Have you heard me talk about how I hate fifth grade? Here's the most recent example, taken directly from the schoolnotes page:
May 29 5th Grade Party at the Community Activity Center
June 1 Read-In
June 2 Promotion Ceremony, Individual Pictures and Picnic
June 3 Clean Rooms, collect books, clean out lockers
June 4 Watch Movies and Car Parade
June 5 Last Day of School Early Release
I see five days of party and one legitimate clean-out day -- and don't be fooled by the scheduled "read-in." I have it on good authority that game systems and I-pods are more prevalent than books on this day.
Is it just me?
4 comments:
Yep! That is my pet peeve. They get ticked if you take your kids out of school early and yet they are JUST PLAYING! They would learn more at Epcot in Disney World. I'm just saying...
No, you are not the only one! If there is only one week where they are not learning anything at your school, then it is an improvement over ours. I think it is almost two weeks here. My daughter came home and said, "Well, we've finished our testing!" ?
And so . . .? Your point is . . .? It's as though they are teaching the kids that as soon as the tests are over the point of learning is too. It is sad. I've been giving her daily math homework to make up for my dismay.
Just wait Sharon!
It's all part of the disillusionment of Elementary School. When kids start Middle School & are expected to know and understand everything they were "taught" before ... WHOA!!
Here's is my pre-6th summer study guide:
1) Diagram a sentence. Make sure she knows and understands parts of speech.
2) The Scientific Method
3) How to write a research paper. Oh, yes - that "box outline" comes in handy ... if only they taught that before 6th grade!
4) Basic vocabulary --- oh, I'm sorry --- I mean, how a word can be tried to any word in any language in the world. They call this a "literacy web". Tracy made a 76 on his first attempt!
5) Algebra. Don't be dismayed that while they "encouraged" kids not to memorize their multiplication tables in 3rd grade, this is now expected. I am so happy we worked with Abby at home during the Elementary years trying to undo the harm her math teachers did. Surprisingly, math was her easiest subject.
I've decided that teachers spend more time teaching social issues and feelings in Elementary School. It's time we realize kids need to actually learn something ... wait, which would mean someone would have to "teach" them something ... wait, that means someone would have to "work" or think about what needs to be taught (other that what is on the TAKS test, of course). Elementary School is NOT daycare.
I'm starting to understand why Texas is in such great need of qualified teachers.
Think we should move?
Just kidding. We're staying here.
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