|
|
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
  
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I wonder if I missed some of the info. I am all for reading and would be chapters ahead of the other kids when it was my turn to read, so then I would be hunting for my spot. The teachers usually let me pass up my turn to read when I could explain to them what the book was about (they knew I wasn't just screwing around).
My issue is if the teacher is up front talking and teaching the kids and one student is sitting at his desk reading (I'm guessing a private book). Yeah, if I was a teacher I would be miffed. School isn't all about reading. Is she perhaps concerned the kiddo is missing out on her teaching-Math/History etc? |
|
| |
|
 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | WYOracer - 2014-01-14 6:49 PM I agree a sit down with the teacher may shed some light on the other side. There's three sides to every story :) I think teaching has gotten to be a HARD task with what teachers are allowed to do discipline wise and makes it very hard to keep control over some classrooms.
But that's the thing. It's not me getting up in her business. I'm backing her up because she deserves respect as his teacher and if I undermined that at home, it would get ugly and I know that. His grades are awesome under both teachers. They also do corporal punishment at his school, but he's never been paddled. (Although they should have one time IMO--instead they called me and I came and did it). I'm not swooping in to defend him or tell her how to teach. I'd rather stay out of it because like I said, I did the same stuff in school. It hurt my heart to punish him for reading, and yet I did because I felt it was the right thing to do. My parents never had to punish me for it because no one ever told them!!  |
|
| |
|
Location: Big Blue Skies | I think you are handling it the right way. I would go to the conference so that I would be heard. Please keep us updated. |
|
| |
|
The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Thistle2011 - 2014-01-14 3:07 PM
for the sake of a different point of view: I am the only one in my family that is not a teacher. not saying the teacher is right she very well could be over reacting. I was a child that would do my work...but I would only do it standing... never sitting and I did have a teacher blow things out of proportion about this habit. Anyway teachers have ridiculously high expectations and close to no pay. they teach because they love the children (or at least it starts that way) years ago these expectations for high testing results were not in place and teachers could use there god given skills to help children of many learning styles achieve knowledge (teachers have a very long list of things they are no longer allowed to use as tools in the class room or out of the class room ) so now you have teachers that MUST use a particular teaching style and cram a TON of knowledge into young minds. Along with this parents are more busy than ever both parents working 40+ hours a week and children are not followed up on as much at home is not uncommon. Thus all the responsibility of learning is put on the teachers shoulders when parents used to take a part in this. I would be excited to have a conference instead of getting defensive you should embrace your teacher still has the drive to want to understand you child and come up with way to maybe make things more interesting for him. Teachers and parents need to work together communication is the only way!
THIS EXACTLY!!!!!!! I COULD NOT HAVE SAID THIS ANY BETTER!!!!! |
|
| |
|
Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| I have had to ask students to stop reading in class because it is science NOT reading. I usually tell them that it makes my heart hurt to ask them to stop reading but they do need to understand the science as TX has tests over this subject matter. Usually when they understand that I actually hate to ask them to stop reading they do understand. Pick your battles!!!!
I teach in a substance abuse unit now and most of the kids are straight out of jail. Most cannot read. We have a reading period every day and I have all of them reading right now. One kid was so proud of himself because he had never finished a book in his life. (a fairly thick Harlan Coben book) I have to say that these kids are some of my greatest successes in 38 years of teaching. Again, you pick your battles.
Go into the conference with a positive attitude. Listen to what they have to say and tell them that you understand that there are other subjects besides reading and your son understands the importance of all classes now and that he has to pay attention. You might explain that he gets so wrapped up in the book that he actually does not hear someone speaking to him--I do that too---that he is NOT trying to ignore the teacher, just enjoying his book. Remember--go to listen first, then respond. Sorry this is long. |
|
| |
|
Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Honeymoney - 2014-01-14 10:12 PM I have had to ask students to stop reading in class because it is science NOT reading. I usually tell them that it makes my heart hurt to ask them to stop reading but they do need to understand the science as TX has tests over this subject matter. Usually when they understand that I actually hate to ask them to stop reading they do understand. Pick your battles!!!! I teach in a substance abuse unit now and most of the kids are straight out of jail. Most cannot read. We have a reading period every day and I have all of them reading right now. One kid was so proud of himself because he had never finished a book in his life. (a fairly thick Harlan Coben book) I have to say that these kids are some of my greatest successes in 38 years of teaching. Again, you pick your battles. Go into the conference with a positive attitude. Listen to what they have to say and tell them that you understand that there are other subjects besides reading and your son understands the importance of all classes now and that he has to pay attention. You might explain that he gets so wrapped up in the book that he actually does not hear someone speaking to him--I do that too---that he is NOT trying to ignore the teacher, just enjoying his book. Remember--go to listen first, then respond. Sorry this is long.
Don't apologize for being lengthy, that was helpful. |
|
| |
|
 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | I once got in trouble for reading ahead in my text and starting the homework questions at the end of the chapter. After that she started assigning random questions instead of all of them so I couldn't get ahead. I just wanted more free time in the evening. |
|
| |
|
10D Crack Champion
| Since you said teaching "Bible", I assume this is a private religious school. I am not that familiar with the behavior policies of Christian schools, but I am thinking they would be more strict than a public school. So....... when your name is called, you better respond immediately and pay attention at all times. I can only assume one of the numerous reasons someone would pay to send a child to a private Christian school is because of extremely high behavior expections of students and a no tolerance policy for anything...pay attention, follow all the rules, and mind your manners...... However, when at a field trip a few years ago where several other schools attended, the local private Christian school teachers sat far away from their students and didn't manage their behavior while their students pushed the public school students out of the way and talked rudely to us all. So I could be wrong on the expectations. LOL |
|
| |
|
Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | sodapop - 2014-01-15 8:56 PM
Since you said teaching "Bible", I assume this is a private religious school.  I am not that familiar with the behavior policies of Christian schools, but I am thinking they would be more strict than a public school. So....... when your name is called, you better respond immediately and pay attention at all times.  I can only assume one of the numerous reasons someone would pay to send a child to a private Christian school is because of extremely high behavior expections of students and a no tolerance policy for anything...pay attention, follow all the rules, and mind your manners...... However, when at a field trip a few years ago where several other schools attended, the local private Christian school teachers sat far away from their students and didn't manage their behavior while their students pushed the public school students out of the way and talked rudely to us all. So I could be wrong on the expectations. LOL
Yes, it's a private Christian school. Overall, the behavior management is stricter, but some teachers are better at it than others. This one is not as good at keeping control as some of the others. IMO, she gets too emotional. Seems to be easily upset. She's very nice and sincerely loves the kids, but I don't think she's cut out to teach that age. His other teacher had to get after him some the first part of the school year, but she got her bluff in and I don't think he messes with her anymore. LOL We are supposed to have our meeting tomorrow. Wish me luck. :-) |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| rollingrfarm - 2014-01-14 1:19 PM
Wow, its good to hear how many book fanatics are barrel racers and horse people.Â
A teacher told me in the 4th grade that there was no way I could have read the in-class reading assignment so fast. I said I did and she started questioning me in front of the other kids still reading to try to prove I didn't know and hadn't read the reading assignment. I was singled out for this impromptu oral quiz and it was very embarrassing.  It was even more embarrassing when the teacher becaem visibly angry when I answered the questions correctly proving that I did read the material.
So from 4th grade to 50 something, you can see how an experience like the one you son just has can stick with a person the rest of their life.   I would suggest a meeting with you and Wes and the teacher and principal. Not just you and teacher because I don't want to have to bail you out of jail.Â
I am with you on this one. I used to do this often and one of our 6th grade reading assignments was to pick a book with a friend that was over 500 pages and do a book report on it. My friend and I chose "Clan of the Cave Bear." We finished the book, made a poster and spoke to the class about our book (they were all excited that it wasn't about horses...for ONCE!) We were proud of ourselves and expecting at least a B+. Well, instead we got sent to the principal's office and our mothers were called out of work to come to the office.
We were often seen in the principal's office so neither of our mothers were excited to see us, and we didn't know why were in trouble...we didn't DO anything, really! You should have heard how furious our parents were to have lost the timeat work because we read a BOOK that was "inappropriate for our age." My mother informed the principal that I lived on a RANCH where we BREED horses, so anything that I READ about in the book was NOTHING that I hadn't already seen during an in hand breeding. This same teacher then started yelling at us when we would read ahead. So much so that we both forgot about reading and just harassed everyone around us. Thank God for teachers who believed in me in Jr. High and High School.
I would say stand up for your son...sometimes there is something going on and "leaving" into a book is better than being present. But still go with an open mind. Most parents can get the vibe of how a teacher feels for their child, or maybe suggest a meeting with you, your son, the teacher, and the principal. |
|
| |
|
| RLB - 2014-01-14 2:51 PM
Are we the same person? Well obviously not, since I only have furry 'kids'...
I hid books behind books. I went to friends' houses to play & read books in the corner. I read books over & over & over & still do.
My mom got a phone call from my kindergarden student teacher. She said that I had refused to read a book she handed out to the class & when she asked me why, I said that I already knew what happened in it. She quizzed me & I answered all of the questions correctly, which didn't make sense to her since this was a book only available to schools, not individuals. She was stumped as to how I could have 'cheated' in reading in kindergarden. Turns out my Godmother (a teacher) had given me that book & I had read it so many times I got tired of it.
I would meet with the teacher & principal. There might be an underlying issue that you aren't aware of or it might be that the teacher is really just throwing a fit for nothing. You won't know unless you go & either way you'll come out the winner because if it's a legit concern you'll be able to work with her & your son but if it's bogus it'll be obvious to you & the principal both.
Â
*****************************************************************
And pay close attention to what is in his school file RIGHT NOW ....
AND WHAT THEY MAY ENTER INTO IT WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE ..
I would be inclined to have a cell phone or something in a purse sitting on the table or desk and record the whole thing for future use if needed!! |
|
| |
|
 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-01-16 1:26 AM RLB - 2014-01-14 2:51 PM Are we the same person? Well obviously not, since I only have furry 'kids'...
I hid books behind books. I went to friends' houses to play & read books in the corner. I read books over & over & over & still do.
My mom got a phone call from my kindergarden student teacher. She said that I had refused to read a book she handed out to the class & when she asked me why, I said that I already knew what happened in it. She quizzed me & I answered all of the questions correctly, which didn't make sense to her since this was a book only available to schools, not individuals. She was stumped as to how I could have 'cheated' in reading in kindergarden. Turns out my Godmother (a teacher) had given me that book & I had read it so many times I got tired of it.
I would meet with the teacher & principal. There might be an underlying issue that you aren't aware of or it might be that the teacher is really just throwing a fit for nothing. You won't know unless you go & either way you'll come out the winner because if it's a legit concern you'll be able to work with her & your son but if it's bogus it'll be obvious to you & the principal both.
***************************************************************** And pay close attention to what is in his school file RIGHT NOW .... AND WHAT THEY MAY ENTER INTO IT WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE .. I would be inclined to have a cell phone or something in a purse sitting on the table or desk and record the whole thing for future use if needed!!
Recording someone without their knowledge is a crime. You can take notes, but geeze folks we are talking about a child in school and a teacher who cares enough to contact the parents at the first sign of a problem. I, too, hid books behind books and was bored in school, but lets not get paranoid here. The school is not compiling a TSA file you your kid.
|
|
| |
|
 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | I understand the importance of listening in class/ paying attention to the teacher but I think she is way overacting. I would like to think that a teacher would be HAPPY to see a kid reading a book instead of their noses in a smart phone texting! |
|
| |
|
 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | when I taught high school I had two readers. One of them was very very bright, but didn't like to do worksheets or subject reading assignments. She was in the autism spectrum and her escape was reading. I had to be really careful with her because we had to work with her so that reading was a reward for DOING he work, not a way to AVOID doing her work. She had an air about her and would act like she was too good and too smart to do the assignments that all the "Regular" kids did. Her grades suffered because of it. It is a constant struggle as a teacher to keep students on task.
I had another student who was not a typical good student, he was constantly hard to keep on task, had issues with calling me by my teaching name and not my "we're friends at church" name, had trouble turning in assignments, etc.. When Hunger Games came out he was trying to read the hunger games. At the total expense of learning in my classroom. I had to take the book away several times. Reading is great and I love it when I see students read but everything must be done in moderation.
See what the teacher has to say.. she may be over reacting or there may be more that you need to know. |
|
| |
|
 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I wonder how many times this has happened?? As a teacher, sometimes, you hit a point where you just can't take another thing, Kind of the straw that broke the camels back thing. If your son was supposed to be doing something else and this was the umpteenth time she's had to tell him to put the book down and her day was crappy, she may have gone overboard.
I'm one of the "ignore the world while my nose is in a book" people and I'm a teacher. Because I'm one of ^^^ those people, I don't get upset at my kids for reading, but I will tell them to put the book away, not just closed, but in a bookbag or desk. Books are wonderful, but as a teacher, there are things the kids really do need to be paying attention for, because our jobs are to teach.
I hope his reading continues at an appropriate time. :) |
|
| |
|
I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | I can't believe they still use a paddle at your school. If my child came home and said he was paddled I would be in jail because I would go to the school and do the same to whoever decided they had the right to touch my child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
|
| |
|
Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| angelica - 2014-01-16 8:27 AM I can't believe they still use a paddle at your school. If my child came home and said he was paddled I would be in jail because I would go to the school and do the same to whoever decided they had the right to touch my child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I understand in Texas you have to sign a form for permission.
Also, I know it's more of a deterrant than something that is actually used. I certainly would behave if I knew I could be paddled. |
|
| |
|
Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | angelica - 2014-01-16 8:27 AM I can't believe they still use a paddle at your school. If my child came home and said he was paddled I would be in jail because I would go to the school and do the same to whoever decided they had the right to touch my child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We sign consent forms at enrollment. I grew up with paddling being used at school (had a few myself LOL), and we spank, so I'm on board with it. From what the kids have said, it's very rare that paddling is used tho. One of the boys in my daughter's kinder class got one recently and it was The Talk of the school. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1857
| angelica - 2014-01-16 8:27 AM
I can't believe they still use a paddle at your school. If my child came home and said he was paddled I would be in jail because I would go to the school and do the same to whoever decided they had the right to touch my child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Â
The school my kids go to still paddle. You sign a consent form at the beginning of the year. |
|
| |
|
| I was telling this story to a teacher friend of mine and she said, "Reading, is entertainment for many, including myself. Having said that, many kids prefer to "play" for entertainment, "visit" for entertainment or "doodle" on their paper for entertainment or because they are bored with what I'm teaching I cannot chastize one child for his choice of entertainment while he ignores what's going on in class and allow it from another regardless of what it is....when I say attention up front, that's what I expect. It's not really a problem,though, unless it's habitual, then we have a parent/teacher conference." Apparently, it is not that uncommon of an occurence. I guess she had a point in that kids can get "caught up" in all kinds of things. I know I certainly can and sometimes it's just my own private thoughts that diverts my attention which tended to happen a lot when I was in school (daydreaming), and, of course, I enjoyed visiting! I liked to read but usually did most of that at home if it were library books etc. |
|
| |
Folks on-line