Math 2.0 and parent resources

[Anonymous]

Several thoughts - if he's in the right group for math you are only into week two - lots of adjusting going on for everyone - teacher and students included. Also the first 2 weeks are getting settled in - there are things related to back to school night, getting to know each other in the classroom etc. The material my 2nd grader is bringing home this week he covered last year and was a breeze for him but I'm guessing they are starting back easily to get kids back into the school structure after a few months off. Also what is your child normally like? Does he like challenges and is he a motivated learner? He is also coming off a summer and so being back in school is taking an adjustment. I figure until October things are still being worked out in the classroom. They have only been in school 9 days in the last 2 weeks, they have 2.5 days off coming up. By November there is a much better feel for everyone - kids, teacher's, parents etc. If I went by everything my child told me the first month of school I would think nothing will be accomplished and he's bored out of his mind without any challenges. But once they get into a good routine my DS is a much happier camper in school, I can see where he is having problems or needs additional challenges.

[Anonymous]

It is week two. I think you should at least wait until week three before deciding to sue the school.

[Anonymous]

I am back to the original question of "where can I find resources to help parents help their kids as we navigate Curriculum 2.0" I'm not talking about the information provided in the brochure, but actual practical resources to help us help them with their homework. If this curriculum is so different as math is being taught differently; I need to be able help him know what is expected of him.

[Anonymous]

Go to the Common Core State Standards website and read the math curriculum. That is directly where the math curriculum in 2.0 comes from. You will be able to see precisely what a second grader should be able to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the Common Core State Standards website and read the math curriculum. That is directly where the math curriculum in 2.0 comes from. You will be able to see precisely what a second grader should be able to do.

I went to the MCPS site and understand the material there. My question is (not to you, but to MCPS) "What is the criteria for "full understanding" a concept"? In addition, they are also using new terms (composing and decomposing) and doing away with terms I am familiar with (carrying). If I am to help my child, we need to speak the same language. That is what I am struggling with.

[Anonymous]

Have you asked the teacher? Our school gave out what it means to be "proficient" in all topic areas at the back to school night. It goes into details and what expectations are for parents, kids and teacher's. The principal of our school also talked about this in great length. Have you asked about this from your school directly? Ours has been very positive about trying to make us realize this is a new experience for everyone and we have to navigate it together. It was also implied that as we go thru this that teacher's and administrators of the school would like feedback to help them. But as other PP's have said its only week 2.

[Anonymous]

OP: I'm planning on asking about the parent resources at our back to school night next week.

We have had similar issues with differentiation. I think ALL of us with kids who need acceleration should be advocating loudly to the Board of Ed and making our case in the media. The broad move backwards to in-class differentiation is a problem for many of our children.

Mine complained heavily of boredom last year, also saying he hated math b/c it was too easy. School finally dumped the in-class grouping and he returned to loving back. Now, our grade 3-5 school is trying to be true to the curriculum. Again, the math has been too easy.

Like others, I don't want to have to go private to get my child taught the math that he needs. I do plan to apply for it, though, this year. If he doesn't get into the HGC, he needs some other options.

[Anonymous]

Any updates after back to school night? We are in an excellent school, and our child has a fantastic teacher, but I'm concerned her hands are tied. We are seeing a lot of addition and subtraction and place values as well. We have a third grader who was previously accelerated. I did not hear anything encouraging at BTS night.

Our child has so many good friends at our home school and would be devastated to move. Nonetheless, I think we are going to have to apply for HGC and perhaps private if this is the best our home school can do under 2.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geez, OP and others - you are raising such spectacular kids. They are desperate for calculus at 8 years old! And they look down on their peers who are "only" on grade level in math as "dumb" and get hysterical on day 6 when math isn't challenging enough?

I have a 3rd grader in MCPS as well, and I really really hope he is not in class with any of your kids. Fwiw he also has found the first week of school's assignments easy even though I suppose he would qualify as "dumb" according to you and your lovely children. And fwiw, our teacher told parents that she will be working with all the kids to make sure they are given accelerated math work as needed.

You sound like the principal at Beverly Farms Elem. School. It must not be you though because she doesn't have kids. Maybe you are the VP there. She is the principals ass kisser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am back to the original question of "where can I find resources to help parents help their kids as we navigate Curriculum 2.0" I'm not talking about the information provided in the brochure, but actual practical resources to help us help them with their homework. If this curriculum is so different as math is being taught differently; I need to be able help him know what is expected of him.

I'm sure the teachers are asking the same thing. Where are the textbooks that align with the new curriculum. Oh, that's right. There are none because they are still writing the curriculum.

3rd Graders in MCPS (as parents pointed out at our Back to School Night) are the guinea pigs. The first in the line to be the "test group". What doesn't work will be revamped for the grades that follows.

[Anonymous]

you parents need to chill out. No wonder all the wonderful teachers leave because of the crazy parents! Soon, you'll be left with who knows what!

[Anonymous]

??? You brought up a thread from last September from last September about parents raising their concerns over the poor curriculum and you think they need to chill out? Th only teachers we have seen leave the system are ones who are retiring. We have seen a higher number of families leave MCPS than in the past since the new curriculum started.

[Anonymous]

MCPS should worry about parents pulling out of the system under 2.0. THAT is the issue. Also, if teachers decide to leave, you can be that it is b/c of disgust at 2.0!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS should worry about parents pulling out of the system under 2.0. THAT is the issue. Also, if teachers decide to leave, you can be that it is b/c of disgust at 2.0!

What a win for MoCo- collect your super high property taxes but you then send your kid to private! More teachers and aides for others!

[Anonymous]

Really, at this point, I'm ready to call the bluff of everybody who has said, "PARENTS WILL GO PRIVATE BECAUSE OF 2.0!!!!!!!!!!!111!!1"

If you, yourself, you, personally, have a child who attended an MCPS school, and you have actually pulled your child out of MCPS, and have actually enrolled (paid-up and everything) your child in a private school, solely because of Curriculum 2.0, please start a new thread.

In fact, you know what? I'll do it for you.

(I'm guessing that the enrollment numbers next fall will not show a mass exodus.)