Lessons in Teaching
Thoughts From a First-Year 4th Grade Teacher
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One of my students came to me three weeks’ into the school year on “overflow” from another school in the district. Socially, she fit in right away and made many friends, but she has not made adequate growth academically even with a lot of extra support. She has kind of stumped me all year: she learns things quickly, but has huge holes in her knowledge.
On Monday I had lunch with a few of my students and they started talking about their third grade teachers. This girl said, “I didn’t really have a third grade teacher.” Turns out, she went to three months of third grade in the district, then her mom took her to New Jersey in November and she simply didn’t go to school there.
I told the principal, and she just emailed me that the girl will be moved to third grade on Monday. I’m very conflicted: she is very far behind academically and never learned most 3rd grade material, but she has already done 7 months of fourth grade. It’s the middle of the year, age-wise she’s right for fourth grade, and I worry that this will affect her socially and psychologically.
So, tumblr: Any thoughts? Would you retain her?
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artistaespiritu reblogged this from lessoninteaching
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aimingforpretty answered:
Would it be possible for her to do a few subjects in 3rd grade and some in 4th? I’ve been to schools where kids have had that arrangement.
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wonderfulslumber answered:
maybe just send her to have math/literacy, wherever her weak points are, in 3rd grade. it might set her back even more if you retain her
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randomshitbeans likes this
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gigifoundatardis reblogged this from lessoninteaching and added:
I have a set of twins in my fifth grade class who are in a similar situation. They’re coming from a weak school and a...
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lhuddles answered:
i dont think i would retain her. i’d probably offer summer school to fill in holes—or after school for concurrent instruction
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recycledbutterfly reblogged this from lessoninteaching and added:
Speaking from experience, I think it might be best to keep her in 4th grade. Moving her back to 3rd grade could result...
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benotprouddeath answered:
In the long run this is probably better for her academically. Being older is rarely a social problem.
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This was featured in #Education
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lessoninteaching posted this
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