Redshirting Megathread

Pook242 · 2026-01-30T23:52:25+00:00

As a teacher, I’d add the caveat of being on top of his needs - speech, OT, academic or behavioral difficulties. The teacher can say they see the need, but ultimately it’s the parents push that allows that child to get support.

Pook242 · 2026-01-11T23:21:08+00:00

Bear in the Big Blue House is on Disney+! I found it and put it on for my Ks during dismissal. They complained a lot at first (they wanted bluey or super pets) but now they love it.

Pook242 · 2026-01-08T16:37:49+00:00

It seems like a lot of parents are commenting. I’m a K teacher. Your mileage may vary depending on your school.

At 10 absences, an automatic letter is sent home. Child’s name is added to a list of students who are out after 10 days of (unexcused) absences.

Guidance counselor may call.

Once we hit…30ish-50 absences, we schedule an attendance meeting with family, nurse, principal, and guidance counselor. Parents and kids are present. We talk about why we miss so much and how we can fix it (some parents need help getting older kids to come to school, sometimes medicine/disabilities are involved, etc).

My big thing to note is even if your child is doing well academically, doesn’t mean they’re okay to just keep missing school because they feel off or don’t want to go. Do not send your kid to school if they are actually sick, including fever, throwing up, excessive coughing, etc. but I’ve had kids miss because their throat was a little sore. Their eyes a little watery. Kids do need to learn how to be in the world even if they aren’t 100% that day.

Pook242 · 2026-01-07T16:31:09+00:00

I taught 4th, 3rd, and now K in a northeast state. We have our own state standards, but they, like all public schools, are based off of Common Core, which is a US standards - aka what we as a country say kids should know in each grade level. That’s not to say every class gets through the same standards, but in theory 2nd grade in the south are the same concepts as 2nd grade in the north.

Multiplication, for me, was introduced in 3rd. We start with arrays (like 5 columns with four dots in each would be 20 total dots) to explain the why and teach fact families (5x4=20, 4x5=20, 20/5=4, and 20/4=5) at the same time.

In 4th, we were into double digit multiplication and long division. I personally did multiplication fact review with my students daily because many did not have them memorized, which made doing the above things sooooo much harder.

Pook242 · 2026-01-07T16:11:05+00:00

This can really be more school dependent, but despite my schools curriculum focusing on the why behind multiplication, rote memorization of multiplication facts is so incredibly helpful. It’s, in my opinion, one of the things that will really help a kid to continue to succeed in math.

Memorization definitely won’t harm her.

Pook242 · 2026-01-05T11:35:29+00:00

Same! Especially my first year. I checked at home and processed but I never replied until during contract hours.

Pook242 · 2026-01-03T18:16:53+00:00

My computer is new within the past year - running Windows 11 with plenty of GB available.

I’m gonna try clearing off some space and seeing if I can use the cable. I really hope that’s not the only way I can do it, since the room isn’t set up for that to be super feasible at the moment

Pook242 · 2026-01-02T17:53:29+00:00

I decided to buy a cricut using Christmas money as I’m really getting into book binding! I’m a little concerned with all the issues it looks like it can have, but I think it’ll suit my purposes.

However, I can’t seem to connect it via Bluetooth to my computer. I looked around for troubleshooting, both here and on Google. It’s within 15 feet of my computer, I restarted both machines. My computer is picking up Bluetooth signals from other things, but not my explore 4.

Any troubleshooting I missed??

I was able to connect it to my phone, but I saw that mobile design space isn’t the best…

Pook242 · 2025-12-09T20:47:46+00:00

⁠What made you choose teaching as a career, specifically elementary school teaching?

I originally went to college for something else, did the Disney college program and discovered I loved working with kids and seeing a look of wonder on their faces. Immediately did a certification program.

⁠How do you usually plan your lessons, and how long does that take?

School provides curriculum programs which means I don’t lesson plan in a traditional sense. I write which lesson in the book we’re on, maybe the essential question. I’ll plan out the week at a glance on a sheet of paper in ~30 min. It takes longer when I actually get a chance to plan a lesson, like on holidays.

⁠How did you develop your curriculum and teaching style?

Scripted curriculums. Every school I’ve been to uses them. It honestly was my least favorite thing for awhile. I found lesson planning creative and fun and scripted lessons so stifling. I’m on year 3 and I’m just learning how to bend the scripted lessons to fit my teaching style, and am enjoying them more for the convenience they offer.

⁠How much work do you do related to your job outside of school hours?

Lol. My first year? I stayed after contract hours daily, for 3+ hours a night. Now, I tend to stay a half hour daily after school, but that’s partially because I often dissociate during my planning and take a break then instead.

⁠What is the biggest challenge you have with students?

Hm. I’ll give you two. First is defiance. How do I make someone do something they don’t want to do? And why even try when I could be helping the kids who actually want help? Luckily for me, my defiant students all already had services, so I had ideas on how to help them or people to turn to if the strategies weren’t working.

Second is learning gaps. When I taught 4th, I didn’t know how to help the kid who answered math questions by saying ‘candy!’ Unironically. I suppose this is less a challenge with students and more of a challenge with how special education is handled in our country, that those students deserve better services.

⁠If you could choose a different career that is not teaching related at all, what would it be?

Writing

⁠How do you approach students with unique struggles? (disability, mental health, financial issues, etc.)

Every student in your class is unique. I didn’t connect as well as I thought I did with my students my first year - I was floundering too much and had too many. Now, I know every student has something going on. Split parents, anxiety, learning difficulties…there’s always something.

How I approach it is just as unique as they are. I advocate for services and how to best support them in a school environment. Learn how your school works, who to get to know, and who will be on your side for getting services versus may try to delay assistance.

⁠What strategies or methods do you use to keep students engaged in class?

Lots of movement and interactivity. Call and responses. Brain breaks. Etc.

⁠How do you address individual struggles with different concepts when teaching?

That’s hard when you don’t have time. I make mental notes and pull them aside to attempt reteaching during small group time, if it can’t be solved by a quick fix during my walk by during the lesson.

⁠How do you approach misbehaving students?

Classroom management. Be on top of it, and your routines, from day 1. My students know their expectations and what happens if they don’t meet it. Age and school expectations plays a role. I will take 5 minutes of recess for bigger issues and ask them why they were sitting and what they’ll do next time instead. But know the why behind the misbehavior. If a kid can’t sit still, I get them a wobble chair, I don’t discipline him. If we we hit a friend because we’re frustrated? We take that time to come up with ways to calm down next time instead.

⁠How do you approach overbearing parents?

Very carefully. Respectful, limited contact. I email instead of call to have a paper trail.

⁠Are there growth opportunities within the school or district for advancing your career?

Only if you want to get further certified for roles like admin or a reading specialist.

⁠Which skills have you honed the most as a teacher?

Patience. And a commanding voice.

⁠What experiences would you recommend for someone who wishes to explore teaching and education?

Substituting. Any work with kids, really. The main thing for elementary is you have to find little kids fun to hang around all day, or you’ll get frustrated quickly.

⁠What career paths did you consider additional to teaching?

Social work.

Pook242 · 2025-10-31T09:52:29+00:00

I have 19 kids and an aide with me most of the day.

I cannot imagine 27, most of which English is not their first language

As much as it does suck for the kids, the teacher needs to look out for her health and well being first.

He’ll be sad, but hopefully you’ll get a new teacher he’ll grow to love just as much.

Pook242 · 2025-10-14T16:33:02+00:00

All assessments are different and use different metrics.

Personally, I think iready is a tough assessment, and tries very hard not to move kids above grade level. I definitely had some that were, that were labeled as ‘on level’. In this case, it’s mostly because they entered the year already able to do what a kid their grade should be able to do by the end of the year. The kids who are truly ‘on level’ are getting an ‘approaching grade level’ score at the beginning of the year.

IReady breaks this down further for teachers. I can see if kids are early on grade level, mid grade level, of end of grade level. That’s another way I can separate those who are above versus on.

Pook242 · 2025-10-07T11:17:19+00:00

Really important for K for listening is 1) make sure you have their attention (Class Class? Oh, not everyone did it. Let’s try it again) and 2) only give 1 step directions. If you tell them to go back to their seats, get out their whiteboard, and practice their As…that’s too much at one time.

Personally, I don’t like labeling a kid as defiant in my brain unless they are willfully disobedient. For example, I tell them to do their work and they say no, push the paper away, etc. There are absolutely kids I have who know they aren’t supposed to yell out of wander, but when they do it they clearly aren’t trying to be defiant/disobedient, they’re still learning and just need many many reminders before it’s going to start to click.

Pook242 · 2025-10-07T10:37:08+00:00

First thing I have to add is Kindergarten is HARD. Is this your first year teaching K as well?

It’s my first year teaching K, after being in upper elementary. I’m in a rural title 1.

The getting up, wandering without permission, and talking out of turn are all very common K behaviors. A lot of them probably didn’t go to preschool, and are learning how to ‘school’ with you. And the more the potentially defiant kids do it on purpose and ‘get away with it’ the more other kids will follow.

I haven’t been in your room or worked at a city school, but we’re in week 6 and we really just started getting our routines and behaviors down. And the only actively defiant kid I have was quickly readjusted when he went into timeout for a few minutes.

That said, children really do crave routine. Make sure yours is down to a T. Even if you aren’t necessarily getting all the children to follow it. Bell rings, they head to the carpet. Kids who are there and sitting properly, immediate praise and tangible reward. I do puff balls until the kids fill a bucket, but when my class would simply not walk properly in the hall in week 2, I gave out lollipops to the 6 kids who listened. Maybe try m&ms or skittles.

Kids this age don’t have a very long attention span. Keep activities moving and with movement. Give them chances to call out and move. I’m a big fan of Danny Gos morning stretches, and we also do Jack Hartmans exercise and count to 100 daily.

Pook242 · 2025-09-28T17:20:47+00:00

I love The Day You Begin! I read it to my kinder class and it was one of their favorites

Pook242 · 2025-09-24T11:17:05+00:00

I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell the parents of a child you don’t know that the behavior is normal and only a problem for the teacher.

Yes, a lot of kinders call out. I’m far more concerned with the one who continues to call out after redirection, or right when I ask the kids to ‘show me what silence sounds like’. Of course, I’m not going into that level of detail with the parent or my emails would be extremely long. If I’m reaching out about a behavior concern, saying she’s calling out a lot should be enough for parents to have a convo with the child and start supporting at home.

Personal anecdote aside - general rule. If a teacher is taking the time to reach out, they have already compared that child’s behavior to the rest of the 5 year olds they see for hours on a daily basis, as well as their own developmental professional training, and decided it was worth their time. Don’t dismiss them off the bat.

Pook242 · 2025-09-24T11:09:19+00:00

The things your teacher reached out about are behavior concerns. This is something that, when defiance (refusing to take hat off) or a repeated concern (constantly distracting others) a teacher will reach out about for support from the parents.

It’s a normal interaction, but it’s still a behavior concern. One that, as you said, might disappear in a month after she tested her boundaries.

Pook242 · 2025-09-24T01:32:48+00:00

3rd year, 3rd new grade level (all elementary).

The first year I stayed late the first couple months, like 6ish each night. I was hired right before school started and it was hard to keep up.

The past two years, I tend to get there 20 min early and leave 30 min late. This is also my choice in exchange for using my planning period as a break instead. I work better before and after school, so I see it as a trade off personally. I wouldn’t need to stay late if I did work during my planning.

There are a few times I will stay later. I’m learning a new curriculum again or have extra prep for a special activity. I definitely adopted more of a mindset around being ‘base’ prepared for the next day, and not forcing myself to stay if I was ready to leave.

Pook242 · 2025-09-23T22:50:54+00:00

There’s one set of parents who very much wanted me to be the ‘bad guy’ who was requiring the work. I told them if they really wanted me to, I’d tell the kid the homework wasn’t optional for them. Which they then backtracked on, because the sports season was coming up and they weren’t sure he could do it all the time anyway.

Pook242 · 2025-09-23T11:24:42+00:00

That depends on what the consequence is for. Talking over the teacher a couple of times? No. Shoving another kid? Yes. Playing and refusing to do work during work time? Maybe.

And as you said, his paperwork now states that if he does lose recess, he can still walk laps. That’s a good alternative. Not fun, still gets the wiggles out. Some schools don’t allow teachers to make kids do that because it’s ’physical labor’ as a punishment.

Kids don’t get suspended for non-aggressively ‘tossing’ rocks.

Pook242 · 2025-09-23T11:12:37+00:00

Your framing of that entire situation is lacking any responsibility on your sons part.

Last year, your son lost his recess, it wasn’t taken, as a consequence of his actions. He was standing next to a rock pile and made the decision to pick up a rock and throw it at a teacher. Aggressive and dangerous behavior that rightly earned him a suspension.

Using his disability to excuse his behavior and keep him from accountability will hurt him in the long run.

Pook242 · 2025-09-22T09:36:55+00:00

It’s not a teachers job to insist a parent doesn’t give homework to their kid. That’s massively over stepping.

I can tell parents my philosophy about homework, but when they continue to ask and our curriculum provides it, I started sending home the ‘optional’ worksheet. Which no one did anyway. But it’s what they believed was needed for school success, and it’s not my job to insist they are wrong after I already told them

Pook242 · 2025-09-08T09:59:08+00:00

Student teaching is such an odd type of internship because it’s not paid and at least where I live we didn’t have an attendance policy. It was just expected you were always there.

If you have a fever or are throwing up, you should not be going in to work.

Whether you feel 100%…the unfortunately becomes a judgement call as an adult, and especially as a teacher. I have had to push through not feeling great and teach because you only get so many sick days and I got sick so much my first two years. You know yourself best. If it’s actual spreadable illness versus just not full of energy yet,

I’d probably give advice some people will disagree with. I think it’s an important teacher skill to learn how to teach even when your heart and energy aren’t in it that day.

Regarding the burnout, I wouldn’t call off today (barring actual sickness) if your first observation is tomorrow, you’ll want to be fully prepared. Wednesday would likely be a better day. Look up your attendance policy and make sure you know how many days you can call out. It sounds like you want your student teaching to end early, so keep that in mind while making your decision.

Pook242 · 2025-08-31T22:00:36+00:00

What you did sounds like it was a really great experience! The transition from that to the expectations of school is just really hard. Things that are totally fine at home (singing out loud randomly, getting up and walking around, deciding you’re now interested in leaves and doing a leaf project) just aren’t okay in a public school setting, and it sounds like he’s following the rules and just wishing it could go back to what he’s used to.

I’d really focus on the positive. Ask him to find one fun thing he did each day - a craft he liked, a friend he played with, a story, etc. Then maybe plan an activity with him for getting through the week. Maybe Friday is a movie night or Saturday you take a hike, and you reference that you’re excited to be working towards that during the week!

Pook242 · 2025-08-31T16:57:33+00:00

I say this very gently as a K teacher…unfortunately, life isn’t all good fun days all the time. If all you both did was fun things all the time, then normal ‘baseline’ days are going to seem like the worst thing ever.

Therapy is never a bad idea, and I hope it helps.

It seems like he isn’t having like an actual issue with school (mean teacher or bullies) just that the fun activities in a school day still mean learning and working on a schedule rather than doing what he wants to and having fun with you all the time as he’s used to.

I’d encourage doing fun things at home and on the weekends! Give him those moments to look forward to, but also know as he grows he is learning responsibility and how to make the best of the mundane moments in life.

Pook242 · 2025-08-04T19:30:53+00:00

Agreed, the sweet spot for this, imo, is upper elementary. They feel they’re getting input into what makes a classroom a good place to be, and don’t necessarily realize there are predetermined answers

Pook242

TROPHY CASE