Let’s Get Ready with Cedar Valley Publishing

I was speaking at a PreK/Kindergarten conference in Illinois last week, among an amazing group of Preschool and Kindergarten teachers. 

I started quite the hot debate. 

Let’s just say, I had a wonderful tall, strong and capable male teacher come to my second session after a teacher referred him from my first session, to “act as my bouncer” (his words).  He had heard that my Preschool teachers were upset by my pop quiz.  Once again, I asked my Preschool teachers to name the 7 things that kids are tested on, at that first Kindergarten assessment test; and had my Kindergarten teachers provide the answers.  Again the usual response – less than a handful of Preschool teachers got it correct and after hearing what Illinois tests on for their assessment, my answers were much easier that their actual test!  My Kindergarten teachers were horrified!

I will send copy of Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! to the first person who leaves a comment with the 7 things I was looking for:  hint – see a prior post from last week!

Okay, now to Fuel the Fire…

I do understand that teachers are worried about pushing children before they are ready to learn. But, recent studies show that SO much learning takes place between 0-5!!!  AND, I get this more and more, so how would you respond to this comment from a teacher in my first session:

I would never give this list (the 7 things that teachers test on for Kindergarten assessment) to parents!  I want these kids to come to me as a blank slate so I can teach them in a fun way.  I mean, if I gave that information to my brother, he would just push his kids before they are ready and take the fun right out of education for them for the future.” – Teacher from Illinois

I was so shocked that I am honestly, unsure what I actually said in response!  But, I am ready the next time and here is what I wish I would have said:

And then when your niece or nephew is 20 ask them who they would have rather practiced counting with, you or their Daddy?

Well, what would you say?