The Summer Taylored Curriculum of 2011 and 2012

To date, the Taylored Curriculum has been a very supplemental to the children's school.  During breaks and vacations Taylored Curriculum would pick up the slack and the Parental Unit would create specific, planned learning opportunities for the children.


The largest chunk of time was always summer.  After reading what Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers, had to say about the achievement disparities between children who had more (structured) summer learning opportunities vs. those who had "summer breaks"...I REALLY kicked up Taylored Curriculum in the summer of 2011.

Studies show that children from wealthy families keep learning over their summer breaks while children from poorer families often backslide.  The difference lies both in wealth—wealthier parents can invest more time and money in their children—and in parenting styles—wealthier parents generally believe it is their duty to invest in their children’s education and future.

More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college (Alexander et al, 2007).

It was this year that we decided that the older two children (who *actually* had a summer "break") would engage in a performing art, a sport/activity, and we'd travel and learn about historic places on road trips.  We made special effort to engage in cultural events, and interact with other professionals that were willing to expose the children to different areas of life.

The Curriculum included:
Yoga classes
Photography and photo editing
Typing
Equestrianism  
Basketball & Volleyball camps
Road-trip to Washington DC to meet members of Congress

The children were introduced to both the piano and the violin. Ian also spent time at the Natatorium swimming.   We got a telescope and spent time star-gazing (and saw Saturn!).  Ian had art classes, and of course there was plenty of family time to bond and grow.

Likewise, for the following summer, we spent many hours in the Spring planning the Curriculum which included specializing Haley in piano, volleyball, basketball select team, and continuing the other structured programs, special camps (such as Zoo Camp for Ian).  We took a trip to Houston, New Orleans, and we did lots of reading and introductions into the next year academic curriculum.  Hana started gymnastics, and Ian continued swimming and equestrianism.   

Public. Private. Charter. Other.

Now is the time to plan for the next academic year.  The Fort Worth Child Magazine January Issue makes that crystal clear in case there's anyone new to this crazy process of choosing academic institutions for young children!!

And even tips and 'how-tos' for choosing summer camps (and curricula) are making an appearance.

This 'Private School Preview' event has happened already...and according the FW Child Magazine, many of the open houses for the "premier" private schools has already passed.  .

Many of these private schools have applications, mandatory facility tours, interviews, and fees associated with the application process.  Thee process begins now.  And ends with an acceptance, typically in about March.  Public school kindergarten round up is in March.  Charter Academy has their lottery March 1st, and the accepted students will find out their status sometime between March and Summer.  

Therefore, if you start thinking about 2013-2014 academic school year NOW....you're right with the pack.  While I enjoy being ahead of the curve, sometimes patience reveals opportunities and information necessary to make the BEST decision.

I've signed the children up for the lottery at the Charter Academy already, which is currently our first choice (I think).  We considered looking for a place to buy or rent within the catchment area of that institution...

...but with limited resources, doing so would cause us to make some difficult budget choices.  And we really enjoy allowing Haley the opportunity to play the piano, and Hana gymnastics.  Also, I've started the process of investigating a physical extracurricular for Ian as well.

So I'm not sure if moving to a MORE expensive area (up the street, mind you) is more beneficial than having those resources accommodate a *better* Taylored Curriculum.


I've gone through the FW Child Magazine and made notes of the local private schools that might work.  While there are no local private schools on par with St. Mark's, Hockaday, or Avenues...I believe that some of the more inexpensive (and more accessible) options may actually be a better choice for our family considering our location, financial resources plus financial obligations - such as The Oakridge School.

After spending a significant amount of time talking with other local Jack and Jill Moms I realize that the most common sentiment is:  while the school is (insert positive adjective here), I just feel like they aren't really learning enough.  And that state STAAR test prohibits learning.*  Of course parents of children that drive the 40+ miles to Hockaday or St. Mark's have less complaints about *the school* than other parents.  But...the tremendous inconvenience and significant price-tag cannot be ignored.

*On a post for another day, I'll share the story of the process we endured to opt Haley out of sitting for that pointless test in 4th grade.  Suffice it to say, we are NOT huge fans of standardized testing (even though we've always done very well on standardized testing).  Nor are we fans of the critical points in the academic curriculum in math and social studies....and language arts....

So what I'm looking for in a school is a de-emphasis on the test.  A focus on teaching the classical method of math (not this "new" Everyday Math/Lattice crap).  And opportunities to discuss the nuances of social studies.

So the search begins....