Getting Cs in Algebra I - Intensified

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he just isn't good at math. Most people aren't very good at math, it's not a big deal. Very few people actually use advanced math in their job.

Algebra 1 is not advanced math.

[Anonymous]

Algebra 1 is a big step from elementary school math. It's the first time that math starts to be more abstract. Students have to apply their arithmetic skills to solve problems instead of just learning arithmetic. A high score on the placement test means that he knew all of elementary math well and was ready for the next step. It doesn't have anything to do with his understanding the concepts behind algebra. As it's a fundamental class, your son needs to repeat the material until it's mastered, be it in the same class next year, over the summer, or with a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is a big step from elementary school math. It's the first time that math starts to be more abstract. Students have to apply their arithmetic skills to solve problems instead of just learning arithmetic. A high score on the placement test means that he knew all of elementary math well and was ready for the next step. It doesn't have anything to do with his understanding the concepts behind algebra. As it's a fundamental class, your son needs to repeat the material until it's mastered, be it in the same class next year, over the summer, or with a tutor.

Summer school can be really good for something like this. He will be sure to master it if he isn’t distracted by other classes. Maybe check out Khan Academy algebra too and see if that helps.

[Anonymous]

This is a sign that tech/vocation schools will be a good option for you in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Algebra 1 is a big step from elementary school math. It's the first time that math starts to be more abstract. Students have to apply their arithmetic skills to solve problems instead of just learning arithmetic. A high score on the placement test means that he knew all of elementary math well and was ready for the next step. It doesn't have anything to do with his understanding the concepts behind algebra. As it's a fundamental class, your son needs to repeat the material until it's mastered, be it in the same class next year, over the summer, or with a tutor.

Summer school can be really good for something like this. He will be sure to master it if he isn’t distracted by other classes. Maybe check out Khan Academy algebra too and see if that helps.

Agree. If teacher isn't budging on placement, your child needs to do summer school to get the concepts down. Otherwise, he will have an even more miserable time next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a sign that tech/vocation schools will be a good option for you in the future.

Just because a 7th grader is having trouble in Algebra 1?

[Anonymous]

If the teacher isn't budging on placement, you need to talk to the head of the math department, then the principal.

Don't let them rush your kid.

[Anonymous]

I definitely will do that. They really want their students to test out of Algebra 1 when they take the placement test after they have been admitted to HS. I think my son would be in a better position to do that if he retakes the class in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC who used to get As/Bs in math regularly is now getting Cs more and more often. He has been spending more time on homework and studying for tests, and getting help from teacher after class/school, but the grades are going the wrong direction. I know in MS they want kids self advocate but I also don't want to wait too long and him fall further behind. When is a good time for me to step in and how do I do it the right way?

Self advocating is dependent on MANY factors. An insecure child vs a confident one, an outgoing/outspoken child vs a shy/quiet one. It is also a developmental step. My child is ADHD child just started advocating for himself this year and he is in 6th grade. I have to gently push him to do it and he is not comfortable doing it at all. But at least he is now willing to do it. He won't be ready to do this by any means next year on his own. My youngest has been advocating for himself since he was in first grade. I hate this one way model that they expect all kids to follow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a sign that tech/vocation schools will be a good option for you in the future.

Your are an idiot. How about this child is not ready for Algebra I? I'm making my 6th grader take Honors 7 instead of Algebra even though he does great in math every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC who used to get As/Bs in math regularly is now getting Cs more and more often. He has been spending more time on homework and studying for tests, and getting help from teacher after class/school, but the grades are going the wrong direction. I know in MS they want kids self advocate but I also don't want to wait too long and him fall further behind. When is a good time for me to step in and how do I do it the right way?

Self advocating is dependent on MANY factors. An insecure child vs a confident one, an outgoing/outspoken child vs a shy/quiet one. It is also a developmental step. My child is ADHD child just started advocating for himself this year and he is in 6th grade. I have to gently push him to do it and he is not comfortable doing it at all. But at least he is now willing to do it. He won't be ready to do this by any means next year on his own. My youngest has been advocating for himself since he was in first grade. I hate this one way model that they expect all kids to follow.

My seriously good STEM AP kid still struggles with self-advocacy as a senior.

OP, my guide with teaching him to advocate has been to remember that not everytihng has to be a life lesson in self-advocacy. What are the costs of stepping in, or not? Weigh them against the gains from letting the kid learn to do it. Know that there is an inbetween path, where you help write emails, help coach the kid through it etc.

Given where you are now, I'd definitely step in. First off, you need to discover exactly what is going wrong, and probably get a tutor.

[Anonymous]

met with the teacher and said I wanted him to repeat Algebra 1 next year. She said, "He scored in the top 10% of the 7th grade on the placement test and his standardized test scores are all above average so he is placed in the correct class."

PP, this reminded me of our situation but ours is a large public and they don't pay as close attention ... I chose the class for my son for the next year. I filled out the form and had not asked a lot of question of the teacher or counselor. I knew I was signing DS up for a class that basically repeated the same material. Fall arrived and the first week of class the teacher called me saying DS was in the wrong class and should be moved. Absolutely the wrong class (though technically he was allowed to take the class) Counselor called too. All insisted he would know all the material, that he learned all of it the previous year, to which I replied, " ... if that is the case, then you should have given him a better grade". I held firm (which made them very mad, btw) DS got an easy A the first quarter. Then later quarters not so easy for him though he was working hard. ..Ended the year with a B average which we were happy with. I was satisfied we did the right thing. He was well prepared as he went forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he just isn't good at math. Most people aren't very good at math, it's not a big deal. Very few people actually use advanced math in their job.

Algebra 1 is not advanced math.

Right. That’s ridiculous.
People get these ideas in their heads when a kid is signed up for a class before they are developmentally ready for it. What’s the rush? Rushing gets you nothing but dumb ideas like the above one.

OP appeal the teachers recommendation that he not take the class again next year. Push the issue.
Algebra is important for many things (even hypersonic aerodynamics) and he should get a good foundation in it.