Okay, this is extremely frustrating for me! Eliza came home from school today with a letter from her teacher explaining that one of the reading goals for this year is for "third grade students to read 60 minutes at home each week." Okay, so that goal's not too unrealistic ... especially considering that Una came home the first week of school explaining that her teacher wanted all the students to read for 20 minutes a day. (Which, btw, I have been making her do. She sets a timer and reads in her room for 20 minutes a day.)
Now, here's the clencher: the letter says that my child "can read to [me], listen to [me] read a book to [her], or [we] can read together. Please record on the blue reading log each time [my] child reads or [I] read to [her.]" And, attached to the letter is a log on which we are supposed to record the date, author, title of book, and number of minutes read.
Okay, maybe you're wondering why I'm so upset about this. The reason I'm upset is that my Eliza did this exact thing in FIRST GRADE! FIRST GRADE! It's unbelievable! Where are the higher expectations? And, why are they treating eight and nine-year-olds like they are six? Why can't I just continue to set the timer and have her read on her own? Seriously ... it's not like we don't talk about the books she reads ... I KNOW she's reading. It's just ridiculous! Maybe for a student who is not as inclined to read it makes sense, but her teacher should already know by now that Eliza is a reader (after all, she wouldn't be receiving gifted/talented help that only services 2-3% of the student population). Argh! I'm just so frustrated. I think I'll just continue to set the timer and have her read every night for 15 minutes. But, I hate the "her teacher will never know" approach because I will know. I will know that's not what's been asked of me as a parent, and I hate cutting corners when I know what the expectations are.
I better go do something productive ... I'm just fuming that I have to treat my eight-year-old like she's in first grade again. I HATE THAT!
Now, here's the clencher: the letter says that my child "can read to [me], listen to [me] read a book to [her], or [we] can read together. Please record on the blue reading log each time [my] child reads or [I] read to [her.]" And, attached to the letter is a log on which we are supposed to record the date, author, title of book, and number of minutes read.
Okay, maybe you're wondering why I'm so upset about this. The reason I'm upset is that my Eliza did this exact thing in FIRST GRADE! FIRST GRADE! It's unbelievable! Where are the higher expectations? And, why are they treating eight and nine-year-olds like they are six? Why can't I just continue to set the timer and have her read on her own? Seriously ... it's not like we don't talk about the books she reads ... I KNOW she's reading. It's just ridiculous! Maybe for a student who is not as inclined to read it makes sense, but her teacher should already know by now that Eliza is a reader (after all, she wouldn't be receiving gifted/talented help that only services 2-3% of the student population). Argh! I'm just so frustrated. I think I'll just continue to set the timer and have her read every night for 15 minutes. But, I hate the "her teacher will never know" approach because I will know. I will know that's not what's been asked of me as a parent, and I hate cutting corners when I know what the expectations are.
I better go do something productive ... I'm just fuming that I have to treat my eight-year-old like she's in first grade again. I HATE THAT!
Comments
I've got to do it with both my kids and it is frustrating as heck to listen to Tanis.
He reads pretty good, but he'll get really quiet, read fast so he skips words, or misses lines completely...
But on the other hand, I have to sit back and say that I am spending quality time with my kids. Pretty sad that homework made me do it...
Anyway, I feel your pain. In your situation, though, I don't know what I would do. Tanis has had to do this every year, so it's nothing new for me.
Perhaps talking with her teacher will help...It's worth a shot anyway.
Good Luck!