How many assigned books in 8th this semester?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is completely false. Anyone can find a “study” to support their view. However I am concerned so many teachers/parents think this is true!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is completely false. Anyone can find a “study” to support their view. However I am concerned so many teachers/parents think this is true!

DP
Why do you say that is completely false? That’s what, 6th grade? They are all reading at the same level. Why would they all be assigned the same book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is completely false. Anyone can find a “study” to support their view. However I am concerned so many teachers/parents think this is true!

Please find me a study that shows that reading a whole class text is beneficial. Why force a middle schooler to read a book that is either way above/below their reading level or is in not of interest? What is wrong with providing a few choices for reading when all of the books connect to the same theme? Even when I was in college, we were often given a list to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

My kid in fifth grade just had to write a long opinion essay (i.e., pick a side of XYZ). This is at a local level AAP in a not highly rated school. I think kids are writing essays. MS kid is having to develop more robust reasoning and evidence in her writing. But I agree that privates do a much better job with writing. I graduated from a private school and college writing was not a struggle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, AAP ends in MS. Honors/IB/AP are all open enrollment.

I meant not even in those classes, they do not have novels assigned/read classics.

Mine have to read in IB classes and write essays as answers to test questions.

I heard IB is more writing intensive in general and even though it's not as sought after as AP, it at least prepares kids for college level writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is completely false. Anyone can find a “study” to support their view. However I am concerned so many teachers/parents think this is true!

Please find me a study that shows that reading a whole class text is beneficial. Why force a middle schooler to read a book that is either way above/below their reading level or is in not of interest? What is wrong with providing a few choices for reading when all of the books connect to the same theme? Even when I was in college, we were often given a list to choose from.

It is Christmas Eve, and I have to go entertain my MIL, wrap presents and prep appetizers, otherwise I would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

My kid in fifth grade just had to write a long opinion essay (i.e., pick a side of XYZ). This is at a local level AAP in a not highly rated school. I think kids are writing essays. MS kid is having to develop more robust reasoning and evidence in her writing. But I agree that privates do a much better job with writing. I graduated from a private school and college writing was not a struggle.

I’m the PP you responded to. My kids switched to public, so I’m familiar with the different approaches. At my kids’ (good) public middle they are asked to do slides and videos instead of written reports, so they don’t have many opportunities to practice writing. Their writing skills are atrocious. The high school teachers are appalled when they kids get to 9th grade, but the district seems to make no adjustments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

I am PP. I didn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to write an essay. I just meant on a test with an open ended question they should be able to write a paragraph. The kids also write essays. But not every question on a test warrants an essay response. 🙄 My students write several essays throughout the year. Maybe instead of making judgements you ask clarifying questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

I am PP. I didn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to write an essay. I just meant on a test with an open ended question they should be able to write a paragraph. The kids also write essays. But not every question on a test warrants an essay response. 🙄 My students write several essays throughout the year. Maybe instead of making judgements you ask clarifying questions.

This! I teach SS in 7th and I give several open ended questions on tests. If there are three open ended questions, I don’t want them writing three essays for one test!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

My kid in fifth grade just had to write a long opinion essay (i.e., pick a side of XYZ). This is at a local level AAP in a not highly rated school. I think kids are writing essays. MS kid is having to develop more robust reasoning and evidence in her writing. But I agree that privates do a much better job with writing. I graduated from a private school and college writing was not a struggle.

I’m the PP you responded to. My kids switched to public, so I’m familiar with the different approaches. At my kids’ (good) public middle they are asked to do slides and videos instead of written reports, so they don’t have many opportunities to practice writing. Their writing skills are atrocious. The high school teachers are appalled when they kids get to 9th grade, but the district seems to make no adjustments.

NP. Yes, my older child in public school did almost 100% slide presentations in middle school. In eighth grade, I think they got some coaching into how to write specifically for the writing SOL. Now in ninth grade, she has to write 5-paragraph essays in response to novels. (Finally, novels!) Younger sibling is in private middle school almost entirely because we couldn’t believe how lackluster the reading/writing instruction was in public. It makes me want to weep with joy when he gets written work returned to him with feedback and comments and points off for spelling and grammar errors!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

So there is no expectation that kids entering middle school write one than one paragraph? That’s pathetic. My kid was expected to write one paragraph in 2nd/3rd grade. By midterms in 5th grade, they had to write 5 paragraph essays for English, history and religion. He had to write one paragraph for his Spanish exams.

Here is the gist. There is an expectation but you gave kids coming in at different levels. For regular kids with no learning difficulties, then yes they should be writing at a minimum of 5 paragraphs or more. But we have 6th graders reading at a Kindergarten level- 3rd grade level. For these kids, the expectations are different because they are not performing at grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

Any tips to help them at home before 6th grade?

Honestly, my biggest issue with my students comes down to editing and revising. I model this with every unit, but many are just lazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is completely false. Anyone can find a “study” to support their view. However I am concerned so many teachers/parents think this is true!

Please find me a study that shows that reading a whole class text is beneficial. Why force a middle schooler to read a book that is either way above/below their reading level or is in not of interest? What is wrong with providing a few choices for reading when all of the books connect to the same theme? Even when I was in college, we were often given a list to choose from.

Nothing is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has read several in AAP throughout the years but I notice that they don’t seem to read the classics anymore. Do they even do that in HS?

We read the classics in middle school growing up because the concept of young adult literature was in its infancy. Today we have access to high quality literature written for teens. Yes, my high school counterparts still have students read the classics. I still read some classic short stories with my students and offer up a few classics when we do literature circles. When we did vertical articulation with the high school, they asked us to pull a few titles we were offering so that they could use them in 9th and 10th. Many of the classics are still available for students to check out in our school library and the librarians are more than willing to borrow any from high schools if a student asks for suggestions.

Many students won’t willingly read a classic if they have to check it out of the library. At least one a year should be assigned and the whole class reads it.

Why should a 12 year old be forced to read a classic? Whole class novels should not be assigned anymore. It is no longer best practice and has not been for at least 10 years. Studies show that readers are built by giving them access to books, CHOICE in what they read, and a purpose for reading.

This is so disheartening to read. You might think it is best practice, but it’s not. There are newer classics the whole class could read- The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies, etc. Students should have choice sometimes and other times there should be a shared whole class reading experience.

I thought Fahrenheit 451 is very relevant, but novels take time to read. Since homework has been eliminated up through at least MS, required reading is no longer assigned unless it can be completed in class.

MS teacher here-- Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit, and 1984 are typically assigned at our feeder HS. We do a vertical articulation meeting with the department chair and a few English teachers each spring and discuss reading lists. Outsiders is offered as part of a book club group in 7th at our school. It used to be a whole class novel read, but it is no longer beloved by students as it once was.. Fahrenheit is often recommended as an independent read when students are interested in dystopian lit, but we don't have it in our book room because it is in the high school book room.

Up until maybe 5 years ago, I taught whole class novels. I switched to literature circles where I offer 5 or so choices for students. All the books are based on the same theme. I've read all of the novels I offer. Students meet with their literature circles to discuss the reading. It isn't any different from when we read whole class novels, but students tend to be more engaged because they are able to pick a book that appeals to them. My students are 12 and 13-- I'm still trying to get them to build reading stamina and a love of reading. I don't think that I used to do them any favors by assigning them a whole class novel. Yes, they might be assigned a novel to read in HS/college, but the analysis skills they learn in my class reading a book that they chose will transfer.

All that said... many of my friends at other schools have not assigned novels this year. As the PP poster pointed out, because homework completion rates are so abysmal, having students read a novel is a huge headache. Many students don't keep up with the reading, leaving class discussion a pointless activity. Sure, your kid may do homework, but 2/3rds of their classmates may not. It's all part of the dumbing down of FCPS.

Thanks for admitting what we've long suspected rather than trying to tell us this way is much better. I know I was in college a long time ago and was expected to read a lot in little time. Is that not the case anymore? I went to the decent state U not some high ranked private.

The reading ramps up in high school. In middle school, we're trying to un-coddle them from elementary school language arts. They come in with zero writing skills. I spend a large portion of my teaching trying to get students to analyze a short piece of writing using academic language. Our 7th grade English teachers spend a large chunk of first semester just trying to get them to respond to all parts of a question and craft a coherent paragraph. They seem to spend a lot of elementary school writing 1-2 sentence responses and doing a lot of creative writing. I see my role as being the bridge in between-- I'm working on giving them the stamina and skills to be able to handle the high school English class where they are being assigned larger chunks of reading.

I teach 6th and have been working hard with my kids to prep them for next year. With that being said, even when I tell them how they will be graded, some just refuse to write more than a sentence or two. The majority of my students are writing a lot. Any time they have an open ended assessment in any subject they know what I expect. I will also say most of my students hate writing when they come into my class and end up liking it by the end. I like that we have a variety of genres that we teach. But in my opinion, every kid should leave ES being able to write a cohesive paragraph with evidence to their thinking.

A paragraph? By 6th grade? Such low expectations 😫 sixth graders are capable of writing 1-2 pages essays and reports. That should be standard. My kids were at a private elementary, and even in fourth grade they did long reports. Paragraphs are mastered in 3rd grade, and continue to strengthen and turn into longer forms of writing in 4th, 5th etc. I’m so sad the crowning achieving for your 6th graders is a paragraph! (I see you are sad too, so I’m not judging you, just the crappy unfair school system)

My kid in fifth grade just had to write a long opinion essay (i.e., pick a side of XYZ). This is at a local level AAP in a not highly rated school. I think kids are writing essays. MS kid is having to develop more robust reasoning and evidence in her writing. But I agree that privates do a much better job with writing. I graduated from a private school and college writing was not a struggle.

I have had a few kids from private school and while their handwriting was neater, I wasn’t overly impressed with their writing. They came from Catholic school. I think a lot also comes from motivation. My kids who are my strongest writers, enjoy writing and have an intrinsic motivation to learn more.