Honors Classes

[RareBreed]

Got a letter yesterday saying my oldest (5th grade) qualified for Math and Reading Honors classes. My son wants to do it. School office is closed today but I plan on talking to them on Monday when I turn in the permission slip. I'm just wondering the pros/cons.

Last year, my son's teacher said he was bored in class because he'd finish his work quickly and then have to wait for the others to finish. He wasn't being challenged enough and that the Honors classes would help keep him motivated. Somebody (not the teacher) told me that the first half of the year, students learn what they need for their grade level and then the second half of the year, they learn stuff that's taught the following year (6th grade). Is this correct?

I have a feeling that the desk we are planning on getting him for Christmas will be well-used. Last year, he sat at the kitchen table when he got home and did his homework in 5-10 minutes and then was out the door to play. I think he will be spending more time with homework (at least Math and Reading) this year which is a good thing.

 

[libertytyranny]

don't "let" him...make him!. Set up a culture of expectations and let him befriend other people who are achievers. And do it now before he gets it into his head that being smart isn't "cool". he can make friends now while it is still exciting.

I don't see a con. Every honors/ap/cm class I took taught basically the same things as the reg class, but in a dif way with a little bit tougher work. In english, we did always read dif books than the other classes...wrote more. Its not like the classes work far ahead of the grade level or anything, it just expects more and lets them communicate and discuss things in an environment where everyone is on the same wavelength.

 

[RareBreed]

don't "let" him...make him!. Set up a culture of expectations and let him befriend other people who are achievers. And do it now before he gets it into his head that being smart isn't "cool". he can make friends now while it is still exciting.

I don't see a con. Every honors/ap/cm class I took taught basically the same things as the reg class, but in a dif way with a little bit tougher work. In english, we did always read dif books than the other classes...wrote more. Its not like the classes work far ahead of the grade level or anything, it just expects more and lets them communicate and discuss things in an environment where everyone is on the same wavelength.

Trust me, he knows that we expect a lot out of him (and his younger brother). Maybe I didn't convey that in my post. Also, he has several friends who are just as smart, if not smarter, than him. They challenge eachother which keeps him on track. He knows that being smart is never a down-fall and if people think/say bad things to him about being smart, he just laughs at them.

I don't see any "cons" either. Putting yourself in a situation where you can thrive is never a bad thing. I have no doubt he will enjoy himself and enjoy the challenge.

 

[libertytyranny]

Trust me, he knows that we expect a lot out of him (and his younger brother). Maybe I didn't convey that in my post. Also, he has several friends who are just as smart, if not smarter, than him. They challenge eachother which keeps him on track. He knows that being smart is never a down-fall and if people think/say bad things to him about being smart, he just laughs at them.

I don't see any "cons" either. Putting yourself in a situation where you can thrive is never a bad thing. I have no doubt he will enjoy himself and enjoy the challenge.

well 5th grade its still ok to be smart..but middle school..NO MORE. Esp boys..they get told that being smart is "gay" or some other horrifying term to preteen boys. It can be very, very tough. Girls not as much, but I have seen some very smart boys try to dumb themselves down in middle/high so they look "cool." reading becomes uncool, asking/answering questions in class becomes uncool, getting good grades..I would keep him with the smart kids at any cost

enjoy this year before the HELL that is middle school. worst three years ever. EVER.

 

[RareBreed]

well 5th grade its still ok to be smart..but middle school..NO MORE. Esp boys..they get told that being smart is "gay" or some other horrifying term to preteen boys. It can be very, very tough. Girls not as much, but I have seen some very smart boys try to dumb themselves down in middle/high so they look "cool." reading becomes uncool, asking/answering questions in class becomes uncool, getting good grades..I would keep him with the smart kids at any cost

enjoy this year before the HELL that is middle school. worst three years ever. EVER.

Hopefully his self-esteem won't suffer too much in Middle school. Right now, I think it would be pretty hard to convince him that he wasn't cool. For a 10 year old, he's pretty focused on what he wants out of life and knows that slacking won't get you it. But he balances that with sports and having fun with friends. With proper guidance, he'll stay on track or else...

 

[SoMDGirl42]

Hopefully his self-esteem won't suffer too much in Middle school. Right now, I think it would be pretty hard to convince him that he wasn't cool. For a 10 year old, he's pretty focused on what he wants out of life and knows that slacking won't get you it. But he balances that with sports and having fun with friends. With proper guidance, he'll stay on track or else...

I think it's great that he has the oppurtunity to excel in 2 classes. Good on him!

One word of advise. In my opinion, please keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't begin to struggle. A friend had a child that was placed in these classes and she began to really struggle. It took a major hit on her self esteem. Where she once excelled, so became intimiated of the work and started to slide backwards afraid to try. Not saying your son will do that, just keep an eye out. In my opinion of course.

Congrats to him.

 

[RareBreed]

I think it's great that he has the oppurtunity to excel in 2 classes. Good on him!

One word of advise. In my opinion, please keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't begin to struggle. A friend had a child that was placed in these classes and she began to really struggle. It took a major hit on her self esteem. Where she once excelled, so became intimiated of the work and started to slide backwards afraid to try. Not saying your son will do that, just keep an eye out. In my opinion of course.

Congrats to him.

We will keep an eye on him. Thanks. Luckily, we seem to have managed to keep a good line of communication going. I'm sure that will change as he gets older but hopefully he'll know he can come to us. Also, he sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeve and it's pretty easy to see when he's stressed or nervous about something. He's not one of those kids that keeps everything buried until it explodes one day.

I saw on the school calendar that 5th graders takes an assessment test in Science too so hopefully in 6th grade (provided he does well this year) he can add Science to his Honor class list. :fingerscrossed:

 

[Teacher_Lady]

Depending on which county you are in, they may not have honors science or social studies in middle school. Students of all levels are mixed together in those classes. This is the case in St. Mary's.

 

[RareBreed]

Depending on which county you are in, they may not have honors science or social studies in middle school. Students of all levels are mixed together in those classes. This is the case in St. Mary's.

We're in Calvert and they do have Honors Science.

 

[suthrncom4t]

Our son was in honors classes in 5th grade at Mutual and did very well - still w/out much effort. Now going into middle school at Calvert ALL of his classes will be honors. We're proud, expecting much more effort, and God willing he'll do well & stick with it - cool or not. I've got plans for him to go to the Naval Academy!!

 

[UNA]

Wirelessly posted

Our son was in honors classes in 5th grade at Mutual and did very well - still w/out much effort. Now going into middle school at Calvert ALL of his classes will be honors. We're proud, expecting much more effort, and God willing he'll do well & stick with it - cool or not. I've got plans for him to go to the Naval Academy!!

Does HE have plans...?

 

[SoMDGirl42]

Our son was in honors classes in 5th grade at Mutual and did very well - still w/out much effort. Now going into middle school at Calvert ALL of his classes will be honors. We're proud, expecting much more effort, and God willing he'll do well & stick with it - cool or not. I've got plans for him to go to the Naval Academy!!

I'm glad he's doing well. Good on him.

Shame on you for living your dreams through him. Let him choose to do what makes him happy. YOUR plans of him attending the Naval Academy are YOUR plans. Why push him to do something because you want him to or guilt him into going? In my opinion of course.

If this is HIS dream, I hope he enjoys every moment of the Naval Academy if/when he is old enough.

 

[suthrncom4t]

RELAX for God's sake Mothers. It's our hope & wish for him to attend the Academy, so far even at his young age the interest/excitement is there, but of course only time will tell. It's after noon...maybe ya'll should start the weekend now.

 

[Katt]

encourage the higher end classes. His teachers know he can do it, now you need to expect it too. I raised 3 daughters, all were in the AP/Honors programs throughout school, and did very well. The caliber of students in those classes are much better and the teachers can really get teaching across. In the standard classes, you're lucky if the teacher gets to complete one lesson at a time! Just walk into a standard class in any middle school and you will be amazed at how loud and unproductive it is. You won't regret putting your child in the better classes. Plus if you start with the expectations of achievements early, they will continue to impress you.

 

[Bann]

We will keep an eye on him. Thanks. Luckily, we seem to have managed to keep a good line of communication going. I'm sure that will change as he gets older but hopefully he'll know he can come to us. Also, he sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeve and it's pretty easy to see when he's stressed or nervous about something. He's not one of those kids that keeps everything buried until it explodes one day.

I saw on the school calendar that 5th graders takes an assessment test in Science too so hopefully in 6th grade (provided he does well this year) he can add Science to his Honor class list. :fingerscrossed:

Sounds like he'll do well. Thing2 has been in honors classes since 4th grade. (math & english were the ones they offered, I believe) He was in all honors classes in MS and now going into 10th grade he's still in honors classes AND is taking an AP class. (only 1 is offered) He never had a problem with being in the honors classes, as many of his friends were students in those classes. They went from MS to HS together & are still in a lot of the same classes, as well as the same activities. It'll be fine, you'll see.

And HIS dream since he was in 5th grade was to join ROTC, which he did, and to go to the Naval Academy - which remains to be seen. He's working hard at it. However, he's never had a bit of trouble from other students for being in honors classes. But I was/am vigilant about what he does, with whom he does it, etc. Kids will be kids, after all.

 

[RareBreed]

Third quarter ended this week and my son is doing great in his Honors classes. He has never gotten less than a "B" on his report cards. He brought home a letter saying his teacher recommended he take all Honors classes next year in Middle School. Of course, he was excited about this (as were we!). I hope he continues to excel in these classes like he has this year. He is having no difficulties with the work and usually comes home from school with his homework already done.

 

[RareBreed]

Third quarter ended this week and my son is doing great in his Honors classes. He has never gotten less than a "B" on his report cards. He brought home a letter saying his teacher recommended he take all Honors classes next year in Middle School. Of course, he was excited about this (as were we!). I hope he continues to excel in these classes like he has this year. He is having no difficulties with the work and usually comes home from school with his homework already done.

Strange that I wrote this because I was baffled when my son's schedule came out and he wasn't enrolled in Honors Math. I figured the teacher changed her mind and maybe felt he wasn't ready for it (although he excelled in Honors Math in 5th grade and never had any issues).

My son has been in school a week now and I had already started to notice that he wasn't being challenged in regular math and he was done with homework in 5 minutes. Same as what happened in 4th grade. I guess his teacher noticed it too because I got a call from his school about 0830 asking me why he wasn't enrolled in Honors Math. I told them I had no idea and that I was surprised he wasn't because he did so well last year. The school told me that on his preliminary test that they took last week to see how much they knew already to pass 6th grade math, my son already knew 75% of the material and that he was blowing past his classmates in class on assignments and homework.

His teacher must have talked to an administrator because they decided to move him up to Honors Math. Good thing this changed happened so early on in the school year. Hopefully the new class won't mess up his schedule too much because he was so proud of himself for memorizing his schedule after only a few days. I wonder how they will grade him on what he has missed so far in the Honors class. He had already done three assignments in the other class and who knows how many he missed the first week of school for the Honors class. Oh well, they will figure it out and I'm so happy they made the switch. I think he will be too.

 

[RareBreed]

the PRO is.. even if he gets Ds in the Honors classs he will learn more than if he got As or Bs in the "regular" classes..

I pushed for my kids to be in the Academics and Honors classes if the faculty suggested it or not.. but I had to be ready for the report cards too (and normally they rose the occasion and still pulled good grades).


THink of it this way.. Is it more important to make the honor roll, and not really learn anything, or is it more important to struggle to pass, never get an honorable mention but learn 10x what the honor roll student learned?

I agree. He took Honors in 5th grade and excelled and is taking Honors again in 6th grade. I only up-dated this thread because he wasn't put into Honors Math this year and apparently the school noticed the over-sight and called me this morning to say it was changed. Now he's in Honors Math, Social Studies, Language Arts/Reading, and Science.

Hmm.. what happened to itsbob's post? It's gone. That's weird.

 

[itsbob]

I agree. He took Honors in 5th grade and excelled and is taking Honors again in 6th grade. I only up-dated this thread because he wasn't put into Honors Math this year and apparently the school noticed the over-sight and called me this morning to say it was changed. Now he's in Honors Math, Social Studies, Language Arts/Reading, and Science.

Hmm.. what happened to itsbob's post? It's gone. That's weird.

Noticed what I was replying to was over a year old.. that's all.

 

[Radiant1]

THink of it this way.. Is it more important to make the honor roll, and not really learn anything, or is it more important to struggle to pass, never get an honorable mention but learn 10x what the honor roll student learned?

I've struggled with this question, as all my children are or have been in honors classes. For one them, his GPA dropped because of it -- not because he didn't know the material but because he didn't want to do the work, i.e. lazy.

Since I don't know, I'll ask. Which looks better on university applications and resumes? The overall GPA or the fact someone took honors courses?