painting and playdoh were Preschool activities for DS.

My DD is in public school but our experience is the same. All of those activities sound like pre-school activities to me. Her curriculum is academic. She is learning to read, write, etc.  And, all of the kindergarten teachers are focused on the same curriculum, standards, etc.

klondikebar

I also think I would just start a general conversation about the cirriculum and go from there. I don't remember my children watching much tv in school at a young age. They did watch a short episode in kindergarten for Dr. Suess' birthday, but they also did crafts and read books too. I remember b/c I helped out during "party" days.

zeptattoo

fredalina:

Are you CERTAIN your child is being truthful? Maybe she wishes they watched The Lorax. Or maybe her friends and she played out The Lorax at recess. Or maybe she likes to stall at bedtime and has figured out this gets your attention. (My child is a lying liar who lies...) Point is, as others have said, be nice and open minded and if you can verify with other parents in the class first.

This was my thought too. I'm wondering also if she uses Lorax chacters to show the cirriculum and that is being interpreted as the movie.  It is not really a lie, but just as misinterpretation.  Or maybe it is snippets of the movie to prove a point (I have never seen The Lorax, so take what I say with a grain of salt here).

At the interview, ask about the cirriculum and where they are in it.  Does she have an agenda?  Can you see it?  Are their student samples of what they are doing in the classroom you can see (like art or something)?  If you still smell BS, before going over her head, document what your LO says and what dates.  If you do end up going to her superiors, then you have the information they need.

Also, how do you know she is the "less than stellar" teacher?  Is this from previous parents?  Did they see the same things you are seeing?

lrn327

I Heart The 80s:

All of the play based activities sound like preschool. I've also never heard of watching tv in Kindergarten. I'd go over her head.

Yikes, I kind of think so too.  Maybe feel the teacher out about the tv to make sure LO is telling the truth but don't get much in to it with the teacher.   I'd just want to speak with the principal, and probably get my kid moved.

mejane123

zeptattoo:

fredalina:

Also, how do you know she is the "less than stellar" teacher?nbsp; Is this from previous parents?nbsp; Did they see the same things you are seeing?

I was wondering this, too. I know my mom always knew from both me and other parents who was good and who wasn't, but I also lived in a very small town.

Snapdragon750

OP, I'm speaking as a former licensed teacher who student taught in a public school kindergarten and long-term subbed in a private school kindergarten.  At the second job, I had more than my fair share of the overly concerned type of parent who went over my head to complain about something that they didn't even understand because they didn't come to me first and just made assumptions based on what their child said or the work they brought home.  So I appreciate your trying not to be "that parent."

That said, this much TV is ludicrous to the point at which I'm having trouble believing it!  Like others said, you have to be 100% sure that your child is reporting to you accurately, and kindergarteners are notorious for not doing that. If I were you, I'd bring up the issue directly, and as a teacher I'd appreciate that.  "I have a concern I'd like to discuss with you.  My child tells me you watch TV x hours a week, but I know kids sometimes exaggerate and wanted to check with you if this was really the case."  Where you take it from there is up to you.  But for the record, it's absolutely developmentally and educationally inappropriate for kids to be watching that much TV in school...really at any age.  Occasionally it's fine as a learning tool or reward, but what you've described is not occasional.  

IF the teacher admits that this is really going on and replies with anything besides, "Yes, it really is too much TV. I was doing it because of (excuse here), but it will be much less from now on," I would immediately go over her head to the principal.  It's likely the other teachers, and maybe even the principal, will thank you for it.  It's likely that it's an issue that they're aware of and have discussed with her before, and a parent complaint is all they need to really "draw the line."  

citychicks

Unfortunately, the teacher is well known within the school for being "second rate," however I didn't realize it was as bad as it was until we met her on the first day. She pointed out the tv in her classroom on the first day of school, commenting on how is was one purchased as it was "a pain checking out the A/V room set so often." She mentioned that she has some books on dvd narrated by famous actors, but the amount of non-books on dvd that they are watching in addition is a little shocking. It is like night and day between the two kindergarten teachers (one teaches by the district guidelines and the other plops them in front of the tv). I know that she isn't teaching the way she is supposed to, I don't want to go over her head, but I did want some "key phrases" to use when we talk to her about our concerns at the parent teacher interview. My DD is bored in class, I know I'm not the only concerned parent, I just don't want to have the teacher feel attacked when we meet with her. Thank you again, some of the replies were very helpful.

halliekathleen

Our Kindergarten teachers were required to do DIBELS testing three times a year to monitor students' progress. This testing was one on one between the student and teacher and since our teachers do not have assistants, the principal approved showing movies during the testing days. The teacher could test and not worry about behavior problems because the students would be watching the movie. Not the ideal solution but there wasn't money in the budget to hire subs every time a classroom teacher needed to test.

stdldb29

halliekathleen:

Our Kindergarten teachers were required to do DIBELS testing three times a year to monitor students' progress. This testing was one on one between the student and teacher and since our teachers do not have assistants, the principal approved showing movies during the testing days. The teacher could test and not worry about behavior problems because the students would be watching the movie. Not the ideal solution but there wasn't money in the budget to hire subs every time a classroom teacher needed to test.

Yes, our district requires DIBELS, TPRI, and a math assessment. It takes DAYS to do this, so sometime we have to let them watch a movie. I'd ask.  

Wufroggy79

Make 100% sure of the facts BEFORE you accuse.  I would not go based on just what your child says because it is only their perception.  I would ask questions about the circulum, and go from there.  

WWMS

The majority of states are following the Common Core Standards now so the teacher should have a guide as to what she needs to teach. This site should help you talk to her and also so you know what your daughter should know. Sorry it's not clicky, I'm on my phone. https://www.wcpss.net/commoncore/pdfs/KFeb4.pdf

J&A2008

chapski:

I've never heard of tv in a kindergarten room.

This.

I appreciate your sensitivity, but I hate the times I've looked back and wished I was a stronger advocate for my child 1,000 times more than times I've wished I'd kept my mouth shut.  Stand up for her education.