Curriculum 2.0 Math and 4th and 5th graders

[Anonymous]

An elementary student with mastery of all operations in fractions should not have to sit in a clasroom with 30 others, half of whom can't yet multiply and divide whole numbers, repeating concepts already mastered year in and year out. Any school superintendent, principal or teacher condoning this intellectually unconscionable situation is incompetent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I haven't found the math track beyond 5th grade on the MCPS website, so I don't know what will happen with algebra.

But saying I would be frustrated at my child repeating the same math for the next 2 years is not "communicating to [my] children that they should be bored and uninspired and see school as a waste of time." Where'd that come from?? My child doesn't even know what's coming next year.

If you heard that your first grader had to repeat 1st grade reading for the next 2 years, with a few new lessons thrown in, you might be frustrated too, even if you felt the curriculum might be better for the next generation of students (e.g., rising Kers), who wouldn't have to repeat anything.

I didn't mean to put words into your mouth; I had just seen a poster say "I can imagine how boring/uninspiring it must be" and was hoping that she was not saying to her child at any point, "honey, I know how boring/uninspiring this must be for you."

I am the one with the first grader again, and I definitely get people's point that I may think differently in a few years. But really, if I heard that my first grader would have to repeat first grade reading, I don't know that I would be as upset as some on here. Reading (and math) is just one period in the day, and we read and do math at home too, and it's not like reading a book he has read before will somehow suck the ability to read out of him. If your student is saying they are doing something they already know how to do and therefore they hate it, that might not be quite the right attitude.

[Anonymous]

I would be concerned if my son went into second grade, and was required to go back to his kindergarten reading books too. Sure, it wouldn't suck reading ability out of him, but it might make him bored and unchallenged. I think those who have already been accelerated two levels should not be forced to repeat what they have learned--you can't reduce this question to an attitude problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I haven't found the math track beyond 5th grade on the MCPS website, so I don't know what will happen with algebra.

But saying I would be frustrated at my child repeating the same math for the next 2 years is not "communicating to [my] children that they should be bored and uninspired and see school as a waste of time." Where'd that come from?? My child doesn't even know what's coming next year.

If you heard that your first grader had to repeat 1st grade reading for the next 2 years, with a few new lessons thrown in, you might be frustrated too, even if you felt the curriculum might be better for the next generation of students (e.g., rising Kers), who wouldn't have to repeat anything.

I didn't mean to put words into your mouth; I had just seen a poster say "I can imagine how boring/uninspiring it must be" and was hoping that she was not saying to her child at any point, "honey, I know how boring/uninspiring this must be for you."

I am the one with the first grader again, and I definitely get people's point that I may think differently in a few years. But really, if I heard that my first grader would have to repeat first grade reading, I don't know that I would be as upset as some on here. Reading (and math) is just one period in the day, and we read and do math at home too, and it's not like reading a book he has read before will somehow suck the ability to read out of him. If your student is saying they are doing something they already know how to do and therefore they hate it, that might not be quite the right attitude.

I think you need to give the parents posting on here a bit of credit. You can't assume that people are expressing their frustrations about this to their children. And, a PP said earlier, this isn't just an attitude problem, it is a curriculum problem for our kids.
I'm glad for you that your child isn't in a position to have to re-do work again, but frankly, you don't seem to understand the very reasonable concerns of parents whose kids are in that position.

To use your reading example: 2.0 isn't analogous to re-reading an interesting book a second time. Obviously, that's not going to harm anyone. But imagine if your 1st grader suddenly, in 1st grade, lost his access to real books and only had access to picture books showcasing only the letters of the alphabet (no words at all). On top of that, when you talk to the school and tell them that your kid has been reading quite a bit and is ready for real books, they tell you that this is the new way of teaching reading. They say something like "studies have shown that kids really need to be "solid" in the alphabet in order to be good readers later in life." In addition, they tell you that your good reader will have to re-read these alphabet picture books all year long just because under 2.0, MCPS has decided that this is where all 1st graders should be. Imagine that type of scenario and tell me honestly that you would not be concerned about your child being bored and uninspired in school.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if the HGCs will be exempt from the 2.0 rollout to 4th and 5th grade next year? I currently have a 4th grader @ a HGC, and from what I'm told, they currently follow the same pathways as home schools - e.g., DC is currently in 5th grade math with 6th grade extensions (there is also a higher level group at the HGC that is for kids who need 6th grade math).

Teacher at Back to School night said that it was unclear how and if 2.0 would impact these students next year in 5th grade.

Did anyone hear any different from your school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think you need to give the parents posting on here a bit of credit. You can't assume that people are expressing their frustrations about this to their children. And, a PP said earlier, this isn't just an attitude problem, it is a curriculum problem for our kids.
I'm glad for you that your child isn't in a position to have to re-do work again, but frankly, you don't seem to understand the very reasonable concerns of parents whose kids are in that position.

To use your reading example: 2.0 isn't analogous to re-reading an interesting book a second time. Obviously, that's not going to harm anyone. But imagine if your 1st grader suddenly, in 1st grade, lost his access to real books and only had access to picture books showcasing only the letters of the alphabet (no words at all). On top of that, when you talk to the school and tell them that your kid has been reading quite a bit and is ready for real books, they tell you that this is the new way of teaching reading. They say something like "studies have shown that kids really need to be "solid" in the alphabet in order to be good readers later in life." In addition, they tell you that your good reader will have to re-read these alphabet picture books all year long just because under 2.0, MCPS has decided that this is where all 1st graders should be. Imagine that type of scenario and tell me honestly that you would not be concerned about your child being bored and uninspired in school.

I'm the one you were responding to and you have given me a way of putting myself in their shoes, I think. The perspective I bring to this is as someone who was accelerated quite a bit as a child, tested well, and was apparently thriving, but had very little understanding of the work I was doing, so I am sympathetic to that view.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to be such a newb, but why was 2.0 made in the first place? Were they finding that accelerated kids were not doing well further up the chain ie hs and college?

I can see why some children and their parents might be frustrated. I guess they really couldn't figure out any other way, but to have them repeat. It has to happen at some point I guess, but the teachers should make more of an effort to present new worksheets at least and give some side extensions to the advanced kids to keep them excited about math.

[Anonymous]

I'm the one you were responding to and you have given me a way of putting myself in their shoes, I think. The perspective I bring to this is as someone who was accelerated quite a bit as a child, tested well, and was apparently thriving, but had very little understanding of the work I was doing, so I am sympathetic to that view.

Sounds like you were a victim of a system of grade inflation and teachers who did not know what they were doing when you were accelerated. Some systems know how to grade and judge subject mastery. In the latter instance, acceleration is recommended appropriately and works wonders.

[Anonymous]

Will this affect current 5th graders who are doing accelerated work? Will they find fewer opportunities for taking advanced classes in middle school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will this affect current 5th graders who are doing accelerated work? Will they find fewer opportunities for taking advanced classes in middle school?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I haven't found the math track beyond 5th grade on the MCPS website, so I don't know what will happen with algebra.

But saying I would be frustrated at my child repeating the same math for the next 2 years is not "communicating to [my] children that they should be bored and uninspired and see school as a waste of time." Where'd that come from?? My child doesn't even know what's coming next year.

If you heard that your first grader had to repeat 1st grade reading for the next 2 years, with a few new lessons thrown in, you might be frustrated too, even if you felt the curriculum might be better for the next generation of students (e.g., rising Kers), who wouldn't have to repeat anything.

I didn't mean to put words into your mouth; I had just seen a poster say "I can imagine how boring/uninspiring it must be" and was hoping that she was not saying to her child at any point, "honey, I know how boring/uninspiring this must be for you."

I am the one with the first grader again, and I definitely get people's point that I may think differently in a few years. But really, if I heard that my first grader would have to repeat first grade reading, I don't know that I would be as upset as some on here. Reading (and math) is just one period in the day, and we read and do math at home too, and it's not like reading a book he has read before will somehow suck the ability to read out of him. If your student is saying they are doing something they already know how to do and therefore they hate it, that might not be quite the right attitude.

You will not be thinking differently to reflect how these parents are feeling as you will not have to transition from one curriculum to another. All your child will know is 2.0 so there will be no repeating of concepts. Its a matter of unluckiest I'm sad to say that these children are at the grade where the transition occurs and their frustration is understandable, but you probably will never experience things the way they have.

[Anonymous]

And MCPS management wonks has never heard of the concept of the 'grandfather clause" when dealing with transitions of this magnitude to avoid the current disaster they are in. So many children caught in the abyss will suffer.

DISASTER!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to be such a newb, but why was 2.0 made in the first place? Were they finding that accelerated kids were not doing well further up the chain ie hs and college?

I can see why some children and their parents might be frustrated. I guess they really couldn't figure out any other way, but to have them repeat. It has to happen at some point I guess, but the teachers should make more of an effort to present new worksheets at least and give some side extensions to the advanced kids to keep them excited about math.

2.0 is a new curriculum developed by MCPS to implement and meet the new standards under the Common Core Standards that were adopted by the state of Maryland and 47 other states. The standards for each grade changed, therefore, what is being taught in each grade must change. So, MCPS developed its own curriculum rather than buying one "off the shelf." MCPS plans to sell the curriculum to other schools systems.

[Anonymous]

What will happen if there are no or few takers for the MCPS new curriculum 2.0 system?

Does MCPS have a contingency plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And MCPS management wonks has never heard of the concept of the 'grandfather clause" when dealing with transitions of this magnitude to avoid the current disaster they are in. So many children caught in the abyss will suffer.

DISASTER!

This too shall pass. They will all reach college one day and this will be forgotten.