Is this normal for 2nd grade work? APS

[Anonymous]

One of DS' teacher keeps telling me he is not doing all his work. We are working on it. He does all his math and his phonics work sheets but still he is just not doing other stuff. I asked her to send home work that he doesn't' do so we can work on it at home but honestly, I got it yesterday and am a bit shocked it is 2nd grade work.

So the question is this:

"What does Sparta's stand at Thermopylae tell us about Spartans? Why was it important?"

Then gives them lines to write their answer. I am going to be honest that this sound similar to what my 5th grader is doing so I was a bit shocked it was given in 2nd grade. I am kind of not surprised my child could not do it. He said they learned about Sparta the week before and then were given this. I asked if the teacher dictated what they should write, and he said no (i don't know if this is true or not lol). My 5th grader did 2nd grade at the same school, and I don't remember these assignments, but covid did cut things short.

For background he has no learning disorders (just did a private assessment). He does have ADHD and we are starting treatment, but I am not even sure ADHD meds could have him write a paragraph about Sparta's stand at Thermopylae. I also thought it was unusual to use the word "stand" as I am not sure if 2nd graders would understand it in that context. I did ask one other parent that I know how her kid does and she said he writes two words, but obviously that isn't' a sample size.

So typical 2nd grade work?

[Anonymous]

I'd assume that they read a book/passage about this and this was specifically the main idea/topic that they are supposed to identify with supporting evidence from the text. It tracks with the kind of work my second grader is doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd assume that they read a book/passage about this and this was specifically the main idea/topic that they are supposed to identify with supporting evidence from the text. It tracks with the kind of work my second grader is doing.

Hmm. IF that was the case wouldn't she send me home the passage to read in order to do the work? But maybe! That makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like the new ELA curriculum they are doing. It is a reach for a lot of the kids (not a dig on it, just what teachers are reporting back at my kids' school). I'd ask the teacher though for some help on how to complete it. Should he be bringing the underlying material home too? Or is there a passage they read...? That way you can track it too.

[Anonymous]

That sounds typical for second grade work. Keep in mind they can write anything at that stage— it doesn’t need to be well written (which is what you would expect for a fourth/fifth/sixth grader). They just need to show proper writing mechanics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like the new ELA curriculum they are doing. It is a reach for a lot of the kids (not a dig on it, just what teachers are reporting back at my kids' school). I'd ask the teacher though for some help on how to complete it. Should he be bringing the underlying material home too? Or is there a passage they read...? That way you can track it too.

Thanks. Yeah I mean he told me they last talked about the topic 2 weeks ago and I got the assignment yesterday. So I know that he won't be able to remember it. I will ask about the materials.

[Anonymous]

I agree that there probably was a reading passage to go with it, but I think you are also overestimating the teacher’s expectations for a response. She’s probably not expecting a well-composed paragraph, most answers will be something like “brave. becuse they stayed.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that there probably was a reading passage to go with it, but I think you are also overestimating the teacher’s expectations for a response. She’s probably not expecting a well-composed paragraph, most answers will be something like “brave. becuse they stayed.”

Okay, thanks! It is hard with no guidance. I think my kid likely thinks the teacher wants a paragraph too. I emailed and asked if there is a reading passage, but if not I guess I will summarize Wikipedia.

[Anonymous]

The teacher got back to me and it didn't come with a reading passage. She just read to them at the beginning of the week about the battle and then gave them that a few days later to do on their own.

I guess I will give him a brief summary of the battle and talk about what he is expected to write.

[Anonymous]

Yes, typical. They have "Ancient Greece" now in 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sounds typical for second grade work. Keep in mind they can write anything at that stage— it doesn’t need to be well written (which is what you would expect for a fourth/fifth/sixth grader). They just need to show proper writing mechanics.

This. It's not asking them to do an elaborate essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, typical. They have "Ancient Greece" now in 2nd grade.

+1 Yep, my 2nd grader has been learning about Greek myths for months, it feels like.

[Anonymous]

I have had 3 children go through APS, and what is 2d grade work with one teacher is 5th grade work with another. Is the teacher brand-new? She may be pushing too hard and not grasping their limits. If the teacher is experienced and you otherwise like her, I would trust that she's not giving the students something they can't handle.

[Anonymous]

You can sign into myaccess using your kid's info and access the reader to see the text in the amplify app.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had 3 children go through APS, and what is 2d grade work with one teacher is 5th grade work with another. Is the teacher brand-new? She may be pushing too hard and not grasping their limits. If the teacher is experienced and you otherwise like her, I would trust that she's not giving the students something they can't handle.

She is a long term sub, his teacher quit in October. I do like her though (but mainly because she has been so communicative and helpful in other accommodations). I think she is older and has been teaching for a while.