If you have kids in both AAP and gen ed, do you see a big difference in curriculum?
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Anonymous
| I keep hearing parents say the curriculum is the same. |
Anonymous
| Following this because I have the same question. |
Anonymous
| I have one in gen ed (honors) and one in AAP at the same middle school, different teams. Comparing English, civics, and science there is a difference. AAP has much more writing in English and goes into deeper literary analysis. I found the same true in 7th grade and the books used were at a more challenging level. AAP 7th grade history and AAP 8th grade civics also involve much more writing which is graded more stringently. It was and is taught at a deeper level than honors. DBQs were much more difficult in AAP. For science I didn't notice that much of a difference for 7th grade. They were paced the same with assessments slightly different. For 8th grade, I honestly haven't looked at it too carefully yet because the AAP kid is doing fine in it and the time consumption is from geometry and civics. Just my observations.. |
Anonymous
My Gen Ed kid is older so I will only be able to compare her experience with AAP beginning this year, but I think you are correct about the writing/explaining expectations. My Gen Ed kid just started middle school at Robinson and only yesterday was comparing her classes with a kid taking all honors. The other kid spoke of all the essays she's had to write already, while my kid hasn't had any. I can only imagine AAP is similar, only perhaps starting in elementary. |
Anonymous
| yes. |
Anonymous
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Of course it's the same curriculum. They just cover everything faster and in more depth. Ability to quickly grasp new concepts, and to think more deeply and in more complex and original ways are your basic hallmarks of giftedness. Math level is the grade above.
But they all have to cover the same curriculum and take SOLs, same as gen ed. A mediocre or newbie AAP classroom teacher will barely cover the basic curriculum, and I've seen plenty of those. A more talented teacher can squeeze in more layers and provide more learning opportunities. There are great teachers in both Gen Ed and AAP classrooms, just as there are not-so-good ones. |
Anonymous
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It's not the same curriculum in Elementary. I'm not familiar with middle school yet.
They learn to write longer essays by 5th grade, they learn to explain math concepts in written form, they have Caesar's English not Super Teacher Worksheets or whatever, they have actual texts. Grammar is emphasized, not an afterthought. Latin and Greek stems are part of the English curriculum. In 6th grade, they have a L.A. block (like Gen Ed), but also a separate Writing block. This is what really prepares them for becoming really good writers. The difference becomes very obvious in a Gen Ed students writing and an AAP student's writing. It's not that the latter are naturally better at writing, it's that they are specifically taught HOW to write WELL. Critical thinking is heavily integrated into all aspects of the day. For tests, they are asked to review what they missed and explain why it was wrong. This is important in solidifying what they are supposed to know. They're not just told they got 18/20 and move onto the next topic. Quite simply, expectations are higher so the kids have higher goals to work towards and the teachers are much better trained in this area and in differentiation. |
Anonymous
I have a child in Gen Ed elementary, and everything you've just described pertains to her classroom as well, right down to the Caesar's English, writing instruction, and test corrections. Of course the curriculum is the same!?! I also have a middle and high schooler, and the curriculum is the same for them too. I'm wondering why you think the curriculum would be different. The kids are all learning the same things. |
Anonymous
| That really depends on where you are because there is no Caesars or the other items the pp mentioned where we are. |
Anonymous
Oh my gosh! Poor you. You know children who don't have Caesar's English can't possibly succeed in life. Who TF cares? Why not worry about something that really matters? The middle school stuff is definitely true, as I remember from my 2 in Gen Ed vs. 1 in AAP. The English for AAP just went deeper and I think the overall class was more enjoyable. This made me sad for my son who loved to read and really has a talent for writing. But you know what? In HS he pursued that talent and took honors classes and now plans to major in English and creative writing. AAP, not-AAP simply does not matter that much. If I could offer anyone reading these comparative posts advice, I'd say, ignore them. In the long run and really even in the short-run, kids will find their way -- even if they aren't led by the nose by an AAP teacher/curriculum. |
Anonymous
Don Rickles, alive and well and posting on DCUM. |
Anonymous
Is it hard to sit down when you are that Butt-hurt? |
Anonymous
Who TF cares? Obviously you since you're still reading and posting and your kids are in college. |
Anonymous
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In our case there were more oral presentations and things like seminar discussions and debates in AAP.
Math was the same (gen ed kid was in advanced math at base school). More writing in AAP. |
Anonymous
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The main difference my child has observed is the general pace at which the class moves, much faster. She used to be a student that finished assignments very quickly in class, not anymore, middle of the pack.
I have observed deeper, more thoughtful writing, math is one year ahead, and deliberate word study through Cesear's English. Group projects and presentations are encouraged. I'm sure the curriculum is pretty similar between AA and GE (except math), the main difference is the pace and style at which it is taught. |