3rd Grade Class Size

[Anonymous]

We went to the open house and our 3rd grader's class is BIG. 28 kids. I think the other 3rd grades are at 27 if I counted correctly. Didn't they put out guidelines a few years ago to decrease these class sizes? We really haven't seen much impact.

[Anonymous]

My 3rd grader has 24

[Anonymous]

No, not from 28.

When I was in third grade in the 1970s, in the Midwest, 28 kids would have been a small class.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s made much difference. 28 is normal for our school.

I went to school in the Northeast and 28 was definitely large for our ES.

Especially because MCPS insists on mixed-ability classrooms. It’s incredibly difficult with the 5 reading groups and 5 Math groups in one classroom.

[Anonymous]

Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

Did you read the update from today? They are adding a 5th class.

[Anonymous]

3 classes of 28 each at Seven Locks for 3rd grade. Too many kids in classrooms that are too small. Disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

Did you read the update from today? They are adding a 5th class.

I think I’m wrong. I just re-read the email and I don’t think it’s a 5th class. They are just pulling kids out for reading.

[Anonymous]

CCES - 27 in class.

[Anonymous]

24 in my 3rd grader’s, 21 in my K’er’s. Potomac area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

Did you read the update from today? They are adding a 5th class.

I think I’m wrong. I just re-read the email and I don’t think it’s a 5th class. They are just pulling kids out for reading.

Right. That's really insufficient. Oh well. It's a bummer. Hope the teachers don't burn out. They really aren't used to such high numbers from what I've observed. Fingers crossed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

The demographics of that area have been changing. Do you think this is contributing?

This has happened at our neighborhood ES for the past five years. The newer families have multiple kids, or sometimes have two families living together in one home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

Did you read the update from today? They are adding a 5th class.

I think I’m wrong. I just re-read the email and I don’t think it’s a 5th class. They are just pulling kids out for reading.

Right. That's really insufficient. Oh well. It's a bummer. Hope the teachers don't burn out. They really aren't used to such high numbers from what I've observed. Fingers crossed.

IME, it’s difficult no matter what. Even for teachers who are used to it. 28 eight year olds, at differing reading and math abilities is tough. You’ll likely end up with a good amount of busy work and a ton of Chromebook time. It’s truly impossible to manage otherwise for most teachers.

[Anonymous]

Wood-lin, Silver Spring, I counted 21 name tags

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greenwood?

That's the scenario at Greenwood for our 3rd grader. It's disappointing since we've enjoyed small class sizes at Greenwood for the last decade.

Did you read the update from today? They are adding a 5th class.

I think I’m wrong. I just re-read the email and I don’t think it’s a 5th class. They are just pulling kids out for reading.

Right. That's really insufficient. Oh well. It's a bummer. Hope the teachers don't burn out. They really aren't used to such high numbers from what I've observed. Fingers crossed.

IME, it’s difficult no matter what. Even for teachers who are used to it. 28 eight year olds, at differing reading and math abilities is tough. You’ll likely end up with a good amount of busy work and a ton of Chromebook time. It’s truly impossible to manage otherwise for most teachers.

Well, that's pretty much the mcps way regardless of class size.