06/25/2012:
"By the end of the year? 2/3 of these skills should have been developed in
preschool. No wonder our children are behind everyone else in the world.
Worldbook.com has a typical course of study that is more in line with what
students need to know.
"
10/31/2011:
"Okay so what changed from when I was in school. I don't remember learning
to read or to subtract in kindergarten. I know I didn't go to the best
school but I did all right for myself and I did great in high school and
college. What has changed since then? (I am 27.) Honestly all these
changes and I've worked with a lot or young people that don't have basic
critical thinking skills or couldn't subtract when the cash register
broke. Well at least this gives me an idea regarding what, at a minimum,
my kids should know.
"
09/1/2011:
"All your information has been so helpful for a grandmother who lives in
Arizona and has a KDG starting school @ Stough Elem. Thank you
"
04/28/2011:
"For those of you posting about your child unhappy in school, have you
considered homeschooling? I used to teach kindergarten in a public school
and hated the all-day format. Seven hours of formal schooling a day is too
much for 5-year olds in my opinion. It certainly is true that kindergarten
has become the first grade most of us remember from our own childhoods.
Kids learn at different rates, particularly at that age, so in a public
school, there are kids who can read at a third grade level mixed with
those who don't know any of their letters. Wherever your child is
developmentally, it will be fine. If it's at all possible, I believe it's
best for parents to help their children learn at home through play,
hands-on experiences, and a flexible schedule based on their particular
ability level. There's no need to push academic achievement at this age,
just help them develop a love of learning!"
11/1/2010:
"I live in Louisiana where some preschools try and say that being
introduced to this stuff isn't needed. I was raised in the Washington DC
area where you HAD to know these things before entering school. I'm so
frustrated, and I am about to pull my child from her current
daycare/preschool because of their views. Louisiana (southern) schools are
far from satisfactory in my opinion. Half the 3rd graders can barely read.
I completely agree that these simple skills should be addressed before
entering school."
11/1/2010:
"hi I have a child in prek in private school now he starts to hate the
school and he is sooo happy when he has off
I ask the teacher several times to attend with him as volunteer or even
attende without doing nothing I just want to know how he is doing with
others and in the school but they refused
so what can I do ? I dont want him to hate the school from now"
10/13/2010:
"I felt so much better to see that I am not the only parent struggling with
the child who starts Kindergarten already capable of these things. My son
is quickly losing interest in school because he his bored, bored, bored. "
09/7/2010:
"what happens to the child that knows just about the whole year schedule at
the frist day of school? is he or she to continue to review the material
over until the other children catch on? if so that's unfair to the child
that's already advanced. there should be something, they should move those
kids on to more information."
08/26/2010:
"Oh my goodness!! In Texas, these are preschool skills and should be known
BEFORE entering kindergarten!
It has been said in Texas that kindergarten is the new first grade. I
guess it is correct!"
08/16/2010:
"When did PINK become a basic color? Why is it not PURPLE?"
08/16/2010:
"This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many additional standards
for science, social studies, art, and PE. Most Kindergarten teachers are
well aware of the different levels of student achievement and adjust the
lessons. Some kids need to learn the letters, while others are already
reading. Small reading groups, and math groups help your child learn at
their level. Small class sizes are vital for students to get the
attention they deserve!"
04/26/2010:
"Let’s not forget the Benchmark Test… My son kindergarten classrooms is
stocked with books sorted by reading level; the teacher keep a portfolio of
his first attempt at writing; and teachers assign homework in counting,
addition and subtraction. Kindergarten is no longer about doing kid stuff.
While the blocks, crayons and puzzles remain part of school: emphasis on
reading, writing and arithmetic is seen countywide, from Bellflower to
Nevada, and nationwide, from Texas to New York City. And the younger ones
often have trouble sitting still and staying on task. Some need help zipping
their pants after a trip to the bathroom. Others can't make it through the
day without falling asleep. He goes to school four days/seven hours; naps
are no longer part of kindergarten"
04/5/2010:
"what happened to social skills? isn't anyone disturbed that kindergarten
has turned into such an academic endeavor? what happened to learning
through play?"
12/3/2009:
"Please read the California State Standards to find out what a Kindergarten
should know at the beginning of the year. Check to see what they should
know to be ready for 1st grade.
numbers 1-30
25 words
all upper and lower case letters (out of order)
beginning, middle, and ending sounds of three letter words
Reading levels to 4
Writing sentences/short stories
Rhymes
Follow 2-3 step directions
and all of the things you listed on your list
colors
"
11/2/2009:
"I think this is a wonderful article and guide for new parents and
grandparents too! Thank you."
09/21/2009:
"It seems that many parents who have commented are saying that their
children already know most of what is listed. Maybe there should be two
tracks for kindergarten. One for those children who have attended pre-k
and have been exposed to all this 'preparatory information' and one for
those children who have not attended pre-k, or who seem to need more
socialization skills. Kindergarten looks like 1st or 2nd grade these days.
What happened to children playing to learn!!"
09/8/2009:
"Parents, you should realize that sooo much more goes on in the classroom.
They are also learning about social studies, science, art and much more.
This is not what they work on for the whole school year. This is just
what they HAVE to know before going on. They will learn and be exposed to
so much more."
09/2/2009:
"These are all things most children know BEFORE beginning Kindergarten! No
wonder my 5 year old is bored and upset and unhappy!"
09/1/2009:
"I find it obsurd that's all my daughter should know by the end of K. She
knew this stuff PRIOR TO PRE-K!"
08/27/2009:
"This seems like what Kindergarteners should know going into Kindergarten!
It's going to be a long year for my K if this is the expectations.
I wonder what the expectations are in other industrialized nations?"
08/13/2009:
"the basic colors should be taught based on primary and secondary colors,
red, blue, yellow-primary, purple, green, orange- secondary, with white,
brown and black as nuetrals, adding black shades a color, adding white
tints a color making it lighter. Pink is not a basic color it is a tint of
red. I am a color expert. Kids should be taught about color properly. They
should be taught about the prism, etc. Kids love to learn about color and
pick it up easily it is science. "
