Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 22:04     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?


What makes you think that it's not based on actual ability? Just because your son wasn't given the option does not mean that other parents have pushed. Despite high MAP-M test scores and other indicators it may be recommended for some and not others. That is the teachers call.



Because it is not mentioned as an option. It's secret. Let's take my son out of it. I will tell you there are kids in his class that are crazy good at math that are in 4/5. I find it hard to believe that this unmentioned option is available without a fight.


Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 21:05     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.


It is not possible. ALL kids will take IM in 6th grade. My child goes to middle school for math in 5th grade now, get straight A's and I was still told they have to take IM. Parents with kids taking it this year says it is ridiculously easy. I agree not all kids should move fast and they do teach terribly across the board, but for kids that excel and do camps and home classes and truly are ready should not be denied. They are indeed being denied.


Unless you're in the central office making the decision, I don't see how you can possibly know what every single sixth-grader in Montgomery County public schools will do for math.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 20:31     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.


It is not possible. ALL kids will take IM in 6th grade. My child goes to middle school for math in 5th grade now, get straight A's and I was still told they have to take IM. Parents with kids taking it this year says it is ridiculously easy. I agree not all kids should move fast and they do teach terribly across the board, but for kids that excel and do camps and home classes and truly are ready should not be denied. They are indeed being denied.


I do not believe it is really all. I have been told lots of things over the years and they are never 100% true. Your middle school may not offer it or they may not be willing to offer it to your child but that doesn't mean the scenario is different for another child.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 20:02     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.



I know of at least one at our HGC. I presume these are kids whose parents have pushed because my son and a few other kids with huge MAP M and other indicators were not given this option. Sounds like you need to get AEI involved and push push push. Sad that this is not apparently vaccinated on actual ability.


What makes you think that it's not based on actual ability? Just because your son wasn't given the option does not mean that other parents have pushed. Despite high MAP-M test scores and other indicators it may be recommended for some and not others. That is the teachers call.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 19:50     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.


It is not possible. ALL kids will take IM in 6th grade. My child goes to middle school for math in 5th grade now, get straight A's and I was still told they have to take IM. Parents with kids taking it this year says it is ridiculously easy. I agree not all kids should move fast and they do teach terribly across the board, but for kids that excel and do camps and home classes and truly are ready should not be denied. They are indeed being denied.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 19:41     Subject: Re:Algebra in 6th grade?
Along lines of 18:33 our older GTC son skipped IM 6 and in algebra 2 in 8th now ay local HS. He is still getting borderline A after breezing thru algebra 1 and geometry. But does struggle at times. Would not be willing to accelerate our 5th grader if was an option. older child's friend very advanced so the acceleration seemed appropriate.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 18:33     Subject: Re:Algebra in 6th grade?
In my child's HGC (pre C2.0) all the kids in Math 7 in Grade 5 (with one exception) were placed into IM by the 5th grade teacher. Her reasoning was that IM would teach them some content that would help with more abstract reasoning in later Math classes. I've also spoken to high school Math teachers who report that kids who are accelerated because they are doing really well in Math often have trouble for the first time when they get to Algebra 2. There are many potential reasons for this - having skipped and rushed through earlier Math coursework they don't have strong number sense, or their brains are not yet ready for the abstract thinking Algebra II requires because they are two or three years younger than the typical Algebra 2 student. So, I feel good about having my child take IM in sixth grade and begin Algebra in 7th. There are bound to be a few outliers who are more than ready to tackle AlgebraI in sixth grade. I'm sure the PP whose two children went to Blair would agree. I guess I'd be curious to know if the Blair teachers feel that slowing down a little in elem and middle school puts the C2.0 children at a disadvantage when they start to attend Blair. After all, one of the reasons MCPS revamped its Math curriculum was because Blair magnet Math teachers observed that many children who were high performing Math students did not have the basic skills they needed to do higher level work without remediation.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 14:20     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
You can have your child advance a year through summer school if you really think they need three AP level math classes in HS to succeed in college.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 14:13     Subject: Re:Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:Kids who are very math oriented are not looking to get out of taking math their senior year. Its so frustrating that MCPS sees math as a less worthy subject than language based subjects. I understand that people who get education majors avoid math and hard sciences but they need to look beyond their own limitations. We need to stop trying to turn math into a language arts course and stop believing that most people aren't capable of math. There are many students who could benefit from a more rigorous, challenging, and exciting math curriculum.


Could you please explain why you think that MCPS sees math as a less worthy subject and believes that most people aren't capable of math? MCPS expects the typical student to take an AP math class, for example calculus, in high school.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 14:08     Subject: Re:Algebra in 6th grade?
A majority of kids don't truly need advanced math, and the number who would benefit from simply pushing to get through the sequence early is very small, especially now that I think math is required all 4 years of high school no matter what, meaning that's not a way to play the system and free up another period for a subject important to the student."

Kids who are very math oriented are not looking to get out of taking math their senior year. Its so frustrating that MCPS sees math as a less worthy subject than language based subjects. I understand that people who get education majors avoid math and hard sciences but they need to look beyond their own limitations. We need to stop trying to turn math into a language arts course and stop believing that most people aren't capable of math. There are many students who could benefit from a more rigorous, challenging, and exciting math curriculum.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 13:38     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.



I know of at least one at our HGC. I presume these are kids whose parents have pushed because my son and a few other kids with huge MAP M and other indicators were not given this option. Sounds like you need to get AEI involved and push push push. Sad that this is not apparently vaccinated on actual ability.


PP here. Vaccinated should say occurring. Not sure how auto correct did that one!
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 13:36     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.



I know of at least one at our HGC. I presume these are kids whose parents have pushed because my son and a few other kids with huge MAP M and other indicators were not given this option. Sounds like you need to get AEI involved and push push push. Sad that this is not apparently vaccinated on actual ability.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 12:04     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:First one yes

Second one will not be able to. Under 2.0 the highest you can take is IM.

Dumbing down the curriculum so the Central American kids can pass exams.


With the "traditional" route, kids were still doing terribly in math, as they didn't possess number sense. This is an attempt at helping them understand the reasons behind mathematical concepts.

What's more important? going through the motions or understanding how things REALLY work?



NP. Good point, definitely the second for most kids. The only way just getting through the classes no matter what would be the right path is if it's for a kid who needs strong coursework for college admissions but is completely sure their intended major/career plans won't have them needing more math.

There's a time and place for only going through the motions to play the game, but you'd better be sure you know what the impact will be.

Otherwise, I agree that for most kids it is a better idea to seriously consider not trying to advance the math progression. A majority of kids don't truly need advanced math, and the number who would benefit from simply pushing to get through the sequence early is very small, especially now that I think math is required all 4 years of high school no matter what, meaning that's not a way to play the system and free up another period for a subject important to the student.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 10:54     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
I know of 4 kids that are taking math 5/6 in 4th grade at a HGC, so those children are on track for Algebra in 6th grade. It is possible, but maybe not right for your child.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2015 10:51     Subject: Algebra in 6th grade?
Anonymous wrote:My older 2 took Alg 1 in 6th (pre 2.0) both now at magnet program at Blair. My youngest is screwed due to 2.0


Oh... Just completely screwed. May as well quit school now.