My 11-year-old will be starting middle school next year, so I’ve investigated our local curriculum. I assumed, of course, that students would be studying a foreign language, since current brain research indicates that the middle school years are another wonderful window of opportunity, similar to that between birth and age 5. But the answer is no. They get 1/8 of a semester of foreign language in 6th grade, IF they do not also do orchestra. If they opt into orchestra, the punishment is no foreign language.
I also assumed that gym class would be a daily activity, since current research shows that kids need daily exercise, partly to prevent childhood obesity but also because it helps kids to learn more in school afterwards. But, again, the answer was no…gym class is only offered in certain quarters and then only twice a week.
Since I am writing a book on childhood obesity, I have discovered that some of these asinine decisions, at least in some districts, are based on administrators wanting kids to have more time to study for standardized tests (thanks, NCLB!). Teachers, is this the reason behind limiting foreign language and PE in middle school too? Can you reply and let me know how things stand in your own districts? Thanks!
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