Supplemental programs to support a public school APS student

[Anonymous]

Hi,

My son just finished kg and he's a great reader and also very good at math. I cannot afford private school, but can definitely pay for additional supplemental programs like AoPS, Kumon, RSM, etc. Which one would you recommend for an elementary school child that will challenge him and supplement his learning, like the way a private school might do. Public school has been good, but too easy for him. He's ready for a challenge! We are in Arlington so something close by would be preferred.

[Anonymous]

We've been doing AoPS for math since second grade. We also tried language arts one semester but it wasn't worth it. We've done both the Vienna campus classes and virtual live classes, and we prefer the virtual classes for convenience. Our plan is to stop after fifth grade, because middle school has actual acceleration, especially for math.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, you don’t need to pay anyone to supplement for a kid that young. Take home to the library to check out more advanced books, get some math games to play at home, have him help you measure and bake, let him add up coins to an amount you set, take him to museums, historical sites, and on hikes.

Choose units to study at home and do related activities and learning about that topic (example: solar system — make a model solar system, read books about it, and visit the air & space museum. Or ancient Egypt— learn about Egyptian numbers (& do some math problems with them), learn some hieroglyphics, build a lego pyramid, and mummify an apple.)

This kind of stuff is much more valuable to a 5-6 yo than extra worksheets or something. My kids are older now, but that’s the kind of stuff we did with them at that age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion, you don’t need to pay anyone to supplement for a kid that young. Take home to the library to check out more advanced books, get some math games to play at home, have him help you measure and bake, let him add up coins to an amount you set, take him to museums, historical sites, and on hikes.

Choose units to study at home and do related activities and learning about that topic (example: solar system — make a model solar system, read books about it, and visit the air & space museum. Or ancient Egypt— learn about Egyptian numbers (& do some math problems with them), learn some hieroglyphics, build a lego pyramid, and mummify an apple.)

This kind of stuff is much more valuable to a 5-6 yo than extra worksheets or something. My kids are older now, but that’s the kind of stuff we did with them at that age.

Former kindergarten teacher and currently librarian, who agrees. They need more out of school enrichment, not more school type enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Beast Academy (AOPS) and developing a separate reading (and later vocabulary) list on your own as your kid is older. APS does not have kids read very many books in middle and high school - it is depressing!

[Anonymous]

PP. That type of in-home enrichment sounds lovely. I'm not sure we were ever quite so ambitious, but we spend a good amount of time at the Smithsonian and reading and discussing books together. I'll be honest and say we're pretty drained from work (especially now with all the AI pressure) and managing our kids' various non-academic activities, so it's nice to have the structure of AoPS.

[Anonymous]

Another parent convinced their kid is a genius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another parent convinced their kid is a genius.

are you jealous? You sound like a Debbie-downer! Don’t respond if you have nothing productive to contribute.

[Anonymous]

Read, read, read. That’s actually all I would recommend for summer, but that’s more my interests. I’d also say add in all those fun science experiment kits. Obviously, I’m not super into extra “school,” but we have friends whose kids have done Russian math, and it definitely pushes the kids ahead.

[Anonymous]

I'd consider starting music lessons. They can be a great challenge for a smart kid.

Look for summer camps that build skills. Rock climbing is great for problem solving and planning. Museum of Contemporary Art and Art House 7 offer excellent art camps that encourage creativity. Outdoor camps like Calleva encourage engagement and interest in nature. Finishing School offers excellent sewing camps that encourage kids to use executive function, measure, and think in 3D.

Russian School of Math does have an Arlington location, but I'd hold off for a few years. Encourage learning through play for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd consider starting music lessons. They can be a great challenge for a smart kid.

Look for summer camps that build skills. Rock climbing is great for problem solving and planning. Museum of Contemporary Art and Art House 7 offer excellent art camps that encourage creativity. Outdoor camps like Calleva encourage engagement and interest in nature. Finishing School offers excellent sewing camps that encourage kids to use executive function, measure, and think in 3D.

Russian School of Math does have an Arlington location, but I'd hold off for a few years. Encourage learning through play for now.

I was coming to say the same thing. Neither of my academically gifted kids wanted more academics outside of school at that age. We did a whole range of activities ranging from theater to art to chess to sports. Instead of loading your kid up with worksheets, help them to find passions and interests. And go to the library and encourage reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd consider starting music lessons. They can be a great challenge for a smart kid.

Look for summer camps that build skills. Rock climbing is great for problem solving and planning. Museum of Contemporary Art and Art House 7 offer excellent art camps that encourage creativity. Outdoor camps like Calleva encourage engagement and interest in nature. Finishing School offers excellent sewing camps that encourage kids to use executive function, measure, and think in 3D.

Russian School of Math does have an Arlington location, but I'd hold off for a few years. Encourage learning through play for now.

I was coming to say the same thing. Neither of my academically gifted kids wanted more academics outside of school at that age. We did a whole range of activities ranging from theater to art to chess to sports. Instead of loading your kid up with worksheets, help them to find passions and interests. And go to the library and encourage reading.

Yeah but my 3rd grader is not getting ANY academics INSIDE of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd consider starting music lessons. They can be a great challenge for a smart kid.

Look for summer camps that build skills. Rock climbing is great for problem solving and planning. Museum of Contemporary Art and Art House 7 offer excellent art camps that encourage creativity. Outdoor camps like Calleva encourage engagement and interest in nature. Finishing School offers excellent sewing camps that encourage kids to use executive function, measure, and think in 3D.

Russian School of Math does have an Arlington location, but I'd hold off for a few years. Encourage learning through play for now.

I was coming to say the same thing. Neither of my academically gifted kids wanted more academics outside of school at that age. We did a whole range of activities ranging from theater to art to chess to sports. Instead of loading your kid up with worksheets, help them to find passions and interests. And go to the library and encourage reading.

Yeah but my 3rd grader is not getting ANY academics INSIDE of school.

That doesn't sound right. My advanced kid was learning a lot in 3rd grade, especially in writing. We added Russian math in 3rd because math was too easy, but my kid was absolutely learning other things at school. And if it's any reassurance, the content really steps up in 4th and 5th grade as the social studies and science SOLs come up.

I wouldn't add Russian math for a kindergartner or rising first grader. It's better for late elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd consider starting music lessons. They can be a great challenge for a smart kid.

Look for summer camps that build skills. Rock climbing is great for problem solving and planning. Museum of Contemporary Art and Art House 7 offer excellent art camps that encourage creativity. Outdoor camps like Calleva encourage engagement and interest in nature. Finishing School offers excellent sewing camps that encourage kids to use executive function, measure, and think in 3D.

Russian School of Math does have an Arlington location, but I'd hold off for a few years. Encourage learning through play for now.

I was coming to say the same thing. Neither of my academically gifted kids wanted more academics outside of school at that age. We did a whole range of activities ranging from theater to art to chess to sports. Instead of loading your kid up with worksheets, help them to find passions and interests. And go to the library and encourage reading.

Yeah but my 3rd grader is not getting ANY academics INSIDE of school.

If this is true, this is a teacher issue, not a gifted issue. Have you talked with the teacher then escalated to admin?

[Anonymous]

I’d recommend music as well. Both of mine are top scorers on the SOL and in class and on the most advanced middle school tracks. Also, we’re coming from one of the less praised APS schools. Reading is great. We never added additional math work.