Special Evening for Fifth Grade Parents on Math Sequencing Grades 6-12

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Special Evening for Fifth Grade Parents on

Math Sequencing Grades 6-12

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Format for the Meeting

• A brief review of math sequencing for students

• Information that will help you guide your child’s math coursework during middle and high school

• Question &Answer

Course Progression

Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Standard Progression

Everyday Math 5

Math 6

Course 1

Math 7

Course 2

Math 8Course 3

Pre-AlgebraAlgebra

Honors Progression

Everyday Math 5

Math 6 Honors

Course 2

Gr. 6 & 7 Standards

Math 7 Honors

Pre-Algebra

Gr. 8 Standards

Algebra

Accelerated Progression via Policy

5123

Accelerated grade 5

Math studentsEveryday

Math 5 & 6 combination

OR

Everyday Math 6

Math 6 Honors

OR

Math 7 Honors

Math 7 Honors

Algebra

Algebra

Geometry (Honors)

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Grade 5-8 Math Course Progressions

Selecting a math course –

January - letter and middle school registration materials sent to all 5th grade parents - included scores needed to make math decision

February- parents register students for 6th grade courses - students who received a recommendation letter for Honors 7 are automatically placed in that class and do not need to register for a math class

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Opportunitiesin Middle School

Mathematics

• Most middle school students will be recommended to enroll in Math 6

Math 6 Course Description • Students will master operations with

decimals, fractions, and various graphs. Percents, algebraic equations and patterns, measurement, area, volume, symmetry and transformations are all concepts that are further developed with an expected level of mastery.

• Mathematical connections, problem solving, and representations are an integral part of each lesson. Communication (both written and oral) and proofs are also emphasized and integrated daily.

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Students who meet these criteria are recommended for

Math 6 Honors

• 2013-14 recommended criteria:

Grade 4 WKCE Math Scale Score of 500 or above

andGrade 5 MAP Math Fall RIT score of

230 or above

• If you have a question about the course content, contact the middle school guidance counselor. If the question is about how your child learns math, please talk to your child’s 5th grade teacher.

Math 6 Honors Course Description • Honors 6 Math asks students to demonstrate proficiency

in grade 6 and 7 outcomes through the use of the 7th grade text. The pace of instruction in this course is much faster, along with a more rigorous content, than in the grade 6 course. There are fewer repetitions of concepts before mastery of content is expected. This course is designed for students who demonstrate a rapid rate of learning mathematical concepts.

• In this course students will master Level 6 outcomes plus operations with integers, rates, ratios, geometric concepts with 2-dimensional figures, and probability. Exponents, algebraic relationships and patterns are all concepts that are further developed with an expected level of mastery.

• Strong problem solving and writing skills are essential for success in this class. Following 5th grade teacher’s recommendation is strongly encouraged.

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Math 6 compared to Math 6 Honors

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Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide

Fractions

Math 6 Math 6 Honors• Pretest Estimating w/fractions or mixed

numbers• Estimating sums and differences Add/subtract fractions• Add/subtract fractions with like denom. Add/subtract mixed numbers • Add/subtract fractions with unlike denom. Review• Review Quiz• Quiz Multiply fractions/mixed numbers• Using mixed numbers - Activity Divide fractions/mixed numbers• Optional Change units in the customary system• Adding mixed numbers Quiz• Subtracting mixed numbers Review for test• Mixed numbers and improper fractions Test• Review• Quiz• Least Common Multiple• Comparing and ordering fractions• Fractions and decimals• Review for quiz• Quiz• Review for test• Test

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• Meets Acceleration Criteria per policy 5123

• Formally identified as gifted• Had an accelerated math experience in

grade 5• Has a recommendation from the

elementary IRT based on performance in the accelerated math course.

This course is available only to those 6th grade students who meet the above criteria.

Math 7 Honors Enrollment Criteria for grade 5 students

FAQs

Is it possible for a student in Math 6 to take Algebra in 8th grade? YES!

Based on standardized assessments and grade 7 math course work.

Please remember,

a solid math background is more beneficial than placement in an accelerated program.

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FAQs• If the student is doing very well

in Math 6 can he/she be moved to Math 6 Honors?– Yes, but the first step is classroom

differentiation that includes enrichment and extension. If this is not meeting the instructional needs of the child, then a move to Math 6 Honors may be considered.

– Student performance is monitored by the classroom teacher during the first nine weeks of school to ensure that the math placement is appropriate for the child.

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FAQs• If a student is struggling in

Math 6 Honors can he/she be moved to Math 6?– Yes.

– Student performance is monitored by the classroom teacher during the first nine weeks of school to ensure that the math placement is appropriate for the child.

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What is available for struggling math

students?

• ACE Support classes are available in grades 6-8 – every other day– Every nine weeks, teachers make

recommendations regarding students who could benefit from the additional math support class

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Things to consider• Students who enroll in Math 6 do have the

opportunity to enroll in Algebra in grade 8

• Most students will take Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II in high school. Geometry and Algebra II have honor’s sections available.

• Other math experiences your child could choose upon completing Algebra II or Honors Algebra II:– Functions and Trigonometry– Statistics or AP Statistics– Precalculus or Precalculus Honors– AP Calculus - AB or BC– Youth Options - if all math courses

have been exhausted

• Most colleges require 4 years of math as part of their entrance requirements

• The ACT contains questions relating to statistics and trigonometry, so these courses are beneficial for students

• Statistics is the mathematics that we use most often in daily life.

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Additional Considerations

• The study of mathematics is very abstract. Students develop these abstract thinking skills at different rates.

• A student who struggles in mathematics may find his/her abstract thinking develops during middle school and may wish to “double up” math courses during high school.

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What math courses will my student be able to take in high school?

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Grade 8-12 Math Course ProgressionsHigh school students may choose to take two math courses in one year. In the block schedule one course can be taken in semester 1 and the second in semester 2.

Grade 8 Math Class

Freshman Math Course

(1 credit required)

Next course in sequence

(1 credit required)

Additional Mathematics Opportunities

Math 8 OR Pre-Algebra

Algebra ORAlgebra A & Algebra B

Geometry OR Honors Geometry

Algebra II ORHonors Algebra IITHENFunctions & TrigonometryStatisticsPrecalculus*Precalulus Honors *Statistics AP*AB Calculus AP *BC Calculus AP*

Algebra Geometry OR Honors Geometry

Algebra II ORHonors Algebra II

Functions & TrigonometryStatisticsPrecalculus*Precalculus Honors *Statistics AP*AB Calculus AP *BC Calculus AP*

Honors Geometry Algebra IIOR Honors Algebra II

Functions & Trig StatisticsPrecalculus* Precalculus Honors* Statistics AP * AB Calculus AP * BC Calculus AP*

* Course has a prerequisite in addition to Algebra II

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Additional Considerations• Honors Chemistry has a co-requisite of Algebra II.

• If a student wishes to take Honors Chemistry during his/her sophomore year, he/she should take Algebra prior to grade 9 or could take Algebra and Geometry concurrently in grade 9.

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Some Additional Perspective• Regardless of the starting point in

middle school, all students have the opportunity to take an Advanced Placement math offering during high school.

• Coursework should be challenging but not overwhelming

• Many college degrees require a course in statistics or calculus

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Final thoughts

There are multiple opportunities in middle and high school for students to advance their mathematics course work.

We encourage you to follow the recommended course placement as your child transitions to middle school.

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For more information contact:

-Curt Mould, Director of Secondary Instruction

-Elementary IRT

-Middle school counselor

-5th grade Math teacher

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Q & A

Thanks for coming.Our staff is eager to work with

you and your child!