Reading and math groups in early elementary (downcounty MoCo)

[Anonymous]

Is there any differentiation at the K level for reading and math, ie, break out into groups by ability? DC will start K knowing basic arithmetic (single digit addition, subtraction, counting by 2s), and basic reading and writing (knows many sight words, can sound out easier words, can write most words she can read). Would like to know if dc would learn new things, or if K would be mostly a review of skills. thanks.

[Anonymous]

In DC's Silver Spring K, children were broken into reading groups based on ability. In first grade, there are both ability based reading and math groups.

[Anonymous]

For reading your child is probably toward the lower end of the pack. She'll benefit from the reading and writing. They really expect them to be able to read and write well by 1st grade. For math, thanks to 2.0 your child will be bored to tears. Single digit addition and subtraction occurs not only through the whole year in 1st grade but a good portion of 2nd grade. You get double digit introduced mid year in 2nd grade. I hear it gets repeated again in 3rd grade. Math is pathetic in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For reading your child is probably toward the lower end of the pack. She'll benefit from the reading and writing. They really expect them to be able to read and write well by 1st grade. For math, thanks to 2.0 your child will be bored to tears. Single digit addition and subtraction occurs not only through the whole year in 1st grade but a good portion of 2nd grade. You get double digit introduced mid year in 2nd grade. I hear it gets repeated again in 3rd grade. Math is pathetic in MCPS.

Knows many sight words and can sound out words, and will be at the lower end of the pack in kindergarten? Maybe you're thinking first grade.

OP, your child will be placed in a guided reading group of students with a similar level. Even if she were the top in her grade, it won't be mostly a review of skills--she will be expected to make progress from where she starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For reading your child is probably toward the lower end of the pack. She'll benefit from the reading and writing. They really expect them to be able to read and write well by 1st grade. For math, thanks to 2.0 your child will be bored to tears. Single digit addition and subtraction occurs not only through the whole year in 1st grade but a good portion of 2nd grade. You get double digit introduced mid year in 2nd grade. I hear it gets repeated again in 3rd grade. Math is pathetic in MCPS.

My child had double Addison addition and subtraction in the latter part of first grade. In second grade she has been doing triple digit with no regrouping, Nd double digit with regrouping. Not rocket science, but not as bad as you describe. We are in Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

DD is doing triple digit addition in 1st grade right now. She has classmates doing multiplication and division at home, but not at school. We've started some math at home to supplement. For reading that sounds like right smack dab in the middle. DD started K with kids who were still figuring out letters and others, like her, who were reading chapter books. For reading she gets her challenges at home - the highest level they can offer her based on testing (you have to be able to compose grade level written responses to advance once you hit a certain point) is not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any differentiation at the K level for reading and math, ie, break out into groups by ability? DC will start K knowing basic arithmetic (single digit addition, subtraction, counting by 2s), and basic reading and writing (knows many sight words, can sound out easier words, can write most words she can read). Would like to know if dc would learn new things, or if K would be mostly a review of skills. thanks.

In our school there are break out groups for reading ability only. There are other small groups for math, etc. but they are not tied to ability.

[Anonymous]

K definitely breaks out for reading. I have a child currently in 1st and her class has differentiation for reading, math and writing.

[Anonymous]

To answer your question, yes she will learn. I am not sure downcounty, but upcounty in reading (from what you describe) would be in the middle of reading skills coming in. It takes a month or two into the school year but they will test all the kids and break out into reading groups based on that.

There is no breakout for math in K, so she probably won't learn much there.

Keep in mind also that a lot of K is getting used to the social and practical aspects of school so there is some "learning" that will definitely happen there.

[Anonymous]

OP: thanks for the responses. For those of who are supplementing at home, how does this work? Do the classmates eventually catch up, or do more groups get created in later grades? it seems like it could wind up generating a lot of boredom in the classroom if the child is always ahead of the rest. OTOH, I can't imagine not doing anything, either. Good to know she'd be in the middle for reading and will be challenged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: thanks for the responses. For those of who are supplementing at home, how does this work? Do the classmates eventually catch up, or do more groups get created in later grades? it seems like it could wind up generating a lot of boredom in the classroom if the child is always ahead of the rest. OTOH, I can't imagine not doing anything, either. Good to know she'd be in the middle for reading and will be challenged.

Some do and some don't. Those that don't might qualify for special reading programs when they hit MS, such as Read 180. Additionally, if a child hasn't hit a proficient level of reading, they cannot start foreign language classes in MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: thanks for the responses. For those of who are supplementing at home, how does this work? Do the classmates eventually catch up, or do more groups get created in later grades? it seems like it could wind up generating a lot of boredom in the classroom if the child is always ahead of the rest. OTOH, I can't imagine not doing anything, either. Good to know she'd be in the middle for reading and will be challenged.

Which school? Our school does differentiate and pulls out the most advanced students for reading and math with a separate instructor if necessary.

[Anonymous]

There are reading groups in K, 1st and 2nd at least not sure after that. The kids at the top don't seem particularly challenged, especially in math. You get used to it, and so do they.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For reading your child is probably toward the lower end of the pack. She'll benefit from the reading and writing. They really expect them to be able to read and write well by 1st grade. For math, thanks to 2.0 your child will be bored to tears. Single digit addition and subtraction occurs not only through the whole year in 1st grade but a good portion of 2nd grade. You get double digit introduced mid year in 2nd grade. I hear it gets repeated again in 3rd grade. Math is pathetic in MCPS.

Knows many sight words and can sound out words, and will be at the lower end of the pack in kindergarten? Maybe you're thinking first grade.

OP, your child will be placed in a guided reading group of students with a similar level. Even if she were the top in her grade, it won't be mostly a review of skills--she will be expected to make progress from where she starts.

Agree with 12:58. Have a kid in pre-K and a kid in elementary. Most of the kids in my DD's pre-K class are able to read reasonably well - know sight words, able to sound out easy words. (I think it's pretty impressive, since my DD is still working on that!).