CES PBES

[Anonymous]

We got an acceptance letter a few days ago. Does anyone have experience with this program/teachers?

What’s the workload like? Are there lots of fun projects? Fewer mindless worksheets? Do you have any regrets about accepting or misgivings about the program?

I suspect they may have gone back to one class next year for a variety of reasons, but mainly the few kids I know who got in scored 99% national and between 96%-99% MCPS on the CogAT screener.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got an acceptance letter a few days ago. Does anyone have experience with this program/teachers?

What’s the workload like? Are there lots of fun projects? Fewer mindless worksheets? Do you have any regrets about accepting or misgivings about the program?

I suspect they may have gone back to one class next year for a variety of reasons, but mainly the few kids I know who got in scored 99% national and between 96%-99% MCPS on the CogAT screener.

Thanks!

I saw in another thread that one PBES parent whose child scored 97% national got an outright rejection, and although that is expected at a regional center, it seems high for a program that just last year included nearly 25% of the school’s population. Anyway, I'm guessing you're right about the number of classes...

[Anonymous]

This year - there has been a lot of work - up to 2 hours of homework/night and many angst-filled parent meetings about it. Yes, some fun projects. A lot of writing and reading. An above grade novel about every 3 week with a literary essay (higher expectations than your usual book report) expected after every book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This year - there has been a lot of work - up to 2 hours of homework/night and many angst-filled parent meetings about it. Yes, some fun projects. A lot of writing and reading. An above grade novel about every 3 week with a literary essay (higher expectations than your usual book report) expected after every book.

Hoping they rethink the homework next year. That seems unnecessary.

Was hoping CES had fewer things like mindless worksheets and endless downtime.

[Anonymous]

4th Grade is tough because of the course load, and your kid should expect to spend over an hour each day on home work. 5th grade is much more manageable. Overall a fantastic program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4th Grade is tough because of the course load, and your kid should expect to spend over an hour each day on home work. 5th grade is much more manageable. Overall a fantastic program.

How can 4th grade be tough because of the course load? I mean, it's not like juniors in HS filling their schedule with AP classes. They take the same subjects in 4th as in 5th. How is the course load different in 4th? Do you just mean it's tough because the 4th grade teachers assign a lot of work/homework?

[Anonymous]

I think 1 class is best for a variety of reasons so hopefully that is true.

Yes, many angst filled parent meetings this year about HW and workload. The parents who feel this way -- perhaps a majority -- are very vocal. It is important to note that many parents have not felt this way -- perhaps a minority, but still, many.

If your child is motivated and fairly resilient and easily bored, and especially if you child has made the cut with a 1-CES-class model, I would highly recommend the program. We have found it to be beneficial for our kid, an our kid has been happy this year in 4th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4th Grade is tough because of the course load, and your kid should expect to spend over an hour each day on home work. 5th grade is much more manageable. Overall a fantastic program.

How can 4th grade be tough because of the course load? I mean, it's not like juniors in HS filling their schedule with AP classes. They take the same subjects in 4th as in 5th. How is the course load different in 4th? Do you just mean it's tough because the 4th grade teachers assign a lot of work/homework?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4th Grade is tough because of the course load, and your kid should expect to spend over an hour each day on home work. 5th grade is much more manageable. Overall a fantastic program.

How can 4th grade be tough because of the course load? I mean, it's not like juniors in HS filling their schedule with AP classes. They take the same subjects in 4th as in 5th. How is the course load different in 4th? Do you just mean it's tough because the 4th grade teachers assign a lot of work/homework?

Yes. The fifth-grade teacher has a more balanced approach.

[Anonymous]

Our kid actually still refers to 4th grade at CES as the best year ever. Now he is in the 5th grade CES. He liked the hands on projects last year in 4th and they read quite a few more books for reading groups than this year. The amount of writing was overwhelming last year at times, but the skills and experience gained were amazing. He says he feels less challenged this year, and finishes the work quickly, but is still happier in the program than he would be in the general classes. He really likes his classmates and the bond they have formed over the last two years. We loved that there were less worksheets and busy work, more challenging texts to read, and it really made him stretch his learning.

[Anonymous]

Are they doing the TED talks this year in 4th Grade CES at PBES? That was great last year. This year they are working on a Shakespeare play which they will perform at the end of the year. The program is great- no regrets, but be ready to support their homework needs in 4th and help with helping them learn to prioritize and track their work.

[Anonymous]

I did some google sleuthing to shed light on the PBES CES workload situation and found one of the fourth-grade CES teachers has a webpage that lists weekly homework assignments.

I’m by no means a proponent of homework for young children and although this may be challenging, it doesn't seem egregious; nevertheless, judge for yourself.

http://www.mrssnydersclass.com/homework.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did some google sleuthing to shed light on the PBES CES workload situation and found one of the fourth-grade CES teachers has a webpage that lists weekly homework assignments.

I’m by no means a proponent of homework for young children and although this may be challenging, it doesn't seem egregious; nevertheless, judge for yourself.

http://www.mrssnydersclass.com/homework.html

Sorry sloother, but that is not the bulk of their work. Most of the work is not listed there. The projects are what make up the large majority of time spent working at home. These assignments are but a small slice of “homework”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did some google sleuthing to shed light on the PBES CES workload situation and found one of the fourth-grade CES teachers has a webpage that lists weekly homework assignments.

I’m by no means a proponent of homework for young children and although this may be challenging, it doesn't seem egregious; nevertheless, judge for yourself.

http://www.mrssnydersclass.com/homework.html

Sorry sloother, but that is not the bulk of their work. Most of the work is not listed there. The projects are what make up the large majority of time spent working at home. These assignments are but a small slice of “homework”.

“sluether”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did some google sleuthing to shed light on the PBES CES workload situation and found one of the fourth-grade CES teachers has a webpage that lists weekly homework assignments.

I’m by no means a proponent of homework for young children and although this may be challenging, it doesn't seem egregious; nevertheless, judge for yourself.

http://www.mrssnydersclass.com/homework.html

Sorry sloother, but that is not the bulk of their work. Most of the work is not listed there. The projects are what make up the large majority of time spent working at home. These assignments are but a small slice of “homework”.

Although the projects take the lion's share of time, DD was able to knock the work out in less than an hour most days. It can be a little taxing but it's more often rewarding. She's greatly enjoyed the program.