Do Holton, NCS, Maret, Sidwell, Potomac, etc. offer pre-algebra in 6th grade?

[Anonymous]

You're more than welcome. I'm glad that the super accelerated math kids that you know are so wildly successful. I'm sure that also includes their ability to actually speak with other kids their age and not be total outcasts. It isn't just about hyper speed in 'learning' math. Kids can be accelerated, while at the same time, oh, i don't know, actually learning how to communicate with other children instead of churn out math answers. Imagine, knowing math, and being socially aware, creative, able to creatively construct a paper, have friends, smile. Yeah, fact of the matter is that no matter what public school you are in, you are still bound by the standardized tests, and you will be taught to a test, you won't have anywhere near the resources, no matter how much you try to talk yourself into thinking that accelerating children into hyper drive math 'achievement' is what should be done, it isn't. I'm wondering how many of your 40 percent of students in Finalist stages of national merit scholarships can have a conversation about anything other than their parents forcing them into advanced placement classes.

I agree entirely. These graduates, as you write, from TJ and public magnets, "accelerated in math at an early age, can't speak, are outcasts, can't communicate with others, are not socially aware, or can creatively construct a paper or smile. They are beholdened to standardized tests and are taught to the test". No amount of drive or education will ever yield these kids the resources you have. I am glad our private schools do not use or teach to standardized tests and all our graduates are socially aware, can speak and communicate with others, are socially aware and do not use or prepare for any standardized tests. We should be proud our kids do not avail themselves to test prep services or classes offered by our esteemed private schools. No matter how little our kids study or how small their drive we get all the resources. That is the Lord's wish after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You're more than welcome. I'm glad that the super accelerated math kids that you know are so wildly successful. I'm sure that also includes their ability to actually speak with other kids their age and not be total outcasts. It isn't just about hyper speed in 'learning' math. Kids can be accelerated, while at the same time, oh, i don't know, actually learning how to communicate with other children instead of churn out math answers. Imagine, knowing math, and being socially aware, creative, able to creatively construct a paper, have friends, smile. Yeah, fact of the matter is that no matter what public school you are in, you are still bound by the standardized tests, and you will be taught to a test, you won't have anywhere near the resources, no matter how much you try to talk yourself into thinking that accelerating children into hyper drive math 'achievement' is what should be done, it isn't. I'm wondering how many of your 40 percent of students in Finalist stages of national merit scholarships can have a conversation about anything other than their parents forcing them into advanced placement classes.

I agree entirely. These graduates, as you write, from TJ and public magnets, "accelerated in math at an early age, can't speak, are outcasts, can't communicate with others, are not socially aware, or can creatively construct a paper or smile. They are beholdened to standardized tests and are taught to the test". No amount of drive or education will ever yield these kids the resources you have. I am glad our private schools do not use or teach to standardized tests and all our graduates are socially aware, can speak and communicate with others, are socially aware and do not use or prepare for any standardized tests. We should be proud our kids do not avail themselves to test prep services or classes offered by our esteemed private schools. No matter how little our kids study or how small their drive we get all the resources. That is the Lord's wish after all.

amen! lord baby jesus in the manger was also an accelerated math student from what i understand, and just look at how he helped the world. perhaps the second coming of jeebus is a freshman at TJ. one can only hope.

[Anonymous]

He was. I didn't know that. Again, thanks for the information. Your wisdom and insights are appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was. I didn't know that. Again, thanks for the information. Your wisdom and insights are appreciated.

my pleasure. the public school psycho accelerated parents told me so, as well as the bible. lords will and all. you know. math is the only thing that counts. math counts!

[Anonymous]

Do you think it was a public school parent inquiring whether our schools would dare offer pre-algebra in 6th grade? Blasphemy don't ya think?

[Anonymous]

my pleasure. the public school psycho accelerated parents told me so, as well as the bible. lords will and all. you know. math is the only thing that counts. math counts!

...do you really mean sports counts?

[Anonymous]

Do you think it was a public school parent inquiring whether our schools would dare offer pre-algebra in 6th grade? Blasphemy don't ya think?

Got yourself boxed in as usual. Pleasant dreams.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else so confused by the sarcasm here that they can't follow what these jokesters are saying? Has this just become another private school vs. public school thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else so confused by the sarcasm here that they can't follow what these jokesters are saying? Has this just become another private school vs. public school thread?

I'm with you, although I have no idea where.

[Anonymous]

Back to the original question:

I don't think the Math labels are as cut and dry as they used to be. Students are learning Algebraic concepts and problem solving skills in elementary school in an age appropriate way. This is a great way to introduce them to these concepts instead of jumping from number based calculation drills to factoring.
So yes, algebraic concepts are being taught in 6th grade at may of the independent schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the original question:

I don't think the Math labels are as cut and dry as they used to be. Students are learning Algebraic concepts and problem solving skills in elementary school in an age appropriate way. This is a great way to introduce them to these concepts instead of jumping from number based calculation drills to factoring.
So yes, algebraic concepts are being taught in 6th grade at may of the independent schools.

This. I totally agree with this. Some of the independents schools tailor their curriculum to the students they have in each grade, so it may be different each year, depending on the skill levels of the kids in the class.

[Anonymous]

OP. Thank you to the last couple of posters that answered my question. I asked it because I can't figure out how grade 4/5 math is handled at a couple of schools we visited. At one big-3, it seemed like all the kids did exactly the same math, and ine one class we visited, the material was less advanced than what our d had recently covered in her DCPS ES. We were very surprised and puzzled, but didn't feel comfortable asking when they started breaking out by ability.

[Anonymous]

Often times, what you see as work sheets in a private school have foundational material around it. In other words, it isn't just the work sheets they are learning to master, but a deeper understanding of theory (to the extent a 3rd or 4th grader can handle it).

What this means is when they do get to Algebra and Geometry, they can master that more easily because of the work they have done in previous years.

Any correlation between how I learned math and what the kids are getting today is minimal. They are doing things at a much younger age and with high proficiency.

It is more than just spitting out right answers.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, right.

[Anonymous]

One of the decision factors for leaving public school was the public school's math education. Although there is always a small percentage of children who are truly advanced, the average smart kid is not mentally ready for pre-algebra before 7th grade. The majority of students who take Calculus in our local public schools take it again in college due to the lack of basics. I teach high school calculus in public school (have a child in private) and can't get over how many students can not work with fractions at that level. I placed my child in private school so she would have a solid math background. She took pre-algebra in 7th grade and excelled. She can add/subtract fractions in her head and she is not considered "gifted". She is a bright girl who was not forced to move ahead when she wasn't mentally mature enough to handle the information.