What math course to start in January?

Hi Cathy,

I'm not sure which grade you'll be working with, but if students haven't been using Khan, I'd definitely recommend a Getting ready for Course. Students who feel like they know the content can go straight to the quizzes, unit tests, and/or course challenges. Starting a little easier will hopefully allow your students to ease into the content and feel successful.

After taking part in a webinar last year, I had my third graders go back and work on K-3 Course Mastery. Some of them zoomed right through, and others had gaps and needed to spend time working on first and second grade content. The great thing about having all those options is that students can work at a pace that is comfortable for them. 

I started this school year by having my fifth graders work on the get ready for 3rd and 4th grade courses for a couple of months before assigning 5th grade work.

Since you will likely have to get to your grade level content sooner than later, another tip is to assign some review skills as you move through the units. (ie. When teaching 5th grade place value, I'd assign a couple of 4th grade place value assignments as a review.) Don't forget, students can still work on the mastery program(s) that best fit their needs as you move forward with grade level work. 

If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out the Help Center Guides for Teachers and Coaches. Even experienced users can find a lot of valuable up-to-date information there.

Good luck to you! 

Hi Kathy,

I agree with Sandra!

When I tutor or homeschool, every student starts with a course challenge at least 2 grades levels below their current grade level.  In all my years using KA, I've only had 2 students who had no discernible holes in previous years' material.  Even the smallest thing can lead to major trouble with understanding later.

This year, I have a 4th grader.  She's working in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade math currently.  It took a while to fill in some of the holes, but she's now over 95% done with 3rd grade, over 60% done with 4th, and she's around 5% done with 5th.

Even if a child can zoom through the earlier grade levels, the extra practice won't hurt them.  In fact, the boost in confidence can mean a lot to elementary and middle school students.

I usually have my students do course mastery at a grade below what they are in. For instance, my 6th graders are doing 5th grade. This allows them to work independently. It will catch any gaps in their knowledge and review what they have learned.