Slowing down math progression in HS

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is bright but not a math genius. He get As in Algebra in 7th grade but it didn't come easy for him. I suspect Honors Geometry this year in 8th grade will be a challenge.

Does anyone in accelerated math tracks repeat Geometry in 9th grade to slow the progression down? I don't think he'll want to do super high level math so I'm imagining, potentially:

9th grade - Geometry
10th - Algebra II/Trig
11th - Calc A/B
12th - AP Stats

Any advice from BTDT parents?

[Anonymous]

After seeing how useless the acceleration was for our first, we slowed it down for our second. Colleges want to see calc in high school. That's enough.

[Anonymous]

Usually there is a year of precalculus and trig between Alg II and Calculus.

I am usually a person who recommends repeating math courses if they are challenging because you want the foundation to be firm. You don’t want to make algebra errors in calculus. Geometry is the one course I would maybe not recommend doing this for - it doesn’t really “lead” anywhere as far as the subsequent courses go and is kind of a standalone. It’s important for the SAT but I wouldn’t spend 2 years on geometry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually there is a year of precalculus and trig between Alg II and Calculus.

I am usually a person who recommends repeating math courses if they are challenging because you want the foundation to be firm. You don’t want to make algebra errors in calculus. Geometry is the one course I would maybe not recommend doing this for - it doesn’t really “lead” anywhere as far as the subsequent courses go and is kind of a standalone. It’s important for the SAT but I wouldn’t spend 2 years on geometry.

Thanks but re-taking Algebra in 9th grade isn't really slowing down - it would almost feel remedial no?

[Anonymous]

Also a lot of kids who struggle with Algebra in 7th do fine with geometry in 8th. It’s a totally different thought process and they have another year of maturity. I’d wait and see how this year goes. He might surprise you.

[Anonymous]

My son with dyscalculia did:
8 - Honors Geometry
9 - Algebra 2
10 - Precalc
11- AP Calc AB
12 - AP Calc BC

I have another child who will be in Precalc in 9th grade, but she has no problems with math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually there is a year of precalculus and trig between Alg II and Calculus.

I am usually a person who recommends repeating math courses if they are challenging because you want the foundation to be firm. You don’t want to make algebra errors in calculus. Geometry is the one course I would maybe not recommend doing this for - it doesn’t really “lead” anywhere as far as the subsequent courses go and is kind of a standalone. It’s important for the SAT but I wouldn’t spend 2 years on geometry.

Thanks but re-taking Algebra in 9th grade isn't really slowing down - it would almost feel remedial no?

I’m not suggesting he repeat anything. I’m sure he has a good foundation even if it was difficult at times. Algebra 2 should review everything in the first couple months anyway.

I’m suggesting that geometry isn’t really worth 2 school years. You could stretch out Calc and do AB one year and BC the next. Or dual enroll and do something interesting as a senior like probability or number theory.

You could also get an algebra review wkbk this year and have him do a few pages now and then to keep things fresh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My son with dyscalculia did:
8 - Honors Geometry
9 - Algebra 2
10 - Precalc
11- AP Calc AB
12 - AP Calc BC

I have another child who will be in Precalc in 9th grade, but she has no problems with math.

Thanks. This seems like my son's likely progression though he'd probably do AP Stats instead of AP Calc BC in 12th grade (unless he discovers a previously unknown passion for math in the next couple of years)

[Anonymous]

My son went from honors to on level in pre calc. His path has been

7th - Alg 1
8th - Hon Geometry
9th - Hon Alg 2
10th - Pre Calc
11th - Calculus with Application
12th - plan is for AP Calc BC

[Anonymous]

He can move from Honors to regular in Alg 2. Or Precalc. There’s a big difference at those levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My son with dyscalculia did:
8 - Honors Geometry
9 - Algebra 2
10 - Precalc
11- AP Calc AB
12 - AP Calc BC

I have another child who will be in Precalc in 9th grade, but she has no problems with math.

Just curious. Did your son feel 3 years of calculus was repetitive or overlapping? I heard most kids don’t do AB and BC for this reason. They often choose Statistics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He can move from Honors to regular in Alg 2. Or Precalc. There’s a big difference at those levels.

It depends on the school. I would check with other parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My son with dyscalculia did:
8 - Honors Geometry
9 - Algebra 2
10 - Precalc
11- AP Calc AB
12 - AP Calc BC

I have another child who will be in Precalc in 9th grade, but she has no problems with math.

Just curious. Did your son feel 3 years of calculus was repetitive or overlapping? I heard most kids don’t do AB and BC for this reason. They often choose Statistics.

That's only 2 years.

[Anonymous]

My accelerated 10th grader’s pathway:
7th Alg 1
8th Geo
9th Alg 2/Trig
10th AP Stats
11th not sure -precalc/dual enrollment college Alg?
12-calculus?
He doesn’t particularly enjoy math, although he is enjoying statistics so far. He finds it more relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After seeing how useless the acceleration was for our first, we slowed it down for our second. Colleges want to see calc in high school. That's enough.

That's a broad statement. Maybe top colleges want it but my son got into every school he applied to without calculus.