Dear Paw Paw Middle School Parents,
You are receiving this letter because either you or your child has expressed interest in the Advanced Math Summer Coursework. As we are quickly approaching the end of the school year, we would like to add clarity to the coursework and requirements that are involved in the Advanced Math Pathway.
Requirements:
Summer course work in Algebra Nation: Students must complete the "Check Your Understanding" in Algebra Nation for each lesson with scores of 100% (can be taken multiple times) and "Test Yourself" summative unit tests at 80%. Students entering 7th grade in the fall will be completing the 7th grade material over the summer, and students entering 8th grade in the fall will be completing the 8th grade material over the summer, plus the Onramp to Algebra skill set in Algebra Nation. In order to complete the necessary material, students will need to complete 4-5 skills per day which could range anywhere from 1 - 2+ hours a day - keep in mind you are completing a school year’s worth of content in only a few months.
Delta Math Readiness Screener: In order to determine whether students have mastered and retained the summer content, they must pass 5 out of the 6 standards on the Delta Math Readiness Screener (the math assessment they take several times each year) or a similar test created by Paw Paw teachers that will determine Algebra readiness.
Teacher Input: The goal of the pathway is to have students take a high school course, Algebra 1, as an 8th grader; thus, teacher input on whether the advanced pathway is the right fit for a student will be taken into consideration. As a math department, we want students to find success and also be challenged in ways that fit each student’s academic and emotional development.
Due to the great interest in the Advanced Math Pathway, we would like to clarify just a few more things so you and your child can make the best decision for them.
The summer online coursework is self-monitored and taught. The program has video lessons, and Ms. Jackson will be making contact with students who are falling behind. Overall, students and parents will need to track their own progress and make sure they are on track to completing the program on time.
Just because a student completes and passes the summer coursework does not guarantee that they will be placed on the Advanced Math Pathway. They must pass the screener to show they’ve understood the material.
Just because the student is placed on the Advanced Math Pathway in 7th grade, does not guarantee that they will take Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
Students participating in the Pathway program will need to pick up a chromebook if needed on Monday, June 14th ( 9am - 12pm), or Tuesday, June 15th (12pm-3pm) from the MS Media Center. All student chromebooks are being collected to catalog and update.
We encourage all Pathway students to attend a 30 minute session on June 21 from either 10:00 - 10:30 or 10:30 - 11:00 with program facilitator Ms. Jackson to cover details and expectations of the program, and to ensure all students can log in to the program. Please use this link to sign up for a slot - https://rb.gy/ivqqmf.
Sincerely,
Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Jackson
Coordinating Teacher Contact Information Summer Help Hours
Betsey Jackson Monday: 8 am - 10 am
Email: msmath@ppps.org Tuesday: 9 am - 11 am
Phone: 269-359-0545 Wednesday: 10 am - 12 pm