Is this a Kid Who Needs Math Challenges and What Would That Be?
Seeking advice from educators and/or parents. My fifth grader is in a bare-bones public school; while his teachers have been very nice and understanding of his quirks and strengths, due to the range of abilities in the classroom they of course aren't able to provide him differentiated instruction. He's always been a strong reader (tested at 12th grade last year in 4th grade), but we are coming to realize maybe math is more the thing he can go deeper/further in. He scored well on the 3rd grade SBAC, and on the 4th grade SBAC he scored 2623 in math which I think is very close to the max 4th grade score in CA. Full credit to the teachers for doing a great job preparing the kids! But I'm wondering how much my son brought to the table - is that a good score, or a really good score? Does it indicate anything beyond, he's a good test taker and the teachers did a good job teaching to the test? Can anyone with more depth on the SBAC/CAASPP provide some perspective on if we as parents should be putting more time and energy into math enrichment, and if so what that would look like for a 10 year old? I have looked at the Berkeley Math Circle website, and honestly it looks like a quantum leap from his 5th grade textbook - I have no idea if he could handle it. He does say he is bored with math at school, and he did greatly enjoy the ATDP math class he took this past summer - honestly he seemed intellectually challenged for the first time. Our school (and district) doesn't have a Math Olympiad, which from what little I know, I do think would be up his alley. He also enjoys his weekly afterschool chess class but is not particularly good at chess. :) An online class through CTY is an option; he's just finishing one in literature but the thing he liked most was the online discussion board and I don't think the math classes have that. Advice welcome. Thanks!
Parent Replies
Hi,
Start with Youcubed.org, Jo Boaler's website. Her free online class is for reluctant math learners so you may want to go straight to resources. The website has all sorts of fun, open-ended activities.
In addition, try visiting MSRI, Math-Science Research Institute, above Lawrence Hall of Science on Gauss Way and take a look around their library for middle school math resources.
How about an after-school class at Lawrence Hall of Science or Quantum Camp in downtown Berkeley? And be sure to visit the Exploratorium and Autodesk Gallery(free.)
Finally, look into resources from the Mini Maker Faire that just took place at Park Day School in October. Maker activities/robotics is often a good activity for math-oriented students.
Happy to exchange additional ideas if you are interested. There are some free/low cost resources in the area and online. As well, there are specialists who can support enrichment.
Belinda Lesser, mom and math education enthusiast
Maybe Lawrence Hall of Science or Kahn Academy online.
Our daughter started UC Berkeley Math Circle in 5th grade because she wasn't getting enough challenge in school. It was so fulfilling for her. They definitely work on problems that are way above their grade level but she found that intriguing and it supplied the challenge she was craving. She also did her own math programs on Khan Academy which was fulfilling and gave her more grounded learning for her grade level and the grade level above hers. I also heard that Firecracker Math is a great alternative to UC Berkeley Math Circle.
Hi,
I don't know about SBAC, but I do have experience with gifted math students. I would recommend that you sign him up for Berkeley Math Circle. He will be fine in the class. The material is supposed to be advanced. Also, I would request that his school allow him to do a CTY math class during math time, if they are not able to accommodate his math level. Many school districts will pay for the class if they are unable to accommodate him. Also, has he had an IQ test? If your standardized tests are not enough, this will help you request accommodations from the district. (I few weeks ago, I saw a post that UC Berkeley was offering reduced cost IQ testing).
Other suggestions:
BOOKS: Developing Math Talent by Susan Assouline, PhD
Hard Math For Elementary School (I believe there is also a Middle School book)
Martin Gardner's Books (My son loved Dr. Matrix, but the puzzle books are also good)
The "Murderous Maths' To the Power of Ten by Kjartan Poskitt are very fun.
In addition to the regular math classes at CTY, there is an on-line cryptography class that is fun.
My son loved watching 'numberphile' videos on-line.
It sounds like your son might be PG. If you have his IQ tested, check into the Davidson Young Scholar program.
Also check out www.proofschool.org. Although you might not be interested in the school, if you go to their website and go to the 'community' page and scroll all the way down to resources, they have math book and competition recommendations.
Hope this helps!
I forgot to add:
Title: Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival
Organized by: Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival and American Institute of Mathematics
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018
Time: 9:30AM- 12:00PM
Where: UC Berkeley
International House
2299 Piedmont Ave
Berkeley, CA
Who: Intended for Students in 6th-10th grade, but grade level is flexible
Cost: Free
Register: register at http://jrmf.org/events/uc-berkeley-2018/
Highly recommend Quantum Camp if you can get him out of school once/week (or do the summer program or homeschool). Firecracker math was also helpful as an afterschool supplement. We had little success obtaining differentiation or challenge in Berkeley. The expectation is to seek that outside of school.
I want to strongly recommend the Russian School of Mathematics. My kids were also not challenged in school, and they weren't particularly motivated to do Khan Academy. They started, like most kids, in the lowest level RSM offers for their grade, and moved up the following year. RSM offers 3 levels per grade and does a placement test to make sure that each kid will be challenged but able to succeed. After starting RSM in 4th grade, my kids are doing algebra in 6th grade. RSM offers online classes if you don't live close to any of their Bay Area locations. Good luck!
Try using an online program like IXL. Both of my kids have enjoyed it a lot.