Anonymous
10/30/2022 09:27
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t all 7th grade honor and aap students required to write a personal narrative first quarter? That was the Prince William standard in sixth grade to write a 3 page typed personal narrative. My kid is in 7th and didn’t do it in 6th or 7th yet. They’ve never written more than a page of anything.
Because narrative writing is extremely low level. AAP and Honors students should be writing in more challenging formats such as persuasive and expository.
First that is a ridiculous statement that a narrative story is “low level”. It just says your thinking is low level. Kids and adults write narrative stories all through their lives and people make good money writing narrative stories. They aren’t writing anything of the sort though of the items you mentioned beyond a couple of sentences. It’s just not hard stuff. The curriculum is easy and therefore the grades are inflated. Anyway the 7th grade teacher said they were doing narratives and so I asked why all schools weren’t doing them. We didn’t talk about other writing pieces.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 08:56
Subject: Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My AAP 7th grader has a couple hours of homework a night and several major tests and projects.
Are you in a TJ feeder? Can you name the school? Maybe I’ll mention this to my kid’s school
Does this middle school still read full length novels?
I teach 7th grade AAP English. My students read a lot of short stories during 1st quarter vs novels. We do this because the large writing assignment is a personal narrative, which lends itself to short stories as a model. During second quarter we will read full length nonfiction texts and a lot of nonfiction articles. Third and fourth quarter include multiple full length novels as well as some nonfiction article readings that support the text themes. There is more to life/English class than hammering full length novels out all year long.
So why did my school not have the personal narrative? Why do some schools have this and not others? You would think the AAP level would not skip this stuff.
Did your AAP student write a different type of essay during 1st quarter? I'd much rather my kid write persuasive, technical, or expository essays than personal narratives. All they wrote in elementary school was narratives and creative poems, and they were never taught how to write. If in middle school the teacher chooses to have students write at a higher level by having them write persuasively or technically, that should be celebrated.
I teach 6th AAP and if this was the case, your child had teachers not using the pacing guide. In 6th grade students write memoirs, nonfiction, newspaper articles, poetry, research project, historical fiction, persuasive essays, etc. Other grades also have a mix of expository and narrative writing. I will say this. Most kids hate writing and it is hard for many. My students are writing a lot. This does not include writing about reading.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:42
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Why aren’t all 7th grade honor and aap students required to write a personal narrative first quarter? That was the Prince William standard in sixth grade to write a 3 page typed personal narrative. My kid is in 7th and didn’t do it in 6th or 7th yet. They’ve never written more than a page of anything.
Because narrative writing is extremely low level. AAP and Honors students should be writing in more challenging formats such as persuasive and expository.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:38
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:OP, if your kid is finding the curriculum not challenging, they need to be put in programs outside the school day that challenges them. AOPS can be a great resource. Middle school is a wonderful sandbox for your kids to get enriched without it impacting GPA. I found solutions for my kid when he was in middle school.
I don’t see why this is always the first go to though when the school system obviously is just not assigning strong enough work. If all the kids have As it’s not a good level for the kids and they can do more.
Btw to the other poster, the AAP classes are very diverse. It’s often the white kids that aren’t cutting it.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:37
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One challenging history question to solve btw does not make up for a 5-page research paper or a 2-page fictional story of a historical figure. Less time equals less rigor most of the time.But regardless there are also no challenging questions.
My kid has already done essays in both her English and History classes. What MS is this OP?
My kid also has already written essays in English and history, and both teachers taught students how to write well, something that was not taught at all in ES.
The history teacher has students actually apply what they've learned about historical events, so they have to understand what they are learning, not just parrot back facts and dates.
My kid's English teacher also requires students to actually analyze literature they are reading, not just answer basic questions. She also teaches students to break down words to look for roots and other parts. My kid complained that this is hard, but I am ecstatic to see her struggle with this skill because she has to slow down, think, and analyze.
I am very happy with the level of rigor at our middle school, which is an excellent school (but not a TJ feeder).
Lucky you. None of this exists at my kid’s school.
Yes, we are very happy with what our kid is learning at Franklin but especially in history and English.
Our kid is learning how to struggle while learning which is a critical skill.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:30
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Why aren’t all 7th grade honor and aap students required to write a personal narrative first quarter? That was the Prince William standard in sixth grade to write a 3 page typed personal narrative. My kid is in 7th and didn’t do it in 6th or 7th yet. They’ve never written more than a page of anything.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:30
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
OP, if your kid is finding the curriculum not challenging, they need to be put in programs outside the school day that challenges them. AOPS can be a great resource. Middle school is a wonderful sandbox for your kids to get enriched without it impacting GPA. I found solutions for my kid when he was in middle school.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:28
Subject: Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My AAP 7th grader has a couple hours of homework a night and several major tests and projects.
Are you in a TJ feeder? Can you name the school? Maybe I’ll mention this to my kid’s school
Does this middle school still read full length novels?
I teach 7th grade AAP English. My students read a lot of short stories during 1st quarter vs novels. We do this because the large writing assignment is a personal narrative, which lends itself to short stories as a model. During second quarter we will read full length nonfiction texts and a lot of nonfiction articles. Third and fourth quarter include multiple full length novels as well as some nonfiction article readings that support the text themes. There is more to life/English class than hammering full length novels out all year long.
So why did my school not have the personal narrative? Why do some schools have this and not others? You would think the AAP level would not skip this stuff.
Did your AAP student write a different type of essay during 1st quarter? I'd much rather my kid write persuasive, technical, or expository essays than personal narratives. All they wrote in elementary school was narratives and creative poems, and they were never taught how to write. If in middle school the teacher chooses to have students write at a higher level by having them write persuasively or technically, that should be celebrated.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:25
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One challenging history question to solve btw does not make up for a 5-page research paper or a 2-page fictional story of a historical figure. Less time equals less rigor most of the time.But regardless there are also no challenging questions.
My kid has already done essays in both her English and History classes. What MS is this OP?
My kid also has already written essays in English and history, and both teachers taught students how to write well, something that was not taught at all in ES.
The history teacher has students actually apply what they've learned about historical events, so they have to understand what they are learning, not just parrot back facts and dates.
My kid's English teacher also requires students to actually analyze literature they are reading, not just answer basic questions. She also teaches students to break down words to look for roots and other parts. My kid complained that this is hard, but I am ecstatic to see her struggle with this skill because she has to slow down, think, and analyze.
I am very happy with the level of rigor at our middle school, which is an excellent school (but not a TJ feeder).
Lucky you. None of this exists at my kid’s school.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:23
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I saw a comment on twitter that said is there any group that complains more than teachers....the answer is YES parents win by a landslide!! Nothing is good enough EVER!
There is a teacher above saying most of her 9th grade kids are behind in skills. Take her word for it. Of course parents care about their kids more than anyone else.
No parents complain about everything and want to do nothing. Parent your kids, make sure they are getting what they need. If you think it's "too easy" get them into something after school to challenge them. So tired of hearing complaints about schools never doing enough. There is caring and then there is just a lot of negativity
No. This is completely wrong. People are complaining because the academics are poor and the local parochial school or any other private school can offter more strength in their regular Ed program. Not my issue that FCPS likes to be a sanctuary for immigrants who pay no taxes. We spend money and live here and school is fcpss job. If they are stretched too thin it's because they promised to be too much to people for votes and not for education. My kid is a stellar student and person and has no discipline issues whatsoever and in fact has been called out as a model student. Fcps sold us that there would be an advanced curriculum. The curriculum is a joke and there are three levels not one that is remotely advanced. How can a school have 3 levels and they are all remedial? It's just a pack of lies. If you want parents to do more send home some homework for chrissake.
Ah yes the immigrants who don’t pay taxes are at fault. Your poor, poor stellar student. He’s stuck in a school system that’s trying to educate every kid, not just MC/UMC legal ones.
There are three levels in middle school. Three. Why can’t all kids get educated at their level? How are they educating every kid if there is no aap curriculum being taught? Isn’t that the reason for differentiation? The lower classes already get smaller classes. Why can’t the 30 plus aap classrooms actually have aap curriculum and work? Your statement would only be correct if there actually was an aap level program.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:22
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:One challenging history question to solve btw does not make up for a 5-page research paper or a 2-page fictional story of a historical figure. Less time equals less rigor most of the time.But regardless there are also no challenging questions.
My kid has already done essays in both her English and History classes. What MS is this OP?
My kid also has already written essays in English and history, and both teachers taught students how to write well, something that was not taught at all in ES.
The history teacher has students actually apply what they've learned about historical events, so they have to understand what they are learning, not just parrot back facts and dates.
My kid's English teacher also requires students to actually analyze literature they are reading, not just answer basic questions. She also teaches students to break down words to look for roots and other parts. My kid complained that this is hard, but I am ecstatic to see her struggle with this skill because she has to slow down, think, and analyze.
I am very happy with the level of rigor at our middle school, which is an excellent school (but not a TJ feeder).
Anonymous
10/30/2022 07:08
Subject: Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My AAP 7th grader has a couple hours of homework a night and several major tests and projects.
Are you in a TJ feeder? Can you name the school? Maybe I’ll mention this to my kid’s school
Does this middle school still read full length novels?
I teach 7th grade AAP English. My students read a lot of short stories during 1st quarter vs novels. We do this because the large writing assignment is a personal narrative, which lends itself to short stories as a model. During second quarter we will read full length nonfiction texts and a lot of nonfiction articles. Third and fourth quarter include multiple full length novels as well as some nonfiction article readings that support the text themes. There is more to life/English class than hammering full length novels out all year long.
Thank you for posting. What ELA skills do you wish your students were better prepared for before starting your class? What are some of the novels they will be reading. Thank you.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 02:54
Subject: Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My AAP 7th grader has a couple hours of homework a night and several major tests and projects.
Are you in a TJ feeder? Can you name the school? Maybe I’ll mention this to my kid’s school
Does this middle school still read full length novels?
I teach 7th grade AAP English. My students read a lot of short stories during 1st quarter vs novels. We do this because the large writing assignment is a personal narrative, which lends itself to short stories as a model. During second quarter we will read full length nonfiction texts and a lot of nonfiction articles. Third and fourth quarter include multiple full length novels as well as some nonfiction article readings that support the text themes. There is more to life/English class than hammering full length novels out all year long.
My son is in 7th grade and this is tracks with his experience. But also his English teacher has encouraged his classmates to talk about the books they are reading at home as well. My son has been excited to read classmate recommended books. He has read for pleasure much more this year than last year. He hasn’t had much homework except math.
My daughter is in high school taking several AP classes after taking FCPS middle school and is doing great. So it definitely preps the kids for high school.
Anonymous
10/30/2022 00:03
Subject: Re:Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I saw a comment on twitter that said is there any group that complains more than teachers....the answer is YES parents win by a landslide!! Nothing is good enough EVER!
There is a teacher above saying most of her 9th grade kids are behind in skills. Take her word for it. Of course parents care about their kids more than anyone else.
No parents complain about everything and want to do nothing. Parent your kids, make sure they are getting what they need. If you think it's "too easy" get them into something after school to challenge them. So tired of hearing complaints about schools never doing enough. There is caring and then there is just a lot of negativity
No. This is completely wrong. People are complaining because the academics are poor and the local parochial school or any other private school can offter more strength in their regular Ed program. Not my issue that FCPS likes to be a sanctuary for immigrants who pay no taxes. We spend money and live here and school is fcpss job. If they are stretched too thin it's because they promised to be too much to people for votes and not for education. My kid is a stellar student and person and has no discipline issues whatsoever and in fact has been called out as a model student. Fcps sold us that there would be an advanced curriculum. The curriculum is a joke and there are three levels not one that is remotely advanced. How can a school have 3 levels and they are all remedial? It's just a pack of lies. If you want parents to do more send home some homework for chrissake.
Ah yes the immigrants who don’t pay taxes are at fault. Your poor, poor stellar student. He’s stuck in a school system that’s trying to educate every kid, not just MC/UMC legal ones.
Anonymous
10/29/2022 23:23
Subject: Middle School is way too easy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My AAP 7th grader has a couple hours of homework a night and several major tests and projects.
Are you in a TJ feeder? Can you name the school? Maybe I’ll mention this to my kid’s school
Does this middle school still read full length novels?
I teach 7th grade AAP English. My students read a lot of short stories during 1st quarter vs novels. We do this because the large writing assignment is a personal narrative, which lends itself to short stories as a model. During second quarter we will read full length nonfiction texts and a lot of nonfiction articles. Third and fourth quarter include multiple full length novels as well as some nonfiction article readings that support the text themes. There is more to life/English class than hammering full length novels out all year long.
My DC was in local level AAP and the MS stopped reading novels. This is.due to their no homework policy. Oh they said it was not important to read them and that the kids will read other things just not long time consuming novels. Unbelievable.