The Pros And Cons Of Kindergarten

In every school across America, effective practices of reading instruction are being discussed. Calkins (2012) suggests that over 85% of students being tested on grade level literacy standards are non-proficient. Research suggests that students, who are unable to read proficiently by third grade, are not predicted to ever learn to read or have successful lives when they reach adulthood (Martinez, 2008). For these reasons, it is important that districts implement literacy models and instructional reforms that have been well researched and shown to be successful. The instructional reform method of Balanced Literacy is being used throughout the country to meet the challenging standards of the Common Core. Teachers will need

Explain how the range of early years settings reflects the scope and purpose of the sector

The need for basic literacy skills is vital in order for our nation to continue to operate successfully. With approximately 5 million students, graduating below the National Standard for Literacy and unable to read, we must take a look at the curriculum and teaching techniques to assess whether the current systems need to be revised to better assure ALL students are successful. (Adolescent Literacy: A Policy Research Belief p. 1) The issue begins first with the definition of “Literacy”, and the fact that there are several aspects of literacy which are not currently included in the curriculum. Another issue is the “old” standards which are in place do not support the level of diversity which is now seen in many school systems. Then

Forty-two states, along with the District of Columbia have adopted Common Core State Standards. These standards were created to focus only on English and Mathematics. An effect of states adopting Common Core State Standards is that all other subjects taught in school were emphasized less. History, Science, and many other subjects are no longer stressed; therefore students are limited to being proficient in only two subjects. The Common Core deprives students’ ability to be skilled in multiple areas. These standards do not provide a slight “break” from the challenging and fast paced teaching of English and Mathematics. In addition to limiting education to English and Mathematics, Jill Bowden explains that the Common Core is affecting kindergarteners by taking them “away from materials that encourage playful learning” (36). Simple, beneficial learning materials typically used in kindergarten classrooms are being replaced with workbooks and textbooks. These standards are not benefiting education; instead they suppress enjoyable learning that one could gain from free learning. All grades are affected, but especially kindergarteners. These kindergarteners are too young for authoritative standards, and should be learning concepts appropriate for a child the age of five. Standards were made “to become the backbone for student, teacher, and school accountability systems and will play an increasingly prominent role in the American educational ecosystem” (Gutierrez 78) Therefore,

The Common Core State Standards were created to identify the skills and knowledge a student needs in order to succeed in today’s world. Essentially, these Standards were developed in an effort for public education to advance academically. In developing these Standards, six shifts were created to identify what a student is expected to accomplish in each grade level in order to prepare them for their future. Obviously, with six shifts, there is a beginning phase. The first shift generated states, to prepare students for reading and comprehension in their later school years, it is fundamentally necessary to increase the reading of informational text for students beginning kindergarten and continuing through the fifth grade.

In the article “Not Kidding Around” by Kurt Chirbas, he specifies that a push to make kindergarten mandatory is vital to the development of kids. Chirbas states that kindergarten was once intended as a soft entry into the school system, filled with finger painting and songs, kindergarten has become increasingly focused on academics. Kindergarten is now more activity geared toward reading, writing and math concepts. Educators say that students without it can be lost once they reach the classroom. The Education Commission of the States, a research group that tracks education policy, says that “Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia require kindergarten.”

Cate came into kindergarten already reading because of the incredible support of her fours teachers. Learning was fun for her and she loved going to school. Given her abilities, my husband and I wanted her to be challenged to move forward as she was able. However, the critically decisive factors that compelled us to choose Second Pres kindergarten were its developmentally appropriate curriculum and individualized education. We believe without the experience of Second Pres kindergarten, our oldest, Holly Jane wouldn’t be a third grader reading

While likely unfit to verbalize the reality, at five years old youngsters discover that there is no space for tyke coordinated immediacy or inventive proposal in the American school classroom. The basic role of kindergarten is to show children the understudy part, comprising of accommodating, arranging, following bearings, not intruding, and so on. The instructor in Gracey's article, Kindergarten as Boot Camp, Edith Kerr, gave a reasonable case of how well meaning, not well prepared educators methodically wipe out the unconstrained interests and perceptions of understudies. Kerr more than once disregarded the kids in such endeavors and declined to go astray from the organized lesson design. Having kids take in the understudy part is certain

Universal Pre-K is a development inside the American training framework to make access to preschool accessible to all families. The main difference that is driving these authors apart is the end results that Pre-K will leave on the child. In an article written by John Stossel, Catherine Brosseau, and Andrew Kirell, called “Universal Pre-K This Whole Thing is a Scam”: the three author see Universal Pre-K as a “flagrant waste of money”, they want parents to understand that this whole thing is a scam. On the other hand, in an article written by Nicholas Kristof called: “Pre-K the Great Debate, he believe that Universal Pre-K is “The best investment we can make in a child’s life”, he fully supports the program.

To reflect confidentiality, the names of individuals and locations are pseudonyms. As I begin my classroom observation and case study reflection, the list of PA Early Learning Standards is by no means an exhaustive list, but it gives an indication of the learning that happens behind the walls of Mrs. Jackson’s room. While I can select seven standards that she clearly meets, the list continues to expand for kindergarten, first, third, and fourth grade students. As the Title I Reading Specialist, Mrs. Jackson takes great pride in her role at St. Madeline Catholic School since 2013. Not only does she work with kindergarten through fourth grade students, Mrs. Jackson is a committed instructor for helping English Language Learners, both in the

He continues, “...bringing a child to the school with structure in that child’s heart and soul to begin with.” (Powell). A child should have experienced being read to, reading out loud, reciting the alphabet, etc. prior to attending first grade. They should be enlightened with correct comportment and sufficient knowledge to attend school with. Subsequently, they will not lag due to what they already comprehend, unlike some other kids that may not know what is going

There are certain standards that teachers have in order for children in prekindergarten to move on into kindergarten and for children in kindergarten to move on into 1st grade. It is the educator’s job to make sure that the children have the basic skills in order to succeed when they get into the mainstream of the educational system. Even though children are not required to take standardized tests before they get into the 1st grade they are required to pass certain guidelines in order to move forward into the 1st grade. It is the educators’ responsibility to make sure that the children learn what they need to learn in order to accomplish this goal of moving on into the next

Many Texans agree that high quality pre-k can no longer be considered a luxury for upper income families or a special program for the disadvantaged. Based on various studies conducted on children 's brain development during these crucial years, pre-k has become just as necessary as kindergarten or first grade.

Most people are not aware of the differences between a daycare and a kindergarten. The truth is that there are many differences despite the few similarities between them. Here are some of the differences between them. Programs offered A daycare center gives developmental programs while a kindergarten school provides instructive programs for particular age groups of children.

Kindergarten redshirting, also known as academic redshirting or delayed entry refers to the practice of parents who chose to delay their child’s entry to kindergarten if they have birthdays near the cut off line (example: a child is born on september 3rd, and children must be five years old by September 5th in order to be eligible for kindergarten). While the parents are fully able to enroll their child for the upcoming school year, he would be one of the youngest students in his class, so they may choose to “redshirt” their child and have him start kindergarten the following year right after he turns six. This term comes from the athletic world where a coach may choose to redshirt (delay a year so that he would not start until the season of his sophomore year) a linebacker in order to allow the athlete a full year to train with the team and become a better player before he actually gets any game time. The same principle applies to the academic world. Parents choose to redshirt often to give children with summer or early fall birthdays a chance to mature and build their skills so that they are fully ready and even have a head start in kindergarten at the age of six.