how academic is FCPS K?
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Anonymous
| What % is play vs. academic? |
Anonymous
| Other than recess I don't know of any playtime for my 2 who already went thru k. |
Anonymous
Wow, really? My oldest is only 4 so I don't know about K yet, but NONE? So sad 
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Anonymous
| FWIW, it's often hard to distinguish between "play" and "academic" in K. Many of the academic lessons are so creative and fun that they appear at first glance to be play. (examples: science projects, art class, music class.) |
Anonymous
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there are still stations and manipulatives and what not in the classroom. It isn't straight academics, but as the PP said, a lot of the "play" is learning time, as well.
My child LOVES the specials - Art, Music, PE and Library. So happy everyone switched to FDK because the HDK kids didn't get these as often as the FDK kids, and I feel like they missed out. My child is working on reading and writing in school - these are things she has a hard time with at home because she isn't good at focusing with us. I've seen a huge change in these skills this year. So, there is definite academic work happening, too. |
Anonymous
| My kid is in K now, it's not at all hard core academic in the sense of drills and memorization, but I agree with 15:12, it's certainly based on real knowledge in a fun environment. I think it's really dependent on the teacher. We certianly got a good one. |
Anonymous
| At our school in K there are two 15 minute recesses and then a 30 minute play period at the end of day for 3-4 days. There is also show and tell, lots of FCPS specials, lunch, and PTA specials like GRACE Art. All the kids seem to be learning and having a lot of fun. Not too much differentiation, but there is some and several projects have extensions to them. |
Anonymous
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agree with 15:12. it all seems like play to me (hahah).
i do think it is more academic than my dc's preschool which was play-based (not montessori). my dc did balk a bit at the amount of reading (two small books to review over the week), but I think it is appropriate. |
Anonymous
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It really varies. Your best bet always is to visit the school. Is there an area in the classroom where kids can engage in dramatic play? It should look like a play kitchen area or boxes with dress-up costumes or a "grocery store" with items to buy. Is there an area where kids can play with puppets? Ask to see a typical schedule for a kindergarten class.
Is the room divided into areas--building (blocks), math (counting blocks, pattern blocks, cubes) , listening headphones with tape or cd players) , story (books of all sizes) , art (an easel with paints, smock) , etc? If you see these, then that's a good sign that kids are moving around the room and able to choose where they will spend time. |