Some thoughts about Math Matriculation for Fairhaven MIddle School

I am writing this after I'd written the earlier post not because I can give you more information about matriculation at Fairhaven Middle School (that should come on Monday), but because I want to share some thoughts about the curriculum and about "tracking" the kids once they enter Fairhaven.

There is no advanced 6th grade math
As I understand it, there is no "advanced" sixth grade math at Fairhaven Middle School. What the school offers, however, is seventh grade math for sixth graders who already know the sixth grade topics. At Larrabee Elementary School, we have begun developing only a small number of topics that are found in the 6th grade standards. District wide, we anticipate our fifth graders to be prepared to enter sixth grade math. In a few schools in our district there are students who are exposed to much more 6th grade material in the 5th grade and we suspect this is because of Math Olympiad. Of course, even at Larrabee where there is no Math Olympiad, there are always a few students who have that exposure and preparation; but it is a small number.

Connected mathematics is an excellent curriculum
During my first year at teaching at Shuksan Middle School, I had a class of 8th graders for math and at that time we taught grade 8 math with the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) curriculum. I have nothing by the highest regard for the curriculum's goals and methods. Students are asked to make predictions about mathematical situations, to run experiments, and then to formalize the results before generalizing them to other situations. Your children will enter 6th grade and will enter into the CMP program, and I feel they are fortunate to have that opportunity. The 7th grade also uses CMP, but 8th grade no longer does -- the district having moved to the High School Algebra text for all 8th graders.


Self-pacing allows for differentiation
The CMP model lends itself well to self-pacing. From what I see on the website for 6th grade math at FMS [link], they also are self-pacing it to allow students more time to fully explore and develop skills and processes.

We have to be in the right math class for AP calculus!?
When you and I went through middle school, Algebra was the advanced course for 8th graders. Many of us still found a way to take AP Calculus. There is summer school, there's running start, there's summer at WCC, there are online courses, there are SO MANY more ways now-a-days to get there. In my opinion, you should not let any thought of AP Calculus sway your decision about what is best for your child.

The real concern is the tracking
In my opinion, the only parents who should be concerned about their child's 6th grade math placement are parents of kids who already know those topics backwards and forwards. But what this hyper-level of tracking even into the 6th grade does is affect class composition of science and elective courses. That is the real concern you may want to focus on. Rather than focussing your conversations with Fairhaven on how to accelerate your child in math, talk with them about creating opportunities for ALL kids to be in cohorts of students who are committed and conscientious.