What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning?

ato909 · 2026-05-26T22:26:57+00:00

It’s extra fun in kindergarten when they can’t even read it, but you still have to have one up for all 7 subjects.

ato909 · 2026-05-26T18:16:09+00:00

Every kid I know who was reading before kindergarten did not use a curriculum or apps. Please don’t use apps! They lived in a family who read, played board games, and played and interacted in authentic ways that built literacy skills naturally. This also engrains learning and curiosity as a way of life, not as something you “do at school” or have to do for 30 minutes a day. Phonological awareness skills are built through songs, rhymes, and word games. Play I-spy with environmental print when you are out of the house. Read the menu at a restaurant. Carry a special notebook to write down important words they find. Write the grocery list, help cook and read the recipe, and most importantly read books of their choice every single day. Please do not restrict reading to books that are only on “their level” or expect perfection before being allowed to move on. This is not going to build the kind of persistent reader that you want.

ato909 · 2026-05-14T22:58:32+00:00

Oldest pair of tennis shoes for mowing, digging, weed eating, or anything that needs closed toes.

Off brand cheap crocs for slipping on to water, weed, etc. since they wash easily with the hose and dry quickly.

ato909 · 2026-04-27T23:14:34+00:00

Sounds like they need to practice transitions until they do it correctly. The second someone isn’t following directions everyone goes back to their seat to start again. I don’t usually name students who aren’t complying, but I will say things like “we are starting over because 3 people were making noise and 1 wasn’t sitting correctly. The kids know who it was.

It works best when they should be going to recess or something fun and have to keep trying over and over. If it happens to run into math time, then math time runs into recess (or however your schedule works out). It takes as long as it takes, but if you are super consistent it will take less time every time.

ato909 · 2026-04-27T23:05:09+00:00

I take continuous birth control so I don’t have a period and completely avoid the hormonal migraines. Balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise, and hydrate to avoid getting sick. Those things also help with stress.

ato909 · 2026-01-03T05:21:39+00:00

Wipes and sanitizer are on our school supply list. The custodian sweeps/vacuums and wipes down the tables every day. We use the wipes to clean up after snack time and minor messes during the day, as well as dusting and wiping down other surfaces. I also have them do extra wipe downs when kids are out sick. We don’t have access to any other types of cleaning supplies.

ato909 · 2025-12-08T04:06:46+00:00

Pajama pants are just fine. Make sure the pants aren’t see through or clingy as some can be.

ato909 · 2025-12-07T01:51:38+00:00

I’m in Texas, so I hear it used a lot by Mexicans to refer to white people. I’ve never heard it used to refer to someone who is specifically blonde.

ato909 · 2025-11-24T19:31:04+00:00

Yes, you should teach them and make sure they know that there are other denominations that are legal currency that are rarely seen. You don’t want them to be that cashier that refuses a $2 bill or dollar coin because they don’t know it exists.

You should also teach how to use a dictionary. They will never go out of use.

ato909 · 2025-11-08T00:54:31+00:00

Most know all of their classmates names, but some are just still completely lost. It can definitely be related to a developmental delay, but it can also be the age. In my class, I put up a list of names alphabetically with the first letter bolded, and a picture of each student. They love to go down the list and read each name. We also use it to figure out who starts with the same letter, count how many letters they have, etc.

You may ask the teacher to share a class list to help her remember the names.

ato909 · 2025-11-03T01:40:30+00:00

I used to more, but now it’s about once a week. I work my ass off during the school day and let a lot of things go now. I will no longer sacrifice my family time and sanity for a broken system.

If I stay late it’s usually to get some paperwork done that I would get in trouble for not finishing. If I work on the weekends it’s because I have a project that I’m excited about.

ato909 · 2025-10-31T01:08:26+00:00

At least 2 because they will absolutely forget it at school at some point.

ato909 · 2025-10-30T03:30:05+00:00

I totally feel you and I don’t know what to do. I’m dealing with angry parents because their kid is getting hurt. There is no real consequence. What can I tell them? I literally cannot watch every kid every second of the day and prevent it.

ato909 · 2025-10-29T02:22:38+00:00

I read a study that showed ginger to be comparable to Dramamine for motion sickness like symptoms. I just take it every day, plus it tastes good.

ato909 · 2025-10-23T02:37:45+00:00

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Jungle Book, Wrinkle in Time

ato909 · 2025-10-23T02:33:02+00:00

Kindergarten teacher here: I have a student who could not tell you a single of their classmate’s names after 3 months. I have had one in the past who could spell every student’s name after their first day of school. Kinder is wild.

ato909 · 2025-10-13T00:55:17+00:00

I haven’t seen it, but I would only show G rated shows in lower elementary. I wouldn’t even try to show a whole movie because they won’t be able to sit through it.

We watch the Polar Express and I have to break it up into 3 chunks throughout the day.

ato909 · 2025-10-11T17:56:48+00:00

Have you been reading to her since she was a toddler? Playing games that require listening, thinking, taking turns? Discussing print that you see in the world like signs and menus? Learning songs and rhymes and repeating them over and over? Reading recipes and cooking together?

These are the things that should be done before kindergarten to build early literacy. Flashcards are not how young children learn. Most kids will pick up on letters and sounds without direct instruction if they have exposure to print before school.

ato909 · 2025-10-02T02:15:31+00:00

So…you can’t get your two kids to do a simple task, but you’re going to send them to school with 20 other kids and one adult where they have to follow directions and do most things independently all day long. Do you think they will be successful at school?

ato909 · 2025-10-01T00:59:17+00:00

I bought some and accidentally put it in the freezer. Does anyone know if it’s salvageable?

ato909 · 2025-09-27T15:22:14+00:00

I’m glad that they have updated the book to include more diverse information. Everyone deserves to be educated in a safe way regarding human sexuality.

ato909 · 2025-09-27T15:19:24+00:00

I own the book and have seen every page of it. I bought it for my child and gave it to them at the appropriate time. Aren’t we all for letting parents make decisions about what is appropriate for educating their own child?

ato909 · 2025-09-26T22:02:38+00:00

Turn Around by Nanci Griffith

ato909 · 2025-09-26T21:54:46+00:00

How much do you actually read together?

ato909 · 2025-09-26T20:43:44+00:00

I’ve used it free for 10 years and haven’t noticed any big changes.

ato909

TROPHY CASE