justme
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Post by justme on Sept 5, 2012 14:05:14 GMT -5
Ugh, if multiage classes mean a 4th and 5th grade class together but with two teachers (since it's twice the students) and you break out into groups based on ability, then it SUCKS to be in the higher grade. They pushed the gifted kids toward that class when they started it when I was in the 5th grade and I hated every single second that year. There were too many groups of varying ability, and the gifted kids was such a small group we didn't get that much attention (since the teacher was busy focusing on the 15 normal 5th graders and 15 normal 4th graders, that were split into smaller groups) and since the 4th graders weren't all advanced any group lesson was deja vu of my 4th grade year. Even though I got pulled out for gifted enrichment classes I hated it. ETA: We were so bloody bored during the reading part our group annoyed the teacher so much she tossed The Hobbit at us thinking it'd shut us up since the first book she gave us was 1/3 the length. Yeah, we blew through the book faster than she could read it to give us work for it and decided to leave us to our own devices in discussing the book. Great education there. Great book though.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 5, 2012 14:06:46 GMT -5
You're talking about.. say a K-1 combo class? Those are generally for lower grades.. 2-3 is the highest I've heard of in our district. The kids in the lower grade are still usually taught only their curriculum. they have a 5/6 multiage room in the public school. also, in the private school my kids go to, 5/6 were also combined last, but it had everything to do with having 1 kid enrolled in 6th grade and not wanting to hire a teacher to teach one kid. I have no idea what they're doing this year.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Sept 5, 2012 14:12:21 GMT -5
Even though I got pulled out for gifted enrichment classes I hated it. Speaking of 'Ugh', I had a hard time with the 'regular' class teacher in 4th grade because of being pulled out for those gifted classes. She was hugely annoyed that they wanted to interrupt 'her' class and 'her' time to let me do that. Eventually, my parents and the principal had to come talk to her because she wouldn't let me leave for the special classes. Mean, old, crabby Mrs. H! What fond memories.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 14:18:11 GMT -5
Eh... I'm not that worried about her missing the 5th grade history curriculum. It's American History, she'll be covering that plenty and in a lot more depth in junior high and high school. Besides, this way she'll learn ancient civilizations first so it'll be chronological. That just leaves science and potentially math to work on at home if she struggles a bit with the math.
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justme
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Post by justme on Sept 5, 2012 14:25:36 GMT -5
Even though I got pulled out for gifted enrichment classes I hated it. Speaking of 'Ugh', I had a hard time with the 'regular' class teacher in 4th grade because of being pulled out for those gifted classes. She was hugely annoyed that they wanted to interrupt 'her' class and 'her' time to let me do that. Eventually, my parents and the principal had to come talk to her because she wouldn't let me leave for the special classes. Mean, old, crabby Mrs. H! What fond memories. At my elementary school they put all the gifted kids with the same teacher (probably the smarted "but not gifted" kids too), it became such a habit for us after doing it for years that we'd all just leave when it was time. It woulda been funny to see a teacher try to stop 5 kids from walking out the door.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 14:28:07 GMT -5
I knew you would be completely inept as seeing my EXAMPLE as just that, and not something literal. You must have skipped the grade where everyone else learned about critical thinking.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 15:18:36 GMT -5
Say what now? I was responding to Loop's post.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 5, 2012 15:26:33 GMT -5
My son has always been at the top of his class. Our principal believes that each kid should be taught at the level they are at. So his teachers have always given him harder work. The introduce new concepts in general, then let him figure out how to apply it to harder problems. He spent a large part of third grade doing math in the hallway with a friend (other high level student) because they were so far above the class. They'd go out and talk through the problems together and just ask the teacher if they couldn't figure it out.
It's worked really well to keep him challenged. He also ends up helping the kids that are behind. Principal is also a big advocate of using the higher level kids to pull the lower ones up.
His teacher last year asked him and his friend to teach a section of class. When I asked her about it, she said it was a really boring topic that she struggles keeping the kids interest. By having the boys teach it, they did it in a way the kids could relate to. She said it worked perfectly and the boys got both some leadership and public speaking practice.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 15:28:14 GMT -5
Ugh - I remember kids like yours in school. I just wanted to beat the shit out of them. And I was in band!
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 15:29:12 GMT -5
That's my biggest worry with math. Everything builds directly on what you covered the year before. It's the subject she's the most advanced in though, so hopefully it won't be a problem.
I'm not as worried about that with the elementary school history curriculum. All they learn is the broad brush summary anyway. In fifth grade they cover American History from Columbus discovering the new world to current. In a class full of 10 year olds. They're not exactly delving all that deep into the specifics.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 5, 2012 15:29:31 GMT -5
I'll bet the teachers and principal enjoy the smarter kids helping the others. Does your child like it or does he feel like he gets to do it to keep him quiet and do the teachers job for her? Most parents of gifted students put a nix on that real fast.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Sept 5, 2012 15:30:38 GMT -5
It's worked really well to keep him challenged. He also ends up helping the kids that are behind. Principal is also a big advocate of using the higher level kids to pull the lower ones up. His teacher last year asked him and his friend to teach a section of class. When I asked her about it, she said it was a really boring topic that she struggles keeping the kids interest. By having the boys teach it, they did it in a way the kids could relate to. She said it worked perfectly and the boys got both some leadership and public speaking practice. I actually got some experience the same way. In high school, I was asked to informally help other students work on essays, science projects, and other writing assignments, which also fostered an enjoyment of teaching in me. In middle school, our gifted class had several assignments to teach special topics and prepare skits for the elementary kids that we presented. It was fun and great experience!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 15:35:44 GMT -5
Talked to the Principal this morning and, thank gods, he's a young upstart and is totally against teaching to the lowest factor and has gotten his teachers training on dealing with advanced students, is starting after school enrichment classes for gifted students AND is enthusiastic about figuring out how to deal with Messy (aka DD2). She'll take the 5th and 6th grade CSTs next week to see where she's at. He's working on the rest of the logistics as well. That is awesome it is so nice to have a progressive principal. I had a similar situation with my son, Stinky Apple. In grade 6 he was put in a 5/6 split and he absolutely hated being "held back" by the grade 5ers. I asked the principal to switch him to the 6/7 split and was told he could not switch and that it was a random assignment. I spoke to Stinky's teacher who was kind enough to give Stinky extra work to challenge him and I also signed him up for a science camp run at a local university for grades 5-7. So in the end it worked out but I've always wondered why the system is so adept at accommodating children who are challenged and not extending the same courtesy to children who are somewhat gifted.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 5, 2012 15:37:47 GMT -5
I'll bet the teachers and principal enjoy the smarter kids helping the others. Does your child like it or does he feel like he gets to do it to keep him quiet and do the teachers job for her? Most parents of gifted students put a nix on that real fast. He likes it- but it's done in such a way that he's not presented as the "smarty pants". He'd hate that. But I think it's also a help that his friend is at the same level in most things. It keeps him from feeling isolated at the top. But everything in the class is done in levels. They have reading groups, spelling groups, math groups and group this kids together based on thier level. So for example reading groups- they meet daily to work on reading and they have books they can choose from that are at their level. It's just him and his friend in his group. Same thing for spelling. So it's not like he's being segregated from the rest of the class- they are just in their own group.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 15:39:24 GMT -5
Cause it's the law. And parents of bored gifted kids are a lot less likely to sue than parents of struggling challenged kids if no extra help is offered.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:18:25 GMT -5
That's my biggest worry with math. Everything builds directly on what you covered the year before. It's the subject she's the most advanced in though, so hopefully it won't be a problem. I'm not as worried about that with the elementary school history curriculum. All they learn is the broad brush summary anyway. In fifth grade they cover American History from Columbus discovering the new world to current. In a class full of 10 year olds. They're not exactly delving all that deep into the specifics. I wouldn't worry all that much about it....it's 5th grade math, not Calculus. and the same thing with missing all the other '5th grade' work. She may struggle - and I use that term very loosely - a few times but most likely it won't even be a blip on her radar.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:26:23 GMT -5
I swear the first 1/4-1/3 of most math texbooks is review... I'm betting she does fine.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 16:31:16 GMT -5
True, but in sixth grade they're learning algebra. They call it algebraic concepts now, but they're learning the same thing I did in junior high and we used to just call it algebra. She'll do algebra and geometry in junior high. Then algebra II, calc, and trig in high school. That means 5th grade is the last year to make sure they've got all the basics down before they move into higher math. Which is part of the reason I think they don't introduce any new math learning objectives in 5th grade. They want to make sure they've completely mastered simple math. She won't get that. Now, her test scores say it won't matter because she already knows it, but I can't help but worry a little. She's my baby girl dang it. Just a couple years ago I was giving her horsey rides around the living room. She can't be ready for algebra already. Right?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:34:02 GMT -5
True, but in sixth grade they're learning algebra. They call it algebraic concepts now, but they're learning the same thing I did in junior high and we used to just call it algebra. She'll do algebra and geometry in junior high. Then algebra II, calc, and trig in high school. That means 5th grade is the last year to make sure they've got all the basics down before they move into higher math. Which is part of the reason I think they don't introduce any new math learning objectives in 5th grade. They want to make sure they've completely mastered simple math. She won't get that. Now, her test scores say it won't matter because she already knows it, but I can't help but worry a little. She's my baby girl dang it. Just a couple years ago I was giving her horsey rides around the living room. She can't be ready for algebra already. Right? Is anybody ever really ready for algebra?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:35:55 GMT -5
True, but in sixth grade they're learning algebra. They call it algebraic concepts now, but they're learning the same thing I did in junior high and we used to just call it algebra. She'll do algebra and geometry in junior high. Then algebra II, calc, and trig in high school. That means 5th grade is the last year to make sure they've got all the basics down before they move into higher math. Which is part of the reason I think they don't introduce any new math learning objectives in 5th grade. They want to make sure they've completely mastered simple math. She won't get that. Now, her test scores say it won't matter because she already knows it, but I can't help but worry a little. She's my baby girl dang it. Just a couple years ago I was giving her horsey rides around the living room. She can't be ready for algebra already. Right? all my kids started doing 'algebra' in 2nd or 3rd grade. they just don't call it Algebra until you got to algebra 1. Plus as another poster said, the first 1/4 of the year is review.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:36:16 GMT -5
True, but in sixth grade they're learning algebra. They call it algebraic concepts now, but they're learning the same thing I did in junior high and we used to just call it algebra. She'll do algebra and geometry in junior high. Then algebra II, calc, and trig in high school. That means 5th grade is the last year to make sure they've got all the basics down before they move into higher math. Which is part of the reason I think they don't introduce any new math learning objectives in 5th grade. They want to make sure they've completely mastered simple math. She won't get that. Now, her test scores say it won't matter because she already knows it, but I can't help but worry a little. She's my baby girl dang it. Just a couple years ago I was giving her horsey rides around the living room. She can't be ready for algebra already. Right? Is anybody ever really ready for algebra? I loved algebra!
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 16:37:57 GMT -5
And no matter what anyone says - I use algebra often.
Now, geometry - other than playing pool and mini-golf, I don't have much use for it. And the whole theorems thing? I never use any of that in real life.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 16:39:03 GMT -5
And no matter what anyone says - I use algebra often. Now, geometry - other than playing pool and mini-golf, I don't have much use for it. And the whole theorems thing? I never use any of that in real life. Oh ya!? So tell me how you used algebra today!
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 16:40:39 GMT -5
Yesterday I had to work backwards to figure out what time my husband would be home from his bike ride. I knew how many miles he was planning and what time he left, and I know his previous top speed, so I did a bunch of calculations to figure out what would be his max and min time for his ride.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 16:48:27 GMT -5
So, basically I'm hearing you have too much time on your hands.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 16:55:23 GMT -5
Because I wanted to know what time my husband would be home? I was making him lunch - I wanted the bacon to be hot. Wait - that couldn't have been yesterday. I was at work yesterday. What day is it?
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 5, 2012 16:57:30 GMT -5
No, that's totally normal. It's caring enough to figure it out. That's weird.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Sept 5, 2012 16:58:33 GMT -5
No, that's totally normal. It's caring enough to figure it out. That's weird. I would have told him he could eat cold bacon or make it himself!
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 16:58:57 GMT -5
You have no idea how many hours I sit around waiting for him to come back from his bike rides.
Seriously, my life is frickin' depressing right now. I have got to figure this out.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 5, 2012 17:01:02 GMT -5
It was his birthday (and one that ends in zero) so I wanted to do something really nice for him. Why is everyone so brutal to their spouses? It wasn't like he demanded hot bacon. It wasn't like doing the calculations was that difficult. I just thought it through in my head. No wonder so many people get a divorce - we constantly tell people they should put absolutely zero effort into thinking about their spouse and wanting to do something nice for them. Sheesh.
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