Our elementary school has many classes based on whole language through third grade. This translates into no textbooks. I expected 4th grade to be more traditional, esp after the schools last state testing scores :), but some things like health are still simply taught. They do movies or games or computer presentations-which is wonderful- but there is no way for me to review the material with him at home-or for him to either.
We have made great strides this year. Adderall for ADD has been a godsend and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Weve dabbled in neuro-reading by DAvid Furr and found it helpful and encouraging(though boring)
I dont know how to get past this stumbling block. His teacher has a good rep but seems to have overextended herself this year and is VERY disorganized. We get study guides the night before the test-the last was actually the day after the test. And, no, my son is not failing to bring things home-Ive checked
Should I just let it go and be happy with the progress weve made? I know from my older boys that books will be provided for all subjects in jh
I’m not certain that not using textbooks has anything to do with whole language unless you’re telling me they use other kinds of reading material. Whole language advocates that children learn best in context - eg when reading a book rather than a textbook. Are they using books like Sarah, Plain and Tall to teach Social Studies, for example. Some schools eschew textbooks but use works of historical fiction to teach the past.
How are your son’s grades? Are they acceptable to you? Is your son happy in school this year? If you answer yes to both of those, you might let the issue ride.
Because it’s unlikely that a no textbook school will adopt textbooks at the request of a parent. It’s also unlikely that they even have a textbook that coordinates with the curriculum.
You can always hit the library and find textbooks or books that match up to what your son is studying in school and in a sense get him a textbook that way.
I would consider dropping the teacher a note though and mentioning that the last study guide came home after the test. Tell her/him you’re interested in helping your son to study for his tests and you’re wondering if she could drop you a copy of the study guide a few days before the test.