Middle School Enriched Classes - AIM and Global Studies

[Anonymous]

I will admit to not having paid attention to changes to the MS curriculum.

My kid received a letter that she is being enrolled in AIM and the enriched Global Studies. Is there a thread that explains the pathways from these new classes? How is AIM different from IM? Will this be more accelerated than Alg I in 7th, Geometry in 8th, Alg II in 9th?

If someone could direct me to threads on this would greatly appreciate it . . .

[Anonymous]

I don’t mean to snark, but really, there are about 10 recent threads debating all the nuances of these classes.

[Anonymous]

I see one talking about watering down but that doesn't explain what is happening or what the pathways are. What comes after AIM? Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see one talking about watering down but that doesn't explain what is happening or what the pathways are. What comes after AIM? Etc.

Cohort Algebra I in 7th grade, Honors Geometry for 8th, etc. Some of the MS have published the new math pathway diagram on their websites.

[Anonymous]

As to the math part, I don't think I've seen any information on a more advanced class for 7th grade. I think the progression will be AIM=>Algebra I=>Honors Geometry. I believe the same is true for Global Studies -- what will be next in 7th grade is Advanced World Studies -- here, using "Advanced" in the MCPS sense of "Average and not remedial." Again, I've seen nothing about enriched classes being offered after 6th.

I've posted in another thread that my junior boy is really very strong in math, and following the same pathway with IM rather than AIM he is now in AP Calculus BC, making the first Bs in math he's made in his life. He will do multivariate calc next year. Personally I am not worried about my rising 6th grader not having "enriched" math after 6th, as she will be on the same path.

I'm much more concerned about the English curriculum and its incredible weakness in middle school (and in HS "honors" as well) than I am about having accelerated math options or "enriched" social studies classes. Having had my oldest go through the home MS English pathway, which was essentially a waste of time and taught him almost nothing about how to write, let alone spelling or grammar, I'm far more worried about the inadequate English instruction for my rising 6th grader coming out of a CES and reading and writing significantly above grade level. That IMO is where the home middle schools don't serve the needs of smart kids who could do much harder work than they're doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As to the math part, I don't think I've seen any information on a more advanced class for 7th grade. I think the progression will be AIM=>Algebra I=>Honors Geometry. I believe the same is true for Global Studies -- what will be next in 7th grade is Advanced World Studies -- here, using "Advanced" in the MCPS sense of "Average and not remedial." Again, I've seen nothing about enriched classes being offered after 6th.

I've posted in another thread that my junior boy is really very strong in math, and following the same pathway with IM rather than AIM he is now in AP Calculus BC, making the first Bs in math he's made in his life. He will do multivariate calc next year. Personally I am not worried about my rising 6th grader not having "enriched" math after 6th, as she will be on the same path.

I'm much more concerned about the English curriculum and its incredible weakness in middle school (and in HS "honors" as well) than I am about having accelerated math options or "enriched" social studies classes. Having had my oldest go through the home MS English pathway, which was essentially a waste of time and taught him almost nothing about how to write, let alone spelling or grammar, I'm far more worried about the inadequate English instruction for my rising 6th grader coming out of a CES and reading and writing significantly above grade level. That IMO is where the home middle schools don't serve the needs of smart kids who could do much harder work than they're doing.

My kids MS posted the bulletin for next year and the 7th grade Enriched Humanities class is being offered to kids that meet the MAP R/Cogat cutoffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see one talking about watering down but that doesn't explain what is happening or what the pathways are. What comes after AIM? Etc.

I believe 6th graders currently in AIM will lose that cohort and go to 7th grade Algebra with the kids currently in 6th grade in IM. At Pyle at least, that is about 60% of the class overall. So no real 'cohort' there anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will admit to not having paid attention to changes to the MS curriculum.

My kid received a letter that she is being enrolled in AIM and the enriched Global Studies. Is there a thread that explains the pathways from these new classes? How is AIM different from IM? Will this be more accelerated than Alg I in 7th, Geometry in 8th, Alg II in 9th?

If someone could direct me to threads on this would greatly appreciate it . . .

At Pyle at least, there will be no more 6th grade IM starting next year, just AIM, so no difference there. That will be a large cohort of over half the grade. Not sure about the plans at other schools. It may vary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see one talking about watering down but that doesn't explain what is happening or what the pathways are. What comes after AIM? Etc.

I believe 6th graders currently in AIM will lose that cohort and go to 7th grade Algebra with the kids currently in 6th grade in IM. At Pyle at least, that is about 60% of the class overall. So no real 'cohort' there anymore.

SSIMS says that 7th graders in Algebra next year will be "grouped by academic cohorts."

[Anonymous]

They are doing away with IM in 6th at our MS, AIM in 6th for all compact 5/6 math grads. HIGH (Historical Inquiry in Global Humanities) continues on in 7th and 8th.

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that AIM and HIGH (Historical Inquiry into Humanities) cover the same grade level standards as the "regular" courses (IM and Humanities) however, the students are grouped in a cohort of strong, high achieving students and the curriculum is more enriched. It's not an accelerated pathway that covers more than one year, just more challenging using above grade level resources.

I like it, seems like a way to challenge kids without creating a "tack" putting them in a new path or course at the end of the year. If it's an ares a student wants to continue to pursue at a higher level, hopefully there will be an opportunity in HS, but for MS it offers challenge that's developmentally appropriate and not forcing all classes to be advanced moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the COGAT/MAP-R levels needed for HIGH? We got a letter this weekend, but it did not give that info. Does this vary by school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the COGAT/MAP-R levels needed for HIGH? We got a letter this weekend, but it did not give that info. Does this vary by school?

Well let's see, what are your child's scores?