Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments EnVision Math

Portia,
It's not you, it is the system I am afraid.
Not just in one area, but the entire country's public school education model is failing... our kids pay the price.

I PULLED DS from public, well- he's still DOING public, just independently at home. I was told he could accelerate at his own pace, but that isn't true at all. Which is why we are playing their game- at least on paper.

*may I ask, how did your DS complete the 3rd grade math in one day? Did they give him the year end test? I WISH they'd do that for my DS6!!! I was told I should be happy they are allowing him to do 2nd grade, when technically he should be in 1st grade. I think that was my subtle warning to keep my mouth shut!!!

Good luck to you!

Yep. UGH.

Oh don't apologize! Not a hijack at all - it's the information this thread requests!

My DS was getting in tons of trouble for lack of focus and for working ahead last year in math. I can relate. I am nervous about this year. They piloted two programs in DS' math class last year - Singapore and Envision and they picked Envision as THE curriculum. I am trying to figure out under which one DS did better.. one of them had an enrichment center and that worked nicely for him... I am hoping that is ENvision because at least that was a BIG hit with him. I have already started advocating though - I have already started pushing and school hasn't even started yet. Last year was about getting him his accommodations ... this year's battle will apparently be about getting him enrichment and some advancement in math. I am already known as a true PITA (and perhaps worse) so I have nothing to lose and hopefully they will decide to help rather than hinder earlier... They know I will not go away quietly.

Do they sell the workbook at bookstores? I'd like to take a look at it so I can see what it covers and maybe start showing DS's work (perhaps the work he does at mathnasium for example) to the teacher to show he already does know the stuff. I am assuming the national achievement test will also be good evidence but God only knows when I will get that report probably not for three weeks to a month, unfortunately.

Hi Irena

I rec'd enVision thru DS public independent study program- which is why I have the full workbook and teacher editions/supplements and so on... for ALL subjects.

I believe there is a website where you can purchase the math workbook if you homeschool? I think just the workbook is the one available... It is thru Pearson. Perhaps you can research that and see? **As far as enVision goes you do not need the teacher ed or the supplemental 4pg color worksheets- which the teacher says is actually the true lesson with the workbook being the homework. (the workbook is actually labeled "interactive homework workbook"). The teacher ed is just as convoluted as the rest of the program is if you ask me. (I don't use it)

*which national achievement test did your DS take? was this done privately? our District will not accept any type of outside testing, and said testing is very pricey in this area. I just learned I can have DS take the olstat 8 at home... I am going to have a child developmental specialist I know administer it to him. It will be for my records only. Test is approx. $85. incl result (I send form back in), and it is scored via school grade norms vs age. (did I word that right?)

Anyhow. It is truly a shame that schools would not encourage and enable our kids to move ahead esp in a subject like math! What could possibly be the benefit of not letting them move forward at their own pace?

I hope the school will listen to you and place your DS where he needs to be

Let me just interject, here, how brutally disappointing it must have been to have Singapore dangled as an option.... only to have the nasty, less-than-mediocre option with the glossy pictures and interactive website "win" in terms of curricular choice in the end.

I'd cry. Seriously.

Yes, I know...

Ahhh, thanks, I just wanted to look at it... like in a bookstore or something see what is covered to see where DS falls.


Yes, done privately - our school thankfully considers outside testing (so I am told) and will also take a GAI in lieu of a FSIQ... I am embarrassed to say I don't know which achievement tests were used yet... Not Woodcock Johnson I suppose b/c he did those in January through the school (I guess you need wait a year between achievement tests like IQ tests? IDK. But the testing Psych saw DS's January tests so I assume she would give him something comparable but different). I think it's the one they usually do with the WISC IV? Is it called the WIAT? I'll know when I get the report (Or if I call her an bug her, I suppose).

Thanks for the good wishes! I am so anxious right now in limbo, I'll feel better when I have the actual report and know what I am dealing with!

We had a good example last night on an "enrichment" page for enVision math. This is 4th grade math by the way.

The question was something like this - You have the number 9 and you multiply it by another number and you get 9. What is the number? Write out the problem and explain how you got your answer.

DD of course wrote out 9X1=9 and for her explanation she wrote, "because that is the answer"...so much for enrichment and going deeper into the problem. I asked her if she thought she explained how she came up with that answer very well and I got the "seriously, Mom" look. I told her even though she was right, she might not get all the points possible if she didn't try to explain better. She was okay with what she put and left it that way.

If your DD wanted to really blow the teacher's mind then she could answer that it is a natural result of the identity property of multiplication LOL

Perhaps that is what the 'looking deeply into the problem' was looking for...