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Question: How are the number of instructional days reduced this year?

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Question: How are the number of instructional days reduced this year?

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Answer: Math is the same as all cores--there are two hours of live instruction each week, 30 minutes of independent work and 30 minutes of online self-paced math practice.   The Wednesday STEM block also supports student exploration of the math practice standards.

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Follow up question: I understand that all the cores are the same amount of time as each other, but how much less are they getting this year  than in a normal year?  In the introduction they said that there was a reduced number of hours and days of learning.

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Follow up question: I understand that all the cores are the same amount of time as each other, but how much less are they getting this year  than in a normal year?  In the introduction they said that there was a reduced number of hours and days of learning.

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Answer: Prior to the pandemic, students had a total of 250 minutes of math instruction through live lessons. During remote learning, students have a total of 270 minutes for math - 120 minutes of live lessons, 60 minutes of independent work, and 90 minutes of ALEKS. Although the time of live lessons has been reduced, students actually have more time overall for math.

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I have heard that to be able to take calculus in high school, one must pass the Algebra test at the end of 8th grade. Does the curriculum prepare all students for that, do kids need to study additionally outside of school, etc.?

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I have heard that to be able to take calculus in high school, one must pass the Algebra test at the end of 8th grade. Does the curriculum prepare all students for that, do kids need to study additionally outside of school, etc.?

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Answer (Mr. Oliveira): I imagine that we will not have the Algebra test at the end of the year, as we did not in the spring. In 8th grade we are  not focused on the Algebra 1 standards due to our limited in-class time. Our focus is on the priority standards that will prepare them for Algebra. The general order for math in high school is: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus. While at the high school, students will have the opportunity to "double-up" on math. This would allow them to take a math course each semester which could ultimately get them to taking Calculus, or moving beyond Calculus.

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Question: Explanation of terms such as Desmos, IXL?

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Question: Explanation of terms such as Desmos, IXL?

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Answer: DESMOS is an online math resource that is very helpful, especially with graphing. IXL is an online platform to practice math skills. ALEKS is another online platform that helps create individualized learning plans for math skills.

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Question: Sara Helmes introduced herself as a Math Coach. What does that mean?

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Question: Sara Helmes introduced herself as a Math Coach. What does that mean?

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Answer: All elementary and upper schools have what is called a building based instructional coach in both math and literacy.  A "coach" is an instructional leader who works to support teachers in strengthening their classroom instruction.

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Question: The schedule says that students are supposed to be doing ALEX/IXL every Math day, but are they really supposed to be? Not sure if this is clear to the students.

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Question: The schedule says that students are supposed to be doing ALEX/IXL every Math day, but are they really supposed to be? Not sure if this is clear to the students.

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Answer: Actually according to the schedule students are expected to do ALEKS only on the days that they have math class AND on Wednesdays.  Teachers do track the amount of time on the program and work with students and families when that 20-30 minutes is actually being done.

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Question: Difference between a math coach and a math specialist?

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Question: Difference between a math coach and a math specialist?

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Answer: Math specialists are supporting students and in classes working with students; coaches are focused on supporting teachers

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Question: Are we able to access our child’s ALEKS/IXL progress? I ask because in elementary school there were ways to do this with programs they used.

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Question: Are we able to access our child’s ALEKS/IXL progress? I ask because in elementary school there were ways to do this with programs they used.

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Question: How are you assessing how students are progressing in this remote environment?

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Question: How are you assessing how students are progressing in this remote environment?

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Answer: Exit tickets, Google classroom assignments, teacher observation during the Desmos activities, projects, work on IXL and ALEKS. We are planning on giving students small check-ups.

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Question: Does someone monitor each student's progress in IXL and ALEKS and work with them if they are struggling (or make sure that they are actually doing it)?

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Question: Does someone monitor each student's progress in IXL and ALEKS and work with them if they are struggling (or make sure that they are actually doing it)?

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Answer: Teachers are checking ALEKS/IXL and how much time students are spending on it. ALEKS took a little while to set up, so we are still getting the routine down and will continue to remind students of the expectation.

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Question: Will personal finance be offered again as a STEM offering? Our 6th grader is eager to learn about personal finance and didn't get his choice this time around. 

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Question: Will personal finance be offered again as a STEM offering? Our 6th grader is eager to learn about personal finance and didn't get his choice this time around. 

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Answer: Yes it will be offered all of the cycles that we have for STEM blocks. I am sure your 6th grader will be in it for the next cycle!