6th grade math

[Anonymous]

My son was placed in 6th grade math this year after a really tough time during virtual learning. But he says it’s too easy for him. Would they listen to me if I asked about moving up? Does 6th grade math put you on a track to be in lower math classes through high school?

[Anonymous]

I would ask to meet with the teacher to discuss.

[Anonymous]

I'd ask to move up.

[Anonymous]

If you are in 6th grade math do you get stuck behind for the duration?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in 6th grade math do you get stuck behind for the duration?

You could probably take a summer geometry class to catch up. Lots of private school kids do that.

[Anonymous]

I think the new LearnZillion math curriculum is switching back to an Algebra in 9th model vs the prior MCPS model of Akgebra in 8. So 6th, 7th, 8th math would = Algebra in 9, with options to use summer school.to accelerate. Be mindful that summer school is a year of math in 6 weeks.

I thought there was a 6+ option , followed by a 7+ option to get kids to Algebra in 8, and then for those kids who did 4/5 and 5/6 there is AIM to combine math 7 and 8 during 6th to do Algebra in 7. A high MAP-M score will go a long way in any convincing with themathe teacher and counselor about a switch.

[Anonymous]

Email the math teacher and copy the math resource teacher and counselor to explain your concerns and ask for their input and help to come up with a solution that works for your child.

[Anonymous]

Years ago, when DD was in a similar situation, what worked for me was getting very specific. Make sure you don’t use the word “bored”, which can mean different things (the work is too easy, too hard, or just not fun) to different people and may cause your argument to be dismissed, or even provoke hostility. Even when I explained that she already knew the content and wanted to learn more, the response was a vague assurance that she was in the right class. I finally asked DD to estimate how much of what was being taught she already knew, and then sent the teacher the estimated percentage of class material she already knew (it was a high percentage).

This was years ago, under the old curriculum. You could access the content maps online, and there was a lot of overlap. The MS math sequence was Math A (6th grade math), Math B (7th grade mask and also basically a repeat of Math B). For those who were accelerated, in order to delay Algebra, those completing Math B ahead of schedule took IM (I think it stood for Investigations into Mathematics(?). It was basically a rehash of Math A and B with the addition of enrichment topics (set notation, numbering systems that weren’t base 10, modular arithmetic, etc. My understanding is that the course was later altered removing most of the enrichment.). There was also a lot more acceleration. The complaint was they were trying to accelerate too many kids, and kids were getting lost. They overreacted, and did away with most acceleration. In DD’s case, she’d had Math A, so they automatically put her in Math B, even though she had already mastered the vast majority of the content. Skipping Math B and going into IM still gave her a year of review before Algebra and some new material to learn. One year of review, with some new material was helpful. One year of only review, followed by another year of review with extras would have been overkill.

I think MCPS was rolling out a new curriculum before COVID, and I don’t know anything about the new curriculum, or even if it’s been implemented yet. It could certainly affect your chances at acceleration. You might want to come up with a back-up proposal if they won’t accelerate your child, but in your discussions, push the teacher for specifics. Also, some teachers ideas of working with advanced students is to give them a larger quantity of work at the same level or to use them as a tutor for struggling students. You may want to consider enriching at home. Let us know if you want ideas.

[Anonymous]

Math 6 is the lowest math class/track available and you are better off switching to IM.

[Anonymous]

The next option above Math 6 is Accelerated Math 6+ (MAT1015). It's followed by the corresponding class in 7th and then Algebra I in 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in 6th grade math do you get stuck behind for the duration?

No. You can be put in IM 7 and then do Alg in 8th. Alg is a HS credit course.

[Anonymous]

isn't it Math 6, then IM in 7th and Algebra in 8th? That puts kids on track for Calculus in 12th. That is the typical track and nothing wrong with it. Some kids will start IM in 6th, but since MCPS requires 4 years of math in High School that means DC will need to take 2 years of Calculus or 1 year of Calculus and 1 of AP Stats in High School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:isn't it Math 6, then IM in 7th and Algebra in 8th? That puts kids on track for Calculus in 12th. That is the typical track and nothing wrong with it. Some kids will start IM in 6th, but since MCPS requires 4 years of math in High School that means DC will need to take 2 years of Calculus or 1 year of Calculus and 1 of AP Stats in High School.

That's the former pathway, but now with the new MS math curriculum, they are changing it as the PP described. AMP 6+, AMP 7+, then Algebra I, etc. on to Calc in 12th.