how do you guys stand it?

[K-hater!]

i read over your messages and i'm astounded that anyone would stay in kindergarten for any longer than they have to. this is my first year and will be my last. i've got kids who kick desks, refuse to stay in the line, touch and ruin everything that belongs to me...they can't have name tags on their desks bc 80% of the kids ruined two laminated sets. it's like this in most of the k classes at my school but many teachers think i've got the worst bunch. i've tried reward systems, calling parents, rewarding randomly, selecting a student of the week, taking away recess...and nothing works. some of them even hate (and will do anything to try to ruin) storytime.

just wondering....is everyone's experience like this? if so, how do you stand it??

 

[Ms. G]

surviving in K

Hi.

This is also my first year teaching, and I have kindergarten. Sometimes I have some of those very same feelings. I was surprised when some of the veteran teachers at my school told me they would never, ever do K.

Also, when I was subbing, I knew a lot of subs that would never sub for K.

Have you taught any other grades before?

What helps me.... is to know that at this age level, they are never going to be completely quiet. And with behavior..... They will push, and try your patients like there is no tomorrow.... I know mind think it is very funny to do exactly the opposite of what I tell them....

But then its on those days when I have the people in my life tell me that I am giving them their first impression of school... and for some, their first impression of authority...

To know that I have the opportunity to build their academic foundation.... Well, that makes some days all worth it..

There are some days when I still think that I want to ask for another grade.... and there are some days when I wouldn't go anywhere else...

Hope this helps..

Cathy G.

 

[Ms. G]

This might help

Hi...

I also thought of this.... The teacher I share my room with uses this format, and it really works for her... It might work for you too. (Although, I have to admit, I do not care for it.)

She does not have assigned desks... She does and hour and a half of whole group on the carpet, and then she does centers for an hour... during this time, the children rotate rotate from center to center every 15 minutes....

She believes that kindergarteners should constantly be moving... And shes been teaching for 34 years... She's probably more right than I am.

Cathy

 

[hippycatswife]

Former K hater

I used to hat Kinder and always said that I would never ever teach it. Then, the 3rd week of school, I was moved to Kinder because of enrollment issues. There are days I love it and some days I hate it. However, I think I am going to stay. I just can't get over when I see them "get it." I had one kid who couldn't count to 5 at the beginning of the year. Now, he can count to 30. That to me is worth all of the bad days I have.

Keep trying and keep working on your routines. If they are don't get in line, make them sit back down and do it over, and over until they get it. Then praise them! If my class doesn't walk right in line, I make them walk up and down the halls until it is correct. Now, I just say, "Do we need to walk again?" And, they get in line. I have had a lot of people tell me how mic my kids walk in line.

If they are ruining your stuff, put it up, and take one thing out at time when they start acting like they deserve it. If they never do, that's their problem, not yours.

Last, the other poster was right. It's really hard for them to be quiet all the time. I'm still working on it being okay for them to talk sometimes.

Good luck and don't give up!

 

[Ms. K]

I'm sorry that you hate kinders. I have been told over and over that every grade has their own special kinds of teachers that are perfect for the age. I could never work with Jr High kids but could live in a house with 30 kinders forever.

Parents ask me all the time how I do it and I say it doesn't seem like work at all. It sounds like you will definitly be one of those great teachers for older students. If you end up teaching Jr High, you will be one of my heroes.

For now, just keep going over the basic lessons. They will get it eventually. I agree with the poster that said put away the stuff that they are using inappropriately. I also let them know that "I am so sorry that I didn't give the lesson on standing in line well enough. I am happy to practice with you all recess if that is what you really need. Thank you for letting me know that you need extra help." It doesn't take them very long to get the picture.

 

[Laura]

Kindergarten and Preschool rules!

I teach both kindergarten and preschool children. I do love my job. Yes it takes a great long while for the children to learn rules like quiet circle and independent work habits. Some children are frustrating at any age. What I find frustrating about this age is when you know there is a problem (cognitive like LD or CD) and the powers that be say their too young! If we help them earlier won't they be more successful in the future? Teaching independent skills is so necessary for this age.

About distroying your stuff do take it away. Give them as few items as they can handle and add back slowly.

 

[thanks]

Thanks to all of you!

I read over my post and all your replies and realize just how immature I sounded about the whole thing. I truly appreciate everyone's replies and advice. I taught special ed in the past and was really excited about teaching kindergarten this year.

It sure HAS been a challenge! My team is comprised of five other teachers who are very helpful one on one. However, the "team" doesn't work together at all. In fact, we are all on a different letter of the alphabet at this point. It's been difficult for me to know where to go for direction. I've already had one student removed from my class and sent to an emotionally handicapped unit (he should have never been with me in the first place, but the county made an error when he moved from a different county). Another student in my class was classified emotionally handicapped while in Pre K and he has hit, pinched, and kicked other children in various settings this year. He often refuses to go to resource classes or to lunch and causes the whole class to be late while I call the office for assistance. Last week, he became violent after he took a jacket that didn't belong to him and I asked him to take it off. He threw pencils in every direction and then kicked me in the stomach. The school's answer? One day of suspension. He MAY eventually end up in a self contained unit, but who knows when that will happen. Meanwhile, I'm dealing with another student who was abused as an infant, and one who's language skills are very poor and often "shuts down" and kicks the desks. He doesn't seem to understand much of what anyone says to him. With a class of twenty without an aide or any support, I often come home sapped of strength and energy.

I appreciate the suggestions...we've tried "line camp" since the beginning of the year and having them walk the halls seems to make them worse. I've also tried various reward systems but haven't had much success. I'm hoping to one day be able to enjoy K a bit more. I really had looked forward to this job but many factors have made it hard to enjoy at all.

 

[Carol Leigh]

K

Wow! You are having a rough time of it. K is not easy. I have had days when I have felt like I was going to pull all of my hair out and I find myself saying, "My kids would never act like that. They know better!" and then I catch myself. "My children have a loving home and are taught life lessons." Most of these children don't have 2 parents at home or are living with grandparents, friends of their parents, foster care... "I teach my children how to act." Most of these children don't have someone in their life that knows how to act or the child was kicked this morning, spit at, yelled at or even ignored... "Ear infections should not even be an excuse." Most of these children can't afford to go to a DR. and go untreated and are miserable... Teaching is not an "EASY" job as the public tends to think. We are not just teachers of the Four "R's" anymore. We are disiplinarians, nutritionists, nurses, financial advisors, principals, janitors, Waiters, psychologists, Drs...the list goes on and on. AND it all has to be done in a 7 hour day. Then they go home and they lose just about all of what you taught them that day. There are no simple solutions to any of it. We just have to CARE A LOT and do our best to reach as many of the precious little ones as we can. Not that they act precious. Not everyone is cut out to teach K. It does take a special kind of person and for me Lots and Lots of prayer. You have to decide if that is the age you want to teach.

 

[Heart4Him]

You really can expect more of them

I am of the mind that PreK and K CAN be taught to sit still and not disrupt. But you have to lovingly set the rules early and be firm and not waver on them. I used The first six weeks. it is great. The kids brainstorm there own rules and you 'guide' them into three or form main ones. This way they are seeing why they need to behave. After that it is reminder then disicipline. I tell mine 'this is where the boys and girls sit who are ready to obey and work.. there (point to a place no one is)is where the boys and girls who do not obey sit... you choose" That has worked very well for me. I rarely have to talk to a student more than once about an issue.

Don't give lots of warnings, just like in parenting. Make a rule, warn, disicipline. Keep it really simple.

 

[rosieallday]

I can sympathize...

My class last year had several students who sound like yours. I would drag myself home exhausted at the end of the day. The worst part was feeling like I had failed to teach the children who were ready to learn because I had to spend so much time managing the emotionally needy kids.

A frustration for me is that year after year, I see students that I had in my class with no support be sent on to self-contained SEI or cognitively impaired rooms or the autistic program. In my district, Kinders hardly ever receive special ed. support.