Math league competition for 2nd grade

[Anonymous]

Or online is always an option? Our kids do better with online curriculum in addition to their daily school schedule. We’ve also enrolled them in Beestar’s National Math Competition for the States. Works well for us!

[Anonymous]

again what are you idiots doing trying to max acceleration? there is no point to any of this. relax they are freaking 6-7 years old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or online is always an option? Our kids do better with online curriculum in addition to their daily school schedule. We’ve also enrolled them in Beestar’s National Math Competition for the States. Works well for us!

mathleague.org runs online contests every month for 3rd-6th grade. 2nd graders can participate as 3rd graders if they wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm not the one signing up my kid for CML! The school is doing it--we are at Haycock Elementary. And, this is the first time I've seen this also, so that's why I'm asking. My other child is in 6th grade and they have math competition (via a team) but the 6th grader didn't have CML in 2nd grade. I'm trying to understand if it's a FCPS thing that got instituted this year or something across the county, but it sounds like that is not the case. But every 2nd grader at Haycock is taking the CML this year and I'm starting to wonder why.

That's strange. Why would Haycock or some of the other schools that people mentioned take it and not all 2nd graders across FCPS? Is this something that the school determines? We are in an elementary school in Vienna and the 2nd graders aren't taking this. Seems strange to be random about something like that, I think.

They didn’t at our Vienna elementary school in Vienna either. Maybe it’s because DC and all friends were too busy talking about travel soccer in 2nd and we’re not interested in math competitions. They haven’t been given any in later years either.

This is what's unfair about the path to TJ. I'm not pro-lottery but opportunities for advanced math work does not exist consistently across all pyramids. These programs give the kids who participate a boost.

Even if parents find out that these programs exist, they still have to place their kid in an afterschool program or do them afterschool themselves with a tired kid when others have the program in school. This isn't right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm not the one signing up my kid for CML! The school is doing it--we are at Haycock Elementary. And, this is the first time I've seen this also, so that's why I'm asking. My other child is in 6th grade and they have math competition (via a team) but the 6th grader didn't have CML in 2nd grade. I'm trying to understand if it's a FCPS thing that got instituted this year or something across the county, but it sounds like that is not the case. But every 2nd grader at Haycock is taking the CML this year and I'm starting to wonder why.

That's strange. Why would Haycock or some of the other schools that people mentioned take it and not all 2nd graders across FCPS? Is this something that the school determines? We are in an elementary school in Vienna and the 2nd graders aren't taking this. Seems strange to be random about something like that, I think.

They didn’t at our Vienna elementary school in Vienna either. Maybe it’s because DC and all friends were too busy talking about travel soccer in 2nd and we’re not interested in math competitions. They haven’t been given any in later years either.

This is what's unfair about the path to TJ. I'm not pro-lottery but opportunities for advanced math work does not exist consistently across all pyramids. These programs give the kids who participate a boost.

Even if parents find out that these programs exist, they still have to place their kid in an afterschool program or do them afterschool themselves with a tired kid when others have the program in school. This isn't right.

What if some parents provide their kids healthy meals at home, but other parents allow their kids to eat chips and candy All thr time?
What if Some parents make sure their kids go to sleep at 8 or 9 pm, but others allow their kids watch TV or play game until they pass out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm not the one signing up my kid for CML! The school is doing it--we are at Haycock Elementary. And, this is the first time I've seen this also, so that's why I'm asking. My other child is in 6th grade and they have math competition (via a team) but the 6th grader didn't have CML in 2nd grade. I'm trying to understand if it's a FCPS thing that got instituted this year or something across the county, but it sounds like that is not the case. But every 2nd grader at Haycock is taking the CML this year and I'm starting to wonder why.

Haycock has given CML's for awhile to 2nd grade and above. My recollection is that these CML's usually are done later in the school year, but the school may be starting early this year for the full-time AAP assessment. Frankly, I never paid attention to them for my two kids. But, what I learned recently is that parents actually do prepare their kids for CMLs and similar math problems because they go into GBRS assessment and also can be a good work sample for the school to submit. Given that GBRS will be even more important this year, I think that (1) Haycock and similar schools will give them out earlier in the year to students to help with the school's GBRS assessment and (2) parents who are in-the-know will be making sure (or already have) that their kids will be ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is what's unfair about the path to TJ. I'm not pro-lottery but opportunities for advanced math work does not exist consistently across all pyramids. These programs give the kids who participate a boost.

Even if parents find out that these programs exist, they still have to place their kid in an afterschool program or do them afterschool themselves with a tired kid when others have the program in school. This isn't right.

I agree that kids at different schools will have unequal opportunities, but I'm not sure that there's a reasonable fix. Extracurricular STEM opportunities are not standardized across FCPS. Usually, if an AAP center has a math club or Science Olympiad team, it's because parents there are stepping up and making it happen. The school isn't necessarily doing anything. In many of those centers, there are like 100+ kids who want to participate and only like 20 slots, so most kids are left out anyway. For the schools that specifically offer CML, MOEMS, or some other contest, the reality is that the schools have a small budget for such things, but may choose to allocate their resources differently based on the needs of their individual schools.

Parents who want their kids to have opportunities for advanced math can certainly find those opportunities. Anyone can register for CML as a homeschool. Anyone can sign up for Math Kangaroo. Anyone can sign up for mathleague. Anyone can sign up for AMC 8 through FCAG. Various practice programs like Khan Academy, Alcumus, and the Mathcounts trainer app are completely free. It's not exactly difficult to find math competitions and training if you want to do so. The kid could even make a point on the TJ application or essays that he or she didn't have good math opportunities at his/her middle school, but was motivated enough to go out and find those opportunities outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 30 minute math sheet is not a big deal. I could see giving it to the Level II kids, in my kids class the Level II kids get different worksheets and packets for their math and that is all. DS isn't even aware that he is getting different work. They could easily give the worksheet to kids in level II and no one would know. I don't see a reason to give a worksheet that is beyond most kids ability to everyone, that doesn't help a kids confidence.

Because it's a competition. Competition can be challenging and hard. This particular program is not meant to build up their confidence. It is meant to assess the kids' math skills against each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm not the one signing up my kid for CML! The school is doing it--we are at Haycock Elementary. And, this is the first time I've seen this also, so that's why I'm asking. My other child is in 6th grade and they have math competition (via a team) but the 6th grader didn't have CML in 2nd grade. I'm trying to understand if it's a FCPS thing that got instituted this year or something across the county, but it sounds like that is not the case. But every 2nd grader at Haycock is taking the CML this year and I'm starting to wonder why.

That's strange. Why would Haycock or some of the other schools that people mentioned take it and not all 2nd graders across FCPS? Is this something that the school determines? We are in an elementary school in Vienna and the 2nd graders aren't taking this. Seems strange to be random about something like that, I think.

They didn’t at our Vienna elementary school in Vienna either. Maybe it’s because DC and all friends were too busy talking about travel soccer in 2nd and we’re not interested in math competitions. They haven’t been given any in later years either.

This is what's unfair about the path to TJ. I'm not pro-lottery but opportunities for advanced math work does not exist consistently across all pyramids. These programs give the kids who participate a boost.
For some reason this fact can never be acknowledged?

Even if parents find out that these programs exist, they still have to place their kid in an afterschool program or do them afterschool themselves with a tired kid when others have the program in school. This isn't right.

[Anonymous]

Here we go once again, let us all pretend that this is fair, and our kids are naturally brilliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here we go once again, let us all pretend that this is fair, and our kids are naturally brilliant.

+100 I bet there are kids out there that are naturally smarter in math than the kids who have been prepping/taking this math stuff for 6+ years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here we go once again, let us all pretend that this is fair, and our kids are naturally brilliant.

+100 I bet there are kids out there that are naturally smarter in math than the kids who have been prepping/taking this math stuff for 6+ years

I don't think it would matter that much for TJ, though. Kids who are bright and well prepared might score well on lesser contests like CML or MOEMS. There's a limit to how well a kid who isn't naturally brilliant at math would do in something like Mathcounts or AMC 10. The people selecting for TJ know the difference between elite results at more elite contests, and high results in fairly generic, low-ceiling contests. CML is not helping anyone get into TJ. If you were to include CML results on a TJ application, they would roll their eyes and then look for Mathcounts or AMC results.

I also don't think there are any truly naturally brilliant in math kids who haven't been identified and aren't already competing in high level contests. Kids who are that far ahead in math and that brilliant are certainly taking AMCs before and during middle school. Many of them are also posting on AoPS, doing Alcumus problems, and generally teaching themselves math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here we go once again, let us all pretend that this is fair, and our kids are naturally brilliant.

+100 I bet there are kids out there that are naturally smarter in math than the kids who have been prepping/taking this math stuff for 6+ years

I don't think it would matter that much for TJ, though. Kids who are bright and well prepared might score well on lesser contests like CML or MOEMS. There's a limit to how well a kid who isn't naturally brilliant at math would do in something like Mathcounts or AMC 10. The people selecting for TJ know the difference between elite results at more elite contests, and high results in fairly generic, low-ceiling contests. CML is not helping anyone get into TJ. If you were to include CML results on a TJ application, they would roll their eyes and then look for Mathcounts or AMC results.

I also don't think there are any truly naturally brilliant in math kids who haven't been identified and aren't already competing in high level contests. Kids who are that far ahead in math and that brilliant are certainly taking AMCs before and during middle school. Many of them are also posting on AoPS, doing Alcumus problems, and generally teaching themselves math.

First, you seem like you know what you are talking about rare on here

Do you really think lower income, ELL, and yes stereotypically black and hispanic parents/kids know about all of this?

For me the whole TJ thing could probably be solved if you identify say 25-50 kids in the prior category that are brilliant in math but simply aren't identified/nurtured because they have no idea the things up above exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here we go once again, let us all pretend that this is fair, and our kids are naturally brilliant.

+100 I bet there are kids out there that are naturally smarter in math than the kids who have been prepping/taking this math stuff for 6+ years

I don't think it would matter that much for TJ, though. Kids who are bright and well prepared might score well on lesser contests like CML or MOEMS. There's a limit to how well a kid who isn't naturally brilliant at math would do in something like Mathcounts or AMC 10. The people selecting for TJ know the difference between elite results at more elite contests, and high results in fairly generic, low-ceiling contests. CML is not helping anyone get into TJ. If you were to include CML results on a TJ application, they would roll their eyes and then look for Mathcounts or AMC results.

I also don't think there are any truly naturally brilliant in math kids who haven't been identified and aren't already competing in high level contests. Kids who are that far ahead in math and that brilliant are certainly taking AMCs before and during middle school. Many of them are also posting on AoPS, doing Alcumus problems, and generally teaching themselves math.

First, you seem like you know what you are talking about rare on here

Do you really think lower income, ELL, and yes stereotypically black and hispanic parents/kids know about all of this?

For me the whole TJ thing could probably be solved if you identify say 25-50 kids in the prior category that are brilliant in math but simply aren't identified/nurtured because they have no idea the things up above exist.

People are shockingly ignorant to how few opportunities and advantages exist for the bright underprivileged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I also don't think there are any truly naturally brilliant in math kids who haven't been identified and aren't already competing in high level contests. Kids who are that far ahead in math and that brilliant are certainly taking AMCs before and during middle school. Many of them are also posting on AoPS, doing Alcumus problems, and generally teaching themselves math.

I could not disagree more with the above. You’ve only got kids with means and loads of tutoring competing in the high level contests in middle school. These are kids who have been either lucky enough to be in a school that recognizes and supports raw math talent, or, and more likely to be the case, these are the kids who have parents pushing them ahead in math and are aware of these math comps.

Also, the kids who had to over prepare to do well in math counts and AMC 8 and 10 are not the ones doing the best on later competitions where you can see true math talent.