Any teachers out there?

[stacie]

Robyn, I'm glad you chimed in. You've given me good advice in the past and I respect you. I disagree with you but respect you. I still feel that we are entitled to a basic education. Every kid should be given every opportunity to take the basic courses that he needs to succeed. Kids who excel and do the extra work should have an opportunity to seek out an advanced education. I realize that this is the way our society is headed but I still feel that every kid isn't going to college. My brother is an electrician. He was a lousy student. He's happy doing a trade. I was relieved when he stopped going to college because everyone expected him to go.
I"m not going to convince you just like I'm not going to convince the principal. So, how do I make this a successful for my son. How can I as a parent assist the teachers? Can I volunteer in the class and help in some way? I'm meeting with his team of teachers on Monday. What can I offer that will show this is important to me and I want to be part of the solution.

[Crankin]

Well, I found that by volunteering, the schools in general were more open to any requests we made, whether it be for a specific placement for the next year or a suggestion as to a book or other unit that they were thinking about using. Of course, this was in a small town, not a big city school, so the dynamics might be different. Generally, I think any teacher would appreciate thoughtful volunteering and might be open to anything that you request because they appreciate your effort on their behalf. It's good that you are meeting with the team. Keep an open mind and remember that most teachers are not particularly open to "change." No offense to any other teachers on the board, but this was an issue in many of the places I worked. Not knowing the particular culture of your system, I would say go in with a positive attitude and kill them with kindness. If you are worried about your child's safety, discuss this with the teachers and principal in a calm but realistic manner. Ask what the "plan" is for various situations and if they have a program for social-emotional development that often helps develop a community and stop some of the nasty things that often happen in middle school.
That said, keep looking at alternatives for your son. Are there charter schools? Private schools with scholarships? And please, another personal note, let your son know that you are trying to support him! My older son has a girfriend who was brought up in the city. She was in gifted classes through elementary school, but she failed the entrance exam for Boston Latin School by one point! (it's a public exam-entrance school). Her parents, I guess, really had no idea what this meant for her, or didn't care, so she ended up going to the first year of middle school at a regular Boston Public School. According to her, it was awful, so she got herself into a Quaker school for the rest of middle school and then she got herself a scholarship to a good arts oriented high school (private). From there, she went to a great college, but she is now saddled with debt and really is paying for her parents lack of support, both emotionally and financially. I guess what I'm saying, is that if you can bear some of the burden for private school tuition, it might be worth it in the long run. And yes, I agree that not everyone needs to go to college! But, we have generally dumbed down everything in this country, when we should be raising the bar.
Stuff like this really makes you question everything this country is supposed to stand for.

[uforgot]

Just showing up and meeting them is going to show them that you are interested in your child's education. You would be surprised how many parents don't even appear at parent teacher conferences. Then ask THEM what you can do, not us. They probably have specific ideas, or will think about it. I know I love it when parents become involved!

Meet with the teachers and quit worrying for now. You may be surprised at how positive you feel after meeting with them. Most teachers are there because they love their job, and if they are taking the time to meet with you, chances are they also want what is best for your child. I had several frustrated parents this summer because our schedule was going to make their children choose between band and Alg. I. (small school) They worried all summer, and finally at the end of the summer, they talked to me about it. I had no idea it was a problem, so I told them I would just split my 7th hour and have half of the room be Geometry and half Algebra. Yeah, it's a footrace, and a lot of extra work, but it's working and the kids didn't have to choose. They spent the summer frustrated when they should have just approached ME first.

Take a deep breath, meet with the teachers, and then report back! I hope it turns out for you.

[stacie]

For those still interested, I met with my son's teachers and the 6th grade administrator yesterday. I'd studied up on the practices and felt that I knew what to look for and what to ask. It was obvious they wanted to give me a high level explanation and hope that I would be satisfied. I hope they encourage more thought provoking conversation in the classroom. To be fair, I actually studied up on current teaching techniques, pros and cons and buzz words. I"m guessing that's outside the norm.
My overall impression was that the teachers have been coached on responses but their hearts are not in this. I do believe they want to be successful and have their students do well. The emphasis does seem to be to cover alot of material. What I missed was the indepth study of the material. I would expect advanced classes to include projects to promote better and more thorough understanding of the subjects. There was primarily, read the chapter, answer the questions, quiz, test. Both teachers had previously taught standard, advanced and honors classes. They assured me that the material covered was advanced. When I asked about the more indepth projects they'd had in the past in those classes, it was confirmed that it would be difficult to require these in this class. They would suggest them however. One teacher obviously did not want me anywhere near the class. The other said she was desperate for help and when could I start. I cancelled anything I had for the rest of the day and spent it with her. I wanted to make clear that I wasn't just saying the right things. She gave me work to grade which told me alot about where my son and his class mates were. Again, the work was multiple choice or one word answers. I didn't see anything that required any critical thinking. Just memorization.
A call to the magnet office confirmed that we are not likely to get into the program this year. The liklihood diminishes each year as they have less openings. Therefore, getting into a good high school is not likely. My choices 1. Lie AGAIN, and say I live somewhere that I don't and drive to get him into a good school. The students do well and are from households similar to ours. There are definitely more kids working at the level he is. Classes are overcrowded and we will have to drive further to drop him off and pick him up. There may be social consequences because he is further away than the kids living in this neighborhood. It may be difficult to plan activities with kids whose parents aren't willing to drive.
2. Stay where we are and plan to supplement. He currently is not getting art, so we continue to attend art walk, museums, travel, etc. No pe currently, but that's easily fixed with baseball and just getting outside in the fresh air. I can make sure he is reading books that are intrigueing and interesting and at a level that is beneficial. The book he is currently assigned is very elementary. Extra projects are difficult because school starts at 915 and ends at 415. By the time we get home it's almost dinner time. However, we can set a schedule and do science projects, and supplement the other subjects. It will take some help from his teachers as they don't currently provide information on what they are studying in school. That may change. It's still early. School releases an hour early every other week. We previously used this time for additional art music or pe. We can do some fun experiments instead or look up something he's studying in history. Fun, extra detail work. I'll volunteer weekly in the teacher's class who encourages it and continue to bring home papers to grade. This will help me be aware of what is going on.
3. There is a program that offers home schooling two days a week and private school three days per week. I don't think I could maintain my part time job due to scheduling so the cost would be very expensive. My husband thinks I may strangle our son! I'm not organized, but want the best for my son so I think I'd find a way.
I'm curious, which would you choose? Private school is out. I bargained on magnet schools and lost. I was assured we would get in if I took certain steps which I did.
Beautiful custom made Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel will be collecting dust it seems.

[Veronica]

What book is he reading?

I teach 5th grade by the way.

V.

[stacie]

just picked it up in the classroom. Amelia Earhart Courage in the Sky
Mona Kerby

[Crankin]

Stacie, that seems very odd that with this kind of program (i.e. heterogeneous grouping) there are not projects and other tiered level assignments for the kids. This was required at my last school. It is EASY to have the kids read, test, read and do no writing or thinking! I have found that oddly, many teachers who have taught "advanced" level kids in the past tend to want to stick with the mindless multiple choice method and get by on the strength of their good lectures, etc. This is not the way education is today. For G-d's sake, some of my least able writers and readers flourished when they had the chance to do a Power Point presentation for a project.
I'd also be happy to help you with a supplemental reading list.
And yes, I think I would have strangled my kids if i had home schooled them!

[Veronica]

Amelia Earhart - research project! What does he think happened to her? He has to support his hypothesis with some research. You could probably get newspaper articles from the time, other books to read about her. Science could be stuff on engines, flight, weather, human psychology...

Or encourage him to write a "puff piece " about what happened to her...Bermuda Triangle, alien abduction, murdered by her navigator...


V.

[uforgot]

Amelia Earhart - research project! What does he think happened to her? He has to support his hypothesis with some research. You could probably get newspaper articles from the time, other books to read about her. Science could be stuff on engines, flight, weather, human psychology...

Or encourage him to write a "puff piece " about what happened to her...Bermuda Triangle, alien abduction, murdered by her navigator...


V.

Make paper or balsa airplanes! Study Bernoulli's principle. Why do planes fly? What sort of things could have brought her down?

[Triskeliongirl]

I'm curious, which would you choose? Private school is out. I bargained on magnet schools and lost. I was assured we would get in if I took certain steps which I did.
Beautiful custom made Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel will be collecting dust it seems.

I find the above statement an interesting statement of your priorities. You say you want a good education for your child, but then you seemed to have chosen to purchase a custom bike for yourself rather than pay for your son to attend a high quality school. You mention working part time, why can't you work full time? I am a mom that chose to work hard, and forgo custom bikes in order to send my kids to high quality private schools. Its not that I don't think that all kids deserve high quality public education, its that I can't fix a broken system as a single person, but I can choose how hard to work, how to spend my money, and how to educate my kids. I know my comments are harsh, and I know I don't know anything about your personal finances, but I just feel very strongly that the most important thing a parent can do for a child is provide a good education.

[Aquila]

I'd like to second what Lyca and Veronica said about drawing and visualizing. As a college English prof, I often have my students do a sketch of a difficult poetic image; the physical act of drawing can help one remember something (as can saying something aloud, reading aloud or silently, hearing something). It also helps us understand how the image is working so that we can discuss it better. It sounds hokey, but I started doing it in classes because it helps me as a reader; it's one of the strategies I use to learn.

[Crankin]

I am glad that you understand, Stacie, what I was trying to explain. The reason that heterogeneous grouping doesn't work a lot is because it is not done the right way. Why? Because it is hard and it takes a lot of work, monitoring, re-teaching, assessing and having tiered levels of assignments and assessments for every concept you teach. I don't want to bad mouth an entire group of people, but the school I last taught at was a lot like you are describing. Fortunately, the administration, over a 10 year period was able to get rid of a lot of the offending teachers. When I was hired, I had 22 years of experience and the other teachers saw me as the devil... I just kept doing what I had been doing and eventually, after about 5 years, I was surrounded by colleagues that were doing things the way i did. High expectations for all does work, but very few schools are willing to make the effort to do this.
It is great that you finally got them to listen. However, you very well may have to work full time to afford private school if things do not work out. I worked the whole time my kids were growing up and they certainly did not suffer.
As for the visualization, yes, it is the first strategy to use for comprehension. But, make sure your son is exposed to all of the strategies as i think Veronica listed. They are taught in order of the amount of inferential reasoning needed.

[Geonz]

... and don't forget that we're a diverse bunch of humans in the world. I, for one, don't visualize.... though just *working* at it helps sometimes. (I think in words. You should see me working on my bike!!! I mean hear me... I *have* to converse with it...)