Middle school math

[Anonymous]

Art of Problem Solving has online courses too which are interesting to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Art of Problem Solving has online courses too which are interesting to say the least.

So does MIT, but it's hard to give high school credit for OCW courses.

[Anonymous]

PP with two mathematician parents--have you looked around at NOVA and MoCo to see what the offerings were like there esp. for middle schools? Poor math offerings in middle school is the number one reason we are thinking of leaving the district. I had two years of post-calculus math in high school (one year diff eq/Linear Algebra and one year multivariable calculus) and although I did not major in math in college I have always thought it gave me a great foundation and hate that we have such low expectations for our students. But it's really hard to get a feel for how good the teaching and curriculum are in other schools so was wondering if you have thought of any other middle schools that make the grade.

[Anonymous]

Hardy students can start Algebra at 7th (or even 6th), and take Geometry in 8th grade by walking over to Duke Ellington, a block away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP with two mathematician parents--have you looked around at NOVA and MoCo to see what the offerings were like there esp. for middle schools? Poor math offerings in middle school is the number one reason we are thinking of leaving the district. I had two years of post-calculus math in high school (one year diff eq/Linear Algebra and one year multivariable calculus) and although I did not major in math in college I have always thought it gave me a great foundation and hate that we have such low expectations for our students. But it's really hard to get a feel for how good the teaching and curriculum are in other schools so was wondering if you have thought of any other middle schools that make the grade.

I would be suprised if you found a middle school in NOVA or MoCo with more advanced math than BASIS. Not saying they don't exist I would just be surprised. If you followed the Leap math at Basis at full speed you take AP Calculus in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

This is not about which dcps or dcpcs has the most accelerated math program, the poster asked for all the schools where algebra 1 was taught in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not about which dcps or dcpcs has the most accelerated math program, the poster asked for all the schools where algebra 1 was taught in 7th grade.

Actually, when someone is asking which school offers Algebra 1 in 7th grade, it is relevant as to which program is the most accelerated in order to make informed decisions. You cannot make an informed decision without knowing about the math scope and sequence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP with two mathematician parents--have you looked around at NOVA and MoCo to see what the offerings were like there esp. for middle schools? Poor math offerings in middle school is the number one reason we are thinking of leaving the district. I had two years of post-calculus math in high school (one year diff eq/Linear Algebra and one year multivariable calculus) and although I did not major in math in college I have always thought it gave me a great foundation and hate that we have such low expectations for our students. But it's really hard to get a feel for how good the teaching and curriculum are in other schools so was wondering if you have thought of any other middle schools that make the grade.

We've looked. TJ is quite good, obviously, but that doesn't meet middle school needs. Honestly, TJ is less accelerated than Basis, but may be better. Quality beats speed. There's no race! (says the folks with a kid taking Alg 2 in 6th)

To tell the truth, I wouldn't accelerate a child much unless you can provide theory to back up what is missed. We can offer that at home, but most kids don't have that luxury. If you aren't comfortable teaching a kid how to approach proofs, you're better off letting your kids learn at a slower pace, even if they are bored. Let them do AMA work for enrichment (AMC's, AoPS, Putnams, etc). It will have far greater impact in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not about which dcps or dcpcs has the most accelerated math program, the poster asked for all the schools where algebra 1 was taught in 7th grade.

Actually, when someone is asking which school offers Algebra 1 in 7th grade, it is relevant as to which program is the most accelerated in order to make informed decisions. You cannot make an informed decision without knowing about the math scope and sequence.

+1. Add "quality" to the relevant topics, as well. Crap teaching can be devastating for years to come...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not about which dcps or dcpcs has the most accelerated math program, the poster asked for all the schools where algebra 1 was taught in 7th grade.

What difference does it make as long as there are schools that have the flexibility to offer Algebra I in 7th or earlier? The question was asked and answered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP with two mathematician parents--have you looked around at NOVA and MoCo to see what the offerings were like there esp. for middle schools? Poor math offerings in middle school is the number one reason we are thinking of leaving the district. I had two years of post-calculus math in high school (one year diff eq/Linear Algebra and one year multivariable calculus) and although I did not major in math in college I have always thought it gave me a great foundation and hate that we have such low expectations for our students. But it's really hard to get a feel for how good the teaching and curriculum are in other schools so was wondering if you have thought of any other middle schools that make the grade.

We've looked. TJ is quite good, obviously, but that doesn't meet middle school needs. Honestly, TJ is less accelerated than Basis, but may be better. Quality beats speed. There's no race! (says the folks with a kid taking Alg 2 in 6th)

To tell the truth, I wouldn't accelerate a child much unless you can provide theory to back up what is missed. We can offer that at home, but most kids don't have that luxury. If you aren't comfortable teaching a kid how to approach proofs, you're better off letting your kids learn at a slower pace, even if they are bored. Let them do AMA work for enrichment (AMC's, AoPS, Putnams, etc). It will have far greater impact in the long run.

+1 "Quality beats speed". My concern with BASIS is that they are using Saxon Algebra. I would rather have my 5th, 6th, or 7th grader doing AOPS Pre-Algebra then AOPS Algebra than Saxon, which seems more plug and chug than developing a deeper understanding.

[Anonymous]

I'm not too worried about Saxon. They cycle through prior material and keep it fresh with each section. And the AZ Basis kids are absolutely killing it on the APs, with some phenomenal results, so obviously they are picking up the concepts as well. As for "enrichment" - unless your kid absolutely loves math and does it just for the pure joy of it, I don't think you can realistically expect to pile on a whole lot more without sucking every last minute of daylight and every last ounce of joy out of your kid's life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not too worried about Saxon. They cycle through prior material and keep it fresh with each section. And the AZ Basis kids are absolutely killing it on the APs, with some phenomenal results, so obviously they are picking up the concepts as well. As for "enrichment" - unless your kid absolutely loves math and does it just for the pure joy of it, I don't think you can realistically expect to pile on a whole lot more without sucking every last minute of daylight and every last ounce of joy out of your kid's life.

Saxon itself is not that great at concepts. Basis requires math teachers to have math degrees, though (or some mathematical subject, like physics). So, the teachers usually know where to supplement the material. They seem to be doing a very good job of it -- far better than their competition.

Saxon home schoolers are notoriously weak at theory. I wouldn't recommend it without proper support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not too worried about Saxon. They cycle through prior material and keep it fresh with each section. And the AZ Basis kids are absolutely killing it on the APs, with some phenomenal results, so obviously they are picking up the concepts as well. As for "enrichment" - unless your kid absolutely loves math and does it just for the pure joy of it, I don't think you can realistically expect to pile on a whole lot more without sucking every last minute of daylight and every last ounce of joy out of your kid's life.

Saxon itself is not that great at concepts. Basis requires math teachers to have math degrees, though (or some mathematical subject, like physics). So, the teachers usually know where to supplement the material. They seem to be doing a very good job of it -- far better than their competition.

Saxon home schoolers are notoriously weak at theory. I wouldn't recommend it without proper support.

Any links on data?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not too worried about Saxon. They cycle through prior material and keep it fresh with each section. And the AZ Basis kids are absolutely killing it on the APs, with some phenomenal results, so obviously they are picking up the concepts as well. As for "enrichment" - unless your kid absolutely loves math and does it just for the pure joy of it, I don't think you can realistically expect to pile on a whole lot more without sucking every last minute of daylight and every last ounce of joy out of your kid's life.

Saxon itself is not that great at concepts. Basis requires math teachers to have math degrees, though (or some mathematical subject, like physics). So, the teachers usually know where to supplement the material. They seem to be doing a very good job of it -- far better than their competition.

Saxon home schoolers are notoriously weak at theory. I wouldn't recommend it without proper support.

Any links on data?

"Notorious" is not a valid statement for statistical analysis. It is from personal experience as a university instructor, plus the same for my wife, and a good number of colleagues. Many homeschoolers have had to re-take Precal, even though they "aced" the course in Saxon. Some really do well, but they are the exception, not the norm. I wouldn't have the same concern with a well-trained teacher. Saxon does problem solving / application very well, at least through Precal (Advanced Math). I don't dislike it -- I just recognize its limitations.

Saxon himself is changing his curriculum in response to the shortcoming (he recognizes it). It's really obvious if you look at the material. It is structured to provide an application or concept each day, and lots of review. A theoretical derivation requires focus from time to time, and Saxon (at least, the old edition) doesn't allow for that. The teachers have to make up for it.

Basis still uses the old edition, which is more oriented towards application and testing skills. The teachers usually do provide the theory as needed, particularly in the "higher" math classes. Those kids are doing just fine from what we can tell. We will keep watching, though, just to be sure.