How hard will Blair's Functions class be for a kid who currently finds Algebra 2 "easy"?
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Anonymous
| Anyone have a kids take it who fits that profile? Just trying to gauge what to expect and whether we should have DC forego APUSH. TIA! |
Anonymous
| Where are they currently taking Alg 2. If they are taking it with other Magnet kids than it might be ok, but it’s Hard |
Anonymous
| It might be kid-dependent. My kid had close to 100% in Algebra 2 in 8th and dropped back from Functions because it was too much. I think they missed a lot of content in Algebra 2 though, since they were virtual that year. |
Anonymous
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I had two kids go through Functions (although I think they’ve changed the teacher since). While neither was a Math Team type kid, they are both highly competent. They had previously had Algebra 2 at TPMS and got A’s in the Functions class, but it was hard. Talking to the other parents, I think it’s hard for everyone. Blair might have math superstars that take it in stride, but all the kids in Functions are top kids and it’s still hard. Every year a significant number drop Functions and join the Magnet Precalc classes.
Also, it turned out that the way the follow up courses are sequenced, they’re set up for the 3 semester Precalc. By taking Functions, they had to take two math classes the same semester as a Junior. Normally it’s: Freshman Fall - Precalc Freshman Spring - Precalc Sophomore Fall - Precalc Sophomore Spring - Calculus Junior Fall - Calculus Junior Spring - Statistics It’s important for kids to have Stats before their Senior Research Project (SRP). For Functions Kids it’s: Freshman Year - Functions (2 semesters) Sophomore - Calculus (2 semesters) Junior Fall - Multivariable Calculus Junior spring - Differential Equations Junior Spring - Statistics They don’t want to split MultiVar and DiffEq across years, but the kids still need Statistics for their SRP The kids lose an elective slot Junior year to math, and according to state requirements, they still have to take 2 semesters of math as a senior. |
Anonymous
| MV calculus and differential equations are not required. Many kids don't take those. |
Anonymous
| most kids take Multivariable. |
Anonymous
Yep. |
Anonymous
This is a good summary. Mine went into Functions from Geometry. It was a lot of work (pre covid). I think change of teacher might have made the course more manageable, though both teachers are excellent. Coming from Alg2 will be better, but like a PP said, there will be gaps, Trig will be new, and the class will go in greater depth. Functions almost burned mine out. But, she bounced back, and it put her in a great place to take some advanced math courses. Instead of stats, she did Linear Alg and Complex Analysis senior year and went into college with a third of a math major completed. I would agree with PPs that most kids take mvc. |
Anonymous
Does Schwartz not teach F(x) anymore?! |
Anonymous
| Schwartz hasn’t taught in a while. Rose either. It’s Kirk |
Anonymous
| Isnt MV a full year? |
Anonymous
DC took honor algebra 2 in 8th. Functions was a huge learning curve. Many kids had Cs and dropped. DC made it through and barely got an A with a ton of hard work. Blair didn’t offer APUSH to 9th graders - that’s new next year. If your kid is in functions I’d have them take Hon US History. If they love history they can take APUSH later. |
Anonymous
No MV is one semester in the magnet. It’s called Analysis 2A. |
Anonymous
| Dc and many function classmates took geometry in 8th. Should be totally manageable post alg 2. |
Anonymous
Is there an Analysis 2B? What does it cover? |