Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 20:56     Subject: What grade can a child take Spanish I?
My DC placed into Spanish 2 in 6th grade (started out in Spanish 1, but it was too easy, since he had the fundamentals of the language in elementary school - reading, speaking, writing).

However, is the only 6th grader in the class - the rest are 7th or 8th graders. The class seems to be just the right level for my DC.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 15:43     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.


Is it that they are teaching reading during that time period during language lessons?


No, it's the view that if the student isn't above level in reading in English, then they probably should focus more on the native language and are not yet ready or may not have the natural language ability to add a 2nd language that early. I would think this reasoning wouldn't really apply to OP's child, who has already taken the 2nd language for several years, and presumably is doing fine in it.

If your child is in a middle school then Sp 1, 2 or 3 should be available, with placement to be determined by proper skills assessment. The caveat is that the MS schedule might not permit a higher than ordinary Spanish placement (e.g. the 6th grade World Studies class periods might conflict with the only Spanish 2 classes offered).

One thing to think about is that the full year Spanish classes typically move at a faster pace with more homework than your DC might be used to. Some schools offer a half year of language over the full year in addition to the full year. So, some kids take Spanish 1A for the entire 7th grade year, while other kids take Spanish 1A&B during 7th grade.


No, it's that there are 7 periods in the MCPS middle school day, and if you take the class labeled "Reading" you don't have time to also take the class labeled "Spanish 1". OP, I think that if you take this up with the school you will likely be able to find a solution. Perhaps your child takes Spanish instead of an art elective. It might also be that you find that the school's definition of "above level" in reading doesn't match yours and that your daughter is ready to skip the Reading class.

My experience with MCPS is that if I asked for something clearly I got it. They let parents have a great deal of input in their kids' schedules. I'd ask to talk to the guidance counselor.


Thanks, DC needs to take reading. She can understand Spanish alright and speaks a little. I prefer that she start at level 1 so that she has something that she does well for now. She is an average student, but got an early start with Spanish because of her school. This year, she is doing the equivalent of the entire Spanish 1 class offered in the county, but it never hurts to review the basics.
I would consider taking her out of an elective if the let me. I could promise her compensation in the way of a fancy art class at Glen Echo, or fancy summer camp.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 13:32     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.


Is it that they are teaching reading during that time period during language lessons?


No, it's the view that if the student isn't above level in reading in English, then they probably should focus more on the native language and are not yet ready or may not have the natural language ability to add a 2nd language that early. I would think this reasoning wouldn't really apply to OP's child, who has already taken the 2nd language for several years, and presumably is doing fine in it.

If your child is in a middle school then Sp 1, 2 or 3 should be available, with placement to be determined by proper skills assessment. The caveat is that the MS schedule might not permit a higher than ordinary Spanish placement (e.g. the 6th grade World Studies class periods might conflict with the only Spanish 2 classes offered).

One thing to think about is that the full year Spanish classes typically move at a faster pace with more homework than your DC might be used to. Some schools offer a half year of language over the full year in addition to the full year. So, some kids take Spanish 1A for the entire 7th grade year, while other kids take Spanish 1A&B during 7th grade.


No, it's that there are 7 periods in the MCPS middle school day, and if you take the class labeled "Reading" you don't have time to also take the class labeled "Spanish 1". OP, I think that if you take this up with the school you will likely be able to find a solution. Perhaps your child takes Spanish instead of an art elective. It might also be that you find that the school's definition of "above level" in reading doesn't match yours and that your daughter is ready to skip the Reading class.

My experience with MCPS is that if I asked for something clearly I got it. They let parents have a great deal of input in their kids' schedules. I'd ask to talk to the guidance counselor.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 13:31     Subject: What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Yes actually at our middle school you either take a language or reading. You can not take both. The class is considered HS level and will be on your transcript. 6th and 7th graders complete 1 year (Spanish A) over the course of 2 years and then take the next year in 8th grade. Kids that take reading in 6 have the option of taking all of Spanish 1 in 7 and all of Spanish 2 in 8 (catching up)or taking the slower version in 7 and 8 and having Spanish 2 in 9th.

If you feel DC would benefit from more reading..why not take reading in 6 and Spanish 2 in 7? After 6 years of Spanish starting again seems boring. Kids are mixed by grade anyways.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 13:22     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.


Is it that they are teaching reading during that time period during language lessons?


No, it's the view that if the student isn't above level in reading in English, then they probably should focus more on the native language and are not yet ready or may not have the natural language ability to add a 2nd language that early. I would think this reasoning wouldn't really apply to OP's child, who has already taken the 2nd language for several years, and presumably is doing fine in it.

If your child is in a middle school then Sp 1, 2 or 3 should be available, with placement to be determined by proper skills assessment. The caveat is that the MS schedule might not permit a higher than ordinary Spanish placement (e.g. the 6th grade World Studies class periods might conflict with the only Spanish 2 classes offered).

One thing to think about is that the full year Spanish classes typically move at a faster pace with more homework than your DC might be used to. Some schools offer a half year of language over the full year in addition to the full year. So, some kids take Spanish 1A for the entire 7th grade year, while other kids take Spanish 1A&B during 7th grade.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 10:28     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Anonymous wrote:In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.


Is it that they are teaching reading during that time period during language lessons?
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 10:17     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Anonymous wrote:In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.


My child is not above level in reading, but has taken Spanish for 6 years. DC will be ready for Spanish II, but I want to keep her with peers and start Spanish I in 6th grade. Will they allow her to start even though she is at grade level with reading?
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 10:05     Subject: Re:What grade can a child take Spanish I?
In MCPS it's 6th grade for students who are above level in reading, 7th for kids who are "on level", and 9th for kids who are significantly below level.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2014 09:55     Subject: What grade can a child take Spanish I?
Is it 6th grade?
We are planning a switch from private school where dc has been taking Spanish and I would like to continue in 6th grade.