Underwhelmed by AAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow is the Iowa test, she's dreading it (she thinks it is silly to make students test into Algebra, she suggested making it open enrollment - no, she would opt not to enroll), but will probably ace it.

Yes, lots of kids do extremely well on the IAAT. Thankfully the more recently updated and more rigorous Math SOL tends to reduce the number of students that take Algebra in 7th grade.

Only if they are prepped in the AAP centers. Gen Ed does nothing to prepare students for the IAAT. In fact, IMO, they seem to "dumb" down their curriculum so students are not successful on this test.

AAP classes do not "prep" for the IAAT either. It's a timed test and students have practice on timed exercises, but that's about it.

All students (meaning those not in AAP Centers) have access to advanced mathematics, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Just wait until 7,8,9 grade he will have to study. Best to get those study skills started now.

+1

My child is in 7th grade at an AAP Center and the transition from elementary school has been tough. If I could do it over again, I would really stress study skills starting in 4th grade so that the skills were mastered by 6th grade. Our family is now paying the price for our "leave it to the school to handle" approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow is the Iowa test, she's dreading it (she thinks it is silly to make students test into Algebra, she suggested making it open enrollment - no, she would opt not to enroll), but will probably ace it.

Yes, lots of kids do extremely well on the IAAT. Thankfully the more recently updated and more rigorous Math SOL tends to reduce the number of students that take Algebra in 7th grade.

Only if they are prepped in the AAP centers. Gen Ed does nothing to prepare students for the IAAT. In fact, IMO, they seem to "dumb" down their curriculum so students are not successful on this test.

AAP classes do not "prep" for the IAAT either. It's a timed test and students have practice on timed exercises, but that's about it.

All students (meaning those not in AAP Centers) have access to advanced mathematics, too.

Advanced Mathematics, Gen Ed parent here. Child in Advanced Mathematics since 2nd grade. 6th grade advanced mathematics gave absolutely no timed test. Very little algebra review. The curriculum and preparation is clearly not the same as the AAP center kids receive. This is a failure FCPS needs to correct. Advanced 6th grade mathematics (or 7th grade level math) should be the same across all FCPS advanced 6th grade mathematics. Even one 10 minute timed test prior to the IAAT would have made the difference for my child. Kids of this age, typically, are not used to timed testing. Unless they are in the AAP center of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow is the Iowa test, she's dreading it (she thinks it is silly to make students test into Algebra, she suggested making it open enrollment - no, she would opt not to enroll), but will probably ace it.

Yes, lots of kids do extremely well on the IAAT. Thankfully the more recently updated and more rigorous Math SOL tends to reduce the number of students that take Algebra in 7th grade.

Only if they are prepped in the AAP centers. Gen Ed does nothing to prepare students for the IAAT. In fact, IMO, they seem to "dumb" down their curriculum so students are not successful on this test.

AAP classes do not "prep" for the IAAT either. It's a timed test and students have practice on timed exercises, but that's about it.

All students (meaning those not in AAP Centers) have access to advanced mathematics, too.

Advanced Mathematics, Gen Ed parent here. Child in Advanced Mathematics since 2nd grade. 6th grade advanced mathematics gave absolutely no timed test. Very little algebra review. The curriculum and preparation is clearly not the same as the AAP center kids receive. This is a failure FCPS needs to correct. Advanced 6th grade mathematics (or 7th grade level math) should be the same across all FCPS advanced 6th grade mathematics. Even one 10 minute timed test prior to the IAAT would have made the difference for my child. Kids of this age, typically, are not used to timed testing. Unless they are in the AAP center of course.

I would ask your child's math teacher which of the following was used in class:

Mathematics Competitions/Challenges
Math Counts
Continental Math League
Math Olympiads
Virginia Mathematics League

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade6.pdf

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

Perhaps you are simply not aware of what the teacher used in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow is the Iowa test, she's dreading it (she thinks it is silly to make students test into Algebra, she suggested making it open enrollment - no, she would opt not to enroll), but will probably ace it.

Yes, lots of kids do extremely well on the IAAT. Thankfully the more recently updated and more rigorous Math SOL tends to reduce the number of students that take Algebra in 7th grade.

Only if they are prepped in the AAP centers. Gen Ed does nothing to prepare students for the IAAT. In fact, IMO, they seem to "dumb" down their curriculum so students are not successful on this test.

AAP classes do not "prep" for the IAAT either. It's a timed test and students have practice on timed exercises, but that's about it.

All students (meaning those not in AAP Centers) have access to advanced mathematics, too.

Advanced Mathematics, Gen Ed parent here. Child in Advanced Mathematics since 2nd grade. 6th grade advanced mathematics gave absolutely no timed test. Very little algebra review. The curriculum and preparation is clearly not the same as the AAP center kids receive. This is a failure FCPS needs to correct. Advanced 6th grade mathematics (or 7th grade level math) should be the same across all FCPS advanced 6th grade mathematics. Even one 10 minute timed test prior to the IAAT would have made the difference for my child. Kids of this age, typically, are not used to timed testing. Unless they are in the AAP center of course.

I would ask your child's math teacher which of the following was used in class:

Mathematics Competitions/Challenges
Math Counts
Continental Math League
Math Olympiads
Virginia Mathematics League

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade6.pdf

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

None of the above. Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to think you "know it all". It is a FCPS failure in the Gen Ed. schools advanced mathematics program.

Perhaps you are simply not aware of what the teacher used in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tomorrow is the Iowa test, she's dreading it (she thinks it is silly to make students test into Algebra, she suggested making it open enrollment - no, she would opt not to enroll), but will probably ace it.

Yes, lots of kids do extremely well on the IAAT. Thankfully the more recently updated and more rigorous Math SOL tends to reduce the number of students that take Algebra in 7th grade.

Only if they are prepped in the AAP centers. Gen Ed does nothing to prepare students for the IAAT. In fact, IMO, they seem to "dumb" down their curriculum so students are not successful on this test.

AAP classes do not "prep" for the IAAT either. It's a timed test and students have practice on timed exercises, but that's about it.

All students (meaning those not in AAP Centers) have access to advanced mathematics, too.

Advanced Mathematics, Gen Ed parent here. Child in Advanced Mathematics since 2nd grade. 6th grade advanced mathematics gave absolutely no timed test. Very little algebra review. The curriculum and preparation is clearly not the same as the AAP center kids receive. This is a failure FCPS needs to correct. Advanced 6th grade mathematics (or 7th grade level math) should be the same across all FCPS advanced 6th grade mathematics. Even one 10 minute timed test prior to the IAAT would have made the difference for my child. Kids of this age, typically, are not used to timed testing. Unless they are in the AAP center of course.

I would ask your child's math teacher which of the following was used in class:

Mathematics Competitions/Challenges
Math Counts
Continental Math League
Math Olympiads
Virginia Mathematics League

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade6.pdf

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

Perhaps you are simply not aware of what the teacher used in the classroom.

None of the above. Perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to think you "know it all". It is a FCPS failure in the Gen Ed. schools advanced mathematics program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having to "show your work" in math can be maddening to a child who can do it all quickly in her head.

Yes, you're right. Your snowflakes should get a special exception that the other kids don't get. Especially if something is "maddening". God forbid.

[Anonymous]

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

NP here- this is in 2nd grade? I thought AAP started in 3rd grade? My child gets pull outs by ART and is the highest math grouping (2nd grade is divided by level on subject matter which is tested at the beginning of each month) but this doesn't look familiar at all. Is it because we are not at a center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

NP here- this is in 2nd grade? I thought AAP started in 3rd grade? My child gets pull outs by ART and is the highest math grouping (2nd grade is divided by level on subject matter which is tested at the beginning of each month) but this doesn't look familiar at all. Is it because we are not at a center?

Mathematics extensions begin in Kindergarten with a start to Grade 1 Standards. See:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/math/elementary/index.shtml

EMIS offers multiple entry points for students to access the advanced mathematics curriculum when they have developed the cognitive skills to be successful. Advanced mathematics extended indicators and above grade level correlated standards will be available for students as early as kindergarten and will build a stronger foundation in mathematics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of the above. Perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to think you "know it all". It is a FCPS failure in the Gen Ed. schools advanced mathematics program.

Just trying to assist as I actually do have some knowledge about how advanced mathematics is implemented in FCPS. If you do not want assistance and prefer to simply rant that FCPS "is a failure for all of general ed" due to what you see with your one child in mathematics, then by all means continue. I will happily stay away from your posts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

NP here- this is in 2nd grade? I thought AAP started in 3rd grade? My child gets pull outs by ART and is the highest math grouping (2nd grade is divided by level on subject matter which is tested at the beginning of each month) but this doesn't look familiar at all. Is it because we are not at a center?

Both my Gen Ed and AAP kids did Continental Math League all through elementary school, in three different FCPS schools. They also started timed testing of math facts from at least second grade, maybe even first. No prep for IAAT at the AAP center and the teacher specifically told us that the kids should not prep for this test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

NP here- this is in 2nd grade? I thought AAP started in 3rd grade? My child gets pull outs by ART and is the highest math grouping (2nd grade is divided by level on subject matter which is tested at the beginning of each month) but this doesn't look familiar at all. Is it because we are not at a center?

Both my Gen Ed and AAP kids did Continental Math League all through elementary school, in three different FCPS schools. They also started timed testing of math facts from at least second grade, maybe even first. No prep for IAAT at the AAP center and the teacher specifically told us that the kids should not prep for this test.

Similar experience here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP here: I'm questioning my decision to send my child to the AAP center for a number of reasons. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball to see into the future, but right now I don't see much benefit. He misses his neighborhood friends and just doesn't seem happy. He's keeping up with the work, but grumbles a lot. He's also had to adjust to not being one of the smartest kids in his grade. Now he's just one of many smart kids. Instead of helping him grow, I think it's done some damage. To each his/her own, but I don't think AAP is all that parents are told it will be.

I have twins in a LLIV school in the AAP program. One of them was the constantly told by his 2nd grade teacher that he was the "smartest" in the class, the kid never studied for a test or practiced his spelling much and received 4s on everything. This year has been a rude awakening in 3rd grade AAP. He realizes he's not the "smartest" and that everyone in the class is equally or smarter than him including his sibling. He has had a rough time with it. I have talked to the teacher and she has worked with him specifically and continues to do so in order for him to adjust. One of his biggest challenges is that he doesn't like to show his work for math, he does it in his head and writes the answer down. The teacher demands he show his work and to him it's frustrating as he has already worked it in his head. So not all AAP kids are on the same track, and it's important to form a relationship with the teacher if one is really concerned about the education of their child. AAP kids have struggles and challenges as well and they should be addressed either by the teacher or with the appropriate administration. OP, if you are not satisfied, voice your concerns; and hopefully they will be heard and addressed. GL

Showing your work is critical to getting good grades in Math and really helps later on. Doing it all in your head is a bad habit -- math teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am going to guess Continental Math League was used. It is used as early as 2nd grade:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade2.pdf

NP here- this is in 2nd grade? I thought AAP started in 3rd grade? My child gets pull outs by ART and is the highest math grouping (2nd grade is divided by level on subject matter which is tested at the beginning of each month) but this doesn't look familiar at all. Is it because we are not at a center?

Both my Gen Ed and AAP kids did Continental Math League all through elementary school, in three different FCPS schools. They also started timed testing of math facts from at least second grade, maybe even first. No prep for IAAT at the AAP center and the teacher specifically told us that the kids should not prep for this test.

Similar experience here.

For us as well

[Anonymous]

My kids started timed math tests on math facts in first grade. How many out of 30 addition and subtraction facts are completed in both 30 and 60 seconds?