Language art vs math curriculum

[Anonymous]

Please educate me because I am not from here. I think the ES math curriculum is so slow paced and I would say too simple. I also think the ES language art curriculum is quite advanced and more challenged/difficult than I thought to be. Why is this so popular for math tutoring/enrichment but not language art tutoring/enrichment in this area? Is it only me thinking that language art curriculum is challenging because it is not my first language?

[Anonymous]

Varies by grade. Sometimes language arts is easier than math. Glad to see parts of the curriculum is challenging for some (in a good way, hopefully). Our K-3 experience was not about academics but about the socializing aspect (including listening to teachers, following directions, navigating friendships, etc.). 4-5 was at a CES, which is challenging for the average keen student (maybe not for the .001% genius, though).

Since you are not from around here, you are likely used to more challenging ES math. The American way is to formally introduce advancement in math in middle school. Some kids are introduced to advanced math ideas earlier via parents (either because they are scientists or they outsource). Some kids are introduced to advanced language arts via parents. Schools have to teach to all sorts of students.

[Anonymous]

I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

This. 100%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

Yep. Second grade is horridly boring and repetitive in Eureka math but there is a reason for the long slog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

Yep. Second grade is horridly boring and repetitive in Eureka math but there is a reason for the long slog.

I remember my kid already knew his times tables really well but they insisted on making them do these models to teach him what he already knew. I assume this is helpful for some but personally, I found it absurd.

[Anonymous]

I would not cal Benchmark challenging. I think they could do more more on ELA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not cal Benchmark challenging. I think they could do more more on ELA.

What is ELA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not cal Benchmark challenging. I think they could do more more on ELA.

It’s better now that they have added Really Great Reading. And there is ELC starting in fourth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not cal Benchmark challenging. I think they could do more more on ELA.

What is ELA?

English language arts. (Reading and writing)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not cal Benchmark challenging. I think they could do more more on ELA.

What is ELA?

English Language Arts

[Anonymous]

Op here. I think language art is challenging because they ask 2nd grader to determine key events and central message in a reading article. They also ask for novel study and write something after reading. My kid can read above grade level book, but it is challenging for him to write down summary and key important things. As I say, I am not from here. It seems like it requires a kid to grasp the main idea, supporting idea etc , remind me the style of writing a journal or essay or summarization not at my ES years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

Yep. Second grade is horridly boring and repetitive in Eureka math but there is a reason for the long slog.

I remember my kid already knew his times tables really well but they insisted on making them do these models to teach him what he already knew. I assume this is helpful for some but personally, I found it absurd.

Absurd for whom? I taught my kid times tables b/c I am math-y and that was a way for me to connect with my math-y kid. And, I suspect that is how your kid knew times tables in 2nd grade. But, I would not say that the school's curriculum is absurd. Nor, that it's absurd the teachers are including your child in their lesson plans. Depending on the school, outliers get extension problems to work on while the rest of the class does the planned work. In ES, advanced kids can use that time to practice self-control, be creative, read more, work on drawing skills, etc. But, the only thing absurd is to expect a teacher to accommodate an outlier without any extra support. Entitlement and grace are not necessarily mutually exclusive: if you exercise the former, also try the latter.

Signed,
Parent of a math outlier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the emphasis is on bringing reading up to speed early because it’s the foundation of all other learning. It’s difficult to teach science, history, even more advanced math if students aren’t strong readers. Math can more easily be accelerated in later grades for students who are capable of a faster pace.

And there’s some evidence that a slower pace in early grades sets a strong foundation for more complex tasks. People complain about their children being taught multiple ways to solve a simple arithmetic problem, but the intent is to help students also understand the underlying concepts when they memorize those facts. And many of those seemingly repetitive approaches come into play again later, in more advanced ways, so it’s helpful to have that grounding from earlier work. My high school student isn’t a math whiz, but a solidly advanced student, and they’ve been surprised over the years to realize there was actually a reason for some of those hated elementary-school lessons like matrices.

Yep. Second grade is horridly boring and repetitive in Eureka math but there is a reason for the long slog.

I remember my kid already knew his times tables really well but they insisted on making them do these models to teach him what he already knew. I assume this is helpful for some but personally, I found it absurd.

It does seem like overkill at the time, but it’s intended to create a solid understanding of what’s actually happening underneath the shortcut methods and memorization. Those alternate approaches aren’t the way they’ll solve those problems in the long term, but it teaches them skills they’ll use later, in more complex ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I think language art is challenging because they ask 2nd grader to determine key events and central message in a reading article. They also ask for novel study and write something after reading. My kid can read above grade level book, but it is challenging for him to write down summary and key important things. As I say, I am not from here. It seems like it requires a kid to grasp the main idea, supporting idea etc , remind me the style of writing a journal or essay or summarization not at my ES years.

PP here. This is not unusual at all. Be grateful your child is getting this type of instruction! If they are struggling now, know that they will get better with more exposure and practice. This is only ES. Go to your local library and consult with the librarian in the kids section: get books with reading comprehension questions in the back. This will give your kid more practice to read critically. The goal is to pick up a text and to read critically, and to communicate the reader's thoughts clearly. It is a process, and you have to be patient with the kids. They will eventually get it.