Schooling in the USA

Did any of you family guys & gals get any US school books for your kids before you went? Or did you wish you had?

If so could you let us know what you got them, or wished you'd got them.

My kids will be 7,9 & 15 (or nearly) by the time we get over there.

I thought of this while failing to "pass third grade" (see the thread on Allnurses) until about my 10th go!!

They have been fortunate enough to get a very high quality education here so far, at a massive cost to us mind you! I'm confident of their academic abilities but not that they will have enough of the sort of knowledge - particilarly in US history & geography - that they might need when we go.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received, as ever.

Hi We got my eldest who is now 10 a Maths book from a book store but he didnt really look at it. We didnt need to as he is doing fine in school and form what I hear from others who have emigrated most kids do really well so it really isnt an issue unless they are struggling with school in the UK.

My lad has been on the A/B Honor Roll list every time he has been here and missed being on the straight A Honor roll by one grade. He consistently scores 97-woo% in Maths and about 85+% in English....

So unless you really want to I woulnt bother.:wink2:

I'm really confident about their maths & English it's more the history & geography side of things.

My eldest & middle got the highest SAT scores available to them in their respective age groups (youngest not done any yet) when they took them. However, their knowledge of US history & geography is virtually zilch & I just wondered if any of your kids could have done with a boost in that direction? It's more the eldest I think may need it because he'll be in high school in the USA.

Our eldest who is nine in year five decided that he would like to read the horible history collection and he go the horrible history usa to give hm a insight to american history loved it- i think he bought a few other childrens american history books in the school fate as well. As for geography usa stlye we as a family have been trying to get our heads around that.

My Son didnt read up on anything about American History or geography and so far he has been alright - he tells me they dont do any geography in school and I believe from what I hear from others that this is true in other schools too. As for history - he is finding it fun to learn and they help him a lot too as they understand that he doesnt know anything about American history....

Our eldest who is nine in year five decided that he would like to read the horible history collection and he go the horrible history usa to give hm a insight to american history loved it- i think he bought a few other childrens american history books in the school fate as well. As for geography usa stlye we as a family have been trying to get our heads around that.

That's a great idea my middle son adores any books in the "Horrible" series period! I can help my youngest read it & I'm sure even the eldest would get a kick out of it.

Thanks xxx

My Son didnt read up on anything about American History or geography and so far he has been alright - he tells me they dont do any geography in school and I believe from what I hear from others that this is true in other schools too. As for history - he is finding it fun to learn and they help him a lot too as they understand that he doesnt know anything about American history....

No geography in FL my kids will be well happy!!! Don't think I'll tell them though!! I'm trying to get my eldest & middle to at least learn the various States in the USA!

Up here in Canada, education varies from province to province, whether your child is in public school, catholic school, or private school. Don't even get me started on charter schools.

History and Geography are usually taught under the combined title of Social Studies. You get a bit of geography thrown in with the history of which ever nation you are studying at the time.

My kids moved from the prairies (where the focus was on regional history and economics; oil, agriculture, plains indians) to BC where the focus was on Pacific Rim studies, fishing and lumber and native land claims.

You might find that different states have different focus areas.

hi! i moved to the US from Germany with my family when I was 12 and my sister 13. (younger brothers were 7 and 9) Before we moved we practiced our English, since we lived in Germany. It was tough at first, but we caught on pretty quickly. Science was the toughest at first (mainly because of the language barrier)...the English, History, Math, Geography all came quick though. After the first semester all of us were doing well and in the top of our class. All without additional history or geography studies. And considering you are coming from England, I don't think you'll need to worry...especially not for the younger children. If your oldest does have some trouble with the US History or Geography, you can always find a tutor since college kids or even High School seniors are pretty inexpensive and good ones are easy to find too. Plus, our teachers understood our need, and in the beginning especially were more than willing to give us a little extra attention.

Thanks for that information Dreamer, it's nice to hear what it was like from a childs perspective. Luckily they won't have the language bairrier so much, I take my hat off to all those who manage to deal with a new country & a new langauge!!

Got the "Horrible History USA".

I had NO idea how gruesome those books really are!!! Of course the kids LOVE it. Me - even though I'm an experienced nurse - think it's absolutely gross in Loads of places!!!

Can understand why the only bad review on Amazon.co.uk was from an American though!

Not sure they should repeat much of it in class when they get over to the USA though!! However, it's nothing if not truthful!!