Advanced Math Program (AMP)

What is the purpose of virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP)?

The virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP) was created by the district leadership in response to the need for providing advanced math classes to all students in BVSD.  The virtual advanced math courses are designed by our veteran math teachers who have taught math for over 10 years in BVSD. These courses were created with the goal of keeping the students engaged and challenged, while expanding on their prior math knowledge.  The teachers are continuously adjusting and monitoring the progress of their students, just as they would with in-person learning. 

What BVSD schools participate in the virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP)?

Currently as of 2022-23 school year, there are 18 schools participating in the virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP):

• Aspen Creek PK8
• BCSIS
• Centennial Middle School
• Coal Creek Elementary
• Community Montessouri
• Creekside Elementary
• Douglass Elementary
• Eisenhower Elementary
• Fireside Elementary
• Flatirons Elementary
• Foothill Elementary
• Heatherwood Elementary
• High Peaks Elementary
• Kohl Elementary
• Louisville Elementary
• University Hill Elementary
• Pioneer Elementary
• Superior Elementary

What is the process for a student to get into the virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP)?

The virtual Advance Math Program (AMP) is offered to students who are enrolled in one of the participating BVSD schools. Before students are eligible for the AMP math class, they are evaluated and recommended by their home school teacher utilizing the body of evidence as describe above.

What does a typical virtual AMP class/lesson look like?

During math class, your child will log onto a chromebook along with peers from other schools and learn math in live time with BU teachers virtually. They will use the google meet link that is designated for their advanced math class through Boulder Universal. During these daily sessions, students will learn the rigorous curriculum by participating in live interactive activities and group collaboration with each other, their BU teacher, and an onsite adult Learning Leader.  Each class period will have a mixture of students from several BVSD Elementary and K-8 schools. The math classes will meet LIVE Monday through Friday as a group using a Google Meet link with their BU math teachers.

Students are expected to come to class prepared to participate, take notes, complete homework, and study for weekly and monthly assessments. 

What math tools/programs are used in these virtual AMP math classes?

A live math lesson starts on a Google Meet with a warm-up, interactive mini-lesson as a class, then time to collaborate with partners or groups.  We use software tools such as Schoology, Peardeck, Desmos, Google Jamboards, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Documents to make the math fun and interactive, while giving students the ability to check their work.

Below is a list of some of the interactive tools we use in the virtual Advanced Math Program (AMP) classes, including some videos and examples.

• Schoology
  • View "Schoology Basics for Parents" YouTube Video
• Pear Deck
  • View "How Pear Deck Works" YouTube Video
  • View Pear Deck Interactive Example
• Desmos -
  • View "Intro to Desmos Classroom Activities" YouTube Video
  • View Desmos Interactive Example
• Google Jamboard
  • View "Intro to Jamboard" YouTube Video
  • View Jamboard Lesson Example
• BrainingCamp
  •  
• Padlet
  • View "10 Classroom Uses for Padlet" YouTube Video
• Math iXL
  • View "IXL Overview" YouTube Video
• Google Interactive Slides
• Google Sheets

How many teachers will be teaching the virtual AMP class?

Two. Each math class has one licensed math teacher from BU and one in-person Learning Leader from the school.

Is there any in-person support for the virtual AMP class?

Yes. Each math class will have an in-person Learning Leader to help wit activities and provide support to students when needed.

Does my child need a chromebook for math homework?

For most of the math assignments, homework will be assigned online, so a device with internet access will be required at home for access to homework.  Online homework allows students and teachers to monitor progress and get additional help and resources when needed.

How do I submit pictures of my math assignment/work using a chromebook?

Math problems require organization of numbers, methods and processes and need to be written on paper to get full credit for homework and quizzes.  Showing your work is a requirement for AMP.

• View this "How to Submit Pictures of Work in Schoology" YouTube Video

Below are some tips for taking clear pictures of work:

• Turn up your screen light on your computer as bright as you can
• Keep still when taking the picture
• Make sure that your picture is CLEAR (and text is NOT backwards) before attaching it
• You may submit more than one picture, I can see each submission in the assignment
• It's helpful to have lights on and blinds open for clear bright pictures
• Videos are NOT accepted as a way of showing your work

What is the best way to provide support for a student in AMP?

Some of the most important parts of all students being in advanced math is learning how to self advocate, organizing their thinking on paper, and creating good study habits. Now is one of the best times to start encouraging your child to take more responsibility for their grades and learning.

To encourage good habits at home, we suggest the following support:

1. Check grades in Schoology once per week with your child.
   • View this "How to Check Grades in Schoology" YouTube Video
   • We recommend choosing one day per week to check grades together to open communication with your child.  If there are any questions or concerns, try to help your child craft a message to their math teacher in Schoology. This will start good habits and allow you to support them while also allowing some opportunities to be independent. 

   • Teacher Tip: Try checking grades on Thursdays so your child can check in with the teacher Friday and gather missing or incomplete work then complete it over the weekend.

2. Encourage your child to ask questions in class as well as sending a message to the teaching using Schoology when outside of class.
   • View this "How to Write to a Teacher in Schoology" Loom Video
   • Our goal is to build strong independent students that are able to advocate for themselves when they struggle or have questions 

   • If your child is stuck on homework, help them craft a specific message to the teacher to get help.

3. Allow your child to productively struggle.
   • The advanced classes will be challenging for your child, and likely this will be the first time math is hard for them which can be very uncomfortable.  Encourage them that learning happens when we take risks and make mistakes. They can do it with hard work and motivation.
4. Keep open conversations about how the math class is going and what homework/quizzes are coming up. Ask your child "When is your next quiz? What is your math homework tonight?"
   • Most nights, student’s will have online homework to complete, so this will open conversations on what they are working on versus offering a “yes” or “no” question which closes the discussion quickly.

Is everything ONLINE for this math class?

The advanced math classes are taught virtually by a teacher who is located at Boulder Universal. The math curriculum is online but the math workbook is paper workbook. The collaborative math talks happen with an onsite adult Learning Leader at the student's school.

Not everything in this class is online. The math teachers strongly believe that there is great value in the ability to show steps on paper, organize their work, and check their work.  Historically, one of the common struggles with advanced math learners is showing work on paper. In all virtual advanced math classes, students are required to show their work on paper to earn full credit on assignments and assessments and we take this very seriously.  This is a skill that will help them be successful in all of their future math classes and reinforce paying attention to details and slowing down.  

To personalize and guide daily instruction, the math teachers use data collected from online homework, classwork, and assessments that is assigned simultaneously throughout the week so teachers can provide feedback efficiently and effectively. The online textbook provides a large variety of resources to students inside and outside of class

These classes are data driven with multiple opportunities to correct their work and collaborate during live lessons.  Classes use math notebooks and math workbooks during live instruction and teachers require students to show their thinking on paper for all types of problems. The teachers also provide multiple opportunities for students to work with other students virtually and in person.

Is attendance required at a particular time/day?

Yes. AMP is a synchronous program where all advanced math classes are taught virtually by a Boulder Universal teacher at a particular time and day each week.

How often does a virtual AMP class meet?

Daily. The math classes will meet LIVE Monday through Friday as a group using a Google Meet link with their BU math teachers.

When/where is the virtual AMP class taught?

Each schools’ teacher or principal will designate a quiet location at their school (classroom, common area or library).  Students will go to that location and sign into their assigned chromebook during their scheduled time.  The class times will be the same every week.

How often is math homework assigned?

Depending on the math class, homework is assigned 3-5 times per week.

Is there a paper copy of the math textbook and/or workbook?

Yes. Every student will be assigned a math workbook/textbook that they can write in and use throughout the year. This is for them to keep. The textbook used depends on which math class as indicated below.

• 4th/5th Grade Compacted Math - Text Book: "Math Expressions"
• Advanced 1 Math - Text Book: "Into Math" -- Note this is a new curriculum that the district recently adopted for all middle level math classes. For more information, view the "Into Math" Website.

If there is a question or problem with homework, how does it get resolved?

The first step is to go back to your notes from class or look at an example from the math workbook.  If that does not help, try using the resources provided in the online math homework (any of the help buttons).  If you are still struggling, help your child craft a specific question in Schoology to ask the teacher so they may respond or answer during class. For additional information, please view this "How to Write to a Teacher in Schoology" Loom Video.

If a student has a question during class, they can get in-person assistance from the onside adult Learning Leader. The BU math teacher can also provide assistance during class by clicking on "raise hand" in the Google Meet.

If my child is sick and not going to school, can they still attend the class virtually?

If a student is not at school because they are sick, they are not required to log in to attend class. However, students are more than welcome to join class from home using the designated Google Meet link.  Many students do this and appreciate that they do not have to make up work later when they return.