Should my kid take Algebra I in 7 grade if the child's strength is not math?
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Anonymous
| My kid got good scores on both Iowa and SOL tests. But math is not DC's strength and DC does not love math. Should DC take Algebra I next year or stay with Math 7 HN Honor? Thank you for your advices. |
Anonymous
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What they are comfortable with, and what they can sustain in high school. The student should have a say. My son is not a math person, but knew that college admissions are competitive and advanced courses are important, so he took Algebra 1 in 7th, and is now taking his time doing AP Calculus AB and BC separately in high school. It's the max he can for math while still getting As. My daughter is taking Algebra 1 in 6th and could be accelerated more, because she has a mathematical turn of mind. She will probably go straight to AP calculus BC and beyond in high school. |
Anonymous
| How do you know SOL scores already? I thought they would not be released until the summer for elementary school. |
Anonymous
| You do not need to go beyond calculus in high school. Full stop. It is absolutely not necessary to get into any particular college. |
Anonymous
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Yes! I was seriously concerned but it has been great. I realized that just because it’s not DD’s main strength doesn’t mean she isn’t strong in it and plenty capable of the work. And the most important thing is that DD really needed one class that was a big challenge. She prefers challenging things. So right now she is getting an A in intensified algebra and a B- or something in English, even though her reading scores are off the charts.
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Anonymous
| No. Look at what they would take in 12th and count backwards. Do you really want them in a class *beyond* Calculus? Beyond Calculus in 12th, is that necessary? .. just for bragging rights in 7th grade. |
Anonymous
| Based on how fast Algebra 1 H moves, I wouldn't recommend a child who scored under 96 percentile on IAAT take it even though the qualifying score is lower. |
Anonymous
| How is your child's organizational and time management skills? My DC qualified to take Algebra in 7, but we held off. First reason - wanted to get acclimated to the block schedule and course load of MS. Second reason was that it would have been last year, and DC did not excel during virtual learning. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
The OP doesn't seem to be worried about bragging rights. There are kids who are good at math and enjoy it. Algebra in 7th grade fits them just fine because of their skill and interest. Stop projecting your feelings on things to other people. OP: What does your child think? If math is not their strength or love and they scored high enough on the IAAT and SOL to be allowed into Algebra in 7th grade, then they are better at math then you are giving them credit for. That said, it is fine for the child to take Math 7 H instead of Algebra. But at this stage, you should talk to your child about their interests. Algebra 1 is a high school class and it is important for the rest of high school math. |
Anonymous
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As usual, math-hating DCUM thinks higher-level math classes are unnecesary and just for bragging rights. How can we ever progress as a nation when people think this way?! |
Anonymous
| I don't think it has anything to do with the grade, but the pace of the class. I was accelerated in math despite it not being "my thing" and I really fizzled out by pushing it too much. A slower-paced class would have been better for me. |
Anonymous
NP. I took BC Calc my senior year in HS and got a 5 on the AP test. I was able to take Diff EQ my freshmen year of college, majored in EE, and ran out of math classes in college earlier than I wanted to. I don't see the point of taking anything past Calc in high school. Because I love math, not because I hate it. But my kid also loves math and will be taking Alg I in 7th grade, because that's how they do it here. SMH |
Anonymous
Thank you everyone. OP here. NO, not trying to brag here. It was an honest question. DC is not good with time management and organization, and Math is not an easy subject for the child. In the subjects of her strength, DC can be many years ahead of her age. But math is something that does not come naturally for the child. That is why I'm wondering if DC should go for Algebra 1 if as this point. |
Anonymous
This. Mom of older teens. The problem won’t come up in 7th. It’s more 11th+ that becomes an issue. Example? In 11th, a “weaker” math student will be taking AP Calculus AB. There is not really a lower (non AP) sequential option. |