No, this mushy concept of “spiraling” and the ambiguity of what kids need to master before algebra is a big problem - and it’s especially a problem for kids with learning challenges like mine. It’s not in fact true that Illustrative Math 6-8 represents everything kids need to learn before pre-algebra because some kids skip 7th grade math and many more skip 8th grade math. |
Oh FFS I don't know why I'm even bothering. The spiraling is not mushy. You can see it all laid out in the curriculum materials. They review things as specified on the curriculum website. That's what spiraling is. And it is not ambiguous what they need to master for Algebra I. The content of the Math 6-8 curriculum is what they need to master. The accellerated version contains less review. Simple as that. Now, some kids are allowed into Algebra without completing 8th grade math because that's the best thing for them in the long run. It's fine. They'll catch up and the teachers can help them. It's no big deal if they're missing a few things. Happens all the time. I think you're really upset about your son and frustrated because you're not sure how to help him. Are you afraid he won't be allowed into Algebra I? |
of course I’m upset about my son - that’s the entire point. the failure to articulate a curriculum and standards makes it extremely hard to help him. and your explanation still makes zero sense. math 8 has a lot of content about geometry and data. how does this relate to preparing for algebra? I don’t think it’s that the kids who skip math 8 will be “caught up” when they are in algebra. I think the sequencing is deliberately ambiguous so they can effectively track kids and keep them in slower, lower demand classes; not because they have actually thought out what kids need to learn prior to algebra. |
I suppose not literally everything in Math 8 is preparation for Algebra I, sure. Whatever. If you're concerned he'll miss something, why not ask the teacher for the materials and go over it with him yourself? |