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Q

Daughter Flunking Two Classes

San Diego, CA

My daughter is 12 in 7th grade and she's flunking Math and Science. Math especially is a concern because she is tutored but says she still doesn't get it and completely goes blank when taking math tests. She's also not doing homework and simple things in Science that would keep her from an F...

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Q

First Grader Having Trouble Reading

Dallas, TX

I have a first grader who is having a really hard time reading, I spoke with her teacher several months ago and we came up with a plan of reading every night for 20 minutes before bed but she still has not started reading well yet, she sounds things out and recognized some words but cannot read. Her teacher told me it was nothing too bad, however I am worried. The other day we had a playdate with a classmate and she reads very very well, I was actually surprized. I am trying everything I can to help her. The thing is if I make her read longer than say 20-30 minutes she gets really frustrated and her teacher and I agreed that it was not good for her to feel so stressed about reading or it would just make it harder. Any advice? I wish I could afford a good tutor but now its not an option. I guess I am trying to figure out how backed up she is. When did your kiddos start reading well? thanks moms! P.S. I didnt compare her to anyone, I just saw her classmate reading the street signs and took note :)

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Q

Kindergarteners

Detroit, MI

Ok, so here's the deal. My 5 year old son's class has a great opportunity for parents to come in for a half-hour every Friday to read to the kids. Well, this Friday is my turn. I'm so excited to spend time in my child's environment, yet at the same time, am nervous! What am I going to do with 5 year old's for a half-hour to keep them entertained? I was planning on reading my son's favorite story and a classic, The Little Engine That Could, but that takes only about 15 minutes at best. What should I do the other 15? Any ideas?

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Q

KISD School Supply List

Dallas, TX

Hi Mamas, My daughter will be attending Heritage Elementary and I didn't pre-order her school supplies. So, now I have to hunt down every item on this list. However, I'm having a little trouble with the following item: Non -perforated Spiral Composition 100 count (does this mean non-perf spiral notebook?) Please help! Thank you in advance!

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Q

Male Teacher Gilft

Minneapolis, MN

I know I have read some previous post regarding holiday gifts for teachers but I don't remember seeing any specific for male teachers. My son is in 3rd grade and this is our first boy teacher. I would like to give him something nice before the holiday break but just not sure what. Any mom's have some good boy teacher gift idea's?

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Q

My Autistic Son

Spokane, WA

My son who will be 6 in January was being hit slapped and manhandled by his para educator. I live in a rural area and I know resources are limited and the principal of the grade school is also the superintendent of the school district. He has missed one week of school because of this woman and when i went to pick up my other children at school i saw her saying goodbye to the children etc. What should i do? I even emailed the governor regarding this with no response. Thanks

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Q

My First Grader

Columbus, OH

My dughter Emilie is in First grade this year, her father and I have been divorced for three years.I recently filed for full custody of both my daughters, but right now they are still living with their father during the school week. I receive very few reports, about her behavior, but the ones I do get usually say that she is having big problems. She doesn't listen, or she is disrupting the class, or she is saying mean things to the other kids. Emilie is a very well behaved girls when she is with me, she listens really well, she helps out a ton, she loves to help me clean, and cook, she is not at all the child that these reports I am getting(from her teacher, and her father) are describing. I am very confused though, because we are getting ready to go to the parent teacher conferences, and I don't know what I am going to say.I almost feel like it might be the teacher, or the school, or the other kids. I just don't know this girl they are talking about. I really don't think it would be productive to go in there saying that its the teacher or whatever. so what would some of my other options be? I guess Im just afraid that she's going to get diagnosed with some bogus behavioral disorder or something like that, when its obvious to me that she has no problem, unless she's not with me. I do realize how that sounds, but I am really worried about her. If they give her that label so young, how possible is it going to be for her to pull her self out of whatever she's dealing with?

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Q

Need Advice About Sending Son to Kindergarten

Denver, CO

My son will be five at the end of August next year. I am having a hard time deciding whether to send him to Kindergarten next year, or to hold him back for a year. He attends pre-k right now, and academically he is doing fine, but I worry about his social readiness. The older boys in his class tend to push him and boss him around the playground, and at birthday parties. He is very eager to play with these boys and is a shy kid, so he does not stand up for himself when they push him down and continues to want to play with them. My son is an only child and does not have much experience interacting with other, especially older boys. It is heartbreaking to watch my son being treated this way by other children, and I wonder if I would be setting him up to fail if I sent him into a Kindergarten class fill of older boys, and potentially, bullies. However, I also worry about holding him back and risking him feeling bored at school, as well as the additional year of pre-k tuition. Please help with any advice or experience!!! Thanks!

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Q

Reading Help

Denver, KS

I need help.... My 9 year old son doesn't like or want to read. He just has a meltdown whenever we try to get him to read or tell us about what he has read. We have tried to get him to read about things he is interested in, but that doesn't work either.... He isn't doing well in school, and I just don't know how to help him without causing another meltdown! Does anyone have any ideas for us to try?

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Q

Recess Concern

Dallas, TX

I am so torn about how to approach the principal at my kids school, please tell me what you think. I don't know if I'm blowing this way out of proportion. Yesterday my 3rd grader told me that he didn't get to go outside after lunch to recess because he didn't eat all his lunch, he said he didn't like the steak fingers, so he didn't eat them, he ate his roll, milk and a cookie. He said all the other kids in his class at their food, and I find it hard to believe that every child ate everything in thier plate. He sayed behind with about 5 other kids from antoher class. I was heartbroken, not only becuase he didn't go out to play, but physical activity is improtant, and not something that I feel should be a punishment for something like not eating all your food. I'm like, punish him if he hits someone, if he didn't finish his work for goofing off. But for not liking something on his plate?? What do you think I should say to the principal about me not agreeing wiht the "rule", which I knew nothing about?

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Q

Relocating to Chicago

Chicago, IL

Hi, My husband and our six year old daughter may be relocating to Chicago. I would like to consider moving into the Hyde Park area or around there(I want to live in the city). But we have to consider the school districts. We are coming from Minneapolis, where I am comfortable with our public school system, but I am at a total loss regarding the Chicago school district. Can anyone help me figure out what school districts are considered good in the City. Also what other areas in the city would be good to consider? I'm sooo confused! Help!

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Q

Seeking 7-8 Grades Schools

Sacramento, CA

my two daughters go to highlands academy now, however i will be taking them out of this school at the end of break. i have had nothing but problems since the school year has started. does anyone know of a better school in the n. highlands, foothill farms, antelope, elverta areas?

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Q

Speech Therapy Needed in Allen (Or McKinney/Plano) Area

Dallas, TX

My 7 yr old son will start 2nd grade at North Texas Christian Academy in McKinney next week. He had speech therapy last year to help with his "L" and "S". His "L" has greatly improved, but the "S" still needs work. It's a mild problem but needs correcting. He is a model student and think this would give him a tremendous confidence boost. One of our struggles is that we live in Allen, but we go to a private school in McKinney. MISD says Allen should pay for his therapy because that's where we live and pay taxes. AISD says that McKinney should pay for it because that's where we choose to go to school. Meanwhile, we've payed out of pocket ($$$) and had to take a therapy hiatus because of the mounting costs. Can anyone help us, please???

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