Silver Spring elementary schools + reading above grade level

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If everyone's child is reading above grade level than it sounds like there might be some "reading level inflation" just like the "grade inflation" that's been written about a lot lately. I was wondering how all of a sudden every other kid was getting straight "A"s. Its sure not the way it was when I was in school here in MCPS many years ago.

For starters when you were a kid they used leaded gas. Kids today are smarter. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg.

My principal likes to say that if she wants parents to attend an event, she just needs to say it's only geared toward parents of gifted kids.

[Anonymous]

My oldest was reading on a second grade level, as well as doing second grade math when he entered kindergarten at a SS dual language school. The teacher was great in giving him challenging books to read and he was by himself in the "group" reading and math as the only child on that level in his class. However, he was literally bored to tears in the rest of the class when they had the whole class in "circle time" or anything that involved the rest of the kids. He couldn't wait to get out of that school to go to a CES, which he did for 4th grade last year. However, because there was so little "enrichment" at the home school, he really struggled at first at the CES to catch up to kids from other schools, although by the second quarter, he was doing great, and continues to do so.

It was even worse for his younger brother, who was not advanced when he started kindergarten, but was stunted by the way the principal changed the dual language program, and ended the year a semester behind in reading (at the same time, the principal entirely removed the advanced enrichment in math at the school while my oldest was there in 2nd grade). We were lucky enough to get the younger brother moved to an English-only school where he quickly caught up to and passed grade level and now, in second grade, is reading 4th and 5th grade level books on his own, as well as doing advanced math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest was reading on a second grade level, as well as doing second grade math when he entered kindergarten at a SS dual language school. The teacher was great in giving him challenging books to read and he was by himself in the "group" reading and math as the only child on that level in his class. However, he was literally bored to tears in the rest of the class when they had the whole class in "circle time" or anything that involved the rest of the kids. He couldn't wait to get out of that school to go to a CES, which he did for 4th grade last year. However, because there was so little "enrichment" at the home school, he really struggled at first at the CES to catch up to kids from other schools, although by the second quarter, he was doing great, and continues to do so.

It was even worse for his younger brother, who was not advanced when he started kindergarten, but was stunted by the way the principal changed the dual language program, and ended the year a semester behind in reading (at the same time, the principal entirely removed the advanced enrichment in math at the school while my oldest was there in 2nd grade). We were lucky enough to get the younger brother moved to an English-only school where he quickly caught up to and passed grade level and now, in second grade, is reading 4th and 5th grade level books on his own, as well as doing advanced math.

When kids claim to be bored, it's usually not a good sign since it's indicative of a limited mindset and imagination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest was reading on a second grade level, as well as doing second grade math when he entered kindergarten at a SS dual language school. The teacher was great in giving him challenging books to read and he was by himself in the "group" reading and math as the only child on that level in his class. However, he was literally bored to tears in the rest of the class when they had the whole class in "circle time" or anything that involved the rest of the kids. He couldn't wait to get out of that school to go to a CES, which he did for 4th grade last year. However, because there was so little "enrichment" at the home school, he really struggled at first at the CES to catch up to kids from other schools, although by the second quarter, he was doing great, and continues to do so.

It was even worse for his younger brother, who was not advanced when he started kindergarten, but was stunted by the way the principal changed the dual language program, and ended the year a semester behind in reading (at the same time, the principal entirely removed the advanced enrichment in math at the school while my oldest was there in 2nd grade). We were lucky enough to get the younger brother moved to an English-only school where he quickly caught up to and passed grade level and now, in second grade, is reading 4th and 5th grade level books on his own, as well as doing advanced math.

When kids claim to be bored, it's usually not a good sign since it's indicative of a limited mindset and imagination.

My kid is bored in school routine seems like a badge of honor for a certain group of parents. I also always thought it showed a lack of initiative (i.e. walk across the classroom and pick up a book).

[Anonymous]

We are at Woodlin ES. Many of the kids are above reading levels. The principal this year purchased curriculum to accommodate those students who are advanced.

Students are receiving instruction in William & Mary, Jacob’s Ladder and Junior Greatbooks at the higher levels (grades 3-5). In math the advanced kids do compacted math (combining 5th/6th grade math) at a good pace. In all other grades the kids do a gifted curriculum written by Univ. of Connecticut, it’s called Project M2.

In the lower grades K-2, the kids read Junior Greatbooks and/or study a specific author or concept in depth. In writing, the kids do Lucy Calkins and for spelling ‘Words Their Way’
OP, I would suggest that you reach out to the PTA’s of the school’s that you are interested in and they can really give you the inside scoop and put you on the community listservs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are at Woodlin ES. Many of the kids are above reading levels. The principal this year purchased curriculum to accommodate those students who are advanced.

Students are receiving instruction in William & Mary, Jacob’s Ladder and Junior Greatbooks at the higher levels (grades 3-5). In math the advanced kids do compacted math (combining 5th/6th grade math) at a good pace. In all other grades the kids do a gifted curriculum written by Univ. of Connecticut, it’s called Project M2.

In the lower grades K-2, the kids read Junior Greatbooks and/or study a specific author or concept in depth. In writing, the kids do Lucy Calkins and for spelling ‘Words Their Way’
OP, I would suggest that you reach out to the PTA’s of the school’s that you are interested in and they can really give you the inside scoop and put you on the community listservs.

This is fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Op, welcome to MCPS. I suggest getting into a non Focus school and a non Title 1 school. The PTAs are phenomenal and the school culture is often geared towards pushing your child succeed. The problem most title 1 and focus schools have is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged & those who don’t speak English as a first lanaguage mixed in with those whose kids come to school ready to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, welcome to MCPS. I suggest getting into a non Focus school and a non Title 1 school. The PTAs are phenomenal and the school culture is often geared towards pushing your child succeed. The problem most title 1 and focus schools have is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged & those who don’t speak English as a first lanaguage mixed in with those whose kids come to school ready to learn.

Did you actually read the posts from parents with kids in focus schools? Plenty of focus schools have phenomenal PTAs, and have small enough clas sizes to manage differentiation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, welcome to MCPS. I suggest getting into a non Focus school and a non Title 1 school. The PTAs are phenomenal and the school culture is often geared towards pushing your child succeed. The problem most title 1 and focus schools have is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged & those who don’t speak English as a first lanaguage mixed in with those whose kids come to school ready to learn.

Did you actually read the posts from parents with kids in focus schools? Plenty of focus schools have phenomenal PTAs, and have small enough clas sizes to manage differentiation.

I'm afraid you're dealing with what I like call invincible ignorance. No amount of facts will ever change their views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, welcome to MCPS. I suggest getting into a non Focus school and a non Title 1 school. The PTAs are phenomenal and the school culture is often geared towards pushing your child succeed. The problem most title 1 and focus schools have is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged & those who don’t speak English as a first lanaguage mixed in with those whose kids come to school ready to learn.

Did you actually read the posts from parents with kids in focus schools? Plenty of focus schools have phenomenal PTAs, and have small enough clas sizes to manage differentiation.

Have you read the countless stories of those in focus/title 1 Schools that are still I satisfied, even with the small class sizes? I guess you have but you want to gloss over that fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, welcome to MCPS. I suggest getting into a non Focus school and a non Title 1 school. The PTAs are phenomenal and the school culture is often geared towards pushing your child succeed. The problem most title 1 and focus schools have is trying to help those who are economically disadvantaged & those who don’t speak English as a first lanaguage mixed in with those whose kids come to school ready to learn.

Did you actually read the posts from parents with kids in focus schools? Plenty of focus schools have phenomenal PTAs, and have small enough clas sizes to manage differentiation.

Have you read the countless stories of those in focus/title 1 Schools that are still UNsatisfied, even with the small class sizes? I guess you have but you want to gloss over that fact.

[Anonymous]

As someone with experience inside the schools, I can tell you that advanced kids do get bored when a large enough group of kids is behind. Its just one of the negatives of being in a low performing school.

Differentiation does not mean that a teacher can clone herself and split into three. The teacher has to try to catch up the kids that are far behind which is pervasive in the Silver Spring schools. This isn't exciting or interesting for the advanced kids. The advanced kids can work independently and a creative teacher can find something for them to do that does not put them further above grade level which is a restriction in MCPS. Advanced kids are not always angels BTW. Their boredom can often turn into misbehavior and talking so using the chrome books to find engaging educational games is not as bad as posters seem to think.

Amazingly some parents can be utterly fooled that a once a week pull out is fantastic enrichment. We know that the parents are only seeking validation that their child is gifted and smart. As long as you stroke their ego, they'll believe anything.

If you want your advanced child to stay advanced in a FOCUS school environment then simply give them more challenging reading material at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone with experience inside the schools, I can tell you that advanced kids do get bored when a large enough group of kids is behind. Its just one of the negatives of being in a low performing school.

Differentiation does not mean that a teacher can clone herself and split into three. The teacher has to try to catch up the kids that are far behind which is pervasive in the Silver Spring schools. This isn't exciting or interesting for the advanced kids. The advanced kids can work independently and a creative teacher can find something for them to do that does not put them further above grade level which is a restriction in MCPS. Advanced kids are not always angels BTW. Their boredom can often turn into misbehavior and talking so using the chrome books to find engaging educational games is not as bad as posters seem to think.

Amazingly some parents can be utterly fooled that a once a week pull out is fantastic enrichment. We know that the parents are only seeking validation that their child is gifted and smart. As long as you stroke their ego, they'll believe anything.

If you want your advanced child to stay advanced in a FOCUS school environment then simply give them more challenging reading material at home.

Well, my advanced DD got sufficient differentiation in a focus school, enjoyed school, loved her teachers, and continues to score in 99th percentile on various standardized tests in 8th grade. Having classmates in elementary school who were poor or English Language Learners didn't stop her from continuing to be "advanced." And yes, of course she got out of school enrichment, just as pretty much every child with educated and affluent parents gets, regardless of where they live. Itis not as if Bethesda parents are not giving their advanced kids challenging material at home as well.

[Anonymous]

People are not going to like this, but moving from a Focus or Title I school to a higher performing school can be like night and day. We went from a Focus school, that we really liked with smaller classes to a school in the Wootten cluster. The expectations for our kids were just much higher because of the peer group. Therefore, the teachers were teaching to them as opposed to the significant number of kids struggling at our old school. I know this is not a popular opinion in this board,

[Anonymous]

People are not going to like this, but moving from a Focus or Title I school to a higher performing school can be like night and day. We went from a Focus school, that we really liked with smaller classes to a school in the Wootten cluster. The expectations for our kids were just much higher because of the peer group. Therefore, the teachers were teaching to them as opposed to the significant number of kids struggling at our old school. I know this is not a popular opinion in this board,

Same experience here. Moved from SS to a W school and was blown away by the differences in expectations.