Math enrichment for ms

[Anonymous]

DC is in compact math now in elementary and it is their best subject. They don't struggle in it and scored at the 85th percentile for the last map test. DC has ADHD and a 504 plan. I'm wondering if it makes more sense for DC to do the regular math track in middle school versus to continue accelerating as I've heard that kids may struggle more on this path in high school and DC is a smart kid but obviously not a math wiz?

[Anonymous]

I have former 99%kid from the end of 5th grade now in 6th AIM. Previously math came easy but it is now the most challenging subject. It may be teacher and child dependent but it does get harder.

[Anonymous]

There is any combination of classes that can be taken at MS to accelerate/decelerate based on how your student is grasping the math content and feeling about the subject.

They could repeat sixth grade math on level (Math6)or accelerated (AMP6+) where they do 6th and 1/2 of 7th (similar to the compacted for ES).

They could do start with Math 7. Which would still put them a year ahead but doing math at a slower pace.

They could be ready for the more accelerated path of AMP7+ (7th+8th).

I wouldn't assume that because they have ADHD or a 504 they are incapable. Talk with your kids teacher at Fall and Spring parent teacher conferences and see how you child is liking math by the end of 5th grade. Take it year by year.

[Anonymous]

OP do you know if your MS offers AIM or AMP7+ as the advanced 6th grade option? If 7+ it is better — only covering 1.5 years of content with a high-quality curriculum. You could have your child work on Khan in the coming summer to cover the first half of 7th grade standards. 7+ covers approximately thr 2nd half of 7th and all of 8th.

AIM is in my view a bad class. It uses C2.0 and tries to cover 2 years (all of 7 and 8) in one. It does not do it particularly successfully. The Johns Hopkins audit also identified 8th grade standards it doesn’t cover.

I would continue if 7+ is offered but not if it is AIM. My kid did AIM last year and despite having a pretty good teacher and doing well in the class, it was a slog. So far, Algebra with Illustrative Mathematics is much better this year, but still not worth the pain of AKM. I wish central office would just have all schools move to 7+ and give students a packet to work on over the summer.

[Anonymous]

If they’re ready to handle the rapid pace of 7+ which leads to calculus in 11th, then go for it.

If you think they need more time to absorb concepts, then 6 or 6+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP do you know if your MS offers AIM or AMP7+ as the advanced 6th grade option? If 7+ it is better — only covering 1.5 years of content with a high-quality curriculum. You could have your child work on Khan in the coming summer to cover the first half of 7th grade standards. 7+ covers approximately thr 2nd half of 7th and all of 8th.

AIM is in my view a bad class. It uses C2.0 and tries to cover 2 years (all of 7 and 8) in one. It does not do it particularly successfully. The Johns Hopkins audit also identified 8th grade standards it doesn’t cover.

I would continue if 7+ is offered but not if it is AIM. My kid did AIM last year and despite having a pretty good teacher and doing well in the class, it was a slog. So far, Algebra with Illustrative Mathematics is much better this year, but still not worth the pain of AKM. I wish central office would just have all schools move to 7+ and give students a packet to work on over the summer.

Where is that audit report?

I don't see that mentioned in the summary
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/integrated/ExecutiveSummaryMCPS.PDF

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is in compact math now in elementary and it is their best subject. They don't struggle in it and scored at the 85th percentile for the last map test. DC has ADHD and a 504 plan. I'm wondering if it makes more sense for DC to do the regular math track in middle school versus to continue accelerating as I've heard that kids may struggle more on this path in high school and DC is a smart kid but obviously not a math wiz?

In 5th grade?
Obviously what you should do is wait to see how this year in school + external enrichment goes, and then decide based on where they are then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP do you know if your MS offers AIM or AMP7+ as the advanced 6th grade option? If 7+ it is better — only covering 1.5 years of content with a high-quality curriculum. You could have your child work on Khan in the coming summer to cover the first half of 7th grade standards. 7+ covers approximately thr 2nd half of 7th and all of 8th.

AIM is in my view a bad class. It uses C2.0 and tries to cover 2 years (all of 7 and 8) in one. It does not do it particularly successfully. The Johns Hopkins audit also identified 8th grade standards it doesn’t cover.

I would continue if 7+ is offered but not if it is AIM. My kid did AIM last year and despite having a pretty good teacher and doing well in the class, it was a slog. So far, Algebra with Illustrative Mathematics is much better this year, but still not worth the pain of AKM. I wish central office would just have all schools move to 7+ and give students a packet to work on over the summer.

85%ile is not ready for either of AIM or AMP7+ in 6th grade.