APS Middle School Math Pathways - 6th grade this fall

[Anonymous]

Are most of the gifted math kids doing the 6/7/8 math or the 6th grade math? I’ve heard mixed thoughts on it.

[Anonymous]

There was just a detailed thread on this and now I don’t see it.

Far fewer GT math kids are doing 6/7/8 math. Many are doing Math 6. Compacted Math has been seen to be a problem for many gifted math students a few years prior that were in the path for Intensified Geometry in 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was just a detailed thread on this and now I don’t see it.

Far fewer GT math kids are doing 6/7/8 math. Many are doing Math 6. Compacted Math has been seen to be a problem for many gifted math students a few years prior that were in the path for Intensified Geometry in 8th.

Thread is still here it just doesn’t say Arlington/APS in subject header.

[Anonymous]

My rising GT Math 6th grader is doing Math 6.

We did not like the accelerated “intensified Algebra I”in 7th and “intensified Geometry” in 8th for our older child because it moved very quickly and though she tests very high in math she shuts down when concepts aren’t broken down and she doesn’t get something immediately. She had zero problems with HS computer science and robotics 7th/8th - but math went too fast, particularly without a tutor like most classmates had that were basically teaching the kids concepts for tests that teacher did not thoroughly teach in the classroom. She also doesn’t plan to do Calculus BC Junior year and multivariable Calculus Senior year. No plans to go beyond regular Calc in HS (will take Senior year) since interests are well-rounded and plays sports and loves liberal arts too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Sorry I missed the other thread.

Wondering if parents had more info now that letter recommendations came home.

[Anonymous]

My older daughter (rising 9th) did math 6, math 8 for 7th graders, and algebra 1 Intensified. She had no problems in algebra this year, got A’s all 4 quarters.
My son (rising 7th) did the math 6-7-8 class this year, and made 2 A’s and 2 B’s across the year. He’s going to do algebra 1 intensified in 7th next year. I think he will do just fine as well. But to be honest it was the first math content that he actually had to put in some effort to do well. It was a good lesson for him.

[Anonymous]

My gifted child did intensified algebra in 7th this year and it was the first time she truly had to work at math and she didn’t pull all As. Finished out the year with a B, just barely. It was quite a surprise for her and a good lesson that just because you have always coasted in classes doesn’t mean you always will. Not sure if she’ll put that grade on her high school transcript or not.

[Anonymous]

The last two posters confirm that I think it’s better to have a stronger foundation and do Intensified Algebra I in 8th for most kids. Math builds from year to year.

Struggling for a low B implies to me that there is not a solid foundation and if you aren’t putting the grade on the transcript that says something.

My kid struggled for a high B (2 As and 2 B’s). I am not putting him in Intensified Geometry in 8th. I don’t think he does well with the faster pace of the Intensified Math, the primarily video instruction/learn on your own that was his instruction this year. So where does that leave us, repeating Intensified Algebra I in 8th instead of pushing ahead to Intensified Geometry? I don’t want a stressed out middle schooler. There’s enough time for that in HS. No wonder so many kids have anxiety and mental issues.

It was his first B ever, so- yes- he’s learning he will need to work for grades - but I’m not putting anything below an A from middle school on a high school transcript.

[Anonymous]

My younger child was just recommended for 6-7-8. I have no idea how many others were.

My older one was the last class of the old advanced pathway before they changed it. I liked the old pathway better. I think 6-7-8 in one year may be too much. We'll see. This kid loves math and was bored stiff in math in elementary school so he's definitely going to take 6-7-8, and we'll see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

PP 22:54 here. To be clear, my kid didn’t struggle for a B. In many ways I think the 6-7-8 class is harder than algebra 1 because it is multiple years of standards in one year. I have no doubts my kid is ready for algebra in 7th and if not we have time to repeat. By the way he is not identified gifted in math and was still recommended for the 6-7-8 class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP 22:54 here. To be clear, my kid didn’t struggle for a B. In many ways I think the 6-7-8 class is harder than algebra 1 because it is multiple years of standards in one year. I have no doubts my kid is ready for algebra in 7th and if not we have time to repeat. By the way he is not identified gifted in math and was still recommended for the 6-7-8 class.

the 6-7-8 recommendations don't seem to have rhyme or reason. My child was identified "gifted" and scored high on the SOL, but was not recommended for 6-7-8 last year. But now that child is recommended for pre-algebra for 7th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP 22:54 here. To be clear, my kid didn’t struggle for a B. In many ways I think the 6-7-8 class is harder than algebra 1 because it is multiple years of standards in one year. I have no doubts my kid is ready for algebra in 7th and if not we have time to repeat. By the way he is not identified gifted in math and was still recommended for the 6-7-8 class.

the 6-7-8 recommendations don't seem to have rhyme or reason. My child was identified "gifted" and scored high on the SOL, but was not recommended for 6-7-8 last year. But now that child is recommended for pre-algebra for 7th.

What school? Our refused to tell parents the grade 7 recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP 22:54 here. To be clear, my kid didn’t struggle for a B. In many ways I think the 6-7-8 class is harder than algebra 1 because it is multiple years of standards in one year. I have no doubts my kid is ready for algebra in 7th and if not we have time to repeat. By the way he is not identified gifted in math and was still recommended for the 6-7-8 class.

the 6-7-8 recommendations don't seem to have rhyme or reason. My child was identified "gifted" and scored high on the SOL, but was not recommended for 6-7-8 last year. But now that child is recommended for pre-algebra for 7th.

What school? Our refused to tell parents the grade 7 recommendations?

Not PP, but we got an email saying recommendations would be mailed this week (Swanson).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP 22:54 here. To be clear, my kid didn’t struggle for a B. In many ways I think the 6-7-8 class is harder than algebra 1 because it is multiple years of standards in one year. I have no doubts my kid is ready for algebra in 7th and if not we have time to repeat. By the way he is not identified gifted in math and was still recommended for the 6-7-8 class.

the 6-7-8 recommendations don't seem to have rhyme or reason. My child was identified "gifted" and scored high on the SOL, but was not recommended for 6-7-8 last year. But now that child is recommended for pre-algebra for 7th.

What school? Our refused to tell parents the grade 7 recommendations?

Jefferson

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My gifted child did intensified algebra in 7th this year and it was the first time she truly had to work at math and she didn’t pull all As. Finished out the year with a B, just barely. It was quite a surprise for her and a good lesson that just because you have always coasted in classes doesn’t mean you always will. Not sure if she’ll put that grade on her high school transcript or not.

I think she actually does have a pretty strong foundation, but did a poor job of preparing for tests according to her teacher. She would re-take almost the same test, and then score much better the second time around. They really mean it when they say "intensified" and the rest of her classes didn't come close to the amount of homework and material that class had.
She also dealt with a death in the family during this year and found out that the world keeps turning despite her grief. So we are figuring out a few things this year / summer: improving executive functioning skills with a tutor, refreshing on math skills before school starts again, improving organizational skills (for all of us), and working on being more mindful and slowing down in general.