https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 17 May 2026 12:14:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898258 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:43:10 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2898258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we had our teacher orientation before the year started, our teacher told us that for some kids things will feel pretty easy for a while and that it's important that they feel that to build confidence as things do get tougher, which was really interesting to hear. We've been pushing my daughter to try things that are more challenging and she hasn't wanted to, but once I heard that, we stopped pushing and I've noticed in just the last few weeks that my daughter has shifted from reading early level readers that she can breeze through to chapter books without any prompting, and is saying how math is super easy for her and is doing really well with all the worksheets she brings home, and she's also seeking out other challenges on her own. To some extent I'm even glad that things aren't feeling hard because it does give her confidence, and I know it'll get hard pretty fast eventually and I'd like to maximize her excitement about school as long as possible, . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898257 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:38:36 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2898257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok this may sound a little discouraging, but stick with me.<br /> My experience with my oldest was that "teaching to the middle" became really pronounced in first grade. I actually spoke to the teacher and admins multiple times. The picture I got was that they introduced a topic, then did a "re-teach" with the kids that were having the trouble. The ones that were ahead were basically ignored or given extra worksheets to keep them busy. As a parent there was basically nothing I could do about changing the school day, and tbh it was crushing my LO's spirit to be in that environment. (Other people told me he had to learn to deal with it...which yeah I understand, but also why?!)<br /> Anyway, so my useful advice is to focus at home on "content". By this I mean science, history, geography...things that will enhance their common knowledge. This is, in my experience, sorely neglected in the early grades based on the thought that we will teach them to read and then they can learn things by reading. But....it's such a missed opportunity.<br /> (More- We ended up moving our kids to a private school that is a much better fit in terms of their personalities and our values. But my second LO is now in first grade and I'm seeing a bit of the same issue. The difference is now I know to speak up early and often, and also our teachers are very receptive to my feedback and we're working together to make sure LO stays challenged).<br /> Hope that helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898202 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:47:46 +0000 hitchhiker 2898202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: ugh, that.stinks! </p> <p>@Corduroy: yeah, I'm sure that lots of kids need the review (my kid voluntarily devoured the summer work), but I'm hoping there's a little more challenge soon! </p> <p>@DillonLion: interesting. And a little scary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898201 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:42:52 +0000 hitchhiker 2898201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: oh I am not looking for more homework! We barely have any, but what came home was so surprising and confirmed what I was already thinking about the level in the class. We do supplement at home (also kind of willy nilly) but I just don't want all the hours and spends in school to be useful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898200 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:40:00 +0000 hitchhiker 2898200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meganmp: thanks! We do a lot of stuff at home (more because she wants to than we are pushing), but the first grade teachers warned us off working in math at home because we would mess up how they do it at school. Which makes me a sad because I loved math as a kid and would love to work on it with her. Maybe I'll teach myself some of the new ways! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898199 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:37:16 +0000 hitchhiker 2898199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QueensBee: thanks this is a really helpful perspective! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898196 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 23:11:30 +0000 meganmp 2898196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One way that teachers may be pushing kids that won't be evident in either their homework on in what they tell you is pushing kids to understand the why behind the academics. For example, when they are doing double-digit subtraction with regrouping, do they know why on earth they cross off one number and add a one to the column to the right? Many don't. When they are working on science, they could be working on note taking and observation. All of these things, through the eye of a six year old, sound lame- "We did subtraction. I looked at a leaf."</p> <p>The why is really important in math- it makes the problem solving that they will do later in school much easier. If you are looking for ways to challenge your kiddo at home, I would recommend finding ways to push for that problem solving and analysis work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898193 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 22:29:50 +0000 Mama Bird 2898193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had this experience in kindergarten. It was easier than what they were learning in pre-K - I don't even understand how that's possible. First grade was slightly harder but still, basically on the level with pre-K as far as math goes. Reading/writing was definitely harder though, DS struggled for a long time with expressing his thoughts on paper, and first grade did wonders for his writing ability. </p> <p>The math, though.... I can't. Last week he brought home a book with the entire second-grade math curriculum, and it's more of the same. Teaching math just seems like a sad afterthought, and it's such a waste of the kids' time to be chewing on the same concepts over and over. </p> <p>DS's teacher is awesome and is giving him some third-grade work, but I don't know what will happen when he'll get to third grade and realize he's gone over this stuff already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898192 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 22:24:47 +0000 Corduroy 2898192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 7 weeks into 1st grade and we noticed that it has been a lot of review so far. I was surprised when the teacher described the expectations for 1st and it seemed like they had already covered most of it in K. </p> <p>Having said that K was tough for us. My daughter has been a reluctant reader and I think she wasn't ready for a lot of the reading in Kindergarten. Now as I type this is voluntarily reading a book to her brother. She also seems to be learning a lot about listening and following instructions in class. I'm not sure exactly how that part is different than K but after a few days of 0/5 on her in class work she seems to have figured out that she needs to listen. I'm so glad there was time to review old material and build confidence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898188 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:36:26 +0000 ALV91711 2898188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is in grade 1. So far it seems like the first 3ish weeks were learning how to behave but they have been getting into some subjects as he has come home spouting off new things. He did say that it is boring because they are learning to read in the mornings. He’s been reading for over two years so I can see this being boring. But I remind him that some kids are still learning and it is good practice for him. </p> <p>October is when they start to get homework and I think things will get more challenging as from what he’s said it sounds like they are getting into math &amp; science. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898187 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:34:20 +0000 Anagram 2898187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve only been in school for 1 month, but it definitely is not challenging at this point. We do some supplementing at home (it’s very haphazard and only when we have the time), but I recently started having DD read 1 page of a chapter book per night (just easy stuff like Magic tree House). The 1 page is more of a confidence booster than anything else, to prove to her she is capable of reading a chapter book, but then I finish the chapter so she’s interested and wants to keep going each night. We’ve blown through about 8 chapter books this month with that method. </p> <p>For Math, my husband randomly gets a bee in his bonnet because he thinks American schools are severely lacking in math, so he has a whole stockpile of math work books, ranging from the bedtime math stories to an end-of-1st grade assessment he found online from Canada (why Canada you ask? Because DH pointed out they routinely score higher than US in global comparisons), etc. It’s all very willy-nilly and unorganized but they are currently doing easy double digit addition and subtraction. </p> <p>Personally I’m not looking for any additional homework. Her teacher gives her 10 minutes each night and DD does think it’s easy, but I need a little easy because this is the first year I’ve allowed the kids to get involved in so much. DD1 is doing after school chess, soccer, theater, and Girl Scouts (and I want to start her on piano/voice lessons soon), and DD2 is doing dance, soccer, and gymnastics. So I’m kind of resenting even the 10 minutes right now. </p> <p>TLDR: it does seem easy right now, but that’s okay with me. But I may change my mind in a few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898181 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 21:01:09 +0000 DillonLion 2898181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We changed districts and 1st grade here is definitely higher level than what they did in kindergarten and has been since day 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898179 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:46:54 +0000 Chuckles 2898179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QueensBee: Very good point about routines and expectations. I'm a teacher too, so I should have thought of that :) Hopefully things will be more challenging and/or differentiated soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898175 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:31:21 +0000 QueensBee 2898175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I'm an elementary school teacher and I will chime in- many teachers spend the first month of the year focusing on routines, expectations, classroom culture instead of academics. It can feel like a slow start but it really makes the rest of the school year run much more smoothly! We might spend a literacy lesson discussing, "What does partner reading look like? sound like? feel like?" instead of learning a new blend or digraph in September. </p> <p>And yes, it sounds likes assessments are happening so that work can become more differentiated soon.</p> <p>However, I will also add that my son feels the same way in first grade- bored! Some days, I feel like school was a waste of time for him when I see the very easy work coming home. I try to remember that the teacher is probably focusing on other things, like making sure the kids start off the year feeling confident and successful. Hopefully she will introduce new and engaging content soon. Fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898172 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:51:25 +0000 HappyBaker 2898172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: this post was so timely because my daughter came home crying today that first grade is SO boring and easy because all they are doing is review! What doesn’t help is her K class had a crazy year last year because of building and teacher issues, so I think a lot of the kids really do need the refresh and to make sure they are grasping all the K concepts before moving on. We don’t have parent conferences until December, so I told DD to be her own advocate and talk to the teacher about it (emphasizing she should do this quietly and privately, I don’t want her just raising her hand and saying she thinks it’s too easy in front of everyone else). Her class is super tiny so I’m hoping the teacher is receptive, I’m going to email her after DD tries to talk to her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898171 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:45:44 +0000 bhbee 2898171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: I hear you on the timing - we’ve already done almost 2 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898169 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:34:55 +0000 hitchhiker 2898169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I'm glad I'm not alone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898167 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:22:09 +0000 Chuckles 2898167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am feeling the same way about 1st grade, so I'm glad to know that maybe it's common for them to review kindergarten stuff at the beginning. I'm going to wait until conferences and then ask how he can be challenged if the work still seems too easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898166 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:21:20 +0000 hitchhiker 2898166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: they are definitely falling within the district's standards, but I'm worried that they are not doing a great job of differentiating or starting from where they left off last year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898165 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:13:43 +0000 hitchhiker 2898165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: yeah, maybe I'll ask DD more about that. I haven't heard anything about behavior issues, but I haven't asked either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898164 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:11:29 +0000 hitchhiker 2898164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: thanks for the reminder about assessments! Right after I wrote this she told me they have a "test" tomorrow to find out math groups. So maybe things will pick up there. I know they are already in phonics good, but she says it's all repeat. Maybe I'll give it another week or two. I don't want to seem pushy, but now I feel like they've been a school while... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898161 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:00:22 +0000 bhbee 2898161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a lot depends on the teacher, but I was told the first month or so of 1st is all repeat to ramp kids back up. I didn’t find it to be much more rigorous compared to kinder honestly. I really liked our teacher but she didn’t have much math focus. Dd’s reading improved a ton though. Maybe give it a bit more time but if your LO is bored I think it’s ok to talk to the teacher about how to challenge her. My oldest is in second this year and has a new teacher who is struggling with classroom management and I worry if she’ll get challenged but waiting to see. They are taking assessments now and supposedly will differentiate based on that, so that could be something that will happen for you also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898158 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:52:21 +0000 Becky 2898158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First grade is much more rigorous in terms of behavioral expectations. In K they had areas in their room where they could kind of chillax. Not so this year. It’s definitely been a learning curve for us. Maybe they’re focusing more on that? Also, my daughters class has focused much more on math than literacy so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898154 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:33:24 +0000 Madison43 2898154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: we just started K so I have zero experience but does your district publish the standards for each year? We got a printout outlining what they are supposed to learn this year - every grade is published on our districts website. Maybe it would be helpful to compare that info? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-grade-academic-expectations#post-2898150 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 17:44:32 +0000 hitchhiker 2898150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am starting to worry about the level of academics in my first grader's class. A month in, I feel like they are still reviewing with that they did in kindergarten. For example, we got our first sight word list home today, and the words are much easier (e.g., so, go, by, to, etc.) than the last list we had in K (e.g., your, often, always, etc.). The K lists were already too easy for my daughter. Math feels the same. </p> <p>What is your first grader working on? Do you feel like progress is being made beyond what was taught in K? Do you think I should say something to the teacher? </p>