MCPS 7th grader - anyone else's kid drowning?

[Anonymous]

I have a 7th grader at Wood MS. He seems to have a bit more homework than in previous years, but he isn't overwhelmed.
He often gets some of it done at school. For example, he will sometimes have time in class or other classes for his math homework.
As far as I can tell what is different this year is he is more likely to have homework in other classes, especially World Studies and English. Also sometimes Health and Science. In pst years Math and English were pretty much the only classes he ever had homework in.
OP, I too would suggest meeting with the counselor or with specific teachers if the homework in one class seems to be especially daunting. Good luck.
And even now, by far the most homework he's ever had was in K, at Veirs Mill ES. TONS of worksheets. Color, cut out all the pieces, glue them according to some instruction. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Every night. I can't believe we survived!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a lot of work, so much and the pacing is like... we got to keep moving. He is getting discouraged. IMO the fundamentals are not taught solid enough to warrant this kind of pace and level of activities. They are kids still right??

But I keep reading on DCUM that middle school is not enough work and the pacing is too slow?

What specific problems is he having?

It is kind of slow unless it's a magnet program.

In all honesty, if your child is bright, doesn't get distracted easily, doesn't have SN, I don't think your child should have that much HW at home. Sorry, I'm not trying to be cruel.

[Anonymous]

I find it a fair bit with Spanish, instrument practice, and general studying.

[Anonymous]

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

One more time for the people in the back:
Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

If your kid is drowning and taking a language, the first step is to DROP the language.

7th grade students shouldn't be drowning. but it isn't unusual to have 75-90 minutes of homework per night (longer if there's a major assignment due). Longer if your student needs extra time to complete work.

If your kid is doing more than 2 hours of homework a night, every night, for more than a few weeks in a row, and he doesn't have a disability or something that would cause him to take longer to complete work, then it's time to get the school involved. Best first step is a conference with his teachers. Contact the team leader or counselor to request a conference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

One more time for the people in the back:
Middle School students do NOT have to take a language.

If your kid is drowning and taking a language, the first step is to DROP the language.

7th grade students shouldn't be drowning. but it isn't unusual to have 75-90 minutes of homework per night (longer if there's a major assignment due). Longer if your student needs extra time to complete work.

If your kid is doing more than 2 hours of homework a night, every night, for more than a few weeks in a row, and he doesn't have a disability or something that would cause him to take longer to complete work, then it's time to get the school involved. Best first step is a conference with his teachers. Contact the team leader or counselor to request a conference.

I believe at JWMS, they do have to take a language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it a fair bit with Spanish, instrument practice, and general studying.

Pp here. I think the language class is the most important thing he is taking and the most time sensitive as far as better to learn when young. My kid isn’t overwhelmed, I’m just saying it’s actual work and not just the 20 minutes during SOARR that others mentioned. I think it’s a healthy amount of work but it is more than I did at the same age. He is actually learning to study and discipline, which I think is great prep for high school. He also has ample free time.

[Anonymous]

You are right, they don't have to take foreign language, but for many, foreign language and math are the only somewhat challenging classes they have!

[Anonymous]

DD is at Hoover. No homework ever - I guess everyone finishes during the day or on the bus. It's great though, since DD is doing so many enrichment and extracurricular activities, and evenings and weekends should be for fun and hanging with friends or going out. Just want DD to make memories not be doing work!!

[Anonymous]

I do not know if it's at every MCPS middle school, however, when my son was at Julius West he dropped an elective and joined a class that helped him keep up and stay organized. He had a hard time adapting to middle school. After a quarter in that class (did not have to stay a whole semester - though some do), he performed much better.

[Anonymous]

Anyone at Rocky Hill? Curious what it's like there as DS will be there in a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not know if it's at every MCPS middle school, however, when my son was at Julius West he dropped an elective and joined a class that helped him keep up and stay organized. He had a hard time adapting to middle school. After a quarter in that class (did not have to stay a whole semester - though some do), he performed much better.

This class is called Academic Support Program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is at Hoover. No homework ever - I guess everyone finishes during the day or on the bus. It's great though, since DD is doing so many enrichment and extracurricular activities, and evenings and weekends should be for fun and hanging with friends or going out. Just want DD to make memories not be doing work!!

You are either joking (not funny) or things have changed significantly in the past few years. My kids always had homework and a lot more assessments than friends from some other MS. The principal was always a fan of enrichment and pushing kids into accelerated classes.

[Anonymous]

No. MCPS middle school is not hard. Even in Magnet programs and even with a foreign language. So please get the child the help that is needed and get better studying habits and time management skills instilled. Middle school is the time to make up with gaps in knowledge is any. OR your kid is wasting time when they are saying they are studying. Internet addiction does that for people.

[Anonymous]

What magnet middle school is not hard? One of my children went to a magnet that was challenging. I agree though ghag language classes are not challenging.

My other child is in a regular program and it is very easy. She never has any homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is at Hoover. No homework ever - I guess everyone finishes during the day or on the bus. It's great though, since DD is doing so many enrichment and extracurricular activities, and evenings and weekends should be for fun and hanging with friends or going out. Just want DD to make memories not be doing work!!

You are either joking (not funny) or things have changed significantly in the past few years. My kids always had homework and a lot more assessments than friends from some other MS. The principal was always a fan of enrichment and pushing kids into accelerated classes.

WhAt has changed is that they added a short study hall to the day. My 7th grader also has no homework most days.