New mcps 6th grade course: historical inquiry into global humanities 6?

[Anonymous]

Just received a letter from our middle school saying the magnet testing, etc. discovered a cohort for our middle school that would benefit from this accelerated/enriched course.

Curious if anyone knows anything about this beyond what the letter says?

[Anonymous]

You must be new around here.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know, but I’m interested. Are you at Tilden MS?

[Anonymous]

From Jack Smith last year...

Historical Inquiry into Global Humanities 6
This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum; however, it is enriched with
additional content, exploration of deeper connections to today, investigative inquiry to strengthen
writing through Document Based Questions, and connections through literature.

[Anonymous]

So it's not a new class---just new for our middle school? Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it's not a new class---just new for our middle school? Got it.

It is a new class based on the MS magnets that is being piloted at certain middle schools this year.

[Anonymous]

What will class sizes be like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What will class sizes be like?

I was told 22-25 students for our MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will class sizes be like?

I was told 22-25 students for our MS.

How does that compare to regular class sizes there? Ours were 28-30 so I’m not sure 25 is much better when it comes to offering detailed feedback on writing, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Jack Smith last year...

Historical Inquiry into Global Humanities 6
This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum; however, it is enriched with
additional content, exploration of deeper connections to today, investigative inquiry to strengthen
writing through Document Based Questions, and connections through literature.

FWIW, I hate these course descriptions. They are meaningless. What will be the additional content? Novels to read? A history text? what is "deeper connections to today"? Are they reading newspapers, writing papers about modern issues that result from history? WTH is "investigative inquiry" and why the hell does everything have to be focused on the ridiculous, inauthentic AP writing style of "document-based questions"? what are "connections through literature? Are they actually reading full, original works of literature? What are they? Or are they only reading excerpts or abridged versions?

This kind of info is worse than worthless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will class sizes be like?

I was told 22-25 students for our MS.

How does that compare to regular class sizes there? Ours were 28-30 so I’m not sure 25 is much better when it comes to offering detailed feedback on writing, for example.

Not sure as my child is going to 6th grade in the fall. I didn't think to ask what is the typical class size. I would think it depends on school staffing resources, the number of sections offered and how many kids were identified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From Jack Smith last year...

Historical Inquiry into Global Humanities 6
This course is built around the core Grade 6 social studies curriculum; however, it is enriched with
additional content, exploration of deeper connections to today, investigative inquiry to strengthen
writing through Document Based Questions, and connections through literature.

FWIW, I hate these course descriptions. They are meaningless. What will be the additional content? Novels to read? A history text? what is "deeper connections to today"? Are they reading newspapers, writing papers about modern issues that result from history? WTH is "investigative inquiry" and why the hell does everything have to be focused on the ridiculous, inauthentic AP writing style of "document-based questions"? what are "connections through literature? Are they actually reading full, original works of literature? What are they? Or are they only reading excerpts or abridged versions?

This kind of info is worse than worthless.

Really? What I got from this is - it will include the Grade 6 social studies curriculum, but it will have additional materials and tasks (to be determined). I don't think that's worse than worthless.

[Anonymous]

I'm the op.

I have an older child, so I'm familiar with typical middle school offerings...which are underwhelming. I've posted before about middle school assignments that included maps that were labeled incorrectly. So, anything will be an improvement as far as I'm concerned.

I was just curious if any teachers familiar with the content and class might weigh in. I guess not. Since it's a new class for our school, I suspect some poor teacher will draw the short stick and get stuck with figuring it out...which translates into winging it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the op.

I have an older child, so I'm familiar with typical middle school offerings...which are underwhelming. I've posted before about middle school assignments that included maps that were labeled incorrectly. So, anything will be an improvement as far as I'm concerned.

I was just curious if any teachers familiar with the content and class might weigh in. I guess not. Since it's a new class for our school, I suspect some poor teacher will draw the short stick and get stuck with figuring it out...which translates into winging it.

If that is the case, hopefully parents won’t blame the teacher for hiccups along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will class sizes be like?

I was told 22-25 students for our MS.

How does that compare to regular class sizes there? Ours were 28-30 so I’m not sure 25 is much better when it comes to offering detailed feedback on writing, for example.

None of the advanced programs/magnets have smaller class sizes. That is not part of the deal. Enriched Curriculum, focused peer groups yes..small classes and more feedback no.