Miss M Teaches Again

School is officially back in full force… meaning lesson plans and feeling like I need a nap when the school day is finished.

I was recently presented with a new list of standards that I am expected to follow in my weekly plan book. I was shocked by them and was looking to hear the opinions of fellow educators or parents.

Last year my expectations were:

• Reading: 5 times a week
• Writing: 5 times a week
• Math: 5 times a week
• Social Studies: 4 times a week
• Science: 4 times a week
• Phonics: 3 times a week

This year, I am teaching the same age/grade level, but instead of 45 minute periods they are now 30 minutes and the expectations are:

• Cognitive skills: 10 times a week (including PRE-reading, PRE-writing, PRE-math)
• Play Skills: 3 times a week
• Motor Skills: 6 times a week (half fine motor, half gross motor)
• Self-Help Skills: 5 times a week
• Socialization Skills: 10 times a week

Um what? I mean sure, I can do this no problem…. but this isn’t pre-school or daycare. What happened to the academics?

Teachers: what are the requirements for the lessons you must teach in your classrooms?