Accelerated Math

[tchrrx]

Does your child's school use this program? What are your opinions on it? Our school is considering using it in our elementary classrooms (3rd and up), but we would like to know the pros & cons of it.

Do you know how much prep time/class time it takes? Is AM your primary (or only) math curriculum, or does it supplement a different program? I am especially interested to know how it works for teachers, students, and parents who use the Abeka curriculum currently. Thanks!

 

[maelstrom]

Being in the accelerated math program as a child really screwed me up with math. I mean, obviously, that's not going to happen to every kid. In my school, if you were "smart", you got put in all accelerated classes (math, science, English, foreign language). Well, math was never my strong point, and getting whisked through everything so quickly really messed me up. Let's just say I was still taking elementary algebra (y=mx+b) in college, and I had to take it more than once. And I also wasn't properly taught long division until college. Now, this also has to do with a bad school system, my not being good at math to begin with, and probably a million other factors. So I guess this is my roundabout way of saying, tread lightly.

 

[Hendoendo]

I know exactly what you are saying Maelstrom. I was put in all accelerated classes also and could not handle the math. I was forced to drop out of the accelerated program after 9th grade because I had to repeat the math class

 

[carj]

ARe you talling about Accelerated Math, the program that is a product like Accelerated Reader? If so, our school district uses that and it is very successful. Our students use it in grades 1-6.
I am a teacher but not a math teacher, but from what I see from my own children, it takes a while as a teacher to get used to managing all the practices, exercises, tests, etc... The teachers invest the time in first grade to teach the kids how to use the program and how to progress. Second grade, the kids are more responsible for meeting their objectives. By the time they are in third grade, it seems to run like clockwork.
As a parent, I love the Home Connect site because I can print practices and have my children complete them at home. (They have to test at school.) I can also see the number of objectives that they have mastered and how they are doing on meeting their goal.

There is another math program that is used. I think that we use Envision Math. It is the state adopted textbook.

 

[RF536]

DS9 school uses it as an supplement to the Everyday Math cirriculum, he as been using it since K. In K and 1st grade, the Accelerated Math work was sent home with him to do whatever he wanted of it, the only problem we had with it in K was that his math ability exceeded his reading ability. So for K, I had to read the problem to him and then let him figure out the answer, answers were put on scantron sheets.


Pros - Gave DS a chance to be challenged in Math. Can be used as a supplement, drawing attention to the fact that a kid is working ahead of the class.

Cons-If it is started and then not continued in the following years, the students can get bored. DS had it in K and 1st grade, then 2nd grade teacher didn't use it, which caused him to be very bored in 2nd grade, as he had already worked on the 2nd grade cirriculum.

 

[minniebeth]

My kids' school uses the Accelerated Math/Reading programs in grades 2-8 and I love the programs. I think they are used to their best potential in their school. It is just a small suppletmental part of their overall evaluation tools. This is the first year that they are using Home Connect, and I think it will be much easier on the teachers. For the first two years of implementing AM, (the AR reading program has been there for a lot longer) the teachers had volunteer parents come in and help the kids with practices and learn how to test, print, file, etc. Once they got the hang of it, like a pp said, it works like clockwork and the kids help each other out of they need it. Now with Home Connect, AM will sometimes be the math homework.

My DD is in 3rd grade, so she does not have certain objectives just yet, the teacher suggests 15 mins. of practice/testing if it is given as homework.

My DD 8th grade has monthly goals and objectives that are used as part of their grade.

It has several advantages in my opinion: the teacher can look at overall skills that are being tested. If there is a skill/s that the whole class is having trouble with, that skill can be addressed.

As far as kids getting bored with it, it is a lot of rote practice, however, they are constantly being given practice and tests on their specific skill level, so if they are advancing, so should their skills.

That's where it could lead to some groups divided out into a TAG program and some advanced skills taught. Unfortunately, my kids' school does not do this, but if I personally knew my kids were performing way above grade level (they're not ) I would make sure they got the enrichment they needed.