Curriculum 2.0 Math and 4th and 5th graders

[Anonymous]

At my son's elementary school, 4th and 5th graders are currently split into 3 levels. Based on last year's description, I assume these are 4th grade math, 4th grade with 5th grade extensions, and 4th grade with 6th grade extensions, and 5th grade, 5th with 6th extensions, and 5th with 7th extensions. Another post referred to 4th and 5th graders being rolled into Curr 2.0 next year. Does anyone know what this really means? Will the classes all be collapsed so that there is only 5th grade next year and the kids who are currently in 4th grade with 6th grade extensions will go back to the basic 5th grade class?

A sixth grader we know who was on the same track is currently taking pre algebra and is on track to take algebra next year. Under the new system, will a current 4th grader who would have been on the same track now not take algebra until 9th grade (two year delay)?

[Anonymous]

If this year is an indication - and it probably is - the current 4th graders who are currently accelerated will have to RE-DO the accelerated work next year (so that they are on grade-level with everyone else). Yes, that is the world according to 2.0.
In our school, this years 3rd graders who were accelerated in math last year (meaning they did 3rd grade with 4th grade extensions as 2nd graders last year) are currently RE-DOING regular grade level 3rd grade math this year. So, instead of being grouped with other accelerated kids, they are in undifferentiated math classes re-doing the basic 3rd grade work that they did last year.
It is already a waste of time for my DD (and the other 3rd graders who need acceleration). Welcome to 2.0.

[Anonymous]

What the PP maybe doesn't know is that the content is different. The Common Core standards are different than the old standards were, so while there may be some overlap, other things are new. If this year's 3rd graders in her example skipped to 4th grade common core this year, there would be holes between the 2 different sets of standards.

[Anonymous]

Nope. My DD has done exactly the same worksheets this year as the ones she did last year. The story about how the curriculum is "different" or "richer" is bogus. That is meant to placate parents so they think this new curriculum is really something different. So far is is an exact re-do of the work from last year.

[Anonymous]

I just looked at the standards quickly, and it looks like the work he did last year in 3rd grade, like expanded notation and multiplying fractions. It would be very frustrating to have him repeat it two years in a row.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I just looked at the standards quickly, and it looks like the work he did last year in 3rd grade, like expanded notation and multiplying fractions. It would be very frustrating to have him repeat it two years in a row.

Agreed. My daughter is complaining about math for the first time ever. I can imagine how boring/uninspiring it must be to sit there having already done this work. In addition, what kind of message does this send to kids about excelling in school? Sadly, I think it says that there's no point it trying your best because there is no path to move ahead and be challenged.

[Anonymous]

I thought current 4th graders wouldn't have curriculum 2.0 for a few more years-- not sure where I heard that though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

A sixth grader we know who was on the same track is currently taking pre algebra and is on track to take algebra next year. Under the new system, will a current 4th grader who would have been on the same track now not take algebra until 9th grade (two year delay)?

To answer this question, I believe that making Algebra standard by 8th grade is still one of the county's main goals as part of their "Seven Keys to College Readiness."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought current 4th graders wouldn't have curriculum 2.0 for a few more years-- not sure where I heard that though.

Our child's 4th grade teacher (this year) said that the curriculum is coming to 4th and 5th grade next year.

[Anonymous]

That's what my 4th grader's teacher said as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I just looked at the standards quickly, and it looks like the work he did last year in 3rd grade, like expanded notation and multiplying fractions. It would be very frustrating to have him repeat it two years in a row.

Agreed. My daughter is complaining about math for the first time ever. I can imagine how boring/uninspiring it must be to sit there having already done this work. In addition, what kind of message does this send to kids about excelling in school? Sadly, I think it says that there's no point it trying your best because there is no path to move ahead and be challenged.

I am just hoping that these posters are not communicating to their children that they should be bored and uninspired and see school as a waste of time. The attitude here is a little mean-spirited. The district is introducing a new curriculum based on real standards, presumably with years of research and for a good reason, and parents seem to be reacting petulantly because some of their children have a brief review of concepts as the old curriculum overlaps with the new one.

Maybe I am misreading it. I only have a 1st grader. But it sounds like he will be getting a good fundamental education in math in elementary school and take Algebra by 8th grade. Can someone tell me if this is a reasonable assumption or if there is something I am not thinking about that really should be worrying me here?

[Anonymous]

I am just hoping that these posters are not communicating to their children that they should be bored and uninspired and see school as a waste of time. The attitude here is a little mean-spirited. The district is introducing a new curriculum based on real standards, presumably with years of research and for a good reason, and parents seem to be reacting petulantly because some of their children have a brief review of concepts as the old curriculum overlaps with the new one.

Maybe I am misreading it. I only have a 1st grader. But it sounds like he will be getting a good fundamental education in math in elementary school and take Algebra by 8th grade. Can someone tell me if this is a reasonable assumption or if there is something I am not thinking about that really should be worrying me here?

The problem here is you and your child are looking forward to the future. My children are caught in the present (2 years). Implementation has been an absolute disaster for those kids on hold the last 2 years -- a disaster. We will check back with you in 2 years and perhaps you may have better news to report.

[Anonymous]

Having children who have excelled in a math repeat an ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of math is ridiculous! Call it what you will, it doesn't make sense. I have crossed my fingers and hoped for the best when, even the teachers last spring expressed dismay over the notion of kids repeating an entire year's worth of work.
To answer the PP: no, I do not communicate my upset/dismay to my child. However, every day, she comes home complaining and every day I see the exact same worksheets as she did last year. What do you suggest? Should parents just sit by quietly while even an ounce of common sense tells you that this curriculum is bad for some kids.

[Anonymous]

+1001!

[Anonymous]

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.