How hard will Blair's Functions class be for a kid who currently finds Algebra 2 "easy"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isnt MV a full year?

No MV is one semester in the magnet. It’s called Analysis 2A.

Is there an Analysis 2B? What does it cover?

Differential Equations

Here are some links regarding the magnet asses, but please be aware that they’re not current. Even when my oldest was at Blair, they were somewhat outdated.
https://mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/courses_math.php
https://mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/courses.php

[Anonymous]

DC in 8th grade taking Alg 2. I'm pretty sure one block was on trig as I've seen DC's homework. Besides, trig is included in AMC10 and above. Hearsays from math team kids saying 0.5 - 1 hour/night homework for function, which sounds quite manageable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dc and many function classmates took geometry in 8th. Should be totally manageable post alg 2.

Nope. DC got As in Hon. Alg 2 in 8th grade. They struggled to get a B in Functions. There's a reason many kids drop out of it. Unless your kid is really into math don't do that to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is misleading - stat is offered in fall too, and students in the precalc path may end up having to take two math classes (Statistics and Analysis 1B (calculus)) in the same (Junior fall) semester. DC's friends had to do that due to some other constraints. Looking at what would happen in the Junior year to decide if one has to take functions or precalc may not be a good idea, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the Functions class is tougher than the Analysis class. Is this true??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like the Functions class is tougher than the Analysis class. Is this true??

Yes

[Anonymous]

Blair STEM parent here. What is the point of being in such a hurry with Math classes? Is it just to avoid taking these classes in college? I know it doesn’t really help in college admissions. I am just trying to understand this…no judgement.

[Anonymous]

It allows kids to take higher level science and math electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair STEM parent here. What is the point of being in such a hurry with Math classes? Is it just to avoid taking these classes in college? I know it doesn’t really help in college admissions. I am just trying to understand this…no judgement.

I figured that taking health over the summer would have the same effect without wearing my student down. That way if he wants in senior year there is more space for electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It allows kids to take higher level science and math electives.

You mean they don't have those at college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is misleading - stat is offered in fall too, and students in the precalc path may end up having to take two math classes (Statistics and Analysis 1B (calculus)) in the same (Junior fall) semester. DC's friends had to do that due to some other constraints. Looking at what would happen in the Junior year to decide if one has to take functions or precalc may not be a good idea, IMHO.

I'd say that's the minimum for functions kids. My functions kids' junior/senior years were 2+ math classes at a time.

Junior Fall - Multivariable Calculus, linear algebra, statistics
Junior spring - Differential Equations, discrete math
Senior Fall -- Statistics Seminar 1, logic math
Senior spring - complex analysis, Statistic Seminar 2, origins of math

If your child is more focused on bio/chem, then do them a favor and don't make them take functions. My kid is hugely into math and functions still was a bear.

[Anonymous]

Quote> Besides, trig is included in AMC10 and above.

This is not true. AMC10 is Algebra I and Geometry.

AIME and AMC12 have trig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blair STEM parent here. What is the point of being in such a hurry with Math classes? Is it just to avoid taking these classes in college? I know it doesn’t really help in college admissions. I am just trying to understand this…no judgement.

Former Blair magnet parent here. It depends on the child. Our child took a lot of math but no extra bio and chem. It provided a strong foundation for college, and they enjoyed it. It may have helped college admissions to show a rigorous schedule, but one never knows. Most importantly, our child ENJOYED the classes.

When they got to college, they took AP credit for one year of calculus. Our child wanted to test out of multivariable and differential equations, also, but we strongly urged them to retake those classes. College was hard enough to adjust to after the pandemic without pushing the envelope on math!

[Anonymous]

If a kid has taken some precalc and trig in 8th grade, wouldn’t taking precalc in 9th be boring and repetitive? What exactly is functions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is misleading - stat is offered in fall too, and students in the precalc path may end up having to take two math classes (Statistics and Analysis 1B (calculus)) in the same (Junior fall) semester. DC's friends had to do that due to some other constraints. Looking at what would happen in the Junior year to decide if one has to take functions or precalc may not be a good idea, IMHO.

I'd say that's the minimum for functions kids. My functions kids' junior/senior years were 2+ math classes at a time.

Junior Fall - Multivariable Calculus, linear algebra, statistics
Junior spring - Differential Equations, discrete math
Senior Fall -- Statistics Seminar 1, logic math
Senior spring - complex analysis, Statistic Seminar 2, origins of math

If your child is more focused on bio/chem, then do them a favor and don't make them take functions. My kid is hugely into math and functions still was a bear.

This argument (I am referring to having to take 2+ math courses at the same time) seems nonsensical to me. Functions is a two semester course. Precalc is a three semester course. If a student wants to take all these interesting courses that you have listed, one could argue it is better to take Functions instead of precalc because precalc kids will have to do all these plus *ONE MORE* course - analysis 1b - in the junior and senior years. And yes, there are many precalc kids who do all these courses too.

I personally think the decision between functions and precalc should be based on workload in ninth grade, ECs, level of challenge the kid is comfortable with, etc. and not on whether one will have to do multiple math courses at the same time in future years. But if you are going to use that as a factor, I think functions has an advantage over precalc.