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Post by Arch on Sept 11, 2008 9:02:05 GMT -6
Curriculum night earlier this week was nothing short of time well spent.
Due to four kids and their age spread, this is our 7th straight year at Hill and we have 5 more to go including this and as always it good to see familiar faces in the Faculty and to meet some new ones.
Hat's Off to Principal Davenport and the entire staff for creating a great atmosphere for the kids. He had some big shoes to fill the past year and IMO he's done an incredible job and I really liked the new style to things that he brought to the table.
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 9:38:27 GMT -6
Curriculum night earlier this week was nothing short of time well spent. Due to four kids and their age spread, this is our 7th straight year at Hill and we have 5 more to go including this and as always it good to see familiar faces in the Faculty and to meet some new ones. Hat's Off to Principal Davenport and the entire staff for creating a great atmosphere for the kids. He had some big shoes to fill the past year and IMO he's done an incredible job and I really liked the new style to things that he brought to the table. I'll second that - having been involved with Hill since 1996 - Mr Raczak did a fine job, however I think Mr Davenport has raised the bar even more. I will say that in most courses my daughter is well prepared for the challenge Benet presents except in English ( especially grammar and writing) - where they are covering stuff many other feeders were prpared for, but 204 kids ( and a few other locations ) it seems were not. Having to catch up right now -- Benet's English programs are vocab and grammar heavy ( and a 29.3 ACT avg in English bears this out) - some terms and phrases she says were never covered. Focused right now on differences between gerunds and present participles and when to use each in the different styles of writing - and where in a paragraph they fit best etc. -- using possessives with gerunds and infinitives and their roles as potential direct objects. This was the section they just completed has anyone seen this drill down level of grammar covered in MS for your kids ? ( made me want to mail my English -Journ Undergrad degree back to Northwestern as I had to cram to be of any help after all these years. ) I also sure wish we had foregin language in MS- again behind in that area compared to competition. The couple of weeks each spent on 'investigating' different language languages isn't like actually taking a language. |
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Post by Arch on Sept 11, 2008 9:50:25 GMT -6
Non-PA English curriculum as a whole is lacking in many of the details, IMO... even the 'honors english'.
When these kids get to HS and enter Honors English, there is an assumption that their knowledge base is that of the PA level and there is a definite GAP that they have to swim very hard against to hold their heads above water.
This is our second time seeing it in the past 4 years at the HS level.. both older kids got A's in honors but many things (especially the TYPES of papers they have to write) were simply not covered in MS honors english but were in the PA program (we compared notes with parents and students who were in PA english).
Not a fault of the MS, but definitely an area where the districtwide program on a whole needs to compliment or tweak to fill in the gaps.
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 9:56:57 GMT -6
Non-PA English curriculum as a whole is lacking in many of the details, IMO... even the 'honors english'. When these kids get to HS and enter Honors English, there is an assumption that their knowledge base is that of the PA level and there is a definite GAP that they have to swim very hard against to hold their heads above water. This is our second time seeing it in the past 4 years at the HS level.. both older kids got A's in honors but many things (especially the TYPES of papers they have to write) were simply not covered in MS honors english but were in the PA program (we compared notes with parents and students who were in PA english). Not a fault of the MS, but definitely an area where the districtwide program on a whole needs to compliment or tweak to fill in the gaps. Also an A in honors English here - ands he never saw the stuff now being required as acquired knowledge. It absolutely is a flaw in 204's English programs - as it's one thing if it doesn't match say Benet's programs- but if it's not matching what is expected in 204's own HS English programs- that is a major disconnect. If you're not teaching it to even your honors 8th grade classes - yet expect it at WV or NV - that's a problem. I saw it in 1999 when my oldest went to WVHS and the gap still there today. I mean how many kids in PA ? Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. |
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Post by Arch on Sept 11, 2008 10:02:05 GMT -6
Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. Math is very decently covered, IMO.. neither kid is having any problems whatsoever. My 9th grader is taking Trig and Algebra 2 currently and it's like a hot knife through butter. |
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Post by twhl on Sept 11, 2008 10:13:51 GMT -6
Non-PA English curriculum as a whole is lacking in many of the details, IMO... even the 'honors english'. When these kids get to HS and enter Honors English, there is an assumption that their knowledge base is that of the PA level and there is a definite GAP that they have to swim very hard against to hold their heads above water. This is our second time seeing it in the past 4 years at the HS level.. both older kids got A's in honors but many things (especially the TYPES of papers they have to write) were simply not covered in MS honors english but were in the PA program (we compared notes with parents and students who were in PA english). Not a fault of the MS, but definitely an area where the districtwide program on a whole needs to compliment or tweak to fill in the gaps. Do you think this gap contributes to the huge disparity for the National Merit representation ?? |
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 10:27:09 GMT -6
Non-PA English curriculum as a whole is lacking in many of the details, IMO... even the 'honors english'. When these kids get to HS and enter Honors English, there is an assumption that their knowledge base is that of the PA level and there is a definite GAP that they have to swim very hard against to hold their heads above water. This is our second time seeing it in the past 4 years at the HS level.. both older kids got A's in honors but many things (especially the TYPES of papers they have to write) were simply not covered in MS honors english but were in the PA program (we compared notes with parents and students who were in PA english). Not a fault of the MS, but definitely an area where the districtwide program on a whole needs to compliment or tweak to fill in the gaps. Do you think this gap contributes to the huge disparity for the National Merit representation ?? It can't help it - but I am sure there are many factors- but I think it absolutely plays into the ACT scores. English- writing affects all courses. My daughters friends at Benet from 203 said they have seen this stuff before and are fine- as have most of the kids from Catholic Schools ( most - not all of them though) - and even the teacher at curriculum night mentioned the disparity in English - grammer/writing programs of kids coming in ( remember 60 middle schools representedin freshman class)- with the best recognized as St Mike's in Wheaton - but acknowleding that some kids are seeing this stuff for the first time. He didn't name any on those schools or programs - but I can tell you from my daughters experience she has never seen this stuff. ( and has always been in accel / honors classes) |
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 10:30:27 GMT -6
Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. Math is very decently covered, IMO.. neither kid is having any problems whatsoever. My 9th grader is taking Trig and Algebra 2 currently and it's like a hot knife through butter. agreed- but although my daughter was scheduled to take Geometry year 1 at WVHS- I am actually glad she 'only' tested into Honors Algebra @ Benet -- needs some break righ now. Had 99% on the math entrance exam - so I'd say we're covering that fine too.. |
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sardines
Soph
We can fit a few more diagonally
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Post by sardines on Sept 11, 2008 13:02:13 GMT -6
Non-PA English curriculum as a whole is lacking in many of the details, IMO... even the 'honors english'. When these kids get to HS and enter Honors English, there is an assumption that their knowledge base is that of the PA level and there is a definite GAP that they have to swim very hard against to hold their heads above water. This is our second time seeing it in the past 4 years at the HS level.. both older kids got A's in honors but many things (especially the TYPES of papers they have to write) were simply not covered in MS honors english but were in the PA program (we compared notes with parents and students who were in PA english). Not a fault of the MS, but definitely an area where the districtwide program on a whole needs to compliment or tweak to fill in the gaps. Also an A in honors English here - ands he never saw the stuff now being required as acquired knowledge. It absolutely is a flaw in 204's English programs - as it's one thing if it doesn't match say Benet's programs- but if it's not matching what is expected in 204's own HS English programs- that is a major disconnect. If you're not teaching it to even your honors 8th grade classes - yet expect it at WV or NV - that's a problem. I saw it in 1999 when my oldest went to WVHS and the gap still there today. I mean how many kids in PA ? Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. I 100% agree. Math is covered well in 204 (especially in the PA strand). English is lacking...even at the PA level.Grammar was barely touched on. There is currently a pilot study in the middle schools where they combine Reading and English (sort of back to the language arts idea?) into a two hour block to integrate the grammar and how to effectively write about assigned books, etc. I think it makes sense that the two go together. You're right, this is what they are doing in the Honor's English classes in high school and it's very "foreign" to them that Freshman year...somewhat of an eye opener and it's too late in my opinion. |
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Post by slp on Sept 11, 2008 13:12:42 GMT -6
Also an A in honors English here - ands he never saw the stuff now being required as acquired knowledge. It absolutely is a flaw in 204's English programs - as it's one thing if it doesn't match say Benet's programs- but if it's not matching what is expected in 204's own HS English programs- that is a major disconnect. If you're not teaching it to even your honors 8th grade classes - yet expect it at WV or NV - that's a problem. I saw it in 1999 when my oldest went to WVHS and the gap still there today. I mean how many kids in PA ? Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. I 100% agree. Math is covered well in 204 (especially in the PA strand). English is lacking...even at the PA level.Grammar was barely touched on. There is currently a pilot study in the middle schools where they combine Reading and English (sort of back to the language arts idea?) into a two hour block to integrate the grammar and how to effectively write about assigned books, etc. I think it makes sense that the two go together. You're right, this is what they are doing in the Honor's English classes in high school and it's very "foreign" to them that Freshman year...somewhat of an eye opener and it's too late in my opinion. I believe the MS's are currently teaching Reading and English as an 80 minute block. Next year they are going to a 100 minute block. Sardines, I realize you said two hours but may have meant two periods. |
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 13:14:56 GMT -6
Also an A in honors English here - ands he never saw the stuff now being required as acquired knowledge. It absolutely is a flaw in 204's English programs - as it's one thing if it doesn't match say Benet's programs- but if it's not matching what is expected in 204's own HS English programs- that is a major disconnect. If you're not teaching it to even your honors 8th grade classes - yet expect it at WV or NV - that's a problem. I saw it in 1999 when my oldest went to WVHS and the gap still there today. I mean how many kids in PA ? Now on the other hand Accel Math track- Algebra has well prepared her for that - coasting right now.. I 100% agree. Math is covered well in 204 (especially in the PA strand). English is lacking...even at the PA level.Grammar was barely touched on. There is currently a pilot study in the middle schools where they combine Reading and English (sort of back to the language arts idea?) into a two hour block to integrate the grammar and how to effectively write about assigned books, etc. I think it makes sense that the two go together. You're right, this is what they are doing in the Honor's English classes in high school and it's very "foreign" to them that Freshman year...somewhat of an eye opener and it's too late in my opinion. I am glad to hear others see what I have seen also- as my daughter feels like she missed a part of school- and is struggling with keeping her head above water right now - and most around her are just reviewing how does stuff like that get missed ? |
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 13:15:51 GMT -6
I 100% agree. Math is covered well in 204 (especially in the PA strand). English is lacking...even at the PA level.Grammar was barely touched on. There is currently a pilot study in the middle schools where they combine Reading and English (sort of back to the language arts idea?) into a two hour block to integrate the grammar and how to effectively write about assigned books, etc. I think it makes sense that the two go together. You're right, this is what they are doing in the Honor's English classes in high school and it's very "foreign" to them that Freshman year...somewhat of an eye opener and it's too late in my opinion. I believe the MS's are currently teaching Reading and English as an 80 minute block. Next year they are going to a 100 minute block. Sardines, I realize you said two hours but may have meant two periods. they need to change the 'content' more time will not resolve anything if it's just more of the same |
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Post by Arch on Sept 11, 2008 13:18:56 GMT -6
I am glad to hear others see what I have seen also- as my daughter feels like she missed a part of school- and is struggling with keeping her head above water right now - and most around her are just reviewing how does stuff like that get missed ? Dunno how.. We brought it up to the Freshman Honors English faculty on a continual basis back in 2005/2006 with a very explicit list of discrepancies as the course unfolded. "Well, they covered this in PA" was the most common response and when informed that he was in Honors and not PA, "Then maybe he's in the wrong class now".  More to the point, Maybe there's a gap that needs addressing (which we pointed out) or maybe the MS teachers need to not be so quick to recommend kids for Honors who were not in PA because of this gap. |
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sardines
Soph
We can fit a few more diagonally
Posts: 73
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Post by sardines on Sept 11, 2008 13:25:11 GMT -6
I believe the MS's are currently teaching Reading and English as an 80 minute block. Next year they are going to a 100 minute block. Sardines, I realize you said two hours but may have meant two periods. they need to change the 'content' more time will not resolve anything if it's just more of the same Thank you SLP, you are correct. I meant two class periods. I do see the writing being much more emphasized and examined in this block which is good, but the grammar and diagramming sentences,etc. are barely touched on from what I can tell from the "syllabus". We'll see. |
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Post by doctorwho on Sept 11, 2008 13:35:29 GMT -6
I am glad to hear others see what I have seen also- as my daughter feels like she missed a part of school- and is struggling with keeping her head above water right now - and most around her are just reviewing how does stuff like that get missed ? Dunno how.. We brought it up to the Freshman Honors English faculty on a continual basis back in 2005/2006 with a very explicit list of discrepancies as the course unfolded. "Well, they covered this in PA" was the most common response and when informed that he was in Honors and not PA, "Then maybe he's in the wrong class now". More to the point, Maybe there's a gap that needs addressing (which we pointed out) or maybe the MS teachers need to not be so quick to recommend kids for Honors who were not in PA because of this gap. I agree - my daughter was to be in honors english at wvhs and was not in PA English in MS- so she would be in the same boat there as she is at Benet now. Up the creek without the proverbial paddle |
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