Are todays children growing up to fast? (elementary school, grade, homeschool)

[Future Trooper]

i was thinking of this the other day when my Geometry teacher was lecturing about 2 colomn proofs and some other stuff. then he started talking about the change in state standards starting with the next school year. In Indiana starting next school year 6th graders must know the basics of Geometry! it got me thinking wow a course that is usually for sophmores and up is now going to be taught at the 6th grade level. This got me thinking are todays children growing up to fast? When i was in 6th grade i barely understood Math and now they must learn Geometry.



What do you think?

[booker_one]

not at all. in earlier years (1800s) when 12 year old boys had to be the man of the house and help raise their younger siblings because their father was killed....then they had to grow up too fast. learning math at a younger age does not mean they are growing too fast. if you ask me....they are getting a lot more immature.

[w1ngzer0]

Geometry in elementary school? Great! Maybe our country can move forward, in a good way.

[AngelEyez02403]

Depends what you're talking about. On average, kids aren't sheltered from drugs, sex, etc. anymore. But when it comes to actual responsibility, most are immature.

[SuSuSushi]

Originally Posted by gdude

This got me thinking are todays children growing up to fast?

No, the children I see generally eat three meals a day. Well, unless it's Ramadan and they're Muslim.

[charz]

My daughter's first grade teacher told me that my daughter will be learning Geometry next week. When I questioned her on it, she mentioned shapes, planes, and other really basic Geometry. Students do learn things earlier than they used to. When I was in first grade, we started learning letters...now they are already reading.

[Katiana]

It seems like a lot of math instruction in middle school is a sort of wasted time. It's nothing new. The lucky ones get bumped into pre-algebra early (supposed to be an 8th grade course in my district) so they can take algebra in 8th grade.

[Jess11]

I do not feel they are growing up any faster than we are letting them. I think those with older sibilings tend to hear things at an earlier age and then will tell their counterparts at school etc. It is up to the parents to set the boundaries of what is expected and not expected of them.

I, personally, think it is awful how people want to go back to the good ol days like little house on the prairie and then complain that their kids are growing up to fast. How many hours do you think the girls and boys during those times had to play vs. work? They definately had to work alot more. Nowadays it is more realistic to have a child at 8 start to do a chore or two around the house, like sweeping the floor or unloading the dishwasher---but not to be responsible for splitting the wood and lugging it in so Pa can tend to more important matters.

[2girlsand2boys]

Originally Posted by gdude

i was thinking of this the other day when my Geometry teacher was lecturing about 2 colomn proofs and some other stuff. then he started talking about the change in state standards starting with the next school year. In Indiana starting next school year 6th graders must know the basics of Geometry! it got me thinking wow a course that is usually for sophmores and up is now going to be taught at the 6th grade level. This got me thinking are todays children growing up to fast? When i was in 6th grade i barely understood Math and now they must learn Geometry.



What do you think?

My daughter's homeschool curriculum has basic geometry and algebra and it would be for a 4/5th grader. Some of it is stuff I never saw until high school!

I think we are expecting way too much out of kids these days. I am glad that my kids have leisure of learning at their own pace and are not forced to comply with what all of the school "authorities" think they need to be learning. What happens to all of the kids that aren't quite ready to grasp these concepts yet?

[Sam82]

Yes and no. As someone mentioned. Geometry can be something as simple as pre-schools learning their shapes.

Here in second grade children are expected to know how to count money and tell time. Most of the time they just don't get it. I think that it is above their head. In my opinion, some of the basics are being skipped or glossed over. They barely teach handwritting now. They expect a 2nd grader to write a five paragraph essay when some of them can barely form all of their letters. It is sad.