Reply to How to get pull out services for ADHD child

Forum Index » Kids With Special Needs and Disabilities

Reply to "How to get pull out services for ADHD child"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Science and social studies get short shrift in elementary school for good reason...it is far more important that the child have solid foundational SKILLS in math, reading, an writing.

Yes, there are SOL tests in these subjects in 3-6, but schools understandably spend less time on these subjects.  For practical and political purposes, they don't count toward a school's AYP under NCLB.  As a teacher, though, I honestly am not that worried if a child can't recite the major contributions of ancient Chinese culture by 2nd grade.  She'll be exposed to the topic again in 5th grade, and even then if she doesn't fully absorb those concepts it won't hurt her in life.  But if she can't read, if she hates to write, if she lacks an understanding of computation or measurement, it will cripple her ability to learn in math, science, social studies, and language arts for years to come.  That's why I'm encouraging you not to stress too much about 2's in FCPS.

Additionally, just take a look at the Virginia standards of learning in those subjects for K-6.  Some of the standards are so random, so nonsensical, so esoteric, it just doesn't make practical sense to stress about it.

If your son is a good reader, you can help him immensely by finding high-interest historical fiction that can complement what he is learning in Virginia Studies in 4th grade and American Studies in 6th.  You can dine great nonfiction to spark an interest in science.

It is sad that political pressures have forced good teachers to gear instruction toward so much surface knowledge in these topics, which kids gmhave to regurgitate through standardized multiple choice tests, rather than using the elementary years to spark an interest and encourage creativity in these areas.

Finally, please remember that a 2 in FCPS is not a grade; it's a measure of mastery.  [b]It means your kid sometimes demonstrates mastery of the concepts.  That's not bad. [/b] Wheel the focus in building success and confidence in math an reading, and do some light reinforcement of science and social studies at home.  If he never gets beyond a 3 in those subjects, it is *totally* ok.  If he's got math and reading skills, he can succeed in those subjects when it will really matter--middle and high school.[/quote]

OP here. The FCPS Grading Handbook states that if a student gets a '2' or '1' in any subject, it warrants [b]possibly [/b]reteaching the subject and retesting the student.[b] The implication is that it is unacceptable.[/b] If social studies and science is that dispensable in 3rd grade, then they ought not to teach it at all. They teach it and it is hoped and expected that children will learn. My child is a very good student but not in these subjects. His IEP should have something to help him with these subjects.[/quote]

Wow.  You sound like a piece of work. You take one sentence from the handbook and go straight to an"implication" that it's "unacceptable" AND demand a change in his IEP.  :roll:  I feel sorry for your kid and his teachers.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics