HGC 4th grade this year

[Anonymous]

I have a 4th grader in an HGC. He is my oldest child so I don't have experience with MCPS 4th grade. So far, though, it doesn't seem that different than the regular curriculum. It's not bad but from speaking to a number of people before my child decided to go, I expected it to be something more than what it is. I am wondering if this is due to a change in the curriculum this year and if prior years were different.

[Anonymous]

The curriculum has always been the same, in the sense that all 4th graders study the same thing (for example, native Americans, ecosystems).

The HCG should have more enriched work, and more accelerated content, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The curriculum has always been the same, in the sense that all 4th graders study the same thing (for example, native Americans, ecosystems).

The HCG should have more enriched work, and more accelerated content, however.

In what way is it enriched and accelerated?

[Anonymous]

Which HGC?

[Anonymous]

I have a child at an HGC this year and feel it's been pretty good, mainly because of the peer group not the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

What are you seeing? Last year in 4th my daughter was doing 6th grade math (half the class was doing 7th), numerous book reports, significant long term assignments, weekly reading and writing journals, math Olympiad problems etc.

We've had several long term assignments this year in 5th, a creative writing paper, research paper on energy types etc.

Last year was not 2.0; this year is 2.0 for everything except math. I get the impression that they're winging it a bit this year, but I'm still pretty impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader in an HGC. He is my oldest child so I don't have experience with MCPS 4th grade. So far, though, it doesn't seem that different than the regular curriculum. It's not bad but from speaking to a number of people before my child decided to go, I expected it to be something more than what it is. I am wondering if this is due to a change in the curriculum this year and if prior years were different.

What did you expect? And what are you seeing instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader in an HGC. He is my oldest child so I don't have experience with MCPS 4th grade. So far, though, it doesn't seem that different than the regular curriculum. It's not bad but from speaking to a number of people before my child decided to go, I expected it to be something more than what it is. I am wondering if this is due to a change in the curriculum this year and if prior years were different.

What did you expect? And what are you seeing instead?

. And to add on, what's the point in over analyzing this?

[Anonymous]

The difference in the HGC, IIRC, came from actual classroom instruction and peer group (which you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell from homework or your child's daily reports) and the long-term projects. So it's possible that you just aren't seeing that.

For example, I believe in 4th grade the kids did an author project -- they chose an author and read three books, did many activities related to this over the course of several months, and the teachers worked with them along the way. It had to be books they hadn't read that weren't part of a series (so for example no Harry Potter) and the teacher had to approve the author -- there may have been a list to choose from. Then they also had to read a biography of the author. They did various projects related to this, including identifying literary devices, making posters, writing reports, etc. etc. This was a very involved and advanced project.

I think also in the 4th grade there were various projects related to the Native American social studies unit.

So I would check in with your child and ask if any projects have been discussed -- it may be that it's just too early for those.

[Anonymous]

Also look for Wordly Wise or similar work to develop vocabulary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader in an HGC. He is my oldest child so I don't have experience with MCPS 4th grade. So far, though, it doesn't seem that different than the regular curriculum. It's not bad but from speaking to a number of people before my child decided to go, I expected it to be something more than what it is. I am wondering if this is due to a change in the curriculum this year and if prior years were different.

What did you expect? And what are you seeing instead?

. And to add on, what's the point in over analyzing this?

The home school is a better school over all and my child is having a hard time adjusting. So just trying to figure out if it was a good decision/hoping things improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader in an HGC. He is my oldest child so I don't have experience with MCPS 4th grade. So far, though, it doesn't seem that different than the regular curriculum. It's not bad but from speaking to a number of people before my child decided to go, I expected it to be something more than what it is. I am wondering if this is due to a change in the curriculum this year and if prior years were different.

What did you expect? And what are you seeing instead?

. And to add on, what's the point in over analyzing this?

The home school is a better school over all and my child is having a hard time adjusting. So just trying to figure out if it was a good decision/hoping things improve.

What is your HGC?

[Anonymous]

Suggest you go back to your home school and give your child's spot to a kid on the wait list who really wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suggest you go back to your home school and give your child's spot to a kid on the wait list who really wants it.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Suggest you go back to your home school and give your child's spot to a kid on the wait list who really wants it.

+ 1

Agree. And I have a kid in HCG. If you really have a concern, as your kid if he/she wants to go back.