Ask the Experts About First-Graders

"My son was born August 31, so he is the youngest one in his class. Before he went to pre-K we were advised to let him stay in pre-K for two years but we found ESL preschool in public school and after one year teacher said that he is ready to kindergarten. Now he is at first grade. The first grade demands more from him, and although he tests well at times, at other times he can't focus, and his work doesn't get finished. We find it very difficult to get him to stay with his homework long enough to finish. He is A,B student but he needs more time for tests than other kids in his class. He had some problems with his behavior because older kids can easily manipulate him. We think we have made mistake by sending him to first grade last year. How does the parent decide is a child is mature enaugh to advance to second grade? His behavior problems could be related to this. The teacher is out on maternity leave for the rest of the school year, and the substitute teacher hasn't been able to help. "

"my daughter has add and she needs a lot of help on her writing and her reading and math how can the school help her on those issues and how can i help her too"

"My son is going to summer camp at a small private school that he will be attending in the fall for First Grade. There are some boys at his summer camp (who will be there in the fall) that have been making comments to him and others that they don't like him, that he's a bully, etc.. Yesterday a boy told him that the only reason he was playing with him was because everyone else hated him. He tells me the kids do and say things to him when the teachers are not watching. I was frankly surprised by these comments. At preschool/kindergarten he had lots of friends and has never exhibited any behaviors that could be considered bullying. I have asked my son what he has done to these boys, and he said he didn't know. Yesterday I spoke with his teacher at length and he told me that my son is a great kid and definitely has not displayed any of those behaviors. He doesn't understand why the children would say or feel that way. I mentioned the children's names who were a particular probl! em and he said they were the 'power' group in the grade school. They have to constantly watch these children and keep them in line. He said it's a small school and when you introduce new children in it changes the dynamic, etc. I'm not sure what to do about this. Is this normal in first/second grades? Should I consider other options than a small school, or is this something we will or could encounter at any school? How can I help me son to counteract or deal with this? Your advice would be very much appreciated."

"I have a daughter in first grade I am having a problems with her reading and comprehension , writing letters backwards, and some other subjects I don't know what to do get her on track she can learn but doesn't read to well can offer some advice on what I can do to help her sometimes I feel like I HAVE FAILED HER AS THE PARENT "

"Our daughter is a top student in her class and everything seems to come easily to her. Homework has always been a fight because she isn't interested. Since January, this lazy attitude has trickled down to her school day and classroom work. Her teacher has even commented on her laziness. We really need to find a way to motivate her to try her best. We appreciate any suggestions that you may have. Thank you."

"Please tell me if I'm being irrational about my sons homework. He is in the first grade and in about the middle of his class academically. Currently, his class is asked to do the following: be prepared with 2 new spelling word each day, read for at least 15 minutes a night, have weekly book report completed by Friday, complete math problems on website weekly, and the one that sent me over the edge...the students will be given a sheet of 50 math problems on Friday to study over the weekend and then be tested on Monday and if they miss more then 2 problems they must retake the same test that Friday. What happen to family time?? Thanks!"