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Almost the end of the school year... Why almost though? a month and a half, considering the official last day be June 27.
However, students are off the walls, teachers cannot (don't want?) to teach any more. I struggle trying to lecture my students on last two units left in Living Environment curriculum. Yes, I didn't manage to finish the curriculum, mistaken by the calendar from DOE. Well, the Regents exam is on June 20th, I should be able to finish the whole program and review, should't I?
Guess what? I have to turn the 4th marking period grades by May 25th. And what exactly am I supposed to do for another month? And since my students are scheduled to take two more quizzes before June 20th, what should I do with those grades?
And what was all the talk about EXTENDING the school year?
Well, that me, spoiled with my schooling in the Soviet Union... We studied until May 25th. The 4th marking period grades were given on May 26. The year grades were given after final exams (each year, in all subjects, starting in grade 5!) The time from May 25th to June 6 was devoted for finals - no classes. After that - summer break. Back to school-September first. 2 weeks breaks between marking periods. How were we able to cover ALL the programs and finish in time? And do it in 10 years?
What is the point to go to school when the grades are given and noone teaches anything new, and it's hot, and no a/c? I can understand my students who are rebelious these days. I have to remind them constantly, that we still have a bigger goal - Regents... And 12 instructional days left for everything, becauseour school will also hold millions of trips and project weeks before the REgents...
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6 comments:
It does seem that we have institutionalized giving up a little early every year.
When my oldest was in elementary, I was really surprised that the entire last 5 days of school were 1/2 days, on those days, kids watched movieds while their teachers packed up the rooms to get ready for whoever was switching rooms over the summer, or for a building project, etc. Rooms were always in need of packing, lots of movies were watched.
Field trips were all packed into the last 2 weeks, add on field day, and all the class parties, and pretty much nothing happens in June. We get out on June 21.
Is it any wonder the 5th graders are squirrely? They know that despite the calendar having 6 weeks of school left, they are basically done. They've been trained to check out once it's June.
I have to agree.
I realize that it's hard to get kids to focus with the great weather outside and only a few weeks left of school, but for the school itself to give up is another matter.
There are so many parties and assemblies and field trips packed into the last few weeks it hardly seems worth sending them at all.
Since 5th grade is the new 6th grade is the new 8th grade -- yeah, all those fifth graders think they are done with being little kids. They are ready to party!
The year grades were given after final exams (each year, in all subjects, starting in grade 5!)
Final exams in fifth grade! Beyond imagining.
Another factor contributing to the senioritis going around our fifth grade is that so many kids have been accepted into different magnet middle school programs in our district, so the atmosphere is quite like high school. Kids and parents alike are comparing who got into Harvard with who is wait-listed at Princeton. And everyone else is headed for State (State being the comprehensive neighborhood middle school).
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. . .
My senior, who has two weeks of school left, I think, has had four AP exams in the last week or so. In her AP Biology class, they will be dissecting a baby pig next week (or something like that).
It's really a bit of an emotional time for me, as the senior events have started and it's becoming all too real. It's hard for me to comprehend that my "baby" will be going to college next fall.
The year grades were given after final exams (each year, in all subjects, starting in grade 5!)
Well, if you had an A , your teacher could relive you from the final... And final were cumulative and oral (3 questions from any place in the year program). One final a day, two days break between. No classes, kids come only for exams.
But again - no trips, senior staff, and all that extra-enrichment or councellors, nurses calls,Pizza-paloozas. Schools - for academics only. We did plays, had crafts and choir after school, not instead.
http://www.lps.k12.co.us/schools/arapahoe/fisch/180days/180days.ppt
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