How many assigned books in 8th this semester?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half of those books are garbage beach reads and have no business being taught in schools.

Which ones? I see two titles (out of nine) that are not necessarily the best-written literature, but the other seven are certainly not garbage.

Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Hubger Games are beach reads for kids. They shouldn’t be taught in school.

Pretty sure Tolkien is not a beach read for kids. Secondly, Harry Potter and Hunger Games are geared towards 11-14 year olds, so not necessarily high school. Most kids have read those books before they enter 9th grade. Also, this is the problem. Some people can also say a named classic shouldn’t be taught in school. There is good literature in every genre and there will always be people who don’t like or agree with a specific title.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Half of those books are garbage beach reads and have no business being taught in schools.

Which ones? I see two titles (out of nine) that are not necessarily the best-written literature, but the other seven are certainly not garbage.

Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Hubger Games are beach reads for kids. They shouldn’t be taught in school.

Pretty sure Tolkien is not a beach read for kids. Secondly, Harry Potter and Hunger Games are geared towards 11-14 year olds, so not necessarily high school. Most kids have read those books before they enter 9th grade. Also, this is the problem. Some people can also say a named classic shouldn’t be taught in school. There is good literature in every genre and there will always be people who don’t like or agree with a specific title.

Agree. Who decides what is worthy to read and what is not? That is why I like the idea of giving kids choice within guided parameters. If you want kids to read a book with particular themes, then a teacher can make a list of novels that have those themes and kids can choose. Every adult I know has preferences in what they read. Kids should have some options too.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Are you in New York state?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

My child read Animal Farm last year (FCPS, 9th).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

The kids with educated and well off parents will continue to do alright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

My child read Animal Farm last year (FCPS, 9th).

That was a sixth grade book in FCPS's GT program in the 80s. But at least it is something worth reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

My child read Animal Farm last year (FCPS, 9th).

That was a sixth grade book in FCPS's GT program in the 80s. But at least it is something worth reading.

I was in the FCPS GT program in the 80s and I specifically remember reading Animal Farm in 8th grade. (Although we read it for social studies, not English. Imagine that.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

My child read Animal Farm last year (FCPS, 9th).

That was a sixth grade book in FCPS's GT program in the 80s. But at least it is something worth reading.

I was in the FCPS GT program in the 80s and I specifically remember reading Animal Farm in 8th grade. (Although we read it for social studies, not English. Imagine that.)

Our civics teachers use it in honors every few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

That’s interesting. My FCPS 7th grader also read The Outsiders this year. So sorry you left for private? Hefty price tag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

My homeschooled 7th grader has read many of the books you listed and has also written essays for each book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

That’s interesting. My FCPS 7th grader also read The Outsiders this year. So sorry you left for private? Hefty price tag.

Why are novels read at some MS and not others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

My homeschooled 7th grader has read many of the books you listed and has also written essays for each book.

Yeah but without the class discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread makes me so relieved that I left FCPS, but so sad for the kids still in the system. This year, my 7th grader has already read The Outsiders, Nothing but the Truth, and Monster, and he has already written two 3 page papers and another three 5 paragraph essays on these books. They're about to start reading The Poet X, and then Animal Farm and MacBeth. All of these were whole class novels, complete with socratic seminars and other full class discussions. I can see why regular 7th and 8th grade English might not be able to do the same, but Honors and AAP absolutely should have this level of rigor.

Many FCPS parents would blow their lid if Monster or The Poet X were taught in middle school. They would also accuse teachers of indoctrination if they taught Animal Farm or Nothing But the Truth, and they'd probably criticize Macbeth, as well.

Teachers in FCPS can't win. They're damned regardless of what they do. It's ridiculous.

My child read Animal Farm last year (FCPS, 9th).

That was a sixth grade book in FCPS's GT program in the 80s. But at least it is something worth reading.

We never read it at all in school and i graduated in '91 (not in Virginia).