Give me constructive advice on how to help my middle schooler in English

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Have you tried CTY? They would be in class with other high performing peers which could get them out of the rut. My poor kid was in the dumbed down curriculum and became catatonic by the end of the school year, producing mediocre work. Being around kids who are at their same level might snap them out of that.

CTY is overpriced. If you're willing to go online and have gifted kids, there are better options like AoPS, NUMATS, Davidson, Athena's Academy, Astra Nova, Cresco Nova, Synthesis, Northwestern GLL, Eclipse Academy, Online G3, Stanford OHS, Lukeion, and CLRC. https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/online-gifted-learning-options/

Pp, can you expand on this? Which are really strong here? My kids are actually total rule followers and very respectful of their teachers - if their teachers ask them to do something, they will absolutely follow it to a T and not shirk at all. Virtual school was completely fine for them except the missed social aspect. I'd need something with a live teacher on zoom who somehow enforces accountability.

Which subject(s) do you want? Are they gifted, or advanced in one or more subject(s)? Do you want something supplemental/enrichment or a full course on a school subject complete with all the work and time commitments of a full course or a full course on a topic unlikely to be covered in school? What's your budget? What ages/grades are your children?

Op here.. kids going into 6th and 8th. They are both gifted. We opted out of both math/Humanities magnets (which they were both offered seats at) because we didn't want the commute and also they had good friends. Second guessing ourselves on the Humanities front now I guess. We want English and supplemental. Something like a book club with some rigor/analysis on text analysis and writing about the books. Ideally a class once a week (2 hrs) and reading/hw on the side. Fwiw Ms English is so dumb that my older kid routinely knocks out the required assignment in class and then uses the extra time to start her math hw.

I see this so much. People stick with mediocre public school because they want convenience and like the social aspect.

Well, your kids have friends and you have a short commute, but they can’t write.

I feel sorry for your kids but not you.

Op here. Well, that is kind of mean. And also my kids are definitely farther along in Math/Humanities/foreign language than most of my friends who do send their kids to privates. Also - we aren't white. This may not be relevant to some but we really value diversity. So - nothing is perfect.
It's helpful when people don't engage in black and white thinking. I am a parent who is just trying to make things a bit better in this one arena.

Also - I never said they could not write. They write just fine. They write a ton in global Humanities which is the class that's basically forcing them to really write these days, but those texts are non fiction that they analyze.

Your statement about your kids being farther along than private school kids is so insanely false.

We’ve had a long debate on here about math in MCPS vs private and have shown that private schools are better than non-magnet MCPS.

But to say your kids are farther ahead in humanities is delusional. I’m sorry, it’s the truth.

Lastly, many private schools around here are plenty diverse from a racial standpoint. My daughter has friends at her private school who are Iranian, Hispanic, Black, Indian, Spanish, French, etc etc etc.

You sound massively ignorant about private schools and really have no basis for making the statements you do.

So this is OP. Actually my kids attended private and international schools most of their lives. The past 2 years is their first time in public. I can say confidently that they are able to cover more material in math/science/humanities than at their private/international schools (I am not going to say where because I could out myself at this point). My spouse and I have an MD and PHD between us and we are quite fine with science and math here. Meanwhile, I have literally looked at the material that friends' middle schoolers are learning in math and humanities at various private schools and it's of a lower standard in math for sure and equal in humanities.

Also, I can already tell you don't actually understand the diversity issue. We go to a majority - minority school and I appreciate that as a brown person. I could care less if your child has friends from all over - that's basically what every white person in the DMV says. And I will tell you that there's a huge difference between having 2 Muslim friends and having a special prayer room set aside for prayers that people actually use everyday. Every brown/black person knows what it's like to be a token versus having a real voice and a real home.

Anyway, that's not what this thread is about. It's about how the English in mcps middle school is total crap. This isn't a thread for people to bash the public schools and pat yourselves on the back for sending them to private. It's for people who want to stay in public schools and are looking at reasonable, cost effective ways to improve their kids' education. Also, i'd like to know if anyone has done anything at their school level to improve the situation (advocating with the administration for example).

You’ve looked at materials other people’s kids are covering? Enough to make a blanket statement?

I call such MASSIVE BS.

I looked at their school binders, notes from math and social studies. Was it a large sample size? No. Of course not. 4 kids, 3 different schools, 1 which was at a school my kids had attended before. Enough to give me comfort. Was it confirmation bias? Sure. Again, I don't know why you are arguing with me. You are clearly satisfied with your choices for your child. I am looking for solutions outside of private school. Since that's the only solution you seem to offer please leave this thread.

Why the hell are you looking at other people’s kids notes? And how is some random kid’s notes going to tell you anything?

Beyond the deep weirdness of doing that, that tells you nothing but confirms your own feelings. If that’s what you need, go for it, but don’t act like it’s anything close to representative of reality.

Good Lord, these are our friends' kids not strangers. Believe it or not, one of these people wanted to see our kids materials too because she had second thoughts about her private. We just wanted to see what 7th grade classes looked at across schools/school systems. When your kid is in the 99th percentile what is being taught and offered by the school is important to know.

Most people try to gather data. They don't just blindly follow what people say is "good".

Notes from random kids isn’t data. Actually visiting schools and reviewing curricula is data.

That’s not “data” either. Please share which private school you attended so we can avoid it, yikes.

Then what constitutes data on curriculum, if not curricular materials and visiting schools to talk with students, faculty, and staff and visit classes?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

Seriously, which private school gives Eid/Diwali/CNY off? Curious now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Wow, I am amazed at how people are in denial about how horrendous MCPS English curriculum is. This poster is completely ignoring everything OP said in her original post. Let me remind y'all.

Like many of you, I think the middle school English curriculum is terrible, unless you happen to be in a Humanities magnet. My kids are not, and it's definitely the weak link that I have noticed in our low FARMs school.

So what should I do? My kids' reading skills have basically stagnated since elementary (where they were in ELC and it was decent). I try to pick books for them to read (used a library list) by lexile level (both new and classics) and they have been going through it soooo slowly or avoiding it altogether. If given choice they would rather clean their bathrooms and do house chores than read anything I choose - their picks will be low level reading like the "Selection" series, or Graphic Novels. They see me and my husband reading constantly, and we even listen to audio books when exercising/driving, so I don't think it's a matter of influence. We also go to the little library or public library once a week. We have tons of books at home.

So how do I turn this around? I am seriously worried about how little interest they have (and no, they have high MAPs but that is meaningless to me right now) and how they are going to handle more challenging courses in high school/college. And yes, I blame the MS english curriculum and how dumbed down it is. If challenging novels were actually assigned by the school, the kids would just force themselves to read it , and if they at least got past chapter3, they might enjoy it. Instead, they got assigned The Lighting Thief and Hunger Games. WTH!

[Anonymous]

Denial is strong in some people because they don’t want to admit that the school system their kids go to has a horrible, dumbed down English curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Op here. The only objective metric I have are test scores. On those, there hasn't been any change. So I suppose the charge of stagnation may not be fair.
However they used to read books that were challenging for their age group. At some point in the last year, I received their lexile levels - both high (1200+). But their ability and actual reading choices aren't matched at all at the school. A
Before, it wasn't hard to get them to read. In particular, their ELC curriculum had a book club, where they were reading a new book guided by the teacher every 4 to 6 weeks. And the books were from The William and Mary curriculum. What was even better Is that they'd sometimes have their interest sparked in a particular author or series, and afterwards they'd read all the books by that author or series on their own. A good English curriculum can inspire that. That just isn't happening in middle school.

I did want to say the Global Humanities class is great. There's a ton of very high level reading of articles, but also fiction/non fiction books that expanded their minds. I am still really impressed at the level of work and effort the kids put into National History Day. Also a good deal of writing in that class so I have the social studies department to thank for teaching the skills traditionally taught by English teachers. Their essays are completely marked up in this class.

Whomever sent the St Albans book list - thanks. Kid1 is reading a book from that list now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Op here. The only objective metric I have are test scores. On those, there hasn't been any change. So I suppose the charge of stagnation may not be fair.
However they used to read books that were challenging for their age group. At some point in the last year, I received their lexile levels - both high (1200+). But their ability and actual reading choices aren't matched at all at the school. A
Before, it wasn't hard to get them to read. In particular, their ELC curriculum had a book club, where they were reading a new book guided by the teacher every 4 to 6 weeks. And the books were from The William and Mary curriculum. What was even better Is that they'd sometimes have their interest sparked in a particular author or series, and afterwards they'd read all the books by that author or series on their own. A good English curriculum can inspire that. That just isn't happening in middle school.

I did want to say the Global Humanities class is great. There's a ton of very high level reading of articles, but also fiction/non fiction books that expanded their minds. I am still really impressed at the level of work and effort the kids put into National History Day. Also a good deal of writing in that class so I have the social studies department to thank for teaching the skills traditionally taught by English teachers. Their essays are completely marked up in this class.

Whomever sent the St Albans book list - thanks. Kid1 is reading a book from that list now.

Wait, St Alban’s?! I thought private schools are worthless and no better than MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Op here. The only objective metric I have are test scores. On those, there hasn't been any change. So I suppose the charge of stagnation may not be fair.
However they used to read books that were challenging for their age group. At some point in the last year, I received their lexile levels - both high (1200+). But their ability and actual reading choices aren't matched at all at the school. A
Before, it wasn't hard to get them to read. In particular, their ELC curriculum had a book club, where they were reading a new book guided by the teacher every 4 to 6 weeks. And the books were from The William and Mary curriculum. What was even better Is that they'd sometimes have their interest sparked in a particular author or series, and afterwards they'd read all the books by that author or series on their own. A good English curriculum can inspire that. That just isn't happening in middle school.

I did want to say the Global Humanities class is great. There's a ton of very high level reading of articles, but also fiction/non fiction books that expanded their minds. I am still really impressed at the level of work and effort the kids put into National History Day. Also a good deal of writing in that class so I have the social studies department to thank for teaching the skills traditionally taught by English teachers. Their essays are completely marked up in this class.

Whomever sent the St Albans book list - thanks. Kid1 is reading a book from that list now.

Wait, St Alban’s?! I thought private schools are worthless and no better than MCPS.

Noone said they were worthless. Calm down. There's things to be mirrored or learned from both privates and publics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Op here. The only objective metric I have are test scores. On those, there hasn't been any change. So I suppose the charge of stagnation may not be fair.
However they used to read books that were challenging for their age group. At some point in the last year, I received their lexile levels - both high (1200+). But their ability and actual reading choices aren't matched at all at the school. A
Before, it wasn't hard to get them to read. In particular, their ELC curriculum had a book club, where they were reading a new book guided by the teacher every 4 to 6 weeks. And the books were from The William and Mary curriculum. What was even better Is that they'd sometimes have their interest sparked in a particular author or series, and afterwards they'd read all the books by that author or series on their own. A good English curriculum can inspire that. That just isn't happening in middle school.

I did want to say the Global Humanities class is great. There's a ton of very high level reading of articles, but also fiction/non fiction books that expanded their minds. I am still really impressed at the level of work and effort the kids put into National History Day. Also a good deal of writing in that class so I have the social studies department to thank for teaching the skills traditionally taught by English teachers. Their essays are completely marked up in this class.

Whomever sent the St Albans book list - thanks. Kid1 is reading a book from that list now.

Wait, St Alban’s?! I thought private schools are worthless and no better than MCPS.

Noone said they were worthless. Calm down. There's things to be mirrored or learned from both privates and publics.

You clearly haven’t been following this thread. OP said she knows private schools are worse than public schools at teaching this stuff because she reviewed binders and notes from her friends’ kids, who go to private school. So I’m surprised she’d use a resource from a private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Denial is strong in some people because they don’t want to admit that the school system their kids go to has a horrible, dumbed down English curriculum.

NP. Why do you care? What is the endgame of constantly trying to bring the public school parents down on these threads — on a public school forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just send your kid to Catholic school and they’ll teach them.

We aren't Christian so that won't work for us.

You don’t have to be Catholic to go to Catholic school.

I realize but we still cannot do this. For some of the same reasons why I prefer very diverse schools.

And your children illiterate, it seems.

PS: Catholic schools are often very diverse

Wow. I'd love to see metrics showing how their diversity stack up to public schools in Silver Spring or Germantown.

Catholic school enrollment often mirrors the demographics of the diocese, so they’re usually quite diverse.

But it seems like you want to prioritize diversity over the quality of your kids’ education.

Actually that's not what I said.
I said, I am very pleased with what my kids are learning in math, Humanities and science.
I am happy with their foreign language curriculum.
I am happy with the ECs offered.
I am happy with their friend group.
I am happy that Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year are off. Kids feeling comfortable in their skin allows them to blossom.
I am happy with the short commute.
I am happy with the free cost. That's money I can save for their college and post grad education.

I am not happy with the English curriculum. I am not happy with the drug use in the high schools (although I hear this is in privates too)

I cannot forgo all the good for the few (albeit very big) bad aspects.

We are also financially fine. My kids are bright with no learning disabilities. They don't need special help. They are not illiterate (not sure why anyone would think that). Irrespective of whether they were in the crappiest public school or Sidwell Friends, my kids would be just fine because of the privilege of their birth family. Outcomes aren't going to be dramatically different.

So then what’s the problem? Seems like if they’ll be just fine then there’s no reason start a whole big thread.

Oh and my kid’s school has Eid, Diwali, and Chinese New Year off too. They also have school celebrations of those holidays, led by families who celebrate those holidays.

The problem is specific to the English curriculum. OP is looking to supplement for that and that alone.

That’s a pretty big component of one’s education. Along with math, it’s one of the two core subjects.

So OP is basically saying MCPS has failed her kids in a major way.

That’s not what OP said at all and the fact you are trying to corrupt it to that is sad. OP sad that English, specifically in MS is weaker than she would like and she feels it’s affected her kids reading wants ways to supplements. Other have rightly pointed out that her kids age/interest may have more to do with it and provided ways to supplement. No private school necessary.

No. She said her kids’ reading skills have stagnated since elementary school. She said she wants them to be able to understand complex texts. She said, “I’d like for them to think.” Actually read what she wrote.

Yes she said that, but no one can tell how she actually knows their skills have stagnated. All she knows is they don’t want to read as much as or what she would like and she doesn’t believe the curriculum challenging because kids finish the work early.

However, none of that means the kids have stagnated.

Op here. The only objective metric I have are test scores. On those, there hasn't been any change. So I suppose the charge of stagnation may not be fair.
However they used to read books that were challenging for their age group. At some point in the last year, I received their lexile levels - both high (1200+). But their ability and actual reading choices aren't matched at all at the school. A
Before, it wasn't hard to get them to read. In particular, their ELC curriculum had a book club, where they were reading a new book guided by the teacher every 4 to 6 weeks. And the books were from The William and Mary curriculum. What was even better Is that they'd sometimes have their interest sparked in a particular author or series, and afterwards they'd read all the books by that author or series on their own. A good English curriculum can inspire that. That just isn't happening in middle school.

I did want to say the Global Humanities class is great. There's a ton of very high level reading of articles, but also fiction/non fiction books that expanded their minds. I am still really impressed at the level of work and effort the kids put into National History Day. Also a good deal of writing in that class so I have the social studies department to thank for teaching the skills traditionally taught by English teachers. Their essays are completely marked up in this class.

Whomever sent the St Albans book list - thanks. Kid1 is reading a book from that list now.

Wait, St Alban’s?! I thought private schools are worthless and no better than MCPS.

Noone said they were worthless. Calm down. There's things to be mirrored or learned from both privates and publics.

You clearly haven’t been following this thread. OP said she knows private schools are worse than public schools at teaching this stuff because she reviewed binders and notes from her friends’ kids, who go to private school. So I’m surprised she’d use a resource from a private school.

Just let it go, private booster. OP is not going to send her kids to private. Why are you so invested in her decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting back to the point of this thread - A Plus consulting lets kids do just the humanities part of their GT programming, so kid does not have to do math. We are seriously considering it for the fall for our middle schooler.

Oops that should read A Plus Learning Center, which someone recommended above.

Do you know how much it would cost ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have the money, enroll them in the Aplus Learning Center GT program. This program initially was started to serve GT students who did not get placement in the magnet programs because mcps decided that they had a "cohort" in the home school. The English curriculum has been put together by a very respected and beloved (early retirement) Humanities teacher who was in the ms magnet program.

https://www.apluslearninginc.com/gt-program

Thanks you PP this is amazing!!! Looks like they have a "book study" class which is basically what I am looking for. They also have math/writing courses but my kids are actually good on that front.

DP. This looks interesting. Would love to hear from people if they really used their ELA GT ? Is it really good ? How expensive it is ? Thanks