I'm having problems with my sons teacher.?

Question

My son was a above average child last year in kindergarten. All of a sudden he starts the first grade and his teacher tells me that he's not ready for the second grade. He does great work at home but at school it seems like he's a different child. What is going on?

I also fogot to add that she constantly calls my child immature and that's one of the reasons she thinks he should be held back. She says he's not mature enough for the second grade because he raises his hand and ask too many questions and when he completes his work he's not confident that his work is correct. I ask her everyday how he's doing and she repeats the same thing over and over again and says everything is fine but it's not fine if she still wants to hold him back.

Answer 1

Maybe your child is too immature to go on to second grade. You should see if you can talk to the school counselor and see what he/she says. Maybe your son's teacher is trying to help you out.

Answer 2

Well if she keeps saying that he's not ready then obviously he's not ready. Being a teacher she would know the job better than you. Some kids don't adjust well from kindergarten to first grade. For a lot of children first grade is their first encounter with a longer school day and a more intense cirrciculum. I'm guessing that is the problem here and that that is why she feels he's not mature enough. Maybe he started school too early to begin with. Was he ever in preschool? How old was he when he started kindergarten? There are a lot of things to factor in, not just what he does at home.

Answer 3

You need to observe without your son knowing. Ask the guidance counselor to sit in on the class and take notes on what he/she observes (you may also ask permission to watch for a while outside the classroom door, but this is tricky to do). Then make an appointment with your son's teacher, the counselor, and yourself.

But there is a far difference between ability and achievement. You need to find out where the disconnect is... It could be that his K teacher was not rigorous enough.

And there is a breakdown somewhere if finding out he's not ready for 2nd grade is a shock to you. Things involving your child in school should never be a surprise. Has he been bringing home any assignments from class, etc. There should have been indicators before now.

Answer 4

You really need to talk to the principle and tell him/her the problem that you are noticing, You are to be commended for keeping on top of the teacher and checking in all the time, your child will be in a better position for your effort in the schooling... I think if your child is having trouble and asking alot of questions then that is great... does the school have a therapist??? maybeyou should have them check in on your child and see if thereis a real immaturity problem, I say that because second grade is a big jump and I would think that starting back one year is betterin first grade and will be easier to deal with if it is done now... if it happens I would request a different teacher, or different school I would not go back to that teacher, but talk to anyone that knows your child, all the electives teachers and ask them if they have noticed anything with your childs learning abilities... see if it is a personality problem with the teacher... My regards

Answer 5

I would definitely question your son first, in a non-threatening way. Perhaps you could just get his general feeling/attitude towards school. Then, take that and set up a conference with his teacher, to find out what it is exactly that he is behind on. I would even request an observation by you or by someone else to see what his behavior is like at school. Maybe its the seating arrangement. Or perhaps he's trying to "be cool". You just never know. Or maybe there really is a problem with his comprehension and that should be addressed as soon as possible. Whatever the issue, you will want to get it handled now before he gets a negative view of school all together. Good luck!

Answer 6

Ohhhhhhhhhh...I hate teachers like this. Sounds like she doesnt like your child
(yes, I am a teacher myself).
Dont ever, allow a teacher to tell you that your child should be left back because he or she is immature. Allow them to say that the child is not mastering the material and cannot produce adequate work in a set amount of time, but this crap about immaturity......
tell her that you dont particularily want to hear that. You want to be focused on the fact of whether or not he is understanding the material presented to him. Thats all tht you care about..
Some teachers, beleive it or not, arent really teachers. they have degrees in areas where they cant find a job, so they enter teaching because there are always openings..
Discuss the situation with her beforehand, and if you arent satisfied, bring it to the attention of the principal. Have a conference with the teacher, and the principal or a school advocator, and find out what partiuclarlily is the problem, *before* she puts in his record, that he should be left back
Be an empowered parent!..

Answer 7

Im not too sure, but in NM (or at least in our town) if a teacher wants to hold a child back it has to be approved by the parent or gaurdian, at least the first time, after that it is another story. Your child and teacher may just not mesh well together, i know that happens quite often sadly to say. Not too much longer until the summer break, only 3 months....i know thats a long time if youre unhappy with your current situation. Check into the policy for holding a child back in your area...i sure hope this helps you out.

Answer 8

The teacher should stop calling your son immature. For God's sake, your son is only 6 or 7. Maybe the reason your son is not doing well in school because he knows that the teacher doesn't like him and that he's hurt. What's wrong with asking a lot of questions? If your son doesn't understand something, it's the teacher's job to explain it to him. What's wrong with your teacher. Maybe you can tell the teacher how you feel- not attacking her. If the teacher still doesn't like your son, maybe you can talk to the principal. Also ask your son how he feels.
It happens to me several times before when the teachers were cold or mean to me. I didn't feel like doing good in school anymore.

Answer 9

I'm really sorry to hear about this problem, especially since I'm going through the same exact thing. My issue has been resolved.
This is what you should do:
Write a letter to the school Principle requesting that your son be evaluated for a learning disability, most children with learning disabilities excel in some subjects, but lack in others (that's the tell,tell sign).
If your not ready to take that step,then set-up a meeting with the school social worker, and maybe he/she can recommend other options.
I, too thought that changing teachers, schools, etc.. would make the difference, but it turned out otherwise.
Voice your concerns, and schedule that conference ASAP.
Best of luck to you and your son

Answer 10

How do you feel about your sons teacher? Do you think you should put him in a different class? that could help, but if you do have a meeting with his new teacher and explain to her that you hope she will let your child start with a clean slate. You know teachers talk and can influence eachother, then keep in contact with his new teacher, daily or atleast twice a week. also talk to your child about the importance of school, reward him for good behavior, let him know that you will be in contact with his teacher. right now is the time to nip this in the bud before the end of the school year.