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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Tell me about Math and 1st grade and differentiation. How does it work?
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Anonymous
| Ok, so my Kindergarten kid (as all kids are in MOCO) is above average in Math - meaning that we got the assessment back for 2nd unit and he has completely mastered both on grade level and above grade level (1st grade) concepts. We knew that going in this would be the case, but we decided to let it ride for the year because it's K, it's an adjustment, and frankly, he needed to learn how to read. He's done all that now. What happens going into first grade? Can they give him more challenging work next year? Will they give him more challenging work as a matter of course, or do we need to petition/ask or whatever to have him do 3rd grade math (I believe he's capable, and he would thrive with the challenge - he's been bored this year, especially in Math). |
Anonymous
| Things change in 3rd grade where they seperate the kids for math |
Anonymous
| At our ES, they tested all the kids again during the first weeks of school in 1st grade and then separated them into math classes by ability level based on the testing, previous year grades, and teacher recommendations. One teacher taught 2nd grade math with 3rd grade extensions, two teachers taught 1st grade math with 2nd grade extensions, and the 4th teacher taught strictly 1st grade math. The kids would have one teacher for Language Arts, and then switch to their math teacher in the afternoon. At our school they weren't accelerating 2 grade levels ahead in math .... they would only go up one grade with extensions. I have heard that other schools may have 2 or more grade acceleration. If that's what you need and the school doesn't typically do that, you would have to advocate for it. |
Anonymous
| My child took 2nd grade math in 1 st grade and 4th grade math in 2nd grade. |
Anonymous
| My understanding was that the schools felt there was too much math acceleration and that it led to kids not retaining the basics of math by the time they reached middle school. Not sure if this is accurate, but it may play into decisions for next year. |
Anonymous
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You definitely need to ask your school how they are handling the math acceleration. The new integrated curriculum doesn't account for separating math out into its own block and allowing for kids to separate into the different grade levels of math. Your child will be forced into that curriculum next year.
This year, my 1st grader is in an accelerated class, meaning he's getting taught 2nd grade and a little 3rd grade math. Our school's principal has talked to us about how the school is looking to sort through how to implement the new curriculum and still accelerate the kids who do, in fact, need it. I don't think all schools will deal with this issue well. |
Anonymous
| I thought the new curriculum provided more depth rather than acceleration. Like PP, I am skeptical about implementation. On some post I read about children repeating math while changes were made to the curriculum. Hope that isn't wide spread. |
Anonymous
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I find it sort of a pity that they cant do more differentiation in math in K. Mine came in to K from Montessori doing 4 digit addition, subtraction and some multiplication/division. Just now are they finally getting to simple addition. Our school also does the first grade challenge thing, which I'm guessing most of the kids in the class can do as well.
I hear first grade is a little better in this respect but I guess we'll see when we get there. I trying not to stress, we are talking about a 6 year old, we don't need him doing calculus or anything yet 
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Anonymous
OP Here - I hear what you're saying, and really I don't need him to do calculus. But he really LOVES math, and he's expressed disappointment off and on throughout the year that they don't do it in K. I would hate for his love to disappear for lack of nurture. And, frankly, beyond brainquest/worksheet type things, (about which I am dubious as to their possible utility anyway) I have NO IDEA how to nurture math at home (reading, science, social studies yes - math, not so much). I guess I'll just have to wait and see. At what point, parents, does it not make sense to take the wait and see attitude? |
Anonymous
| Perhaps his teacher can recommend some supplemental activities or provide challenge worksheets to kids that are able to complete their work easily. There is all sorts of stuff on line. i think if you approach the teacher knowing that she can not change the curriculum or differentiate beyond a certain point, it would be a productive conversation. |
Anonymous
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From what I've seen, it varies so much by school. I don't know if the changes PPs wrote of are going to be implemented more uniformly in future years.
At our school they tested the kids the first week of first grade and moved those who were ready into second grade classes for the math period. There were some extensions taught, but there seemed to be a mix of ability levels in the class and I'm not sure if they are still doing that for first graders this year. This year they created a separate class for the second graders in third grade math with fourth grade extensions and it is being taught by a math focus teacher. This has been fantastic and I think they are planning to do the same thing next year. I think the other second grade students are sorted by level and go to whichever second grade teacher is teaching their level. I also know they have sent really advanced kids to the middle school for instruction before. |
Anonymous
which high school does your ES feed into? |
Anonymous
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To keep his interest you may want to pick up some things that can be used as manipulatives if you don't already have some. In addition to the standard connecting/stacking type, we use these mini magnets http://www.fridgeartist.com on a small white board. They have helped her visualize a lot of different concepts. They're also fun and great for travel!
A cool book, if you don't already have it, is The Math Curse. |
Anonymous
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OP Here - I hear what you're saying, and really I don't need him to do calculus. But he really LOVES math, and he's expressed disappointment off and on throughout the year that they don't do it in K. I would hate for his love to disappear for lack of nurture. And, frankly, beyond brainquest/worksheet type things, (about which I am dubious as to their possible utility anyway) I have NO IDEA how to nurture math at home (reading, science, social studies yes - math, not so much). I guess I'll just have to wait and see. At what point, parents, does it not make sense to take the wait and see attitude?
Our son loved to read, so one of the ways we've nurtured math at home is through story books that have a "math" theme or topic. One of his favorites was called Sir Cumference and the Knights of the Round Table (it is a cute story book and it introduces some geometry concepts and vocabulary) and there are several more in that series. This was a few years ago for us, but one of the books had something like "Angleland" in the title (a play on England). HTH |
Anonymous
Our son loved to read, so one of the ways we've nurtured math at home is through story books that have a "math" theme or topic. One of his favorites was called Sir Cumference and the Knights of the Round Table (it is a cute story book and it introduces some geometry concepts and vocabulary) and there are several more in that series. This was a few years ago for us, but one of the books had something like "Angleland" in the title (a play on England). HTH OP, you should consider Feynman School. It's a new school for advanced learners. My child is happily and comfortably working 3 to 4 years above grade level in math there. They are able to accommodate any level of math and all other subjects for that matter. Their partial immersion Spanish program is amazing as well. They offer financial aid if needed. http://www.feynmanschool.org/ |