Going from public to private school

[Anonymous]

Op - so far the first week has gone well! Kids like school and don’t feel behind yet. They are making friends and are enjoying it so that is the biggest hurdle!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids will be fine, though there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period.

Our kids did both at various times, and they had homework in both public and private. Here's an example that will show how it's just different. (not necessarily better or worse)

4th grade public: Eight math problems. Five are simple problems; two are word problems; one is a sort of theoretical "explore this" question.

Prepare for spelling quiz on Friday.

Color a map for Social Studies.

4th grade private: 20 math problems, 18 are simple, two are word problems.

Use each of 20 words in a sentence. Sentences must be properly constructed and work must be neat.

Social Studies: Read a chapter and answer questions in the textbook, again with proper structure and neat work.

Op - this is very helpful. I agree with the public school break down. The hardest I also agree will be writing and spelling. My DC still has lots of misspelled words and I am sure that won’t fly

OP, entertain the idea that your kids spelling issues are not attributable to the inferior public school education and rather their own need to improve in certain areas. If you think Catholic school will be some kind of panacea for existing learning issues, you are mistaken.

Op - completely understood. However in the 4 years we have been in school I don’t remember one single spelling test for my now 4th grader.

I have read that research does not support spelling test as the most useful way to learn to spell. Many kids learn the words for the test but do not retain them for the long term. Most kids learn to spell through lots of reading and writing practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids will be fine, though there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period.

Our kids did both at various times, and they had homework in both public and private. Here's an example that will show how it's just different. (not necessarily better or worse)

4th grade public: Eight math problems. Five are simple problems; two are word problems; one is a sort of theoretical "explore this" question.

Prepare for spelling quiz on Friday.

Color a map for Social Studies.

4th grade private: 20 math problems, 18 are simple, two are word problems.

Use each of 20 words in a sentence. Sentences must be properly constructed and work must be neat.

Social Studies: Read a chapter and answer questions in the textbook, again with proper structure and neat work.

Op - this is very helpful. I agree with the public school break down. The hardest I also agree will be writing and spelling. My DC still has lots of misspelled words and I am sure that won’t fly

OP, entertain the idea that your kids spelling issues are not attributable to the inferior public school education and rather their own need to improve in certain areas. If you think Catholic school will be some kind of panacea for existing learning issues, you are mistaken.

Op - completely understood. However in the 4 years we have been in school I don’t remember one single spelling test for my now 4th grader.

I have read that research does not support spelling test as the most useful way to learn to spell. Many kids learn the words for the test but do not retain them for the long term. Most kids learn to spell through lots of reading and writing practice.

The "research" also supported Lucy Caulkins, until it didn't. Perhaps some kids learn to spell via extensive reading, but my child who is my most voracious reader is the worst speller (and the oldest). She needs direct instruction, and direct instruction means phonics + tests on the 20% of English words that don't match phonics, and maybe also tests on the rules.

My 3rd grader came home with our family's first spelling list last week. I was so thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op - so far the first week has gone well! Kids like school and don’t feel behind yet. They are making friends and are enjoying it so that is the biggest hurdle!

That's great OP! Hope they have another good week.