How are things going at Navy's AAP center?

[Anonymous]

It's been a few years since they became a center and I haven't seen much discussion over it... Does anyone know how the program is measuring up to other AAP centers in the FCPS and more established centers like Oak Hill, GBW, Mantua...

How is the capacity looking, and is their GenEd still going strong? Do they have trailers now?

I would appreciate any feedback.

[Anonymous]

bump for info

[Anonymous]

I was skeptical about AAP too reading all the prior discussion about Navy AAP.
Navy does not have General Ed classroom for 3rd grade.
5 3rd grade classes- 3 PBL and 2 AAP.
Had heard that Navy PBL was much better than AAP.
Have a kid in 3rd grade AAP at Navy and I am very happy.
No concerns at all. Program is really good and above all my expectations.

PS: Navy is one of the pilot schools for Project Based Learning and that is a awesome program too.

[Anonymous]

No trailers.

25-26 kids in each classroom which is like a norm in Fairfax County schools now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was skeptical about AAP too reading all the prior discussion about Navy AAP.
Navy does not have General Ed classroom for 3rd grade.
5 3rd grade classes- 3 PBL and 2 AAP.
Had heard that Navy PBL was much better than AAP.
Have a kid in 3rd grade AAP at Navy and I am very happy.
No concerns at all. Program is really good and above all my expectations.

PS: Navy is one of the pilot schools for Project Based Learning and that is a awesome program too.

Is PBL only for children that are level VI AAP or is it for gen ed kids? I'm just wondering since you mention PBL is better than AAP. Or is PBL better than the way the regular curriculum is taught for gen ed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was skeptical about AAP too reading all the prior discussion about Navy AAP.
Navy does not have General Ed classroom for 3rd grade.
5 3rd grade classes- 3 PBL and 2 AAP.
Had heard that Navy PBL was much better than AAP.
Have a kid in 3rd grade AAP at Navy and I am very happy.
No concerns at all. Program is really good and above all my expectations.

PS: Navy is one of the pilot schools for Project Based Learning and that is a awesome program too.

I did not know about PBL and that Navy was a pilot school for that. What is it? Where can I obtain more information about it?

[Anonymous]

Are they expected to have Level IV AAP for 6th grade the next school year? School profile currently says IV is only offered for 3-5?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was skeptical about AAP too reading all the prior discussion about Navy AAP.
Navy does not have General Ed classroom for 3rd grade.
5 3rd grade classes- 3 PBL and 2 AAP.
Had heard that Navy PBL was much better than AAP.
Have a kid in 3rd grade AAP at Navy and I am very happy.
No concerns at all. Program is really good and above all my expectations.

PS: Navy is one of the pilot schools for Project Based Learning and that is a awesome program too.

I did not know about PBL and that Navy was a pilot school for that. What is it? Where can I obtain more information about it?

There is a video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejd1sqqcOvA

[Anonymous]

PBL is only for Gen Ed. Last year was the first year for 3rd graders. They had 2 AAP, 2 PBL, and one gen ed class. So that is what 4th grade has this year. They went all in for third grade this year with PBL or AAP only. So next year both 3rd and 4th grades will be PBL or AAP only, with one gen ed in 5th; 6th does not have PBL at all, this year or next. Next year there will be AAP in 6th grade also. The principal is very into PBL, not so much AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PBL is only for Gen Ed. Last year was the first year for 3rd graders. They had 2 AAP, 2 PBL, and one gen ed class. So that is what 4th grade has this year. They went all in for third grade this year with PBL or AAP only. So next year both 3rd and 4th grades will be PBL or AAP only, with one gen ed in 5th; 6th does not have PBL at all, this year or next. Next year there will be AAP in 6th grade also. The principal is very into PBL, not so much AAP.

Sounds like we will see more investment in PBL vs. AAP at Navy? Or is integrating PBL into AAP program in the agenda, or is that not really possible as AAP has its own program that it follows? Do we think Navy will not be a typical AAP center like GBW/Oakhill/Mantua?

[Anonymous]

Do people like PBL now? Last year there was a poster who complained about it all the time.

[Anonymous]

I am curious if any AAP eligible kids chose PBL instead and how they feel about the choice. Based on the video, it seems great. I have to do more research regarding this topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if any AAP eligible kids chose PBL instead and how they feel about the choice. Based on the video, it seems great. I have to do more research regarding this topic.

I wasn't wowed by that video. It seemed like a nice supplement to do occasionally, but as the children's sole method of learning? Basically messing around on an iPad, with other children.

Being engaged is good, obviously, but a good teacher engages students, not fancy methods. Although it's only science and social studies, which are non-subjects in the lower grades anyway, in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if any AAP eligible kids chose PBL instead and how they feel about the choice. Based on the video, it seems great. I have to do more research regarding this topic.

I wasn't wowed by that video. It seemed like a nice supplement to do occasionally, but as the children's sole method of learning? Basically messing around on an iPad, with other children.

Being engaged is good, obviously, but a good teacher engages students, not fancy methods. Although it's only science and social studies, which are non-subjects in the lower grades anyway, in FCPS.

I agree. It seems like a great method to practice maybe around 10-15% of the school time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious if any AAP eligible kids chose PBL instead and how they feel about the choice. Based on the video, it seems great. I have to do more research regarding this topic.

The Buck Institute for Education has some great resources about PBL. When executed well, this is a very powerful approach to learning.

http://bie.org/about/what_pbl