Questions about AAP curriculum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case it matters, the kids in Gen Ed also read novels.

It doesn’t. We are talking about AAP.

Of course it matters.

[Anonymous]

1) Do your kids get assigned novels to read? If so, how many and which ones? What grades are these assigned? I don't follow that closely but at some point in 3rd or 4th grade, DC1 told me they stop reading aloud with the teacher. The reading groups get assigned books, which they read on their own, and then they go back and discuss the book with the teacher at their small reading group time.
2) Do your kids discuss novels they've read in class? No, not really with me. But with the teacher as described above.
3) Is Caesars vocabulary effective? Seems ok to me.
4) Do your kids learn any history outside of American history or Native American history? If so, what history do they learn and which grade(s)? I know in 3rd grade they did Ancient Rome and I think Ancient Egypt. This is not different from Gen Ed. Supposedly they might go in more in-depth in AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case it matters, the kids in Gen Ed also read novels.

That can’t possibly be true, right? I thought they were still working with letter puzzles and preparing for their ultimate goal of community college.

"What's wrong with community college and why is there so much negativity around it? I'd like to know the source of that negativity "

-- question from my high-performing, level-headed, wise beyond his years 8th grader as he finishes up with FCPS AAP.

You missed the sarcasm, chief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case it matters, the kids in Gen Ed also read novels.

DC1 in the highest reading group in 3rd grade gen ed read the exact same novel (4th-5th grade reading level) that DC2's AAP class read in 3rd grade. I know it's hard for people on this forum to imagine, but there are some kids in gen ed doing about the same level of work as the kids in AAP.

Yes, but are they high performing and level headed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just in case it matters, the kids in Gen Ed also read novels.

That can’t possibly be true, right? I thought they were still working with letter puzzles and preparing for their ultimate goal of community college.

ROTFL!!

[Anonymous]

This seems to vary slightly by school, esp. with regards to the language arts questions.

1) Do your kids get assigned novels to read? If so, how many and which ones? What grades are these assigned?

They got assigned novels that were read by the whole class, and then discussed in class. They also had multiple writing assignments on topics from the books. The ones I remember over the years (grades 3-5) included Roots, Wonder, Boy: A Tale of Childhood, but there were more. Keep in mind though that this represents a small % of the reading the kids do - the vast amount of reading is their choice.


2) Do your kids discuss novels they've read in class?

Yes, see above.


3) Is Caesars vocabulary effective?

I think it is effective, as I see the impact of it on the writing of my kid, but I personally dislike the program. It is impossible to say whether it is the MOST effective vocab building program out there. I think it is clunky and boring. I much prefer Wordly Wise, which has the same objectives, but that's teacher's choice.


4) Do your kids learn any history outside of American history or Native American history? If so, what history do they learn and which grade(s)?

The AAP kids follow the same curriculum set by the VA standards of learning as the GenEd kids - there is no variety in the curriculum scope, but the topics are supposed to be taught at greater depth. Out LLIV school uses Level IV materials for all kids (AAP and GenEd) so I can't comment on differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems to vary slightly by school, esp. with regards to the language arts questions.

1) Do your kids get assigned novels to read? If so, how many and which ones? What grades are these assigned?

They got assigned novels that were read by the whole class, and then discussed in class. They also had multiple writing assignments on topics from the books. The ones I remember over the years (grades 3-5) included Roots, Wonder, Boy: A Tale of Childhood, but there were more. Keep in mind though that this represents a small % of the reading the kids do - the vast amount of reading is their choice.


2) Do your kids discuss novels they've read in class?

Yes, see above.


3) Is Caesars vocabulary effective?

I think it is effective, as I see the impact of it on the writing of my kid, but I personally dislike the program. It is impossible to say whether it is the MOST effective vocab building program out there. I think it is clunky and boring. I much prefer Wordly Wise, which has the same objectives, but that's teacher's choice.


4) Do your kids learn any history outside of American history or Native American history? If so, what history do they learn and which grade(s)?

The AAP kids follow the same curriculum set by the VA standards of learning as the GenEd kids - there is no variety in the curriculum scope, but the topics are supposed to be taught at greater depth. Out LLIV school uses Level IV materials for all kids (AAP and GenEd) so I can't comment on differences.

This x1000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For parents of kids in AAP grades 3-8:

1) Do your kids get assigned novels to read? If so, how many and which ones? What grades are these assigned?

Yes, in both 3rd and 4th grade so far. Three in 3rd grade, 4th grade has more choice--don't know how many. This was true also for my older--novels each grade.


2) Do your kids discuss novels they've read in class?
Yes. In 3rd grade this was done with the teacher as a group. In 4th grade they have small reading circles and trade off taking leadership of discussion (they have a packet where they write down their discussion prompts/questions when they are leader). The reading groups are based on which book you are interested in reading not level for literature.

3) Is Caesars vocabulary effective?
Yes, very. Kids develop a good sense of words, use of words in context, strategies to understand novel words etc.

4) Do your kids learn any history outside of American history or Native American history? If so, what history do they learn and which grade(s)?
Yes. I can't remember exactly, but there's ancient civilizations from multiple continents and European history also.


Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My daughter is just finishing third grade and read at least four or five books in her book club which were all discussed in class. They also had a class novel going on at all times. They did not use Caesar's English but did use Worldly Wise for vocabulary. Lastly, they studied Ancient Civilizations -- Egypt, China, Greece, Rome, and Mesopotamia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For parents of kids in AAP grades 3-8:

1) Do your kids get assigned novels to read? If so, how many and which ones? What grades are these assigned?
2) Do your kids discuss novels they've read in class?
3) Is Caesars vocabulary effective?
4) Do your kids learn any history outside of American history or Native American history? If so, what history do they learn and which grade(s)?

Thank you!

No
Yes
Yes
Yes. So far ancient civilizations (Chinese, Greek, Roman, Mayan etc)