Back to School

Back to school time has arrived. I have no babies in elementary school anymore.  Everyone is in middle school and high school. What a fun, awkward, crazy stage of life that is.  My oldest, Kaylee is going to take her driving license test this week, pray for me!   The other daughters are finding out what they are interested in.  The middle still loves sports: volleyball & basketball.  Paige has decided to give up track this year, even though she given a medal in that sport last year, she just does not enjoy the Oklahoma weather.  My youngest daughter Grace has decided to join the Student Council this year, and is enjoying the freedom that comes with Middle School (they get to enjoy wearing flip flops since they do not have recess anymore.)

  I worry a little bit about Grace's adjustment to middle school since her grade in Elementary School has been graded by the Common Core grade standards of 1-4.  This will be her first experience of actually receiving grades A-F. I hope she finds this scoring a challenge and not frustrating, as well as I look forward to seeing paperwork graded in a manner that I not only understand, but rewards good work.  (The common core grading system never gave a 4, even if your student scored 100%, and a 2 was anything from a mid "b" to a mid "d"- which is a vast difference in my book!)

Oklahoma state has repelled the common core standards, however since most schools had already purchased the curriculum and had trained the teachers on this method.  I am unsure how the schools in our state will proceed. Will they teach it, but call it something else? Will they use a combination of curriculum? Will teachers start to give spelling test again in the elementary school? Will handwriting every bet taught again,besides print?  It will be interesting to watch and see.  Has your state kept the common core, and if so do you like it as a parent or educator?  I am fascinated and always interested in hearing and learning about others experience with the different education models and curriculum available.