Cooper 7th Grade Book List

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These identity explorations are causing more confusion than anything else. Almost by design.

Agree. This is backed up by a recent article (April 2023) in The Economist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These identity explorations are causing more confusion than anything else. Almost by design.

+1. And Transformative SEL is traumatizing our kids. Here are examples of some books that are used to do just that:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/transformational-sel-is-traumatizing-students

Unfortunately, SEL is deeply embedded into every single area of the learning experience at FCPS. Opting our kids out of the SEL screeners is no longer enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

While I personally hold nothing against the topics above, when did English class become a brain washing course with hidden agenda? Why can't the kids simply learn the beauty of the English language, and be inspired by the great minds, even from a complete different time? Or am I living in such a sheltered life that the topics are prevailing way of life now? Shouldn't all the current events be part of civics class?

I don't know if the list is specific to his class or to Cooper, but my question to the wise readers here--what should I do? Tell my kids not to read these books which means going against the school? Or ask for an alternate list?

- It hasn’t. Have you read all of the books? ANY of the books? It sounds like you’re really running wild with your assumptions. So I’d suggest that you read at least a few of the books and see if they offer ways for kids to learn the beauty of the English language, and to be inspired by great minds.

I think it’s bizarre for you to ask for an alternate list — when you apparently haven’t read any of the books. What would you ask for? Books written by dead white people? Books that only reference “current events” from at least 60 or more years ago — and prohibiting any class discussion that relates in any way to more recent current events? I’d be curious to learn how those conversations go.

English class indeed became a brain washing course with hidden agenda. In Cooper's 7th grade English syllabus, a list of concepts of study starts with "Identity", ends with "Change". For parents who want their kids to learn English, go find some other resources for your children. Besides classics, you may introduce the books such as Animal Farm, 1984, Please Stop Helping Us, Discrimination and Disparities, Irreversible Damage to your children.

Those are the units that are outlined by the county, not by Cooper. If the word "identity" bothers you, there are huge issues in your life. Identity is a huge concept for adolescents who are trying to determine who they are and how they fit into their communities. Are they athletic? Artistic? A combination of the two? Are they quiet and introspective? Risk-takers? Conservative in their approach to new things? Are they leaders? Team players? Religious? Community-service-driven? Scouts? Musicians? Readers? Humorous? Dramatic? Son's? Daughters? Siblings?

The identity unit is not political, nor is it "woke." It's relevant to adolescence.

Amazing how we got through school back in the 80s and 90s without any units on “identity.”

We also weren't vaccinated against meningitis, varicella, and HPV. We've advanced since the 80s and 90s.

We also didn't all ride in car seats until we were safe in a seat belt, and many of us rode in a lap belt only. We've learned since then.

Many of grew up getting spanked and harshly punished. We've learned the error of our ways.

Many of grew up being told that depression and anxiety were signs of weakness. Thankfully we've learned that isn't isn't case.

Isn't it INCREDIBLE how we can be better educators, parents, and providers now? Let's do better than what we had.

We are certainly trying very hard at all of these improvements but the proof is in the pudding. Kids these days are anxious, unsocialized, distracted messes.

What can we expect when kids are constantly bombarded with messages that deconstruct their world as they knew it and that are very confusing and depressing:

You are born in the wrong body.
Your parents don’t know anything.
Your parents are haters and racist.
It’s Ok to lie and hide things from your parents.
Men are toxic and abusers.
Women are oppressed and victims.
Climate change is ending the world anytime now.
Whites are oppressors.
Non-whites will ALWYAS be victims.
You ought to be ashamed of being American.
You’ll be shot to death at school.
You are not overreacting: The problems of the world are overwhelming, so it’s normal to feel depressed.
God is not real.

Yes - the ideas originate from: deconstructionism:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deconstruction

While the original “deconstruct” concepts are old, they are the foundation for what PP describes as happening today, in September 2023.

In essence:

- deconstructionism is the belief “America” is founded on racist (white) and sexist structures, concepts and ideas. The only way to remedy America’s inherent racism and sexism is to completely dismantle or “deconstruct” America’s white structure, and then try to rebuild America using equity and anti-racism as the founding ideas (in place of the ideas of “dead white men”).

However, deconstruction in practice only leads to racial division and even worse racism. PP’s list encompasses many of the unfortunate effects of deconstructionism in 2023 America.

Interesting reading that highlights exactly that:
https://nypost.com/2023/09/01/elon-is-not-alone-in-feeling-betrayed-schools-spread-woke-virus/

[Anonymous]

This is response to the discussion about SEL and the variants of it including transformative SEL and others.

https://www.discoursemagazine.com/culture-and-society/2023/05/12/open-inquiry-initiative-the-intellectually-honest-case-for-social-and-emotional-learning/

The Positivity Project is explicit SEL and the book lists (and Responsive Classroom) are implicit SEL. Fwiw, my kids have ADHD and might benefit more from being explicitly taught self control and self management but haven't gotten any value from any of this in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just started 7th grade at Cooper and he's not in AAP. The book list from his English class contains about 40 books. I looked at the books and was shocked to see that none of the books are classics. There's no Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Great Expectation or Oliver Twist, which in my mind, are great books for this age, even though the language might be different. (I'm a 50-yr old immigrant who speaks English as a second language, for background)

The first 5 books are:
1. A good kind of trouble, by Lisa Moor Ramee, keyword when I searched county library catalog suggests BLM;
2. All American Boys by Brenan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, library catalog keyword racism;
3. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, keyword Pakistan/family
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, keyword homosexuality
5. Blended by Sharon M. Draper, keyword black father white mother

While I personally hold nothing against the topics above, when did English class become a brain washing course with hidden agenda? Why can't the kids simply learn the beauty of the English language, and be inspired by the great minds, even from a complete different time? Or am I living in such a sheltered life that the topics are prevailing way of life now? Shouldn't all the current events be part of civics class?

I don't know if the list is specific to his class or to Cooper, but my question to the wise readers here--what should I do? Tell my kids not to read these books which means going against the school? Or ask for an alternate list?

You may or may not be a 50 yr old immigrant parent (when did you immigrate BTW?) of a Cooper Middle School student, but you are definitely a Moms for Liberty type troll.

[Anonymous]

You are the troll poster and obsessed with some obscure group

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just started 7th grade at Cooper and he's not in AAP. The book list from his English class contains about 40 books. I looked at the books and was shocked to see that none of the books are classics. There's no Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Great Expectation or Oliver Twist, which in my mind, are great books for this age, even though the language might be different. (I'm a 50-yr old immigrant who speaks English as a second language, for background)

The first 5 books are:
1. A good kind of trouble, by Lisa Moor Ramee, keyword when I searched county library catalog suggests BLM;
2. All American Boys by Brenan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, library catalog keyword racism;
3. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, keyword Pakistan/family
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, keyword homosexuality
5. Blended by Sharon M. Draper, keyword black father white mother

While I personally hold nothing against the topics above, when did English class become a brain washing course with hidden agenda? Why can't the kids simply learn the beauty of the English language, and be inspired by the great minds, even from a complete different time? Or am I living in such a sheltered life that the topics are prevailing way of life now? Shouldn't all the current events be part of civics class?

I don't know if the list is specific to his class or to Cooper, but my question to the wise readers here--what should I do? Tell my kids not to read these books which means going against the school? Or ask for an alternate list?

You may or may not be a 50 yr old immigrant parent (when did you immigrate BTW?) of a Cooper Middle School student, but you are definitely a Moms for Liberty type troll.

Says the progressive, intolerant, xenophobic, and virtue signaling leftist that posts a sign at the front of the house announcing to the world that immigrants are welcomed, except for those who can think on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These identity explorations are causing more confusion than anything else. Almost by design.

+1. And Transformative SEL is traumatizing our kids. Here are examples of some books that are used to do just that:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/transformational-sel-is-traumatizing-students

Unfortunately, SEL is deeply embedded into every single area of the learning experience at FCPS. Opting our kids out of the SEL screeners is no longer enough.

Hatchet was written in 1986. I remember reading it as a class in a 6th grade FCPS classroom. We also all cried when we read Where the Red Fern Grows that year. We had discussions about what was fair/just/right. I guess they were brainwashing us in the late 80s/90s in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just started 7th grade at Cooper and he's not in AAP. The book list from his English class contains about 40 books. I looked at the books and was shocked to see that none of the books are classics. There's no Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Great Expectation or Oliver Twist, which in my mind, are great books for this age, even though the language might be different. (I'm a 50-yr old immigrant who speaks English as a second language, for background)

The first 5 books are:
1. A good kind of trouble, by Lisa Moor Ramee, keyword when I searched county library catalog suggests BLM;
2. All American Boys by Brenan Kiely and Jason Reynolds, library catalog keyword racism;
3. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, keyword Pakistan/family
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, keyword homosexuality
5. Blended by Sharon M. Draper, keyword black father white mother

While I personally hold nothing against the topics above, when did English class become a brain washing course with hidden agenda? Why can't the kids simply learn the beauty of the English language, and be inspired by the great minds, even from a complete different time? Or am I living in such a sheltered life that the topics are prevailing way of life now? Shouldn't all the current events be part of civics class?

I don't know if the list is specific to his class or to Cooper, but my question to the wise readers here--what should I do? Tell my kids not to read these books which means going against the school? Or ask for an alternate list?

You may or may not be a 50 yr old immigrant parent (when did you immigrate BTW?) of a Cooper Middle School student, but you are definitely a Moms for Liberty type troll.

Says the progressive, intolerant, xenophobic, and virtue signaling leftist that posts a sign at the front of the house announcing to the world that immigrants are welcomed, except for those who can think on their own.

Wow, thanks. You just filled my conservative troll bingo card.

When did you immigrate again? And from where? Because I am dying to hear the story of how you decided that Tom Sawyer, TKAM, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist became bellwether works for you.

[Anonymous]

There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

This is the FCPS forum, not the Spotsy forum. Posters on this thread, we're not part of a political group. We're just not thrilled about the result of well-intentioned teachings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

This is the FCPS forum, not the Spotsy forum. Posters on this thread, we're not part of a political group. We're just not thrilled about the result of well-intentioned teachings.

Moms for Liberty is in Fairfax, too. We see you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

This is the FCPS forum, not the Spotsy forum. Posters on this thread, we're not part of a political group. We're just not thrilled about the result of well-intentioned teachings.

+1
Though I wouldn't call these teachings "well-intentioned." Also - never heard of Moms for Liberty.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

This is the FCPS forum, not the Spotsy forum. Posters on this thread, we're not part of a political group. We're just not thrilled about the result of well-intentioned teachings.

Moms for Liberty is in Fairfax, too. We see you.

How much do you think about this? Do you have an obsessive personality?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a small, but very mean Moms for Liberty group in this area. Spotsylvania can't even hire English teachers at the secondary level because of their antics so those kids are doing math and English classes via Zoom with a monitor to supervise.

This is the FCPS forum, not the Spotsy forum. Posters on this thread, we're not part of a political group. We're just not thrilled about the result of well-intentioned teachings.

Moms for Liberty is in Fairfax, too. We see you.

How much do you think about this? Do you have an obsessive personality?

+1
Probably the same type of person who calls anyone she disagrees with, "MAGA".