Posted on: 20-10-09 10:48:23
My son had completed GR II before coming here. He was in GEMS managed school (CBSE syllabus) in UAE. After coming here, due to his age, he was deputed in Gr II again. Since we are new immigrant and jobless, I am sending him to Public school in etobicoke. Before coming here he did his 2 years in French and abacus and he is got 4 belts in Karate. He will be completing 8 years in january end.
My question is here teaching level is quite different. Here they are more into practical and creativity whereas in UAE it is more bookish but tough.Since we don't get school books at home, everything is in school here, we don't know what is going on in school.
My question is my son already completed Gr II there and again he is Gr II, is it ok for me to relax little, since my younger one is very naughty and takes my full time and I am unable to teach my son as I used to when we were in UAE where he used to get lots of Homework etc.
Is it necessary for me to get books of Gr II and teach him at home since I completed my own education taking tuitions. My son is only interested in computers and drawings. He always gets super,wow,good etc in class. This terms are new to us. Should I send him for tuitions here?
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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Most of us send our children to public schools and there is nothing wrong with that. You might be knowing about the options for French immersion schooling.
If your son gets comments like "super" "wow" and "good" from the instructor then obviously he is doing well. What are you worried about? Also tuitions are not going to teach him how to think freely and creatively so I don't see the point in that.
If you are feeling very uncomfortable with the way things are I suggest taking an appointment to meet with his instructors. Share your concerns and then if they say everything is fine stop worrying and start enjoying this educational system.
When your financial situation improve he could also restart his Abacus (UCMAS) and Karate as these are complementary skills that will only help him in future. You might want to also consider sending him for other extra curricular activities like boy scouts.
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Immigrant Parents in Canada http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immigrantparentsincanada
Quote:
Originally posted by gopalpai
My son had completed GR II before coming here. He was in GEMS managed school (CBSE syllabus) in UAE. After coming here, due to his age, he was deputed in Gr II again. Since we are new immigrant and jobless, I am sending him to Public school in etobicoke. Before coming here he did his 2 years in French and abacus and he is got 4 belts in Karate. He will be completing 8 years in january end.
My question is here teaching level is quite different. Here they are more into practical and creativity whereas in UAE it is more bookish but tough.Since we don't get school books at home, everything is in school here, we don't know what is going on in school.
My question is my son already completed Gr II there and again he is Gr II, is it ok for me to relax little, since my younger one is very naughty and takes my full time and I am unable to teach my son as I used to when we were in UAE where he used to get lots of Homework etc.
Is it necessary for me to get books of Gr II and teach him at home since I completed my own education taking tuitions. My son is only interested in computers and drawings. He always gets super,wow,good etc in class. This terms are new to us. Should I send him for tuitions here?
Education here is age appropriate, his grade admission will depend on his year of birth. If he is born 2001, he should be Gr III, born 2002, he should be in GrII.
Public school education is not inferior to any other school. Majority of the parents of kids who attend public school are earning and prefer to send their kids to this school.
It is true that the stress here is more on creative and broad thinking instead of book knowledge. There is also a special program for gifted kids where the students are challenged academically if the instructor finds him above average. You cannot send him to gifted program directly, the instructor will monitor and report your child for gifted program. The board has special screening team who will visit your child in his class and put him through special tests to gauge his mental abilities appropriate to his age. At the end of the academic year, (if you son qualifies) you will get an option to move your child to gifted program (maybe in the same school or in another nearby school). Please note that the stress in gifted program is more academic and you will need extra efforts to cultivate his other interests. Majority of kids in gifted program are Asians (Chinese+south asians).
Every year when the school begins, parents are invited to curriculum night where they highlight what subjects will be taught and which topics will be covered in each subject for each term. They will also advice the grading patterns and the expectation from your child to meet those grades. They also give you internet link where you can find detailed curriculum and specific information for each subject. If you get time, you can study those and add it to your son's homework routine for extra practice.
There are many open houses in school in addition to report card meetings. There is also a parents council meeting (free child care provided) every 2 months which you can attend to know more. If you interact more with your son's instructor/school principal, you can find further avenues to get involved with his education and development.
Hope this helps.
Hiren
My son is also in the same position as your son (Gr III in UAE and Gr II here). My daughter can not start school here because she isn’t four yet.
Apart from the fact that he is doing Gr II again, I don't see any problem with his school and teaching methods.
He is enjoying school here. There he used to carry at least 1 - 2 kg of books and notebooks. Always loaded with homework, surprise tests and so on. These things used to make his life and my wife's life (who was guiding him at home) difficult. To put it in a nutshell, the fun element was missing.
I like the way things are done here. They are focusing more on teamwork, creativity, and fun based learning methods. They are not loading much. Not much of homework. I don't think these changes will make them less sharp.
I am of the opinion that at this age children should have more fun than homework. Educational activities should be fun (at least in part) and not a burden.
In fact some of our friends back in UAE told that the quality of education may not be good for lower grades in Canada. My opinion is the contrary.
It all depends on how you look at it.
Initially the challenges for the kids are to pick up the accent and get friends in their class. I was surprised to see how fast kids pick up the local accent. It is much easier for them than for us.
Overall I would say I am very satisfied with the schooling here.
IMO, your son doesn’t need any tuition. But ultimately the decision will be yours.
Just my two cents
Cheers
Quote:
Originally posted by hchheda
They also give you internet link where you can find detailed curriculum and specific information for each subject. If you get time, you can study those and add it to your son's homework routine for extra practice.
Here is the link to the Ministry of Education site which has the grade-wise curriculum.
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grades.html
You can also pick up free copies from any Service Ontario Office in Toronto.
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Quote:
Originally posted by sudesingh
Quote:
Originally posted by hchheda
They also give you internet link where you can find detailed curriculum and specific information for each subject. If you get time, you can study those and add it to your son's homework routine for extra practice.
Here is the link to the Ministry of Education site which has the grade-wise curriculum.
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grades.html
You can also pick up free copies from any Service Ontario Office in Toronto.
Thanks Sudershanji.
This link to be more useful for the parent :
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/
Hiren
thanks to the cd's who replied so positively.
My mind is put at rest when so many replies are positive. I shall go thro the link. I myself have been tuition teacher for almost 10 years when I was in college. Things have changed since we were schooling. I knew tables from 2 to 25 by heart by the time I was 10 years old. Now they call it as missing numbers. We knew tables by heart so, now too can do any addition, subtractions,division within no time. It is nice change to teach children with new concept as we are also learning with them.
once again thanks to hiren,fass,ash and sudesingh.appreciate your advise.
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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
