Alg 2/Honors Pre Calc disconnect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was similarly trapped in a math class (AP Calc BC) in his senior year. We hired a tutor at great expense, and he barely survived the year with a C. Thankfully it didn't hurt him too much for college admissions.

I would highly encourage you to invest money in the best tutoring you can find. Your kid still has some years of math to go, and they absolutely need to understand this material. Intensive tutoring with an intelligent teacher is the way to go.

How privileged your family is
Most students' are not. That is what MCPS has still yet to understand while they play word "equity" salad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

It's five alarm fire for you (I get it - I would freak out, too). But for the teacher, it's just another day in the office. She has hundreds of students and won't be able to help you solve this problem.

It would be very helpful if mcps is going to just rely on kids googling or using khan as a supplement to provide the relevant link for every module. The teacher shouldn’t have to do this. Surely someone central can do it since it is all the same curriculum and the. The teacher can make sure that is in canvas as a resource.

Sure, but also, at the precalculus level, the students should be able to figure this out themselves. This is not 1st grade. These kids know a lot of math and the Khan is structured in what should be an intuitive and helpful way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students are lined up for help at school if they can't afford or can't get a tutor. Unacceptable.

Yes. They should be given As like every other previous math class.

Do you not understand that it takes resources to tutor those students who come during lunch time (when are teachers going to eat) or tutor student after school. Who is going to tutor all those students? You?

At my child's school, the lunchtime tutoring is carried out by Math Honors Society kids, which is hit-or-miss because of course a fellow teenager who is naturally good at math is not necessarily going to have the ability (and certainly not the training) to explain the topics to kids who don't grasp it intuitively.

Unacceptable. Why would a kid want to be tutored by a math kid in the same grade who is two math levels ahead than them? Disgraceful. It is only helping the MHonors student. That student can go tutor in ES instead. And TEACHERS ALREADY GIVE UP THEIR LUNCH TIME to tutor. What next? There is a STEM TEACHER SHORTAGE in this country. MCPs is hiring teachers from Philippines. Teachers in ES have actually said to their students "I don't know math after this level, I don't like math etc.." The math curriculum and instruction need a reset and qualified teachers are needed in ES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

You are mightily involved in your kid’s work! Which suggests they aren’t able to oversee or manage their own workload?

When my kid was in alg2H, they struggled. The teacher was punitive and beyond hard. I did not email the teacher, or look through the textbook or read a syllabus or look at canvas. I found them an excellent tutor. It did not fix the problem, but they learned the material better and were able to finish the class with a B. Kids are not guaranteed As. In the long run, the class was good for my kid and they have way more grit than peers who took easier classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

I’m glad she is being helpful. I would meet to talk through why she thinks staying in the class is a good idea given your son’s performance. Is it likely to get better? And to come up with a plan for moving to another class (even repeating A2 if needed).

I would also ask for her to post slides and other instructional materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

You are mightily involved in your kid’s work! Which suggests they aren’t able to oversee or manage their own workload?

When my kid was in alg2H, they struggled. The teacher was punitive and beyond hard. I did not email the teacher, or look through the textbook or read a syllabus or look at canvas. I found them an excellent tutor. It did not fix the problem, but they learned the material better and were able to finish the class with a B. Kids are not guaranteed As. In the long run, the class was good for my kid and they have way more grit than peers who took easier classes.

you are a hero

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people just don't "get" math, so eventually their brain fills up with a long list of arbitrary rules and facts and they can't remember anymore "math trivia" and they forget the old math facts.

Some people understand math conceptually, and can advance much farther because learning new math is like learning new words in everyday English.

Agree. My kid can figure out math problems from context clues. I have zero idea of how he does it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

You are mightily involved in your kid’s work! Which suggests they aren’t able to oversee or manage their own workload?

When my kid was in alg2H, they struggled. The teacher was punitive and beyond hard. I did not email the teacher, or look through the textbook or read a syllabus or look at canvas. I found them an excellent tutor. It did not fix the problem, but they learned the material better and were able to finish the class with a B. Kids are not guaranteed As. In the long run, the class was good for my kid and they have way more grit than peers who took easier classes.

Not the PP, but your approach of throwing money at the problem is not available to all students and only benefits your own child.

PP's approach is both accessible to families without funds, but also benefits all children by calling the teacher's attention to the ways in which kids are struggling in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

You are mightily involved in your kid’s work! Which suggests they aren’t able to oversee or manage their own workload?

When my kid was in alg2H, they struggled. The teacher was punitive and beyond hard. I did not email the teacher, or look through the textbook or read a syllabus or look at canvas. I found them an excellent tutor. It did not fix the problem, but they learned the material better and were able to finish the class with a B. Kids are not guaranteed As. In the long run, the class was good for my kid and they have way more grit than peers who took easier classes.

Lol look at me I'm not a helicopter parent I pay someone else to pilot the helicopter for me I'm such a good mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

It's five alarm fire for you (I get it - I would freak out, too). But for the teacher, it's just another day in the office. She has hundreds of students and won't be able to help you solve this problem.

It would be very helpful if mcps is going to just rely on kids googling or using khan as a supplement to provide the relevant link for every module. The teacher shouldn’t have to do this. Surely someone central can do it since it is all the same curriculum and the. The teacher can make sure that is in canvas as a resource.

They do but it stops at Algebra 2

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math-support/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students are lined up for help at school if they can't afford or can't get a tutor. Unacceptable.

Yes. They should be given As like every other previous math class.

Do you not understand that it takes resources to tutor those students who come during lunch time (when are teachers going to eat) or tutor student after school. Who is going to tutor all those students? You?

At my child's school, the lunchtime tutoring is carried out by Math Honors Society kids, which is hit-or-miss because of course a fellow teenager who is naturally good at math is not necessarily going to have the ability (and certainly not the training) to explain the topics to kids who don't grasp it intuitively.

Unacceptable. Why would a kid want to be tutored by a math kid in the same grade who is two math levels ahead than them? Disgraceful. It is only helping the MHonors student. That student can go tutor in ES instead. And TEACHERS ALREADY GIVE UP THEIR LUNCH TIME to tutor. What next? There is a STEM TEACHER SHORTAGE in this country. MCPs is hiring teachers from Philippines. Teachers in ES have actually said to their students "I don't know math after this level, I don't like math etc.." The math curriculum and instruction need a reset and qualified teachers are needed in ES

Agree 100%!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you had a teacher conference? If not, I would ask for this asap.

OP here. Yes, my kid is a 10th grader. I've been emailing with the teacher and she's been responsive but not particularly helpful (recommended coming in for lunch time help which my kid has done, sent me a list of MCPS teachers who tutor) but isn't treating this like the 5 alarm fire that I feel like it is (which I understand but I guess I expected her to be a little bit more invested in her students' success). If I were to have a meeting with her - what else would I ask for? In 11 years of MCPS - I've never had to request a meeting with a teacher.

To respond to others - I ordered a hard copy of the text book and will sit down with my kid this weekend and look for the right Khan academy videos.

I don't remember if I already said this but on Canvas, in Modules, the teacher doesn't post anything instructional - just problem sets and answer keys - so I'm not even sure what my kid is supposed to reference. The text book I guess? I guess this would be one question for the teacher?

It's five alarm fire for you (I get it - I would freak out, too). But for the teacher, it's just another day in the office. She has hundreds of students and won't be able to help you solve this problem.

It would be very helpful if mcps is going to just rely on kids googling or using khan as a supplement to provide the relevant link for every module. The teacher shouldn’t have to do this. Surely someone central can do it since it is all the same curriculum and the. The teacher can make sure that is in canvas as a resource.

100%

[Anonymous]

A couple things:

Honors Pre-Cal is a hard class that does require students to move to abstract conceptual thinking while applying a variety of algebraic concepts. For this to work requires a solid Algebra understanding and lots of practice.

Students can request a copy of the book for home use from their teachers/schools. That said, it’s only helpful if students actually use the textbook once they get it.

As other have mentioned, going to Khan academy and doing the relevant section may be helpful. It may also be helpful to do the Khan academy prep for Pre-Cal so as to review key concepts. Go to teachers for help when they offer it.

Also, something that many students do not do, take note of key mathematical vocabulary. Just like any class math has specific vocabulary that students should understand. These is helpful when doing word problems.

Lastly, learning to study. Alg 2 and PreCal is when a lot of students realize they are going to have to dedicate real time to math. This means doing extra practice problems and previewing the next days content so they come to class with questions about previous content and with a base for where class is going next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple things:

Honors Pre-Cal is a hard class that does require students to move to abstract conceptual thinking while applying a variety of algebraic concepts. For this to work requires a solid Algebra understanding and lots of practice.

Students can request a copy of the book for home use from their teachers/schools. That said, it’s only helpful if students actually use the textbook once they get it.

As other have mentioned, going to Khan academy and doing the relevant section may be helpful. It may also be helpful to do the Khan academy prep for Pre-Cal so as to review key concepts. Go to teachers for help when they offer it.

Also, something that many students do not do, take note of key mathematical vocabulary. Just like any class math has specific vocabulary that students should understand. These is helpful when doing word problems.

Lastly, learning to study. Alg 2 and PreCal is when a lot of students realize they are going to have to dedicate real time to math. This means doing extra practice problems and previewing the next days content so they come to class with questions about previous content and with a base for where class is going next.

All of this is really helpful, and it sounds like you may be speaking from inside MCPS, so a bit of feedback from the front lines:

My child requested a textbook at the beginning of the year, and the teacher said they would be distributed this Monday. They have still not been distributed. We would use the book if we had it.

Going to the teachers only works if the teachers keep their office hours, and/or if they are willing to explain concepts using different words. If the exact words spoken in class were helpful, the child would probably not be at office hours.

I think a lot of these kids would be happy to review concepts or do extra practice, but there are zero resources offered. Yes, they can just google "f(x) and g(x) inverse function problem set" but we all know the internet is wild and what Google offers up may or may not be helpful. This would be a great chance for folks in the Central Office to update the resources shared above to include Pre-Calculus and Calculus.

At the end of the day, this is supposed to be a partnership between students, teachers/schools, and parents, but all of the work is being shifted to the kids.

[Anonymous]

PP, I would follow up with the teacher and the math resource teacher re the textbook. Your kid is going to need it to be successful.