CHANGE WITH THE TIMES LADY!

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CHANGE WITH THE TIMES LADY!
By D

25 of my 31 kinders are reading at a middle first grade level right now, so I would say my my "elementary" background is totally appropriate for kindergarten. I supplement my reading curriculum (which is created by Margaret
Mooney, who knows "just a little" about kids) and guided reading program with center activites that are developmentally appropriate, interactive, and that use play to help kids learn. They learned to read through real language activites and the McCrackens. The activities have purpose though and the kids are aware of it. It is not play with no purpose such as that of Kindergarten 15

years ago. I manage just fine to help my kids pass the state standards and they have fun too! They visit a science center where they explore different things from nature items to magnets. They independently write in journals about their observations, they visit a problem solving center, they get free exploration with math manipulatives as well as guided activities, they have reading and writing centers, they make books, they have listening and block centers, about the only thing I don't do is a house center. Obviously it is not developmentally out of reach for kinders to begin academics. Mine are doing it, so are others all over the state. There is nothing wrong with high expectations, maybe it is time for you to realize that the direction of kindergarten is changing. Have you heard of evolution? Schools can change, they have to as we learn more and more. Maybe you are obsessed with K 20 years ago. Get over it and move on!