So frustrated and worried about what I read/hear about 2.0

[Anonymous]

I have an incoming kindergartener next year... and I am really getting worried. I'm just gonna say it, I think she's definitely accelerated. She's reading, doing (and understanding) basic addition and subtraction, etc. From what I read on DCUM about curriculum 2.0, it sounds like she's just going to get totally lost in the sauce, not challenged, and develop a boredom or worse, dislike of school.

Got any thoughts/suggestions for me? The immersions aren't an option for us, my husband is totally against the concept. And expensive private schools really aren't an option, either.

Our local elementery seems to be gettting better.. it just lost its Title 1 status this year.. as more families from my neighborhood are sending their kids. And many, many are happy. So I'm not so worried about the school.... I'm now worried about 2.0

Thoughts, wisdom, suggestions to keep my high achiever challenged and learning? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I thought 2.0 was supposed to be more challenging. I believe there is more writing involved. That's challenging.

[Anonymous]

You are worrying needlessly.

[Anonymous]

I had a Kindergarten pre 2.0 and things really haven't changed that much with respect to the work done in K. If anything I think it is more challenging. What seems to be different is later where before there was more differentiation and grade level skipping and now there is not.

In any case, my kid is no super genius but was doing multiplication and division in his head before K (not kidding). Just be aware that there are a lot of bright kids out there. It will be fine....

[Anonymous]

I have kids in 2.0 and they are advanced kids who are happy and doing just fine. There's plenty going on -- you will be amazed at the volume of material that is presented and how well the teachers have adapted to the new methods.

I suspect most parents' biggest beefs are with the math curriculum because MCPS are no longer accelerates kids who are computation whizzes (or any kids, for that matter). As the parent of one such kid (my other kid is just good at math), I can say that the repetition and broadening of concepts in the early grades makes sense to me and doesn't seem to phase my son.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but if you go in with an open mind you will see plenty of good in 2.0.

[Anonymous]

2.0 really sucks for math. The first graders are only doing addition and subtraction this year. My child is completely bored with math. On the upside though homework only takes 2.5 seconds and all the kids have great confidence because they never miss anything or struggle. Young kids get more satisfaction out of getting a sticker on their paper than being challenged in class anyway. We simply teach her at home and look at MCPS as free childcare during the day.

[Anonymous]

I think you should wait to worry until your child starts K. Learn all you can about it now of course, but you have no idea how it's going to work out for him once he gets there. I also have a rising K who has the same skills as your child, but see no point in fretting about it just based on reading a few threads. It may be disasterous when you start, and then worry about it then.

[Anonymous]

My first grader is doing Multiplication and geometry this year in math so I think each school does things differently with 2.0. We have not found our child to be bored, the teacher and first grade groups have worked hard to ensure each child is given what they need at their level. I'm glad they are going into more detail rather than running over topics to move on to the next. I have felt that our DS has a better understanding and good methods for working out problems than last year in K when they did non 2.0.

[Anonymous]

My K child is doing adding/subtracting right now. Just got a note from the teacher the children will be assessed on adding/subtracting up to 5 and are expected to know it without using any help (i.e. hands).

I think there is plenty of challenge with 2.0.

[Anonymous]

The last 3 years (K, 1 and 2) have been a huge and complete waste of time regarding Math education. My child already has accepted this and doesn't expect anything from elementary Math education in MCPS. His teachers have always ignored his requests for more challenging in class and at home assignments and he no longer complains. We have filled the void with challenging math instruction and assignments at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2.0 really sucks for math. The first graders are only doing addition and subtraction this year. My child is completely bored with math. On the upside though homework only takes 2.5 seconds and all the kids have great confidence because they never miss anything or struggle. Young kids get more satisfaction out of getting a sticker on their paper than being challenged in class anyway. We simply teach her at home and look at MCPS as free childcare during the day.

And that is enough for you? MCPS is supposed to be a premier school system in the nation. I, for one, expect more and demand more from a school system who espouses their greatness and takes 55% of our tax money to support it. How sad you consider it day care.

[Anonymous]

What many parents don't recognize is that there is a difference between being good at calculations due to memorization (of the multiplication table for instance) and understanding the core concepts of math. Just because your child can do one doesn't mean he knows the other.

[Anonymous]

Ask the teachers in your school. If they trust you and agree to speak honestly and "off the record" you will most likely find that the teachers think 2.0 is horrible. There is a lot of admin rhetoric about it being more integrative and comprehensive - teachers will tell you this isn't true. Under 2.0 you have no differentiation. This means 25+ kids in a class with 1 teacher. How do you teach 25 kids at all different ability levels? The answer is clear: 1) you teach to a low common denominator and 2) you basically ignore the more advanced kids (b/c they'll do well on the assessments regardless.
2.0 is probably fine for some kids. The kids who will be hurt are the higher performing kids who will not find challenge in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2.0 really sucks for math. The first graders are only doing addition and subtraction this year. My child is completely bored with math. On the upside though homework only takes 2.5 seconds and all the kids have great confidence because they never miss anything or struggle. Young kids get more satisfaction out of getting a sticker on their paper than being challenged in class anyway. We simply teach her at home and look at MCPS as free childcare during the day.

And that is enough for you? MCPS is supposed to be a premier school system in the nation. I, for one, expect more and demand more from a school system who espouses their greatness and takes 55% of our tax money to support it. How sad you consider it day care.

NP here. It is sad, but when you're stuck with a crappy school like we are and you can't afford to move or go to privates, that is what you have to do. We heavily augment what DD does in school. Fortunately she seems to really enjoy it, but she's not challenged during the school day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2.0 really sucks for math. The first graders are only doing addition and subtraction this year. My child is completely bored with math. On the upside though homework only takes 2.5 seconds and all the kids have great confidence because they never miss anything or struggle. Young kids get more satisfaction out of getting a sticker on their paper than being challenged in class anyway. We simply teach her at home and look at MCPS as free childcare during the day.

And that is enough for you? MCPS is supposed to be a premier school system in the nation. I, for one, expect more and demand more from a school system who espouses their greatness and takes 55% of our tax money to support it. How sad you consider it day care.

NP here. It is sad, but when you're stuck with a crappy school like we are and you can't afford to move or go to privates, that is what you have to do. We heavily augment what DD does in school. Fortunately she seems to really enjoy it, but she's not challenged during the school day.

Augmenting here too. Science and social studies in lower grades is slipshod, and these are a passion for DD. So we augment, alot. Thank goodness this area has a ton of other great resources.