Laptops in Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who opted for private school for this reason (among others): Where did you look? Where did you choose?

We looked at Norwood, SSFS, Seneca Academy, Bullis, and Green Acres for K. We were fortunate to get into all of them and ended up choosing Norwood because of its K-8 focus and the sense we got that it combines warmth/emphasis on socio-emotional learning and academic strength. We’ve been really happy so far! Our child’s class has 17 students and two fully qualified teachers, so a functional 1:8 student teacher ratio. They use iPads sparingly and only to occasionally reinforce some reading concepts.

Schools are getting into the thick of the admissions cycle now, so if you’re interested in applying for next year, now is the time to start looking! Applications generally are due in January, but there are events happening now.

Not even back-door private recruiting; waltzing right in the front!

?

Private schools are always just so so much more Superior and yet they're always so desperate to get more people to apply and pay them thousands of dollars

they are selling ice to eskimos. Don’t send your kid to that dirty public school that has the top test scores in the country and that you pay for with your taxes, Instead pay 30k to send them to our school which has no test scores. Suckers really are born every minute.

Oh it’s way more than 30k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who opted for private school for this reason (among others): Where did you look? Where did you choose?

We looked at Norwood, SSFS, Seneca Academy, Bullis, and Green Acres for K. We were fortunate to get into all of them and ended up choosing Norwood because of its K-8 focus and the sense we got that it combines warmth/emphasis on socio-emotional learning and academic strength. We’ve been really happy so far! Our child’s class has 17 students and two fully qualified teachers, so a functional 1:8 student teacher ratio. They use iPads sparingly and only to occasionally reinforce some reading concepts.

Schools are getting into the thick of the admissions cycle now, so if you’re interested in applying for next year, now is the time to start looking! Applications generally are due in January, but there are events happening now.

Not even back-door private recruiting; waltzing right in the front!

?

Private schools are always just so so much more Superior and yet they're always so desperate to get more people to apply and pay them thousands of dollars

they are selling ice to eskimos. Don’t send your kid to that dirty public school that has the top test scores in the country and that you pay for with your taxes, Instead pay 30k to send them to our school which has no test scores. Suckers really are born every minute.

Oh it’s way more than 30k

Condolences.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Ugh. Most of our work was *offline......"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are some of the websites the kids use? If you’re a kindergarten parent, how have teachers explained the approach of using screen time for instruction to you?

They're on the apps that the teacher has on their page--like Epic, Happy numbers, etc. they aren't surfing the net or allowed to get YouTube.

That said, it's way too much screen time. But they do it early for testing (kids can barely get through MAP testing if they don't know how to use the computer) and it allows teachers to pull small groups because the rest of the class is pacified by the computer

MCPS pushes for mixed-ability classroom in the name of ‘Equity’. What do you expect the teacher to do?

In order to meet with the small groups, the rest of the class has to be kept quiet. The Chromebooks are the easiest way to accomplish that.

Well, somehow 20 years ago, when MCPS was still pushing mixed ability classrooms, kids moved through centers manned by parent volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

Two things:

1) It is possible that different elementary schools use Chromebooks more or less than others.

2) Was your child not in virtual school for over a year? That was 6 hours on a Chromebook. I find it hard to believe when you say your child only spent around 15 minutes on the Chromebook and he/she is in 4th grade. For at least a year, it was was way more than that.

I have 3 kids in MCPS and used to volunteer in the classroom a ton before Covid. The teachers rely very heavily on the Chromebooks, whether it is as a way to keep kids quiet while in small groups or as a way to do assignments. You’re fortunate if what you say is true. My oldest is now in high school, and she finally seems to be doing more stuff with paper and pencil. Thank goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

Two things:

1) It is possible that different elementary schools use Chromebooks more or less than others.

2) Was your child not in virtual school for over a year? That was 6 hours on a Chromebook. I find it hard to believe when you say your child only spent around 15 minutes on the Chromebook and he/she is in 4th grade. For at least a year, it was was way more than that.

I have 3 kids in MCPS and used to volunteer in the classroom a ton before Covid. The teachers rely very heavily on the Chromebooks, whether it is as a way to keep kids quiet while in small groups or as a way to do assignments. You’re fortunate if what you say is true. My oldest is now in high school, and she finally seems to be doing more stuff with paper and pencil. Thank goodness.

I wasn't counting the covid year because that's not really relevant to the actual experience of MCPS today in 2022. Once school returned in March 2021 (so, my child's 2nd grade year), the teachers worked very hard to keep them offline as much as possible. I'm sorry if that' wasn't your experience, but some of the other folks on this thread seem to have very little experience with public school, and are just looking for an excuse to talk up/justify their "superior" decision-making in choosing private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

True but I like to rave on about fabrications that appeal to UMC parental fears like excess screen time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

True but I like to rave on about fabrications that appeal to UMC parental fears like excess screen time.

Yes, because having your kid vegetate in front of an iPad for hours a day is totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

Two things:

1) It is possible that different elementary schools use Chromebooks more or less than others.

2) Was your child not in virtual school for over a year? That was 6 hours on a Chromebook. I find it hard to believe when you say your child only spent around 15 minutes on the Chromebook and he/she is in 4th grade. For at least a year, it was was way more than that.

I have 3 kids in MCPS and used to volunteer in the classroom a ton before Covid. The teachers rely very heavily on the Chromebooks, whether it is as a way to keep kids quiet while in small groups or as a way to do assignments. You’re fortunate if what you say is true. My oldest is now in high school, and she finally seems to be doing more stuff with paper and pencil. Thank goodness.

I wasn't counting the covid year because that's not really relevant to the actual experience of MCPS today in 2022. Once school returned in March 2021 (so, my child's 2nd grade year), the teachers worked very hard to keep them offline as much as possible. I'm sorry if that' wasn't your experience, but some of the other folks on this thread seem to have very little experience with public school, and are just looking for an excuse to talk up/justify their "superior" decision-making in choosing private.

Someone asked about private schools. Someone answered. You seem awfully triggered by that exchange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm wondering if some folks on this thread have ever had their mids in MCPS. For what it is worth, my current 4th grader only used the Chromebooks for cumulative tests + about 15 minutes/day of literacy games per day up until this year.

This year, they are only using it for cumulative assessments + leveled literacy homework with assigned texts plus comprehension questions.

Honestly, it's not much time with the computer at all, and they are still getting spelling worksheets and math homework to complete by hand. It's not that much different than how I learned as a kid, in the mostly pre-computer age. Back then, most of our work was online and we were allowed to play Oregon Trail for about 15 mins in between stations. That's what my kid is doing now as well.

Two things:

1) It is possible that different elementary schools use Chromebooks more or less than others.

2) Was your child not in virtual school for over a year? That was 6 hours on a Chromebook. I find it hard to believe when you say your child only spent around 15 minutes on the Chromebook and he/she is in 4th grade. For at least a year, it was was way more than that.

I have 3 kids in MCPS and used to volunteer in the classroom a ton before Covid. The teachers rely very heavily on the Chromebooks, whether it is as a way to keep kids quiet while in small groups or as a way to do assignments. You’re fortunate if what you say is true. My oldest is now in high school, and she finally seems to be doing more stuff with paper and pencil. Thank goodness.

I wasn't counting the covid year because that's not really relevant to the actual experience of MCPS today in 2022. Once school returned in March 2021 (so, my child's 2nd grade year), the teachers worked very hard to keep them offline as much as possible. I'm sorry if that' wasn't your experience, but some of the other folks on this thread seem to have very little experience with public school, and are just looking for an excuse to talk up/justify their "superior" decision-making in choosing private.

I don’t really get that impression at all. We can’t afford private, so we stick it out with MCPS. But talking to parents who DO have kids in private school is interesting to me. Provides another perspective. I have no ill will against parents who switch to private. Especially after Covid, we know of so many families who decided private is better for them.

I think we all do what works for us. You sound like you feel an excessive amount of animosity towards families who choose private school.

Regardless, excessive screen time is most definitely an issue in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are some of the websites the kids use? If you’re a kindergarten parent, how have teachers explained the approach of using screen time for instruction to you?

They're on the apps that the teacher has on their page--like Epic, Happy numbers, etc. they aren't surfing the net or allowed to get YouTube.

That said, it's way too much screen time. But they do it early for testing (kids can barely get through MAP testing if they don't know how to use the computer) and it allows teachers to pull small groups because the rest of the class is pacified by the computer

MCPS pushes for mixed-ability classroom in the name of ‘Equity’. What do you expect the teacher to do?

In order to meet with the small groups, the rest of the class has to be kept quiet. The Chromebooks are the easiest way to accomplish that.

It's kindergarten. Mixed ability classes are going to be inevitable. And in my experience parents are always happy with tracking as long as their kid is not in the low performing classroom

What do you mean by tracking? Related: Does MCPS have kindergartners do standardized assessments on the Chromebook?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are some of the websites the kids use? If you’re a kindergarten parent, how have teachers explained the approach of using screen time for instruction to you?

They're on the apps that the teacher has on their page--like Epic, Happy numbers, etc. they aren't surfing the net or allowed to get YouTube.

That said, it's way too much screen time. But they do it early for testing (kids can barely get through MAP testing if they don't know how to use the computer) and it allows teachers to pull small groups because the rest of the class is pacified by the computer

MCPS pushes for mixed-ability classroom in the name of ‘Equity’. What do you expect the teacher to do?

In order to meet with the small groups, the rest of the class has to be kept quiet. The Chromebooks are the easiest way to accomplish that.

It's kindergarten. Mixed ability classes are going to be inevitable. And in my experience parents are always happy with tracking as long as their kid is not in the low performing classroom

What do you mean by tracking? Related: Does MCPS have kindergartners do standardized assessments on the Chromebook?

Yes. Kindergartners take MAP testing on their Chromebooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are some of the websites the kids use? If you’re a kindergarten parent, how have teachers explained the approach of using screen time for instruction to you?

They're on the apps that the teacher has on their page--like Epic, Happy numbers, etc. they aren't surfing the net or allowed to get YouTube.

That said, it's way too much screen time. But they do it early for testing (kids can barely get through MAP testing if they don't know how to use the computer) and it allows teachers to pull small groups because the rest of the class is pacified by the computer

MCPS pushes for mixed-ability classroom in the name of ‘Equity’. What do you expect the teacher to do?

In order to meet with the small groups, the rest of the class has to be kept quiet. The Chromebooks are the easiest way to accomplish that.

This is incredibly depressing.

There's lots of other ways to accomplish rotations. It's not just having kids on Chromebooks

Years ago when my child was in preschool, they added an iPad to one of their centers. It was a good balance and enough to expose them to the educational use of a screen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are some of the websites the kids use? If you’re a kindergarten parent, how have teachers explained the approach of using screen time for instruction to you?

They're on the apps that the teacher has on their page--like Epic, Happy numbers, etc. they aren't surfing the net or allowed to get YouTube.

That said, it's way too much screen time. But they do it early for testing (kids can barely get through MAP testing if they don't know how to use the computer) and it allows teachers to pull small groups because the rest of the class is pacified by the computer

MCPS pushes for mixed-ability classroom in the name of ‘Equity’. What do you expect the teacher to do?

In order to meet with the small groups, the rest of the class has to be kept quiet. The Chromebooks are the easiest way to accomplish that.

It's kindergarten. Mixed ability classes are going to be inevitable. And in my experience parents are always happy with tracking as long as their kid is not in the low performing classroom

What do you mean by tracking? Related: Does MCPS have kindergartners do standardized assessments on the Chromebook?

Yes. Kindergartners take MAP testing on their Chromebooks.

New to MCPS here. What is MAP testing for kindergartners?