Middle school electives

[Anonymous]

My youngest is a senior. 2 others already in college. Between the 3 of them, and their friends, we know many kids who started language in 6th, went through 4 or 5 (you can take the AP after 4 and do well), and many who took 2 art electives each year and didn't start language until they started HS.

ALL are in well regarded colleges now, and for the youngest, of their friends that applied ED, there is a mix (some started language in 6th, some 7th, some HS), and all that we know of have been accepted ED.

In other words, it doesn't matter when your child starts taking foreign language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't have to do a language in 6th grade. (Until recently, it was only open to advanced students.) My daughter did chorus and orchestra. The problem with starting language in 6th grade is that you end up in AP language as a sophomore or junior -- it's great for kids who love languages to be able to get to level 6 or 7. But for kids who aren't super into languages, I think it pushes them into high level courses in HS which may be stressful for them when they are already stressed out about other classes.

Do HS kids have to take a foreign language throughout? I thought this was the argument against advanced math but have not heard it applied to foreign language. My 8th grader took Spanish 1 over 6th and 7th and is urging my 5th grader to take all of Spanish 1 in 6th grade. I'm reluctant because this goes on high school transcript and 6th grade is so young for that. (What I'm also not clear on is if it is just on transcript, or if its calculated into GPA?)

These are MCPS' reqs for graduation:
https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/diplomarequirements.html

There is no absolute requirement for foreign language. Many colleges will expect it, though.

The state of Maryland has foreign language as one option to complete the below graduation req:
One of the following:
a. Two credits of one world language, which may include American Sign Language;
b. Two credits of advanced technology education; or
c. Successfully complete a State-approved career and technology program.

[Anonymous]

We learned this week that if they want to apply to the RM IB program they need to take a language for at least a year in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't have to do a language in 6th grade. (Until recently, it was only open to advanced students.) My daughter did chorus and orchestra. The problem with starting language in 6th grade is that you end up in AP language as a sophomore or junior -- it's great for kids who love languages to be able to get to level 6 or 7. But for kids who aren't super into languages, I think it pushes them into high level courses in HS which may be stressful for them when they are already stressed out about other classes.

Do HS kids have to take a foreign language throughout? I thought this was the argument against advanced math but have not heard it applied to foreign language. My 8th grader took Spanish 1 over 6th and 7th and is urging my 5th grader to take all of Spanish 1 in 6th grade. I'm reluctant because this goes on high school transcript and 6th grade is so young for that. (What I'm also not clear on is if it is just on transcript, or if its calculated into GPA?)

These are MCPS' reqs for graduation:
https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/diplomarequirements.html

There is no absolute requirement for foreign language. Many colleges will expect it, though.

The state of Maryland has foreign language as one option to complete the below graduation req:
One of the following:
a. Two credits of one world language, which may include American Sign Language;
b. Two credits of advanced technology education; or
c. Successfully complete a State-approved career and technology program.

Hence "no absolute requirement for foreign language".

[Anonymous]

Why not ask your DC what they’re interested in taking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not ask your DC what they’re interested in taking?

Trust Larla!?

[Anonymous]

Has any one heard of what is innovative tech solutions - it’s a middle school elective .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has any one heard of what is innovative tech solutions - it’s a middle school elective .

Most likely is whatever the teacher wants it to be. Middle school tech teachers get almost no support or realistic curriculum other than Google programming.