Hi,
You all help me out so much I just thought I would ask all of you what's your take on school.My bgb have been in seperate classes for K. and 1st grade, next year they are going into 2nd grade. I have been stressed with their homework this year and thought maybe having 2 of them in the same class would help. Talked to the principle she didn't think it was a great idea but she also doesn't have triplets. I've learned in the past that somethings are very different when it comes to triplets. Let me know how you deal with School stuff.
Thanks
Hope everyone is having a great spring
Donna Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary 7 years old and a big ole English Mastiff dog

My girls were in the same class until 6th grade so I can't help you with separate classes in the lower grades but I can tell you I felt homework got MUCH easier as they got older.
In 1st and some of 2nd, tho' they could read, I wasn't sure they read well enough to understand all the homework instructions. They needed lots of encouragement to complete assignments and lots of parental involvement.

By 3rd grade, they worked much more independently tho' I still (in 7th grade) ask about homework and help manage long term projects.


Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

Thank you Judie,

That's what I'm starting to plan now with their teachers. Their 1st grade teachers are going to come up with a plan with their 2nd grade teachers to make homework and projects flow better. The thing that gets me is I've been told that they need their space and that keeping them seperate is the best so they can develope into their own person. But like you I bet your girls are fine right? So who knows for sure what the best thing is? You know what I mean? I can go on and on I guess this is something only being a triplet knows.
Thank you for your input

Donna Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary 7 years old!!!

I never believed that "let them be individuals" argument.
They are indidviduals, nothing I do will stop that. Respect them as indiviuals instead of making decisions based on your (principal's) assumptions.

My girls always did finein the same classroom. Every teacher said if a stranger walked into the class, they would never know the girls were sisters (we have lots of blonde blue eyed girls in the class).

The only reason we started to separate was in preparation for high school. We only have 2 classes per grade so we needed to do it over 3 years to give each a chance to be alone. They handle it well but there are times the different homework/test schedule is a pain. Much easier if all can study at the same time!


Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

I have b/b/g too and we have done it both ways. Mine were together K, seperate 1st grade, then together and we also homeschooled for awhile. This year, 6th grade, they are back in public school, separated because we registered late, and doing well.

That said, this year has been horrible as far as homework and projects and assignments - for me. I have two that their "teams" do essentially the same assignments (same teachers) and one that seems to be nowhere near the same place as the other two - argh...

So for next year, I have requested that they either be all together, or two on one team and one on the other that shares teachers and assignments. So far, the principal has said she will try to accomodate me. I think it helps they are good students equally matched and also I used to work in the school so the principal knows me

My point is, you know what works best for your kids and your family dynamics. Push if you have to. Triplets are not twins. It's different dynamics. These school years shouldn't be so difficult.




http://teensandtriplets.com
Wiltrip Mom with 5
2 teens & BBG - school age and easier than the teens!

Waltrip Mom,

I love your blog! It's wonderful to read!

Kristina
divorced MOM
Megan 7/26/00 Blessed Adoption
Abigail, Brigid, Caroline 6/28/03 IVF

www.tripletsplus1.blogspot.com

That you so much for the kind compliment. I am really enjoying it. Some days I have writer's blog and feel I'm rambling, but like I said, I decided it is my blog and I have given myself permission to ramble - lol.

You made my day!


http://teensandtriplets.com
Wiltrip Mom with 5
2 teens & BBG - school age and easier than the teens!

My kids are in 2nd Grade and were separated for the first time this year. I don't love the homework but it's not that bad having 3 different sets. Our 2nd Grade teachers work as a team...so they pretty much have the same type of work. Just different words and different reading assignments. Even if they did have the same work I don't think it would make it any easier on me. When they need help...I really have to work with them one on one. It's not like they all need help with the exact same thing anyway. The worst part of having them separated is dealing with 3 different teaching styles & teacher personalities. Also when you have to buy teacher gifts...you have to buy 3! Then their is the class parties.....I have to rotate between 3 classes. I thought I would hate it but it really isn't so bad.


Terri~
12/21/01 at 33 weeks

My kiddos have been together for all their school years. I had contemplated separating them for 2nd grade next year. I talked with their current teacher who thought it would be fine to keep them together again next year. The worry I kept having was having three teachers instead of 1, the homework level and spelling word list for three rooms etc. I'm a single Mom and for me it really is easier to keep them together for all of the above reasons. One homework, one teacher, one party, etc. HTH

Kristina
divorced MOM
Megan 7/26/00 Blessed Adoption
Abigail, Brigid, Caroline 6/28/03 IVF

www.tripletsplus1.blogspot.com

As a single mother of 1st graders as well, I can tell you, it's much easier having them in the same room rather than in seperate classes. Mine were together in kinder but on their own in 1st. They wanted to be seperated and EVERYONE I talked to said it was better for them to be on their own. I finally decided that I had to put their interests ahead of mine. It sucks all the extra effort it makes for me. They are learning the same stuff, but each teacher does things a little differently. It's overwhelming to try to remember everyone's systems. But, the teachers have been great and really help me out on certain things. The kids have really grown and become their own people. My son especially. They will be seperated again next year. I will continue to hate it, they will continue to love it. Life goes on...

Tracy
Mommy to Lindsey, Patrick and Brooke
Born 1-14-03 at 32weeks, 3 days and ^i^ twins Dylan 1-12-02 and Cole 1-21-02

I think the imput from this year's teacher means a lot, especially since she is a twin herself . . . I feel like she has a clue.
Ali
Jack, 8 1/2
Abraham, Dylan and Zane 6 1/2
and now . . . . Tobias, new last June!

Mine are in first grade and all three are in different classes. HOWEVER, their homework is the same. They are studying the same words each week and have the same overall assignments. Occasionally one will have a different math worksheet one day and then it will flip-flop the next day -- but at the end of the week they have all completed the same things.

Personally, I think it is the best of both worlds. My kids LOVE having their own teacher and friends and experiences. They see each other at lunch and recess and any special days like field day or school plays. I get the benefit of streamlining homework as much as I can. The only downside I have seen is that it is really hard to volunteer. I cannot seem to get it in this year enough.

Tara

Mom to BBG born at 33wks on 4/3/03

Thank you all so much for all your advice. I think it's never going to be easy and that I have to push my school to help me out. Again thank you all

Donna & James
Due date - First week in May 2003

Mine will be going into 5th grade next year *sniff* *sniff* I am NOT ready for that The boys were in the same K class but I have had them all seperated after that. I think the argument for becoming individuals may not hold much weight for some but you also need to really know your kids. Siblings often have an influence on each other with out even trying. I have one high energy, larger than life, I really don't have to work hard at things kind of kid. I could see in K that as they got older, it was going to be more of an issue. It is so hard to be in a class where you worked hard for your grade only to see your brother not work at all and still get a better grade than you. Last year my one son got the highest AR points in his class but his comment to me was "well I didn't get as many points as D." No one compares them to each other, no one says "why can't you _____ like D can?" But even being in different classes, they still know what the others are doing and compare in their own heads. Imagine being in the same class and knowing every day that your sibling managed to outshine you again. J has grown a lot this year, he is one of the top students in his class and he has learned to celebrate his school successes without comparing them to Ds. You can see how proud he is when he brings his work home now. I am hoping he can carry that over to sports now too. Last year we had them on seperate baseball leagues for spring baseball but they played together in summer. J had a great time in spring but as they played together over the summer you could see J slowly give up. Now J won't play baseball at all, not even in our backyard. D never rubs things in, he even would encourage his brother. The two get along great but J could see for himself that D played infield and for most of the game while J sat on the bench most of the game. It broke my heart, I should have kept them seperated. I knew it was a potential issue yet I didn't listen to my mommy instinct.
Their sister had different issues. She was so painfully shy she would let her brothers talk for her in preschool so I knew she needed to be seperated. She has grown and blossomed so much. I would still say she is quiet but her teacher says she participates in class, she makes friends, she talks about her accomplishments .... Being the only girl, I think it is easier for her to NOT compare herself to her brothers. She just needed to learn to stand on her own and believe in herself, not just believe in herself as someone attached to a brother.
The homework issue has been hard to juggle, but DH steps up and helps as well. I agree with the PP that even if they are all working on the same assignment, you still need to take one-on-one time to help them. I will frequently see the same assignement come home 3 times but spread out a week or so, and as they have gotten older I have been able to have the first one explain things to me or the other two (new math - at least it is new to me - "solve this problem 3 different ways and show your work" type stuff.) I got a hanging file holder that I keep in the pantry and each child has a pouch for their school work.
I word of caution about general school letters. I have NEVER read the school news or fliers from all three, just read one and toss the other two. Well this year it nearly cost us a musical. I thought everyone's musical would be all on the same night but wouldn't you know the school was large enough that they split the 4th graders. I didn't know until Monday night the week of the musical that D's was TUESDAY while the other two were on Thursday.
I just wanted to chime in and add my experience to the list here. Know your kids, if you can spend some time in the class room that would help you see how they really are in that environment. What works well outside of school may not always be what works best for them in the classroom.
Good luck~

Shell~
B/B/G 1/7/2000

Thanks Shell,

Your kids sound a lot like mine. Thank you for your input. Turns out they are happy they aren't in the same class for next year. One of their teachers this year told me to hire a High School kid to help with projects and to even give me a break with the reading so I'm going to look into that. Thanks again

Donna Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary - 7 years old