Adding a year in elementary school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think we have to maybe not use the wording of developmentally appropriate. Even though I had started puberty at 11,12 and even 13 years olds I still felt like a kid, I still wanted to do kids stuff...play outside, run around with friends, could have still used recess. But, by saying developmentally appropriate it's kind of implying that there is something wrong with the kids that age that aren't there yet. There was nothing wrong with me, I was just being a kid.

Eh, this poster seems to be working from the notion that it is somehow not developmentally appropriate for 11 year olds to be ready for MS. No one is saying 6th graders aren’t still kids, as are 7th and 8th graders quite frankly, but I do think it’s ridiculous to suggest that 6th graders still have some kind of young child like wonder than needs to be protected. They are growing up, and it’s ok to acknowledge that and allow that process to continue instead of forcing them into another year in an environment that does not account for their growing maturity.

I'm one of those posters, I definitely think 6th grade should still be in elementary. I also don't understand the term childlike, what does that mean? They are kids, I sort of expect them to act like kids. As another poster said, "teen time will come, no need to rush it." If 6th graders aren't supposed to do kid stuff what are they supposed to do? Also saying developmentally appropriate, as I said before, implies that something is wrong with kids if they are still acting like kids in the 6th grade or beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think we have to maybe not use the wording of developmentally appropriate. Even though I had started puberty at 11,12 and even 13 years olds I still felt like a kid, I still wanted to do kids stuff...play outside, run around with friends, could have still used recess. But, by saying developmentally appropriate it's kind of implying that there is something wrong with the kids that age that aren't there yet. There was nothing wrong with me, I was just being a kid.

Eh, this poster seems to be working from the notion that it is somehow not developmentally appropriate for 11 year olds to be ready for MS. No one is saying 6th graders aren’t still kids, as are 7th and 8th graders quite frankly, but I do think it’s ridiculous to suggest that 6th graders still have some kind of young child like wonder than needs to be protected. They are growing up, and it’s ok to acknowledge that and allow that process to continue instead of forcing them into another year in an environment that does not account for their growing maturity.

I'm one of those posters, I definitely think 6th grade should still be in elementary. I also don't understand the term childlike, what does that mean? They are kids, I sort of expect them to act like kids. As another poster said, "teen time will come, no need to rush it." If 6th graders aren't supposed to do kid stuff what are they supposed to do? Also saying developmentally appropriate, as I said before, implies that something is wrong with kids if they are still acting like kids in the 6th grade or beyond.

You know there is a big range encompassed by the word “kid” and the phrase “act like a kid”, right? What constitutes just being a kid and acting like a kid is much different for a 2nd grader than it is for a 6th grader. The actions and interests of a 6th grade kid are not the same as that of a kid in lower ES. My kids have much more in common with an 8th grader (and in fact participate in extracurriculars with them, which they do not with lower ES aged kids) than they do a 2nd or 3rd grader, and are better off in MS where they are not being lumped in with or treated like little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more wishful thinking on my part. We love our elementary school and wish that both kids have an extra year in it. But yes I recognize that 6-8 makes more sense.

Kids start taking highschool classes in seventh grade. It’s good to have a year prior to that where they can get used to being in middle school without it tanking their highschool transcript. Especially since they got rid of grades in elementary school. Also moving sixth grade to elementary school would limit the advanced math track since you couldn’t have pre algebra in sixth grade then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more wishful thinking on my part. We love our elementary school and wish that both kids have an extra year in it. But yes I recognize that 6-8 makes more sense.

Kids start taking highschool classes in seventh grade. It’s good to have a year prior to that where they can get used to being in middle school without it tanking their highschool transcript. Especially since they got rid of grades in elementary school. Also moving sixth grade to elementary school would limit the advanced math track since you couldn’t have pre algebra in sixth grade then.

I know this is not the FCPS forum but about 25% of the kids in 6th grade at ES in FCPS are taking pre-algebra in 6th grade. We call it Advanced Math. A Decent chunk of those kids will test into Algebra in 7th grade. MCPS and Loudoun County have similar programs. It is more then possible to teach pre-algebra in 6th grade at an ES. You simply have a math class or classes that are filled with kids taking pre-algebra and other classes that are taking the regular sixth grade math.

DS’s school is K-6. They prepare them for MS by having the kids rotate to different Teachers for each subject. Each class has a different group of kids. They are working on using a planner for homework assignments and the Teachers asked the parents not to sign it until the student has checked off that they did each assignment. They have guidelines for how to email a Teacher and we were asked to allow our child to be the one sending emails to their Teachers so that they get practice for MS and HS. All of this at an ES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I was in an elementary school that had K-6 and my kids did K-5. While I did have initial apprehension about my 11 year olds going to middle school for 6th, after seeing it both ways, I vastly prefer 6th in middle school.

The comment above about ES not being able to deal with social drama of 6th is spot on. 6th grade was my worst year of school. I did much better with a brand new group of kids and kids in different classes when I finally got to middle school in 7th.

Don't you feel like 6th grade in middle makes the kids grow up a little bit faster than they have to though?

No, I don't, especially if the schools do a good job supporting them.

Really, how so?

what's your question?

Why you don't think that MS starting in 6th or MS in general doesn't male the kids grow up quicker than they have to.

Perhaps it would be helpful if you explained why 6th grade in a building with 7th and 8th forces them to grow up faster than being in a building with K-5th graders. What is it specifically that is done differently in the different building scenarios that forces such tremendous maturation in one year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I know so many ppl who say this yet have no problem with a jr/Sr high combo. Personally I don't think 11 and 12 year old kids should be in a school with 16,17 and 18 yr olds. Plus, I really do think the kids themselves want the chance to be kids a little longer.

Then why are kids always eager to be older and more independent than they are?

It seems exciting to them, it happens to us all, doesn't mean we shouldn't let them be kids.

Or to let them grow up.

At 11? Why does an 11 year old have to grow up already? I'm not understanding your reasoning.

DP. I have 11 year old twins in 6th grade and they have much more in common with the 13 year old 8th graders than the 6 year old 1st graders, so I am just not understanding this insistence that 11 year olds are being forced to abandon being kids by being a part of middle school. It was by natural progression that my kids at age 11 had outgrown ES. Many 6th graders have started puberty and are outgrowing some of their more child like interests (dolls, pretend play, etc.), not merely because they are no longer in ES, but because that is developmentally appropriate for that age.

Precisely.
6th graders in ms aren't being forced to "grow up." They are moving along the progression of growth and maturation. They're still kids. They're just not 5 year old kids anymore. It's a shame you (PPP), as a parent, may be missing this with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do think we have to maybe not use the wording of developmentally appropriate. Even though I had started puberty at 11,12 and even 13 years olds I still felt like a kid, I still wanted to do kids stuff...play outside, run around with friends, could have still used recess. But, by saying developmentally appropriate it's kind of implying that there is something wrong with the kids that age that aren't there yet. There was nothing wrong with me, I was just being a kid.

Eh, this poster seems to be working from the notion that it is somehow not developmentally appropriate for 11 year olds to be ready for MS. No one is saying 6th graders aren’t still kids, as are 7th and 8th graders quite frankly, but I do think it’s ridiculous to suggest that 6th graders still have some kind of young child like wonder than needs to be protected. They are growing up, and it’s ok to acknowledge that and allow that process to continue instead of forcing them into another year in an environment that does not account for their growing maturity.

Disagree. With a sixth grade girl, you never know if she is going to be playing with dolls or being a teen that day. It is a transition and you don't need to push it. Teen time will come soon enough.

Nobody is stopping her from playing with dolls in ms if she wants. She's likely not going to do it at school, of course. My daughter's a junior in high school. She still sleeps with a bunch of stuffed animals.

There's no sudden shift in characteristics from childhood to "grown up." Kids let go of some things, cling to others, let go of more things, still cling to some all along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more wishful thinking on my part. We love our elementary school and wish that both kids have an extra year in it. But yes I recognize that 6-8 makes more sense.

Kids start taking highschool classes in seventh grade. It’s good to have a year prior to that where they can get used to being in middle school without it tanking their highschool transcript. Especially since they got rid of grades in elementary school. Also moving sixth grade to elementary school would limit the advanced math track since you couldn’t have pre algebra in sixth grade then.

Now THAT's an example of pushing to grow up too quickly (and I'm one of the commenters supporting 6th in ms)!
Why are we fine with not pushing maturity but not fine taking a similar "appropriate" path with academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, sixth grade boys definitely need to be in elementary school.

So to hell with what is best for the girls?

6th grade boys definitely do not need to be in elementary school. Maturity level might belong there oftentimes. But they are a menace on the playground and in PE classes with their increasing height and strength and aggressiveness.

[Anonymous]

I guess that i can't quite put my finger on it or explain why I I think 6th belongs in elementary. I also don't agree with HS classes being in middle school either. That's way too much for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s more wishful thinking on my part. We love our elementary school and wish that both kids have an extra year in it. But yes I recognize that 6-8 makes more sense.

Kids start taking highschool classes in seventh grade. It’s good to have a year prior to that where they can get used to being in middle school without it tanking their highschool transcript. Especially since they got rid of grades in elementary school. Also moving sixth grade to elementary school would limit the advanced math track since you couldn’t have pre algebra in sixth grade then.

I think that this a problem, high school type classes jn middle school. It's way too much work and homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I know so many ppl who say this yet have no problem with a jr/Sr high combo. Personally I don't think 11 and 12 year old kids should be in a school with 16,17 and 18 yr olds. Plus, I really do think the kids themselves want the chance to be kids a little longer.

Then why are kids always eager to be older and more independent than they are?

It seems exciting to them, it happens to us all, doesn't mean we shouldn't let them be kids.

Or to let them grow up.

At 11? Why does an 11 year old have to grow up already? I'm not understanding your reasoning.

DP. I have 11 year old twins in 6th grade and they have much more in common with the 13 year old 8th graders than the 6 year old 1st graders, so I am just not understanding this insistence that 11 year olds are being forced to abandon being kids by being a part of middle school. It was by natural progression that my kids at age 11 had outgrown ES. Many 6th graders have started puberty and are outgrowing some of their more child like interests (dolls, pretend play, etc.), not merely because they are no longer in ES, but because that is developmentally appropriate for that age.

Precisely.
6th graders in ms aren't being forced to "grow up." They are moving along the progression of growth and maturation. They're still kids. They're just not 5 year old kids anymore. It's a shame you (PPP), as a parent, may be missing this with your kids.

What do you think that I'm missing with my kids? Can you please explain?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I know so many ppl who say this yet have no problem with a jr/Sr high combo. Personally I don't think 11 and 12 year old kids should be in a school with 16,17 and 18 yr olds. Plus, I really do think the kids themselves want the chance to be kids a little longer.

Then why are kids always eager to be older and more independent than they are?

It seems exciting to them, it happens to us all, doesn't mean we shouldn't let them be kids.

Or to let them grow up.

At 11? Why does an 11 year old have to grow up already? I'm not understanding your reasoning.

DP. I have 11 year old twins in 6th grade and they have much more in common with the 13 year old 8th graders than the 6 year old 1st graders, so I am just not understanding this insistence that 11 year olds are being forced to abandon being kids by being a part of middle school. It was by natural progression that my kids at age 11 had outgrown ES. Many 6th graders have started puberty and are outgrowing some of their more child like interests (dolls, pretend play, etc.), not merely because they are no longer in ES, but because that is developmentally appropriate for that age.

Precisely.
6th graders in ms aren't being forced to "grow up." They are moving along the progression of growth and maturation. They're still kids. They're just not 5 year old kids anymore. It's a shame you (PPP), as a parent, may be missing this with your kids.

What do you think that I'm missing with my kids? Can you please explain?

Just hoping you aren't perpetually seeing them and treating them as 5 year olds. Just what age, exactly, DO you think it's ok for them to start moving away from "being kids" to being middle schoolers and high schoolers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I know so many ppl who say this yet have no problem with a jr/Sr high combo. Personally I don't think 11 and 12 year old kids should be in a school with 16,17 and 18 yr olds. Plus, I really do think the kids themselves want the chance to be kids a little longer.

Then why are kids always eager to be older and more independent than they are?

It seems exciting to them, it happens to us all, doesn't mean we shouldn't let them be kids.

Or to let them grow up.

At 11? Why does an 11 year old have to grow up already? I'm not understanding your reasoning.

DP. I have 11 year old twins in 6th grade and they have much more in common with the 13 year old 8th graders than the 6 year old 1st graders, so I am just not understanding this insistence that 11 year olds are being forced to abandon being kids by being a part of middle school. It was by natural progression that my kids at age 11 had outgrown ES. Many 6th graders have started puberty and are outgrowing some of their more child like interests (dolls, pretend play, etc.), not merely because they are no longer in ES, but because that is developmentally appropriate for that age.

Precisely.
6th graders in ms aren't being forced to "grow up." They are moving along the progression of growth and maturation. They're still kids. They're just not 5 year old kids anymore. It's a shame you (PPP), as a parent, may be missing this with your kids.

What do you think that I'm missing with my kids? Can you please explain?

Just hoping you aren't perpetually seeing them and treating them as 5 year olds. Just what age, exactly, DO you think it's ok for them to start moving away from "being kids" to being middle schoolers and high schoolers?

Ok, well when I said let them be kids I never said treat them like 5 year olds. I think that's a huge misconception ppl have when they hear kids should be kids. I guess to answet your question though is when they are actually technically teens. Although, i think teens are kids. I just dont think 6th should be in MS though, theyre only 11 and 12 year old kids. Where im at they put 10 year olds in middle school which i think is crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an FCPS parent, I hated having 6th grade in ES. 7 years with the same kids was too much, the kids had physically outgrown the school, and the staff was not at all equipped to deal with the issues and drama of 6th graders.

I know so many ppl who say this yet have no problem with a jr/Sr high combo. Personally I don't think 11 and 12 year old kids should be in a school with 16,17 and 18 yr olds. Plus, I really do think the kids themselves want the chance to be kids a little longer.

Then why are kids always eager to be older and more independent than they are?

It seems exciting to them, it happens to us all, doesn't mean we shouldn't let them be kids.

Or to let them grow up.

At 11? Why does an 11 year old have to grow up already? I'm not understanding your reasoning.

DP. I have 11 year old twins in 6th grade and they have much more in common with the 13 year old 8th graders than the 6 year old 1st graders, so I am just not understanding this insistence that 11 year olds are being forced to abandon being kids by being a part of middle school. It was by natural progression that my kids at age 11 had outgrown ES. Many 6th graders have started puberty and are outgrowing some of their more child like interests (dolls, pretend play, etc.), not merely because they are no longer in ES, but because that is developmentally appropriate for that age.

Precisely.
6th graders in ms aren't being forced to "grow up." They are moving along the progression of growth and maturation. They're still kids. They're just not 5 year old kids anymore. It's a shame you (PPP), as a parent, may be missing this with your kids.

What do you think that I'm missing with my kids? Can you please explain?

Just hoping you aren't perpetually seeing them and treating them as 5 year olds. Just what age, exactly, DO you think it's ok for them to start moving away from "being kids" to being middle schoolers and high schoolers?

Ok, well when I said let them be kids I never said treat them like 5 year olds. I think that's a huge misconception ppl have when they hear kids should be kids. I guess to answet your question though is when they are actually technically teens. Although, i think teens are kids. I just dont think 6th should be in MS though, theyre only 11 and 12 year old kids. Where im at they put 10 year olds in middle school which i think is crazy.

I appreciate that thought, but in reality it’s just not practical. My kid doesn’t turn 13 until the last month of 7th grade, so you can’t use teen as the cutoff because you can’t have a MS with just 8th graders. And in recognizing that using the word “kid” is relative to the age being talked about, you have to also see that an 11-12 year old 6th grader is more of a peer to a 13-14 year old 8th grader than to an 8-9 year old 4th grader.