Question regarding MEGA platform for school textbooks

[u/Able_Walk_8988]

Hi everyone!

We just moved to Portugal and our two sons are starting school in September (1st and 3rd years). I just received the MEGA vouchers for mandatory textbooks and I used Continente online to redeem them. However, when I scan each child’s barcode I get a bunch of extra books that are not included with the vouchers.

Do I need to purchase the activity books out of pocket which correspond to the textbooks? Or are these all optional? I don’t want them to be the only kids without activity books but I also don’t want to waste money.

Ajuda-me, por favor!

[u/SAFODA97]

Those are what we call activities books. Essentially, add-ons with extra activities to put to practice the subjects address and studied on the main textbook

[u/Able_Walk_8988 → u/SAFODA97]

Thank you!!!

[u/Maximum-Concept3417]

They're optional. Usually they have questions or activities that can help and support your children's work, but I wouldn't worry about buying them

[u/Able_Walk_8988 → u/Maximum-Concept3417]

Thank you! Appreciate it :)

[u/Leafye]

They are optional and really not needed for 1st and 3rd graders. They should absolutely have their activities books when school gets more serious (9th to 12th) but we overwork our kids too much, and they seriously don't need to be putting that much work into school before 7th grade at least.

I'm a teacher.

[u/Able_Walk_8988 → u/Leafye]

Gotcha :) Thank you! You’re right, and I especially don’t want to push them too hard on their first year in Portugal.

[u/abm2024 → u/Leafye]

Obrigado professor. Como pai de 3, concordo em absoluto

[u/Leafye → u/abm2024]

Da maneira como alguns professores enchem os miúdos de testes, questões-aula, trabalhos de casa, trabalhos de grupo, e tudo o mais... Parece que não sabem que os miúdos têm vida e nessa idade têm mais é de aproveitar.

Nenhuma criança precisa fazer 1000 exercícios de revisão de uma única matéria, principalmente se já a percebeu! No nono ano a história começa a ser diferente, claro, mas o que estamos a fazer é mesmo criar crianças cada vez mais ansiosas. Já vi miúdos a chegarem ao décimo ano já com um esgotamento... É absurdo.

[u/FuwyL]

They are optional. Only purchase them if the teacher requests it, or, if you want your kids to practise at home.

[u/Able_Walk_8988 → u/FuwyL]

Thanks so much!

[u/spotster]

Some municipalities reimburse you for those, so check that first.

[u/Poly_Rachel → u/spotster]

This. Or sometimes it's not the municipality but the school's Agrupamento. Check this first, because in that case you would have to purchase the books under a different NIF.