Actually I'll just take one apple

Parents of next years kindergarten students, and others, recently received a letter in the mail. The letter basically outlined areas to be worked on during the upcoming year so that students would not lack basic skills necessary to have a fun and productive school year.

Some parents have been upset by this letter. Sentiments include: it takes the "fun" out of being a kids; expects too much from students, not required by law so shouldn't be required of students and so on.

Actually, the letter is fine in my opinion. It might not be well written in parts or perhaps, more accurately, could be better written in parts, but it is fine.

As a parent with a late August birthday child who may start school next year, I heard about the letter and thought "oh dear". Then I read the letter that I got in the mail and it wasn't so bad. Certainly if I spent time with my daughter between now and NEXT SCHOOL YEAR I could help her achieve the milestones outlined in the letter.

The one that did have me thinking "too much" was one line:
Help them to know which numbers are larger and smaller. WHAT?? A 4/5 year old being able to pick what is larger of 7 and 9? TOO MUCH me thought...

That night, I lifted my little girl up on the counter and said, "Honey count to ten for me." She did with a little prompting. (We will now recite our numbers every day!)

Then I said, "Honey, what is larger 9 or 1?" She just looked at me. "Honey, which is more 9 or 1?" Nothing. "Honey, which comes first when you are counting...9 or 1?" She said "1".

Then I said Good Job! "9 is larger than 1. 1 is smaller than 9 because 1 comes first when you count. Now, which is larger 9 or 1?" Nothing!!...so I add, "Which would you rather have 9 apples or 1? Which is more?" My daughter's eyes got huge and then she said, "Actually, I'll just take one apple."

She gets it. So do I. It's basic stuff. "Have them share. Talk to your child about books as you read them. Count with them. Let them practice...help them to understand...help them to start..."

Thank you, Cokeville Elementary School, for caring about our kids and doing a great job at what you do.