DD in Compact Math-- Can we choose not to do IM in middle school??
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Anonymous
| DD is in compact math right now. She is doing ok. She doesn't love math and I don't foresee her wanting to do Calculus BC. When she enters 6th grade, can we let her do 6th Grade Math instead of IM? Or do we have to take IM? She is currently in 4th grade at HGC center. |
Anonymous
Why would you want her to take sixth-grade math twice? |
Anonymous
Our DS is in 6th grade right now. He did compact math and is really into math. This year was tough for him in terms of math. I just can't see her wanting to do this also. Plus, it seems like with common core it is all or nothing. I would like to have her do 6th grade math in 6th grade and then go to the middle route. |
Anonymous
| She could choose AB Calc or AP Stats |
Anonymous
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My 6th grade DD is in IM this year. Early in the year, she was having some struggles, so we started supplementing with Khan Academy at home. That has made a tremendous difference. Still, I had hoped that there would be an option in 7th grade to do something in between full-on Algebra I in 7th and repeating IM (eg, Algebra I over 2 years 7-8 grade). There is no such option. She has to take Algebra I or repeat IM (which would be ridiculous, at this point, with the supplementation she is a solid A/B student in IM).
So, I think these tracks solidify early on (at least for middle school). I assume that when high school rolls around, my DD will not be "forced" into BC Calculus and will be able to downshift track (if that's the right thing to do at that point). But I find it crazy that there's no ability to downshift in middle school. |
Anonymous
| Yes, OP of course you can. If you still feel this way next year in 5th Grade you will have an opportunity to discuss with the counsellor and adjust the schedule. Does did feel this way because there are too many math kids in HGC and she just doesn't feel confident? |
Anonymous
If you want her to do sixth-grade math in sixth grade, then the choices are 1. take her out of compacted math now. 2. accept that she will do sixth-grade math in fifth grade and then again in sixth grade. I don't think that either choice is good, especially if she's at an HGC, where she will be one of only a very few kids (if not the only kid) in the HGC in grade-level math. But really, my advice to you is: stop speculating about what she might or might not want in the future, and talk to her math teacher about your concerns. |
Anonymous
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I would let her do IM. She can always step off the math track later and doesn't need to take AP Calc ever if that's not what she wants to do years from now, but I don't see a compelling reason a) to make her repeat 6th grade math unless she's really struggling or b) limit her options in case she decides later that she does really love math and wants to take on my challenging classes. If she really doesn't love math, she will not be forced to take AP calculus of any kind in high school -- there are non-AP calculus options, and courses like quantitative literacy.
FWIW, we moved from out of state and my then-6th grader moved up from 6th grade math to IM because 6th grade math was boring and slow. I can't imagine a kid who went through compacted math not being really bored in math 6. |
Anonymous
| *my = more |
Anonymous
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Unless your child is very vocal about not wanting to do IM, I would let her do it - it's good to struggle every now and then, plus I'm concerned she would get VERY bored on a slower track. |
Anonymous
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I would talk to her current teacher and express your concerns. Repeat next year, as well.
And next year, when registering for 6th grade, talk to the guidance counselors. They are very helpful. |
Anonymous
My child is in the same situation. Also a 4th grader in an HGC. I have an older one in IM now who did very well in compacted math but is having a hard time in IM. Honestly, the options aren't great. My child doesn't want to move to regular math since so few kids in her class are in regular math. Also tough to repeat IM. My older one who is in IM and having a hard time really doesn't want to repeat, in part because the IM teacher is bad and he wants to get away from her... |
Anonymous
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The real issue here is that with the new curriculum they've dramatically narrowed the math options in middle school. Prior to 2.0, 6th graders could take 6th g math, 7th g math, IM (not the same IM course as taught this year), or Algebra. Now, I'm pretty sure that it is just 6th grade math or the new IM course (though there may be some exceptions allowed to take Algebra and some who take a below gl class). There is no home for those wanting or needing an in-between option, such as the OP's kid who is a strong student but doesn't love math or those like my kid, who had always had high math scores but wasn't in compacted. We discussed w/ counselors the opposite problem of OP -- scores showed he could do well in IM, but he would have entered without being exposed to curriculum his peers had.
Despite anti-tracking rhetoric, kids are tracked in math starting in 4th grade. That said, I'm not 100 percent positive that OP's kid couldn't take 7th grade math in 6th. Guess the concern would be that under the current articulation plan, kids who take this class are likely the ones who wouldn't be ready to handle IM in 7th/Algebra in 8th, which is now the "regular" track. In addition to talking to the middle school counselor, I also reached out to the math department head at the middle school for advice before making a decision for my kid. While the course options are limited, this person may be able to offer some guidance. |
Anonymous
My daughter is very good in math (MAP-M 99%) took IM in 6th and struggled a bit (got high Bs mostly). She's in 7th now and breezing through Algebra; got an A on the county midterm. I get the feeling that IM is just a disjointed class that isn't taught very well. I wouldn't necessarily assume that struggles will continue. |
Anonymous
Thanks. That is helpful. My child's IM teacher is not very good. I've heard the algebra teacher is much better. |