@@@ I need someone to check me re: school expectations

[picksthemusic]

DD was in 5th last year, and while her teacher was definitely harder on the kids than in previous years, we rarely saw her have homework, but was more focused on being organized, following through on work, and getting ready for middle school. She did come home stressed for some things (usually for the state testing), but overall it wasn't like that.

I'd absolutely contact the teacher and let them know how you feel about that rigorous of a test schedule.

[jlt19]

I remember being told “we’re just preparing you for JH/HS/college/the real world”.

And also remember not one actually prepared be for the next…

My kids 6th/8th (both MS) don’t have homework unless they don’t finish their work in class. But DD had such “stress” in 7th that she felt she needed to quit club volleyball this year. So I really don’t know what’s what at their school.

[pinkdutchtulips]

Her 5th grade was fine, grades were ok, until the pandemic .. then all the work stopped. She never engaged during distance learning or when classes resumed in-person. 

I believe that prior to the pandemic, she may have had that kind of test scheduling in order to prep them for middle school. The teacher didn't send much out to the parents and made it a point to start teaching kids to be responsible for their own academic success. It was only if there were serious concerns, that the teacher would reach out to parents. Oddly enough, I didn't get any communications from her teacher about her academics UNTIL the pandemic and she completely checked out. 

[docholly]

This is timely because my fifth grader has two tests today, one tomorrow, and one on Thursday.

We also have letter grades starting in third and it is extremely stressful.

My older son did fine, but he is a high achiever and very independent/mature for his age.

My current fifth grader has inattentive type ADHD, and he is struggling.

As a teacher myself, I back no homework in elementary, fewer tests, and standards based grading, but my district is very old-fashioned, so I don’t see anything changing.

At this age, this type of teaching doesn’t benefit either the high achievers or the struggling kids. I don’t think my older son learned more, and if anything, it is having a negative impact on my younger son.

The point should be ensuring the learning outcomes are met… not on securing grade stratification based on executive functioning and memorization skill.

While it is important for kids to learn skills in organization, this isn’t the way.