6th Grade: Take a language or no?

[Anonymous]

I am really surprised by these responses. No wonder so many kids grow up afraid to take intellectual risks. Is this the same bunch of people who are always complaining that their kids aren't challenged enough? Who are clamoring for immersion spots because early language acquisition is so important? But all that flies out the window at the possibility of a kid getting a B?

[Anonymous]

But, PP/Dennis Miller, OP is asking about 6th grade vs. waiting until 7th grade, not waiting until HS. OP says her kid hasn't had much in the way of testing or even homework at a progressive private school and OP is concerned about the transition.

The stress my 6th grader was under this year studying for his final exam in Spanish 1A was crazy. MCPS has gotten rid of all cumulative tests in ES and this was the first really major test he's ever had. Of course, next year, MCPS is getting rid of finals for HS classes. (I don't agree with this decision, but that's another topic.)

Had I truly known what he was in for (on a maturity level), I would have preferred my 11-year-old kid wait until 7th grade to take Spanish 1A. But the school really pushed foreign language for 6th grade kids who were reading "at a certain level."

[Anonymous]

My kid had 5 years of mild language introduction in his school, and took 1B in 6th grade, which was the standard progression at his school. My child is not particularly language or school oriented, math is his strong suit. He did just fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to have your child take 1A in 6th, especially with the background he has. Yes, he's going to have some transitions, but language is something that is quickly lost if not used. If you are seriously concerned, ask for the syllabus ahead of time, or find out what the procedure is for dropping a class if it turns out not to be a fit. What class would your child take instead of a foreign language?

[Anonymous]

The option at Westland is Digital Literacy - horribly boring, lots of busy work.

[Anonymous]

I don't see any negatives to trying a language in 6th grade. My son started Spanish in 6th - first time with a language - and it was his favorite class. My daughter will also try it this coming fall when she is in 6th. While the grade goes on the high school transcript- your child can retake the class and the grade is replaced.

[Anonymous]

I'd also suggest trying the language. Both mine began in MS, one is on to HS level 5 and so far no negatives. Even coming from a private with no homework, you may be underwhelmed by the work load in sixth. As far as language goes, there are some work sheets, often completed in class and flash cards to make. Obviously studying the cards is implied but the grade is for making them--teachers and schools probably vary. Anyway my DCs seem to have enjoyed the classes and I liked that they were offered. Being in level three language in eighth means a class with some of the more motivated eighth graders. Not a huge deal, but sometimes less hectic than behavior issues in other electives. If any issues arise, repeating a level is always possible. Also switching to a different elective would likely be possible after first quarter if it really is too much. There is a lot of handwringing about HS credit in MS but I think this is more an issue for students who have known academic issues or who are already have obligations like a magnet or extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

As a former middle school language teacher, I would say yes! Keep in mind that you know your child better than anyone -- some kids do require that extra year of maturity, but only you can know that. That said, the vast majority of students are ready at that age, and every single student I ever had in 6th grade Spanish class thrived and adored that class. Reading some of the earlier responses and I am so ashamed that in MoCo all of the parents are more worried about a B on a report card than their child being challenged and learning something new (and useful!) Middle school language classes are FUN. Really! The curriculum, despite being a HS class, is not over their heads. And if they go on and struggle in Spanish 2, they can always retake it -- thus replacing the first grade (if you're worried about those things.) Please do consider the class!

[Anonymous]

Related - at my DD's future middle school, they only offer 1A as an option in 6th grade. What would be better - do 1A in 6th and 1B in 7th or just wait until 7th to do 1A/1B?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Related - at my DD's future middle school, they only offer 1A as an option in 6th grade. What would be better - do 1A in 6th and 1B in 7th or just wait until 7th to do 1A/1B?

Are you sure 1A is ONLY for 6th graders? I doubt it.

At our 5th grade parents night (in 2015), our MS gave me the distinct impression that students could ONLY take 1A in 6th grade. If you started in 7th, you'd "need" to take 1 A/B. Big Fat Misrepresentation. What they were saying was (actually) how they encouraged the 1A, 1B, and then 2 path for 6th-8th grades. And if not, then the student should do 1 AB and 2 (for 7th-8th). The school's goal was to get kids in level 3 in 9th grade. This goal might be great for some kids, but it isn't great for all.

There were many 7th graders in my child's 1A class this past year.

[Anonymous]

My MS generally puts 7th graders in 1a/b but we requested 1a for my son as we knew that was all the challenge he needed and it was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Related - at my DD's future middle school, they only offer 1A as an option in 6th grade. What would be better - do 1A in 6th and 1B in 7th or just wait until 7th to do 1A/1B?

Are you sure 1A is ONLY for 6th graders? I doubt it.

At our 5th grade parents night (in 2015), our MS gave me the distinct impression that students could ONLY take 1A in 6th grade. If you started in 7th, you'd "need" to take 1 A/B. Big Fat Misrepresentation. What they were saying was (actually) how they encouraged the 1A, 1B, and then 2 path for 6th-8th grades. And if not, then the student should do 1 AB and 2 (for 7th-8th). The school's goal was to get kids in level 3 in 9th grade. This goal might be great for some kids, but it isn't great for all.

There were many 7th graders in my child's 1A class this past year.

I guess 7th graders can also take 1A. So my question - for a studious girl who does well in school, what is the difference between taking 1a in 6th, starting 1a in 7th or doing 1a/1b in 7th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are new to MCPS - why do middle school grades appear on a HS transcript? That seems ridiculous.

It's a terrible policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former middle school language teacher, I would say yes! Keep in mind that you know your child better than anyone -- some kids do require that extra year of maturity, but only you can know that. That said, the vast majority of students are ready at that age, and every single student I ever had in 6th grade Spanish class thrived and adored that class. Reading some of the earlier responses and I am so ashamed that in MoCo all of the parents are more worried about a B on a report card than their child being challenged and learning something new (and useful!) Middle school language classes are FUN. Really! The curriculum, despite being a HS class, is not over their heads. And if they go on and struggle in Spanish 2, they can always retake it -- thus replacing the first grade (if you're worried about those things.) Please do consider the class!

The parents are not the problem. The problem is that it is ridiculous that a grade in any class taken by a 6th grader shows up on their high school transcript.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former middle school language teacher, I would say yes! Keep in mind that you know your child better than anyone -- some kids do require that extra year of maturity, but only you can know that. That said, the vast majority of students are ready at that age, and every single student I ever had in 6th grade Spanish class thrived and adored that class. Reading some of the earlier responses and I am so ashamed that in MoCo all of the parents are more worried about a B on a report card than their child being challenged and learning something new (and useful!) Middle school language classes are FUN. Really! The curriculum, despite being a HS class, is not over their heads. And if they go on and struggle in Spanish 2, they can always retake it -- thus replacing the first grade (if you're worried about those things.) Please do consider the class!

The parents are not the problem. The problem is that it is ridiculous that a grade in any class taken by a 6th grader shows up on their high school transcript.

Bad policy? Yes. Terrible. No argument here. But I can assure you that in many cases parents are still a problem. God forbid we actually want to challenge our kids and make them learn to work in tough situations! These are the same parents that come high school, demand that their kids grades be changed from a B to an A because "they need to get into the ivy league schools", when the entire reason their kids (who are FULLY CAPABLE OF AN A, mind you) got a B is because they slacked off and new mommy and daddy would clean up after them. I can't tell you how many kids in my HS classes would sit down and proudly calculate the math to see how low of a grade they could get on tests/exams to maintain a certain grade. And when they slacked off and missed by a point or two, came in demanding that they be given the grade that they want! Sorry, but these kids are learning a sense of entitlement and lack of drive from mom and dad who always told them they deserve all As. In order to get an A you must EARN IT. Not just know the material.

But I digress... The majority of these kids are fully capable of languages in Middle School. And they are still in that stage where they can have SO much fun with a language class (they are not "too cool" yet to participate in silly skits and learn funny songs!) And as I mentioned earlier, the grade can be replaced if the class is retaken, so please don't discourage the kid just because they may not get an A.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of the responses. I am much less worried about the grade showing up on his HS transcript than I am about him being overly stressed out while transitioning to a new school and having to deal with the demands of a high-school level course. Indeed, one of the reasons we are switching him from a progressive private (aside from saving $$) is so he can get used to testing and grades. I would rather him fall on his face in 6th grade than in high school. So, I plan to have him take Spanish in sixth grade. I don't want him to lose what he has learned and it sounds like it could be a fun, good class.

I just looked at his course schedule though, and it says Spanish 1A/1B. It seemed like most posters recommended that he just do 1A. Could someone educate me on the difference? Is just doing 1A even an option at Westland? Anyone know? Also, my understanding from the guidance counselor was that he did have a few weeks to see if he could handle the work and could move to a different class if he cannot.