Acceleration
Advanced Placement: Mathematics
Tarkan is accelerated in math.
Beginning in 6th grade, BISD allows students to skip math levels and place into math classes offered to students in a higher grade. Warning. The pace and content of the classes are not modified in 7th grade math, or in Algebra I, so these classes may move very slowly for high ability students. The pace and content are modified in honors geometry, honors Algebra II, and beyond.
Click here for the BISD Math Pathways chart. The chart starts with 5th grade with My Math Curriculum supplemented with EPGY for the advanced pathway. For 6th graders options include 7th grade CMP math or Algebra 1.
History
In the 2012-13 school year, Sakai opened up one class of 7th grade math for 6th graders. The 7th grade course was taught at Sakai by Mr. Kitley and followed the Woodward 7th grade CMP math curriculum. This curriculum covers Prealgebra concepts and prepares students for Algebra I. Students were selected for this class based on NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) scores, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores, and other measures. Many 6th graders found the class to be a good fit. For the most advanced students, the 7th grade math curriculum was a review of content already mastered. For these students, the course was not sufficient to meet their learning needs.
In 2012-13 Woodward enrolled approximately 60 7th graders in Algebra I. This was triple the number admitted in prior years. Some students found the jump from 6th grade math to Algebra to be too steep; they shifted back to 7th grade CMP. The rest of the 7th grade Algebra students found it to be a good fit, and these students currently fill two sections of Honors Geometry at Woodward (2013-14).
In 2013-14 there are two sections of 7th grade math at Sakai, one taught by Ms. Atkinson, and one taught by Mr. Kitley. The criteria: high achievement on the NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) and a high score on the IAAT plus evidence of readiness for the academic rigor of an advanced class.
Last year six 5th graders scored so high on the 7th grade math placement assessments that they were offered the opportunity to enroll in Algebra 1 at Woodward for 6th grade. Four students accepted this option. They are doing very well in the Algebra class, and they are managing the hour or so of Algebra homework per night. Two students opted out of the Algebra offer, hoping to recieve differentiated instruction in the 7th grade math class at Sakai. This has not worked out. The 7th grade math curriculum is set to match Woodward's, and there does not seem to be any flexibility to do work beyond that level. Along with the Sakai 7th grade math work, these students have independently completed EPGY 7th grade Honors Pre-Algebra and Derek Owens Algebra 1. They will take an Algebra proficiency test to place into Honors Geometry for 7th grade.
In 2013-14 students in both 7th grade math classes do have the opportunity to test into a math pull-out with Mr. Harris about twice a month. The threshold to qualify is very high, and only a few students qualify each time. Those who do qualify find it to be very interesting, and they have a lot of fun with Mr. Harris in the pull-out. There is no plan to include a pull-out for the 7th grade math students in 2014-15.
Next Year 2014-15
Rising 6th Graders
In 2014-15 there will be two 7th grade math sections at Sakai. Three students tested high enough to go directly to Woodward for Algebra 1 in 6th grade. Each family will have to evaluate if this is a good option for their child.
Rising 5th Graders
There will be two classes of Accelerated 5th grade math at Sakai in 2014-15. What will students do after they complete 5th grade math? We'll soon find out as there are quite a few students entering 5th grade who have already mastered the 5th grade common core.
Click here for the BISD Math Pathways chart. The chart starts with 5th grade with My Math Curriculum supplemented with EPGY for the advanced pathway. For 6th graders options include 7th grade CMP math or Algebra 1.
History
In the 2012-13 school year, Sakai opened up one class of 7th grade math for 6th graders. The 7th grade course was taught at Sakai by Mr. Kitley and followed the Woodward 7th grade CMP math curriculum. This curriculum covers Prealgebra concepts and prepares students for Algebra I. Students were selected for this class based on NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) scores, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores, and other measures. Many 6th graders found the class to be a good fit. For the most advanced students, the 7th grade math curriculum was a review of content already mastered. For these students, the course was not sufficient to meet their learning needs.
In 2012-13 Woodward enrolled approximately 60 7th graders in Algebra I. This was triple the number admitted in prior years. Some students found the jump from 6th grade math to Algebra to be too steep; they shifted back to 7th grade CMP. The rest of the 7th grade Algebra students found it to be a good fit, and these students currently fill two sections of Honors Geometry at Woodward (2013-14).
In 2013-14 there are two sections of 7th grade math at Sakai, one taught by Ms. Atkinson, and one taught by Mr. Kitley. The criteria: high achievement on the NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) and a high score on the IAAT plus evidence of readiness for the academic rigor of an advanced class.
Last year six 5th graders scored so high on the 7th grade math placement assessments that they were offered the opportunity to enroll in Algebra 1 at Woodward for 6th grade. Four students accepted this option. They are doing very well in the Algebra class, and they are managing the hour or so of Algebra homework per night. Two students opted out of the Algebra offer, hoping to recieve differentiated instruction in the 7th grade math class at Sakai. This has not worked out. The 7th grade math curriculum is set to match Woodward's, and there does not seem to be any flexibility to do work beyond that level. Along with the Sakai 7th grade math work, these students have independently completed EPGY 7th grade Honors Pre-Algebra and Derek Owens Algebra 1. They will take an Algebra proficiency test to place into Honors Geometry for 7th grade.
In 2013-14 students in both 7th grade math classes do have the opportunity to test into a math pull-out with Mr. Harris about twice a month. The threshold to qualify is very high, and only a few students qualify each time. Those who do qualify find it to be very interesting, and they have a lot of fun with Mr. Harris in the pull-out. There is no plan to include a pull-out for the 7th grade math students in 2014-15.
Next Year 2014-15
Rising 6th Graders
In 2014-15 there will be two 7th grade math sections at Sakai. Three students tested high enough to go directly to Woodward for Algebra 1 in 6th grade. Each family will have to evaluate if this is a good option for their child.
Rising 5th Graders
There will be two classes of Accelerated 5th grade math at Sakai in 2014-15. What will students do after they complete 5th grade math? We'll soon find out as there are quite a few students entering 5th grade who have already mastered the 5th grade common core.
Acceleration UpdateRyan and his friends participated in a before-school math club during 6th grade (2009-10). They used EPGY and ALEKS.com to cover advanced math topics. They all placed into Algebra I for 7th grade, and they will ready for AP Calculus in their Junior year.
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