NJ, Do you feel your child/children are being challenged in NJ School System?

[NJ Chutzpah]

Did any of you go to school?

Sorry not all school is boring

Elementary was a lot of fun, but it was not the classes, it was the playtime

Gym classes are fun, playing orchestra in front of a live audience was fun, but that got old quick

Industrial arts was fun in the beginning

The core classes were boring, the electives were fun because we goofed off

bottom line is class is boring

That does not mean you cannot excel in school

Again the challenge is to have enough discipline to get passed the boredom

[EEEPNJ]

Still disagree NJ Chutzpah.... I actually didn't find learning boring.

[sligogirl]

Originally Posted by hrjersey

How old is your child? You use the term courses which makes me think middle or high school. Usually in these grades classes are leveled and students placed with others at a similar level. In high school you would want to look at what AP courses are offered.

At the elementary level you can inquire about the districts Gifted and Talented program and see if your child could be considered.

As a teacher I can say that often the first couple of weeks of school are a review. Students often forget some of the basics over the summer so it is a re-hash.

Schools have the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards that dictate what skills should be mastered by each grade. Different districts have different ways to meet these standards but usually they build on previous years skills and add new ones as the current year progresses.

I agree that sometimes the delivery of the material is boring...I run a very non-traditional classroom. (for example to learn about govt (social studies) the class was divided into two teams, the democrats and the republicans - they had to choose a member of the group to run for class president - Now they are making campaign posters (writing)), so as soon as my kids have to sit and listen to new material they say they are bored. It doesn't mean they are all mastering the material.

Look at your child's grades. If he/she is mastering in certain subjects I would conference with the teacher and ask how your child can receive additional, more challenging assignments. Teachers teach to the middle of the class. The kids on the bottom often have their work modified and the kids at the top should be provided more enriched opportunities. It is called differentiating instruction. It's a lot of work for a teacher but it's our job to do it.

Thanks
I have a child in early teens, ( I know the feeling of being bored, sometimes is a wandering mind and hormones) My child has given a gift, reading at the age of two, truly unique, is in several advanced courses, has been enrolled in skating, basketball, scouts, community service and such. I feel I am doing a disservice not challenging inherent skills.
Have recently learned of the Magnet school for my County, we are going to test and await results.

[sligogirl]

Originally Posted by hrjersey

How old is your child? You use the term courses which makes me think middle or high school. Usually in these grades classes are leveled and students placed with others at a similar level. In high school you would want to look at what AP courses are offered.

At the elementary level you can inquire about the districts Gifted and Talented program and see if your child could be considered.

As a teacher I can say that often the first couple of weeks of school are a review. Students often forget some of the basics over the summer so it is a re-hash.

Schools have the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards that dictate what skills should be mastered by each grade. Different districts have different ways to meet these standards but usually they build on previous years skills and add new ones as the current year progresses.

I agree that sometimes the delivery of the material is boring...I run a very non-traditional classroom. (for example to learn about govt (social studies) the class was divided into two teams, the democrats and the republicans - they had to choose a member of the group to run for class president - Now they are making campaign posters (writing)), so as soon as my kids have to sit and listen to new material they say they are bored. It doesn't mean they are all mastering the material.

Look at your child's grades. If he/she is mastering in certain subjects I would conference with the teacher and ask how your child can receive additional, more challenging assignments. Teachers teach to the middle of the class. The kids on the bottom often have their work modified and the kids at the top should be provided more enriched opportunities. It is called differentiating instruction. It's a lot of work for a teacher but it's our job to do it.

Thanks for reply
Have recently been informed of Magnet school in my area. We must test and apply. I will also inquire as to the "differentiating instruction" as well.
Regards
Sligogirl