Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:58
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
What would you say to a student who doesn’t want/need to opt out of Magic Fish but would like to be offered a more challenging book and guided independent study in addition?
They have that option if they want. They also have the option to read independently on their own outside of school. Nobody is stopping them from doing that. However, If they want to be able to receive regular and routine assistance and guidance from myself and the other teacher in the room, they probably should follow the plan in place.
If a child is truly so gifted that Magic Fish is beneath them, they should have no issue with easily getting their A during the 44 minutes a day we spend in class and supplementing their education outside of class.
Shouldn't Magic Fish be "beneath" almost every student since it's written below a 3rd grade reading level? Is your class majority EML students or kids otherwise way below grade level? Why would you try to steer all the kids in your honors English high school class into a book at an elementary school level?
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:50
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
What would you say to a student who doesn’t want/need to opt out of Magic Fish but would like to be offered a more challenging book and guided independent study in addition?
They have that option if they want. They also have the option to read independently on their own outside of school. Nobody is stopping them from doing that. However, If they want to be able to receive regular and routine assistance and guidance from myself and the other teacher in the room, they probably should follow the plan in place.
If a child is truly so gifted that Magic Fish is beneath them, they should have no issue with easily getting their A during the 44 minutes a day we spend in class and supplementing their education outside of class.
You are wasting so many kids' time with this. MCPS should be ashamed that this is what they think kids can handle. A 4th grade reading level - appalling.
I am sure you are equally as terrible at whatever job or stay at home mom chores you have to do all day.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:47
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
What would you say to a student who doesn’t want/need to opt out of Magic Fish but would like to be offered a more challenging book and guided independent study in addition?
They have that option if they want. They also have the option to read independently on their own outside of school. Nobody is stopping them from doing that. However, If they want to be able to receive regular and routine assistance and guidance from myself and the other teacher in the room, they probably should follow the plan in place.
If a child is truly so gifted that Magic Fish is beneath them, they should have no issue with easily getting their A during the 44 minutes a day we spend in class and supplementing their education outside of class.
You are wasting so many kids' time with this. MCPS should be ashamed that this is what they think kids can handle. A 4th grade reading level - appalling.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:36
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
That really really stinks that kids are being forced to the lowest common denominator, especially in an honors class. It’s appalling really.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:16
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
What would you say to a student who doesn’t want/need to opt out of Magic Fish but would like to be offered a more challenging book and guided independent study in addition?
They have that option if they want. They also have the option to read independently on their own outside of school. Nobody is stopping them from doing that. However, If they want to be able to receive regular and routine assistance and guidance from myself and the other teacher in the room, they probably should follow the plan in place.
If a child is truly so gifted that Magic Fish is beneath them, they should have no issue with easily getting their A during the 44 minutes a day we spend in class and supplementing their education outside of class.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:10
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
What would you say to a student who doesn’t want/need to opt out of Magic Fish but would like to be offered a more challenging book and guided independent study in addition?
Anonymous
09/10/2025 18:02
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:With the new opt out policy, teachers are even more beleaguered. The RT at my school was concerned about showcasing the texts her teachers were using at BTSN because she worried that parents would flip through them and complain.
Could a parent opt out of Magic Fish and All American Boys and in effect force A Separate Peace?
My 9th grade students have the option to opt out of the Magic Fish, especially considering the fact it has a moderate LGBTQ focus. We told them in class they can do that. However we have let them know that the other books they choose will be more difficult and that all instruction will be tailored towards the 99% of kids who are reading The Magic Fish. Any kid who opts out will essentially be on independent study and for better or worse, be left to sink or swim. This is not an ideal way to begin their adjustment to high school and the real academic consequences that come with it.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:59
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Those at Einstein (and any other schools) who are not offered one of the approved novels/marking period should reach out to the secondary English supervisor in central office:
Lightsey, Mrs. Jaclynn M
Supervisor, Secondary English/LA
240-740-4006
Jaclynn_M_Lightsey@mcpsmd.org
Lightsey, Mrs. Jaclynn M
Supervisor, Secondary English/LA
240-740-4006
Jaclynn_M_Lightsey@mcpsmd.org
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:54
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My child is at Einstein and says they’ve only read from slides projected on the bought. I can see these slides in Canvas and its teacher lecture notes about fairytale archetypes.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.
Most likely the teacher said 1-2 books because kids change teacher at semester. Since all of our students change teachers, we can’t showcase the Q3 and Q4 texts because kids who end up having Teacher A might read A Raisin in the Sun while kids who end up with Teacher B might read Romeo and Juliet.
Students should be (according to the new curriculum) reading four books: one per quarter.
No, its two books a year at best at Einstein. Well, its rare they actually get a book, bu tthat's another issue.
Another Einstein parent here: no, we have been seeing one book per quarter like it says.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:38
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My child is at Einstein and says they’ve only read from slides projected on the bought. I can see these slides in Canvas and its teacher lecture notes about fairytale archetypes.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.
Most likely the teacher said 1-2 books because kids change teacher at semester. Since all of our students change teachers, we can’t showcase the Q3 and Q4 texts because kids who end up having Teacher A might read A Raisin in the Sun while kids who end up with Teacher B might read Romeo and Juliet.
Students should be (according to the new curriculum) reading four books: one per quarter.
No, its two books a year at best at Einstein. Well, its rare they actually get a book, bu tthat's another issue.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:37
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:My child is at Einstein and says they’ve only read from slides projected on the bought. I can see these slides in Canvas and its teacher lecture notes about fairytale archetypes.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.
Its the principal.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:32
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE “HONORS FOR ALL”
Parents need to wake up and make some noise to MCPS that by lumping everyone in the same classes teachers by default have to cater to the low-performing students.
I’m all about differentiation but if kids are getting a weighted GPA, they should be held to the same high expectation.
Also—and I’ll say it louder to the people in the back—you canNOT have quality differentiation if you are not giving teachers the planning time and smaller class sizes to make this happen.
Parents need to wake up and make some noise to MCPS that by lumping everyone in the same classes teachers by default have to cater to the low-performing students.
I’m all about differentiation but if kids are getting a weighted GPA, they should be held to the same high expectation.
Also—and I’ll say it louder to the people in the back—you canNOT have quality differentiation if you are not giving teachers the planning time and smaller class sizes to make this happen.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:30
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
Anonymous wrote:My child is at Einstein and says they’ve only read from slides projected on the bought. I can see these slides in Canvas and its teacher lecture notes about fairytale archetypes.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.
Most likely the teacher said 1-2 books because kids change teacher at semester. Since all of our students change teachers, we can’t showcase the Q3 and Q4 texts because kids who end up having Teacher A might read A Raisin in the Sun while kids who end up with Teacher B might read Romeo and Juliet.
Students should be (according to the new curriculum) reading four books: one per quarter.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:25
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
That’s what they’re reading in 9th grade? We read The Canterbury Tales and The Merchant of Venice. I still remember memorizing the “quality of mercy” soliloquy and having to recite it one at a time in class.
Anonymous
09/10/2025 17:12
Subject: Honors English 9A, MP1: What is your child reading?
My child is at Einstein and says they’ve only read from slides projected on the bought. I can see these slides in Canvas and its teacher lecture notes about fairytale archetypes.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.
No syllabus linked in Canvas or sent home as a printout. I remember during BTSN the teacher mentioned 1 or 2 books they would eventually read this year.
I’m so appalled by the elementary ELA debacle for my younger child that I didn’t even lol at the refrigerator sheet for HS.
At what point do we call out Taylor for being a lier? Don’t make these fancy sheets to share with parents if they’re sharing false information.