Maybe it's just Canada and the U.S., but I've noticed schools, and society in general, have been dumbing down a lot more lately. When I was in kindergarten, we had to be able to spell our first name, count to 30, tie our own shoelaces, identify the colours, and know the national anthem before we were allowed to attend. (No joke!)

My cousin Makayla just started kindergarten, and she didn't need to know any of that. Same school and district too. Should 14 years (the time span from me entering kindergarten to her doing so) really constitute that much change in expectations?

meow85 said:

Althom can count to fifteen and identify 5 colours.

As for the rest..

Here in NY it seems you see more in more reports that kigs are graduating high school barely able to read....in my opinion the lovely legacy of "social promotion" being the predominant school of thought.

meow85 said:

When I was going into school, we didn't have to know any of that. They taught us that in kindergarten. My kids didn't have to know that prior to attending either. I think it's a good idea to have children learn that prior to starting though.

For the most part, my kids' school is good. I do think they focus too much on art and music and what the kids' color card is (which determines how good they were that day), than on the other things (in my kids' school, anyway). I don't know. I had problems with my son's kindergarten teacher two years ago, because she couldn't spell to save her life, and this was the woman who was teaching these kids to spell. The school and I went back and forth over that.

When i started playschool aged 2 - 4 we learned the alphabet and numbers to 100 and how to read and write . Now children dont seem to know those things when they start school.

personally, i have been amazed at the work my kids are doing in school. my most recent to leave kindergarden was my baby girl, she just started first grade this year. she has known her colors for a long time now, can count to 100 - the regular way, by 2's, by 5's and by 10's, since my son and i worked on knowing all the states and capitals this summer - she can tell you all the states, she knows how to read at an incredible level for her age, she is doing some easy math problems - addition, and she knows all her shapes.... i couldnt be more pleased with the work she is doing, it makes momma so proud... her teacher says she is gonna get through this year in a breeze.... in fact, we are working on finding some extra work to keep her focused, she seems to finish early and then gets bored.

my son is doing equally well.. he took that iowa basic skills test last year, the lil man scored a 97 and a 99% in the math areas !!!! thats out of all the kids in the nation talk about being a proud momma im lucky.. both my kids love school, they cry on the last day, work on stuff i give them all summer long ( my son is now doing square roots, since i was bored and wanted to see if he would understand it if i taught it to him i dont think they start that for like another 2 years), and they count days till they get to go back for the new year. i have friends who's kids absolutely HATE school... i see that the attitude makes a huge difference in their excitement to learn

i just love that part of being a momma.. teaching kids is such a wonderful gift. they are like lil sponges, you can teach them anything... currently, i am trying to teach my son to be a man now, thats a hard one... the only things i know to teach him are the qualities i look for in a man... like, hold the door open for ladies and older folks, help someone that appears to need help, be kind to those around you, hold your head up and be proud of who you are, always work hard to achieve your goals, and never let one day go by without letting those around you that you care about know how you feel.... im hoping someday it will all fall into place for him but raising kids alone is a tough thing sometimes... fun, but tough too....


although, i wouldnt trade this job for ANYTHING in the world !!!

My third graders do long division, I didn't do that until 5th grade, and I'm not that old I graduated highschool in 1997.

Sweeny79 said:

You just made me feel ancient.

Sweeny79 said:

AzureStarr said:

sorry

2the9s said:

What I'm 25.

2the9s said:

Yeah!

If I feel ancient over it, you've gotta feel as though you have one foot already in the grave!

meow85 said:

btw, honestly, I don't remember there being any kind of entrance exam for kindergarten.

All you had to do was find your way on to the bus, which I'm happy to say I did on the fifth try.

AzureStarr said:

2the9s said:

They had busses back then?

My point was, I'm young and things I did in the fifth grade are now being taught in the third grade, so I would say that is an indication of students being pushed harder,not "dumbed down".

AzureStarr said:

heh heh

What was your address again?

I want to send you another "postcard"...

2the9s said:

They test kids for placement in prek in my school. I think that's too much.

2the9s said:

That's very gracious of you, 9s!

AzureStarr said:

Yeah, you'll see how gracious. Send it.

2the9s said:

No.

AzureStarr said:

Okay, then don't send it...

(prays reverse psychology works... )

I am a product of public education.



(Why are you laughing?)

Not here...computer programs/games and t.v educate us.

Sweeny79 said:

True. They even test the Sped Ed. students which I feel is extreme.