School projects costing a fortune

[AZMermaid]

In our state depending on what grade you are in, it counts a lot, as in you don't go on to the next grade. So kids get very stressed out. Thankfully my DD doesn't get stressed about it. But, we do spend a small fortune on projects. Also, just because you are taking the state test doesn't mean no homework. She took a test today and has one tomorrow, had math homework last night and tonight. I'm a teacher and I have a problem with that!!!

Yup, they just passed a law here in AZ that starts with the current Kindergartners. If they don't pass the reading portion of their state tests in 3rd grade, they MUST be retained (unless they qualify for special ed or are English Language Learners or have been retained twice already). My school where I teach now is an upper middle class school, so this affects maybe 1-2 kids each year. But, my old school with 95% free lunch, I would say half of the kids failed each year. Now, at least 75% of those kids are Language Learners, but I would say there will be 15-25 kids each year who will be retained.

 

[Styx Fan]

The thing that really ticks me off is the teacher's or school's presumption that their students have access to expensive tools like computers or digital cameras at home.

I hear you on this. My son has an English teacher that requires them to blog on the class site about various class topics. Absolutely nothing that couldn't be done on paper. And it's not like there is any real computer education going on as it is so simple.

She tells them to go to the library if they do not have a computer at home. Ummm, really? Something tells me that the few families around here that don't have a computer would find it a real pain to get the kid to the library every week for a 5 minute assignment due to transportation/time issues.

And it seems they are requiring kids to type assignments earlier and earlier, like by 4th or 5th grade...must be on the assumption that everyone has a computer at home because almost no one has a typewriter. And they want them to type things before they have learned how to type I admit to doing that typing for my kid before. He had write it out and I would type exactly what he wrote. Just wasn't enough time for him to hunt and peck.

 

[Styx Fan]

This does matter to us for exactly this reason. In our district, decisions about tracking are made as early as fourth or fifth grade that will ultimately determine whether or not your kid can take AP and advanced classes in high school. And the honors and AP classes DO matter for college admissions, etc.

I agree about the honors and AP classes to a point. Grades don't tell the whole story. Testing is also considered, which my kid (only speaking for us) does very well. Also teach recommendations are considered. Really the whole package. At our schools if parents keep on top of it, they can have a huge influence on where their child is placed...which is at it should be as we know our kids best.

I have tons more I could say on this, but we are way, way off topic already

 

[tink576]

And it seems they are requiring kids to type assignments earlier and earlier, like by 4th or 5th grade...must be on the assumption that everyone has a computer at home because almost no one has a typewriter. And they want them to type things before they have learned how to type I admit to doing that typing for my kid before. He had write it out and I would type exactly what he wrote. Just wasn't enough time for him to hunt and peck.

They don't go to the computer lab anymore or have typing classes? I remember going to the computer lab once a week for typing classes for all of 3rd and 4th grade. I really didn't get the point then because I didn't have a computer at home, but I sure wish I took it more seriously then and that was all 14 years ago. I also have a folder of my assignments from 3rd grade and my "big projects" were typed (they were one page and probably size 20 font too). In high school I actually took another typing class and really worked at it. It was one of the best classes I took in high school because it pays you back in so many ways as you continue on past high school.

 

[AZMermaid]

My school has the kids respond to blogs starting in 4th grade. They can do it in class if they do not have access at home. They do their AR tests on the computers at school, so it isn't any real stigma to getting on the computers to blog. All 3rd graders take a 3 week intensive typing course. I am not sure how much sticks, but it is a good intro.

 

[MrsPete]

The thing that really ticks me off is the teacher's or school's presumption that their students have access to expensive tools like computers or digital cameras at home.

Yeah, in schools it's called the Digital Divide, and it is a problem: Do you deny the majority of the students a chance to use technology because of the few who don't have at-home access? Kids can check out digital cameras, camcorders, and graphing calculators from school.

The truth seems to be that the vast majority of students do have computer access at home, even if that computer is stretched between family members. Fewer have printing access, and quite a few don't really know how to use computers well -- many think that surfing the internet and using word processing is all there is to know. I probably have 1-2 students per year who don't have computer access (I ask that on my student information sheet on day 1 of class).

check your printer settings (might have to do it each time you print).... if it is something that you are printing for your personal use or to just read from, see if the "lower quality" print job is readable for you and use that.

This is excellent advice. I have mine set to "default" to econo-mode, and it saves BUNCHES.

This does matter to us for exactly this reason. In our district, decisions about tracking are made as early as fourth or fifth grade that will ultimately determine whether or not your kid can take AP and advanced classes in high school. And the honors and AP classes DO matter for college admissions, etc.

This matters in math, but a parent who asks can always have his kid moved up a level in middle school, and a kid can always "double up" in high school. It's really a matter of knowing to ask.

I hear you on this. My son has an English teacher that requires them to blog on the class site about various class topics. Absolutely nothing that couldn't be done on paper. And it's not like there is any real computer education going on as it is so simple.

She tells them to go to the library if they do not have a computer at home.

No, the blog does give a few benefits that paper and pencil can't: It's more engaging to the digital generation, and it allows multiple people to "discuss" the book at once. It also allows the teacher to -- at a glance -- see who's been most involved in the discussion, and who's just sitting back saying, "I agree". It really is a new, unique assignment for students.

Remember that the kids can use the computer at the SCHOOL LIBRARY too. If no class time is available, they can go in before school, during lunch period, or after school.

 

[MrsPete]

They don't go to the computer lab anymore or have typing classes?

I went to high school 1980-1984, and I took typing as a class. We had mostly manual typewriters, but the back row of the classroom was filled with brand-new IBM Selectrics. We rotated by weeks so that everyone got a turn on the electric typewriters. I didn't know how to type at all until I took that class. It wasn't required, but essentially everyone took the class.

My own kids learned to type in elementary school and really got good at it in middle school. None of my students (and I teach high school) has a problem typing, though not all of them are fast.

What my high school students could use is a computer skills class. Many of my students don't know how to do simple things like attaching a file to an email, merging files, or anything other than simply typing in word processing. They THINK they're computer whizzes because they can surf the net and use Power Point type programs. The kids in honors classes tend to be MUCH better with computer skills -- not because they've had more exposure in school, but because they're more willing to stop and read instructions and because they've had more exposure at home.

 

[seashoreCM]

This does matter to us for exactly this reason. In our district, decisions about tracking are made as early as fourth or fifth grade that will ultimately determine whether or not your kid can take AP and advanced classes in high school. And the honors and AP classes DO matter for college admissions, etc.

You can monitor your child's progress and, come 9'th grade, make application to jump him inot a higher track if you suspect he is in a lower track. (He will have to be getting A's, of course.)

Something tells me that the few families around here that don't have a computer would find it a real pain to get the kid to the library every week for a 5 minute assignment due to transportation/time issues.

I don't think anyone on the DIS falls into that category but those who do should apply for a hardship waiver.

Yeah, in schools it's called the Digital Divide, and it is a problem

The school should save (or even collect) older computers to give to needy families. Such computers are perfectly good for word processing (typing of compositions, reports, etc.).

 

[timzagain]

Yeah, in schools it's called the Digital Divide, and it is a problem: Do you deny the majority of the students a chance to use technology because of the few who don't have at-home access? Kids can check out digital cameras, camcorders, and graphing calculators from school.

The truth seems to be that the vast majority of students do have computer access at home, even if that computer is stretched between family members. Fewer have printing access, and quite a few don't really know how to use computers well -- many think that surfing the internet and using word processing is all there is to know. I probably have 1-2 students per year who don't have computer access (I ask that on my student information sheet on day 1 of class). This is excellent advice. I have mine set to "default" to econo-mode, and it saves BUNCHES. This matters in math, but a parent who asks can always have his kid moved up a level in middle school, and a kid can always "double up" in high school. It's really a matter of knowing to ask. No, the blog does give a few benefits that paper and pencil can't: It's more engaging to the digital generation, and it allows multiple people to "discuss" the book at once. It also allows the teacher to -- at a glance -- see who's been most involved in the discussion, and who's just sitting back saying, "I agree". It really is a new, unique assignment for students.

Remember that the kids can use the computer at the SCHOOL LIBRARY too. If no class time is available, they can go in before school, during lunch period, or after school.

Access to digital cameras, computer labs at school etc may be pretty standard in the US, but it is not a given where I live (Barbados). Until our education authorities find a way to ensure that every student has access to all the tech tools, I will continue to protest unfair assignments

 

[Pigeon]

This matters in math, but a parent who asks can always have his kid moved up a level in middle school, and a kid can always "double up" in high school. It's really a matter of knowing to ask. .

This is simply not the case in our school district, which is extraordinarily rigid about such things. The crap they put us through to get our kid moved up a level was unbelievable, cost us a fortune and ruined the entire family's summer. It is their standard response for any family wanting to get their kid moved up a level for any class.

 

[seashoreCM]

The crap they put us through to get our kid moved up a level was unbelievable, cost us a fortune and ruined the entire family's summer. It is their standard response for any family wanting to get their kid moved up a level for any class.

You mean summer school? What did he have to take that other kids did not have to?

Adding a small amount of home schooling could help in advancing your kid to a higher track. How does he do in the state-wide standardized tests (are there any)?

 

[brat]

Most of my kids home-school, but Foster son was in public till our trip and is now homeschooling as well.We did public and I always tried to stock-up on cheap stuff at the begining of the year.My Mom is a retired teacher so I knew how much she bought for her students.


for tri-fold boards I just go to Wal-mart, applance store, grocery or music store to get boxes they are getting rid of and score/fold.

Instead of plastic animals for diaromias my kids make their own out of homemade clay.

I try to get my kids to put hand work into things rather than just buying stuff at craft store.My kids learn to type on my old typewriter.

Some of my kids like testing some do not and stress out.

Like another here my place is where friends drop off their old homeschooling stuff when they go back to public.They know I will pass it along what we do not use.Since my kids are younger than many of my friends I do not know when the kids will say the want to go to public school. Till then I will enjoy the budget savings of not having to use expensive supplies.

 

[Pigeon]

You mean summer school? What did he have to take that other kids did not have to?

Adding a small amount of home schooling could help in advancing your kid to a higher track. How does he do in the state-wide standardized tests (are there any)?

She didn't have to go to summer school, but she did have to complete a packet of about 250 worksheets per subject, do several crafts projects (of the kind we all hate ), complete about a dozen labs for science, do a research project for math, etc. in three weeks after the end of school. They did not give her a textbook, nor would they give us the name of a textbook for any subject. Then she had to go in and take a four hour long test per subject and get a 90% on it in order to qualify.

We had discussed getting her moved up to the honors class for the following year (8th grade) with the guidance dept and principal early in the school year. At no time did they ever tell us about the worksheet packets and testing until the final week of school. They didn't give her the packets until the last day of class. Because we had no idea she would need to complete a mountain of work in three weeks, we had already signed her up for a two week music camp for the first two weeks after school. That was prepaid and non-refundable, so we were out $650.

This is a kid who was in the top 90% of the state assessments in all subjects, had a straight A report card in 7th grade, and received the school award for academic achievement in 7th grade.

The principal said straight out that they do everything they can to keep kids stuck in whatever track they get stuck in and try very hard not to let them test out or otherwise move around. So, they put them through academic hazing. He was really PO'd that she completed the requirements and passed the tests.

Dh is a 9th grade teacher (in a different district where there is no question she'd be an honors student), and he knew she was totally capable of doing honors work.

The reason she wasn't in the honors classes earlier is because she didn't do particularly well for about six months in fourth grade when I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going through chemo. The kid had, understandably, a hard time with it. But they tracked her and wanted her stuck there forever.

 

[Styx Fan]

No, the blog does give a few benefits that paper and pencil can't: It's more engaging to the digital generation, and it allows multiple people to "discuss" the book at once. It also allows the teacher to -- at a glance -- see who's been most involved in the discussion, and who's just sitting back saying, "I agree". It really is a new, unique assignment for students.

Remember that the kids can use the computer at the SCHOOL LIBRARY too. If no class time is available, they can go in before school, during lunch period, or after school.

What my child blogs is not any discussion. He is given a question to answer or a statement to comment on. There is no commenting on what other students have written. They hardly even read what others have written. It is not an online thread like this. I have seen those with a college friend and this is not it. I could see more purpose if it was interactive.

At our school I am not sure how much the computers are available for before, after or lunch use. Budgets have been stripped to nothing. In the elementary there is no full time librarian available, the teachers do most of it. And what about the kids that ride buses? No before or after for them. Now, if I didn't have a computer at home I would be actively pushing for some time to use the school machines. But I am just that way.

And my sons teacher never mentioned using the school computers....I was at the parent meeting and just cringed.

 

[Styx Fan]

They don't go to the computer lab anymore or have typing classes? I remember going to the computer lab once a week for typing classes for all of 3rd and 4th grade. I really didn't get the point then because I didn't have a computer at home, but I sure wish I took it more seriously then and that was all 14 years ago. I also have a folder of my assignments from 3rd grade and my "big projects" were typed (they were one page and probably size 20 font too). In high school I actually took another typing class and really worked at it. It was one of the best classes I took in high school because it pays you back in so many ways as you continue on past high school.

Wow, I wish our schools did this typing instruction. But at this point with budget cuts our elementary kids get about 1/2 per week in the computer lab. Not going to learn to type in that time.

I also took typing in high school and agree it was one of the best classes I ever took. I learned not only the basic keyboarding, but how to set up papers, formal letters, etc.

This summer I plan on my kids working with a computer typing program.

 

[Styx Fan]

All 3rd graders take a 3 week intensive typing course. I am not sure how much sticks, but it is a good intro.

Wow! That is very cool!