How is working above grade level in math handled in ES under 2.0?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I would ask the teacher how the teacher is handling the instruction to these two children. If teacher doesn't have time, can the kids get math specialist time?

I would also ask about the math specialist.

There are several kids in my DS' first grade who tested at a higher math level. They meet with the math specialist once a week for 40 minutes. It's not a lot, but it's something. And, DS enjoys it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I would ask the teacher how the teacher is handling the instruction to these two children. If teacher doesn't have time, can the kids get math specialist time?

I would also ask about the math specialist.

There are several kids in my DS' first grade who tested at a higher math level. They meet with the math specialist once a week for 40 minutes. It's not a lot, but it's something. And, DS enjoys it.

OP here. Thanks. I have never heard mention of a math specialist at our school. I will check into it.

[Anonymous]

Not all schools have math specialists..unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

While DD was in 1st grade, she was able to work thru all 3rd grade Kumon workbooks (of course with some helps from us) we order from amazon.com. She completed all 6th gr. workbooks by the end of 3rd grade.

Since Kumon workbooks only covers up to 6th grade, we started sending her to APlus learning center (we also tried Dr. Li but DD didn;t like it, too many kids.) for weekly math enrichment lessons. Main body of their faculty is MCPS teachers, number of them teaches GT/Magnet.

DD went to ES GT and currently in MS Math Magnet, took Algebra in 6th gr. I'm not saying she is smarter than other kids. It is just her interest is Math. As her parent I feel obligated to provide the next step when she is ready. Regardless the school environment/policy, I want her to have the chance to reach her full potential.

Well, Reading and Writing is totally another story....I am happy if she can keep up with grade level.

[Anonymous]

PP, but then do you find your daughter is bored at school? I have another math lover here and the math is already so easy for him. I am worried if I let him do more it will only get worse. Without doing anything he tested off the MAP-M chart for his grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While DD was in 1st grade, she was able to work thru all 3rd grade Kumon workbooks (of course with some helps from us) we order from amazon.com. She completed all 6th gr. workbooks by the end of 3rd grade.

Since Kumon workbooks only covers up to 6th grade, we started sending her to APlus learning center (we also tried Dr. Li but DD didn;t like it, too many kids.) for weekly math enrichment lessons. Main body of their faculty is MCPS teachers, number of them teaches GT/Magnet.

DD went to ES GT and currently in MS Math Magnet, took Algebra in 6th gr. I'm not saying she is smarter than other kids. It is just her interest is Math. As her parent I feel obligated to provide the next step when she is ready. Regardless the school environment/policy, I want her to have the chance to reach her full potential.

Well, Reading and Writing is totally another story....I am happy if she can keep up with grade level.

Thanks for this info!

[Anonymous]

Where are you people? In my daughter's 4th grade class, they are grouped by current level. I say "current" b/c there is flexibility to move kids up.

Here's what I think. When a new initiative comes along, it's usually embraced fully, and by that, I mean that teachers go to the extreme end during the implementation phase. I can't blame them necessarily, especially if they're relatively new, but just b/c 2.0 is about developing number sense (in math), that doesn't mean that kids can't be pushed ahead -learning number sense at higher levels.

I'm sorry if some of your children are sort of "stuck." That's the county's fault for not training properly - or for not reminding teachers that it's all about balance.

When I taught low-performing ninth graders, I had to tackle grammar (basic grammar - What does a complete sentence look like?) WHILE challenging them to think critically. One wasn't going to suffer for the other. Sadly, that wasn't the philosophy some of my other colleagues shared. So most kids were given worksheet after worksheet.

I love that they're learning number sense, which is something that I was never taught as a kid . . . and for this reason, ran from math toward English!

But it's equally important to know basic facts, too. You can't have one w/o the other. Einstein knew his facts, too!

Anonymous wrote:It's good that the teacher is giving her more challenging work than the other kids. This is not encouraged in the new MCPS math curriculum.

I would definitely encourage her, but be careful of teaching her your "old" methods. MCPS's new curriculum teaches math differently than we were taught. The idea is to make sure that the kids really get the solid number sense. My 4th grader is extremely strong at mental calculation, and I think some of that (besides his amazing memory) is because of the way of teaching. Many things are odd to us, but they do make sense to the kids.

I would ask the teacher how the teacher is handling the instruction to these two children. If teacher doesn't have time, can the kids get math specialist time?

I would not do Kumon, which is rote memorization and really doesn't teach number sense.

You might also want to consider some online math courses, if she's really self-motivated. There are courses through JHU (Hopkins) and through Stanford's EPGY program. These courses are geared specifically to kids who are far ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all schools have math specialists..unfortunately.

Math specialists are often at Title One schools where the needs are great.

same for reading specialists

At my daughter's school, we don't have either.

[Anonymous]

My child is at a school that has an advanced math teacher. That is all she teaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not all schools have math specialists..unfortunately.

Math specialists are often at Title One schools where the needs are great.

same for reading specialists

At my daughter's school, we don't have either.

We are not at a Title One school and we have one.

At our school, he is called the 'Math Content Coach'. Maybe see if your school has one? They pull the kids that are 'advanced' in math for their grade level.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. We do not have a math specialist -- I wish we did! I'm really surprised that there is so much variation in what the MCPS ES offer -- is there a way to lobby to get your school a specialist? How does MCPS decide which schools get a math specialist?