my first grader is being asked to write sentences the second day of school?

Question

shouldnt teachers teach them spelling before asking kids to write a sentence first? I sent a note asking if the other kids could do this, she said the other kids could. This being the second day of school. Not one time in kindergarden was there even a spelling list. He gotten 1 spelling list so far, school just started. Does everybodys else's child know how to write a sentence the second day of first grade? Also if my child is the only one that cant shouldnt she have sent home a note saying this and telling me theres extra help after school? I made a few calls and found out there were classes after school, I wasnt told by the teacher or sent home a note saying this. Im concerned by child is falling behind.

thank you all for giving your opinions, i have asked what she expected from the sentences she said he should be able to make a complete correctly spelled sentence. Also my child has been in the pre school at the school since he was 3 from 8-2 5 days a week. Seems if any child should know how to do this it should be mine since hes been going 2 years longer then any other child. Thanks to all whos giving their opinions Ive been so upset.

Answer 1

You must be joking? Your son should be able to write sentences in first grade! my daughter did it when she was in kindergarten...omg..That's not good.I think you should prepare your child ahead of time for the grade. My daughter is in the gifted program so she has no trouble with that. but yes you shoudl be your child's teacher.

Answer 2

My daughter is in first grade too and they are asked to write sentences. There is, however, no expectation by the teacher that the sentences will be perfect. The kids are using their knowledge of phonics to sound out words the best they can and write down their ideas.

The best suggestion I can give you is to work in your child's classroom if at all possible. This will give you a better idea of your child's abilities, where she fits in academically with the other kids, and what the teacher expects of the kids. The teacher may say, yes the other kids can do this and you are thinking they are writing perfectly spelled and punctuated sentences when they really are doing the same as your child.

I was extremely concerned about how my daughter would fare in school as she started out with speech and language delays. Working in the classroom put many of my fears to rest as I saw that there were some kids way ahead of her but there were also kids way behind her.

If you still are concerned, arrange a meeting with the teacher so you can be clear on the expectations and get a better idea of where your child fits in. If your child is not making progress, go to Pupil Services in your district and request an evaluation of your child to determine if there are any special needs.

Try to work with the teacher and the school, and by all means get her signed up for after school help if it is available.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Children are taught on the "curve" now. And what they do is, figure out what the highest average is for the class and then they teach to those students. Terribly wrong as far as I'm concerned. I live in Texas and my child was being taught to pass the taaks test, rather than being taught what she needed to know. The teachers actually admitted this. The taaks test is to prove how well the school is doing, not to test my child independently. I was so frustrated at this, I've pulled my child from public schools and now she's doing home schooling. If it's possible for you to do, this might be something for you to consider. There are homeschooling groups just about everywhere and many times the parents get the children together and rotate which parent will be teaching on different days. Just an idea.

Answer 4

When my daughter started 1st grade ( last year) she to needed towrite simple sentences the teacher did not expect the spelling to be all correct, and she expected the parents to help them. At some point they need to learn these skills and the homework assignment was renforcing the school work of that day. If you feel you child will need extra help my first suggestion would be meet with the teacher in a couple of weeks and she where she sees your child on an academic level.

Answer 5

My daughter can write sentences and read everything and she just started first grade. She has homework most of the time and reading every night. She had spelling tests in kindergarten and has been writing sentences all summer long. Before she started the first grade she was given a test to see where she was at emotionally and educationally, it seems like the school should have made it their business to make sure your child was ready for 1st grade or at least asked you. If I were you I would talk to someone at the school to see what you can do. Schools need to pay attention, especially to new students who might get overlooked!

Answer 6

Youre child is speaking sentences without even knowing it. He can probably write them to. These days children learn their spelling by sound and are encouraged to try. I tend to agree with the way the teacher is teaching. The school should be doing a parent teacher interview at around 6 weeks. If you have concerns express them there and the teacher will also express them.

Answer 7

okay first.
my child was writing sentences halfway thru kindergarten if not sooner. not bragging, simply stating she was NOT expecting too much from a first grader to write a sentence.
second.
they do assesments during the first couple of weeks to see where children are at, and at my son's school they placed them in early or late classes accordingly.
third.
no they do not get TOO hard on spelling just yet, the kids are learning to read and SOUND words out...they're gonna get some wrong, english is the hardest language to learn. learning to spell properly comes with time, lots of time. composing a sentence, however, is usually well covered in kindergarten and reinforced in 1st grade.

also, it is not solely the teachers job to let you know your child needs extra help, it's the first week of school! i would think that you would know your child and whether they would benefit from that extra help more than a teacher who's had the kid two days. calm down.

Answer 8

Give him some time. My son started 1st grade this year and had to do the same thing. But during Kindergarten and the summer, we practiced. He actually likes to write little notes and thing to give to me. He could just be nervous though. My sons teacher sent a note home with him saying he was behind in reading. Behind my ***, that kid can read. But, he gets nervous easy and stutters. Even in Kindergarten he did it, his teacher said he was one of the best readers in the class, but he was shy about it. He also had spelling lists and tests every week.

Just work with him all you can. I'm sure he knows how to do it, but maybe just needs to practice. Best wishes.

Answer 9

I really dont know what the problem of some teachers is. My niece is in 4th grade, and the teacher is more concerned with her getting the work done, rather being concerned rather or not the work is done correctly. I know during the first week of school most teachers try to access what the children know, but he should not be considered as failing at this time, she hasnt even taught him anything yet.

Answer 10

You are tottaly right about the teacher not sending a note saying that your child doesn't know how to write a sentence, but try to teach it a bit yourself as well as all three of my brothers and myself could write before 1st grade, and we live in the *** end of nowhere where education is at its crappiest.