Reply to 3rd Grade, Nominal homework

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]That's  certainly in line with how it was for my kids in ES. We had no TV or video games in the house. When they were done, they played outside with their friends, drew, played with legos.  And always seemed to have their noses in a book that they read for pleasure.  You know-- free time that allows kids to relax, have fun and be healthy and creative. They didn't suffer academically. Oldest is at TJ and has 4-5 hours of homework some nights-- after he gets home at 8 from sports. Spends way too many gorgeous Sundays doing 8-10 hours of homework. Younger one is applying to TJ, and stands as good a chance as anyone of being accepted. And will go from having what I think is reasonable homework to way too much.

There are studies showing ES homework is of minimal to no value. So take these years and let you kid be a kid.  They will not be here forever, and you will reach a point where you can't do the traditional family Christmas outing because one kid has a group project, and the other has a debate tournament.

And there are are so many things they can do that have some educational value without being plug and chug worksheets. Send them outside to play. Leave the alone with puzzles and building toys and let them imagine.  Take them to the library and Barnes and Nobles every chance you get, and make sure they always have things they find interesting to read. If there is something they are interested in-- science or drawing or music-- sign them up for an enrichment classes and take Family field trips.  Join your School's Odyssey of the Mind team (these are awesome!) out FIRST/FLL teams or Science Olympias Team. Have them start the piano as a basis for future musical instruments.

Not all learning involves worksheets. And having time to play, dream, imagine and spend time with their family and friends is imporant too.

Just turn off and take away the screens. [/quote]

I don’t understand why you would  encourage your younger child to apply to TJ. So ridiculous.[/quote]

Where does this say we are encouraging DC2 apply to TJ?   We have a strong base school, and I think she would do very well there.  She does two extracurriculars extensively, and they have great teams in both.  She plays an instrument, and they have a strong music department.  And I am not one of those parents who thinks TJ gets you into a higher ranked college-- although it might help if you have a niche interest you want to pursue in HS and continue at a specific college.  But in general, I think you w
end up in the same place.

This is a kid who has seen her older brother at TJ, been there hereself for events, and knows exactly how much work it takes to succeed there. And knows that even with all that hard work, there are Bs on report cards and Fs on quizzes.  She knows what she is getting herself into, and she very badly wants to attend anyway. Because TJ has special facilities and labs  and classes in an area of STEM that she has wanted to do since she was six.  And that the base schools do not offer.  This is a very focused kid who has known her path in life from a young age.

We are not encouraging her to apply. The extent of her prep is the ACT Aspire practice book I bought her because she asked.  Which she can use to take a few practice tests if she wants No prep classes. No curated resume.   We are allowing her to apply,  because this is her high school experience, and her life and her dream, and she would be going in with her eyes wide open about the good and the bad.

And we would send DC 2 with the same understanding that we sent DC1. That TJ is a one year trial. If,at the end of freshman year, the kid doesn't want to be there, or we as parents feel it is harmful, the kid returns to the base school, no questions asked. Not as a punishment. And not as a failure. But because TJ was just not the right fit for every smart kid.  We think the school has been good for DC1.  Not perfect. But a very good decision.  He was very clear at the end of his freshman year that he wanted to stay.  For DC2, we will see if she gets in, and see if she choose to go, and see if she chooses to stay, if we get that far.

TL;DR.  Some kids apply to TJ because that is what they want.  And you parent your kids, I'll parent mine.

As for 3rd grade homework, worksheets are not the only way kids learn. And in FCPS, homework will come soon enough. [/quote]

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