First graders

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Home : 2002 : May : 10

First graders
By Kathy

I would agree with the above posts that it's not good to "beat yourself up" over lack of student achievement. Students enter first grade (and any grade really)at vastly different levels. You probably discovered this with
your first graders at the beginning of the year.
In the nine years I taught first grade I had a huge range--one came already reading books like The Black Stallion, another couldn't even recognize the number 2! Over the years I discovered they progressed at vastly different rates as well. Some children you provide the environment and they are "off and running" before you know it.

With others, it's like pulling teeth for any small glimmer of achievement!

I had one little girl who was basically a non-reader through February and then suddenly "the light dawned" and she was actually reading well above grade level before school was out. You may find some of your "strugglers" will blossom in second grade.

As far as not being able to retain them because they all had passing grades, sometimes parents will choose to give their child the "gift of time" and let them spend two years in first grade. That could be worth a try if you honestly feel it's best. You can present it to them as a choice. Some go for the idea, others are convinced their child will be "behind" the rest of their life!! In reality, it's not really a huge deal to finish college a year later. Parents have to ask themselves, "Do I want my child to be the one that enjoys school or the one that is always struggling?" It's been my personal experience that the extra year to grow makes a huge world of differences in some instances.

At any rate, your concern shows that you are a conscientious teacher. All you can do is your best--that's true for teachers as well as students!