APS Middle School Homework — reduced or eliminated?

Anonymous
We are 5th grade parents and we were confused about middle school guidance. From what we read there has been a push to reduce homework in middle school since many kids don’t have a chance to do it at home for various reasons.

And on top of that homework is generally not graded?

How many novels will our kids likely read in middle school per year? That requires time out of class as well?
Anonymous
Which middle school?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Which middle school?


We are heading to DHMS.
Anonymous
You will read zero novels. I was told assigning novels is inequitable. Im serious
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You will read zero novels. I was told assigning novels is inequitable. Im serious


Untrue. They read novels in class. My kid just read Animal Farm and the Outsiders.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You will read zero novels. I was told assigning novels is inequitable. Im serious


Who told you that?

My kids have had novels. In 6th, they have a dedicated reading class outside of English. In 8th, there was a required # pages per week that counted towards a grade. And the classes did read and analyze books together, definitely the outsiders. Other novels were assigned for extension/gifted activities. Generally, 30 min/night reading homework.

I've had kids in MS for the past 5 years. Homework is about the same, it really depends on the class. If your kid is very efficient and uses study hall to get work done then probably very little will come home - just the bigger projects. But my kids always ended up with with homework a few nights a week. More towards the end of the quarter.


Anonymous
My child’s English teacher told me that
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My child’s English teacher told me that


What grade is your kid in?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:My child’s English teacher told me that


At an APS middle school? Which one?
Anonymous
Don't feed the troll.
Anonymous
I know this is APS, but LCPS doesn’t really have middle school HW. If you don’t do your work in class, you should finish at home but there is ample time in class if you are on task. Books are read in class. And no, hw is not graded.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You will read zero novels. I was told assigning novels is inequitable. Im serious


Untrue. They read novels in class. My kid just read Animal Farm and the Outsiders.


Reading in class, like they read it out loud?

How many novels are assigned for reading independently at home?
Anonymous
Homework in our experience is finishing up stuff that didn't get done in class. Foreign language and math teacher have both off the record told me that they think there should be daily homework because in those two subjects practice is key. They provide lots of supplemental and may-do options so that kids who understand that can do more work at home or in class.

Novels at our school are done as part of book clubs. The kids are grouped with others reading the same book, and they have to read something like 1/4 of the book at a time and then meet in class to discuss or do whatever activities. I think there's reading time in class as well, DC is a fast reader so I've never seen the books read at home.

The grading is even more ridiculous. The lowest they can get is a 50%. Like, you don't turn in a project or take a test and you don't get a 0. Welcome to APS where we do our best to pull everyone up regardless of whether they know the material or do the work.
Anonymous
I am so sick of these threads.

Yes they read books in English. My 7th grader read 3 so far this year and all were read at home mostly. Yes, the homework is graded. They do get leniency on turning it in late. If it's not in by the end of the quarter, it will affect their grade and some times they're told it's too late to turn it in at all (has happened to my kid).

Yes, they get homework if they are doing advanced math and a world language. My kid often can finish his homework during school time but sometimes doesn't too. He uses his school time exceptionally well from what I can see compared to friends. Some kids are bringing home math work nearly daily.
Anonymous
With intensified classes returning next year in middle school, I would bet there will be more homework for kids taking those classes.
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