FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8

[Anonymous]

Is there Math 8 honors? I I don't think so, but maybe I missed it???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there Math 8 honors? I I don't think so, but maybe I missed it???

I don't know either! I am so confused. If anyone understands, please explain.

[Anonymous]

Just looked at my kid' ms....they don't even list Math 8 anymore. The options for 8th grade are

"Pre Algebra" (which apparently was Math8)
Alg 1
Alg 1Hon
Geometry

Those are the new options. I guess the name change from Math 8 to PreAlfebra is mesnt to give kids the impression that they are in line to take Algebra and they can do it!

[Anonymous]

Just looked at another MS course selection sheet....they also dropped Math 8 and changed it to Pre Algebra. With the same options listed above.

If your kid isn't doing well in 7th grade math, they go to pre algebra. If they are doing well, they go to Algebra. Your kid's counselor and math teacher will guide you. Ususlly the math teacher will make a reccomendation for the next class to take. It's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just looked at another MS course selection sheet....they also dropped Math 8 and changed it to Pre Algebra. With the same options listed above.

If your kid isn't doing well in 7th grade math, they go to pre algebra. If they are doing well, they go to Algebra. Your kid's counselor and math teacher will guide you. Ususlly the math teacher will make a reccomendation for the next class to take. It's not that hard.

Actually it isn't that simple. Have not seen research indicating pushing so many kids to Algebra in 8th is better. If you look at the old 8th grade SOLs that material is not all covered in Math 7-obviously and may not be prudent to skip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just looked at my kid' ms....they don't even list Math 8 anymore. The options for 8th grade are

"Pre Algebra" (which apparently was Math8)
Alg 1
Alg 1Hon
Geometry

Those are the new options. I guess the name change from Math 8 to PreAlfebra is mesnt to give kids the impression that they are in line to take Algebra and they can do it!

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach all 3 of those courses.

Please know that this isn't a decision set it stone right now. You can put down your initial choice on the course request form, wait and see how the rest of the year plays out, what the SOL score looks like, etc, and then change your decision over the summer.

The math 7/math 8 curriculums really changed last year. They are now far more challenging classes than they were 2, 3, 10 years ago. Math 8 is truly first semester algebra spread over a year, with a sprinkling of other things. Math 7 is finally a decent step towards algebra, instead of an overly basic repeat of 6th grade.

I kept spreadsheets for years showing the progression of math 7 SOL scores to algebra SOL scores. Historically a 450 in math 7 was going to pass algebra with an A or a B. (Understand that all schools teach algebra differently too--some include extensions when possible, some keep it extremely basic. It's hard to make recommendations without knowing the school).

In my experience, the jump to algebra from math 7 is challenging for almost all kids, but most who are well prepared rise to that challenge. If you are worried, I'd get a tutor for the first 2 months of school to get through expressions and equations. If your DC can get through those successfully, you can wean off the support.

What does an AAP kid who takes Math 7 Honors in 7th grade, instead of Algebra I, take in 8th grade? Do they take Algebra I or Algebra Honors? What is the difference???

[Anonymous]

They can take either one. If they did well in Math 7 hons, they should go on to Alg 1 hon. If Math 7 hons was challenging, then go for reg Alg 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They can take either one. If they did well in Math 7 hons, they should go on to Alg 1 hon. If Math 7 hons was challenging, then go for reg Alg 1.

What is the difference between the two content wise. Also, is Algebra I Honors weighted differently on the HS transcript? How much more is it weighted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They can take either one. If they did well in Math 7 hons, they should go on to Alg 1 hon. If Math 7 hons was challenging, then go for reg Alg 1.

What is the difference between the two content wise. Also, is Algebra I Honors weighted differently on the HS transcript? How much more is it weighted?

Honors classes get a .5 gpa bump. So, if your kid gets a "B" (normally a 3.0 on the gpa, it counts as a 3.5 when it is an honors class). As for content, I've read on DCUM that Alg. I HON has parts of Alg. II in it. I don't know which parts, but that is what makes it "honors."

My kid who was not strong at math, took reg. Alg. in 8th grade. My kid who is strong at math (breezed through math 7 hons, qualified to take Alg. I Hon in 7th), is taking Alg I hon now and seems to be doing well.

[Anonymous]

A1h includes a fair number of algebra 2 standards, and *should* include more critical thinking and analysis. There is zero accountability though, so every school (sometimes even individual teachers) run things differently. Your beat bet is to talk to your child’s 7th grade teacher.

Example in the standards: Functions
Algebra 1: find the range given a domain, write the domain/range in set notation
Algebra 1H: same as above, plus find the domain given the range, write the domain/range in interval notation

In day to day classes, what my A1 students do is a lot more practice: here’s a graph, what’s f(2)? Here’s the input values, tell me the output values. I approach with a discovery mindset, but then there is a ton of practice. My algebra 1 honors students do a lot more puzzling (we zip through the basics). Is it possible for a function to only have one value in the range? What does that look like? Can you draw a function where the range is {x|2<x<5} and the range is {y|y=2,3,4}? What is a real life scenario that might be modeled by this?

That’s just my classes though—it looks very different at different schools, so ASK the teacher what the best placement is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A1h includes a fair number of algebra 2 standards, and *should* include more critical thinking and analysis. There is zero accountability though, so every school (sometimes even individual teachers) run things differently. Your beat bet is to talk to your child’s 7th grade teacher.

Example in the standards: Functions
Algebra 1: find the range given a domain, write the domain/range in set notation
Algebra 1H: same as above, plus find the domain given the range, write the domain/range in interval notation

In day to day classes, what my A1 students do is a lot more practice: here’s a graph, what’s f(2)? Here’s the input values, tell me the output values. I approach with a discovery mindset, but then there is a ton of practice. My algebra 1 honors students do a lot more puzzling (we zip through the basics). Is it possible for a function to only have one value in the range? What does that look like? Can you draw a function where the range is {x|2<x<5} and the range is {y|y=2,3,4}? What is a real life scenario that might be modeled by this?

That’s just my classes though—it looks very different at different schools, so ASK the teacher what the best placement is.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach all 3 of those courses.

Please know that this isn't a decision set it stone right now. You can put down your initial choice on the course request form, wait and see how the rest of the year plays out, what the SOL score looks like, etc, and then change your decision over the summer.

The math 7/math 8 curriculums really changed last year. They are now far more challenging classes than they were 2, 3, 10 years ago. Math 8 is truly first semester algebra spread over a year, with a sprinkling of other things. Math 7 is finally a decent step towards algebra, instead of an overly basic repeat of 6th grade.

I kept spreadsheets for years showing the progression of math 7 SOL scores to algebra SOL scores. Historically a 450 in math 7 was going to pass algebra with an A or a B. (Understand that all schools teach algebra differently too--some include extensions when possible, some keep it extremely basic. It's hard to make recommendations without knowing the school).

In my experience, the jump to algebra from math 7 is challenging for almost all kids, but most who are well prepared rise to that challenge. If you are worried, I'd get a tutor for the first 2 months of school to get through expressions and equations. If your DC can get through those successfully, you can wean off the support.

What does an AAP kid who takes Math 7 Honors in 7th grade, instead of Algebra I, take in 8th grade? Do they take Algebra I or Algebra Honors? What is the difference???

Generally, Algebra 1 honors if the want to stay on the honors math track in high school.

[Anonymous]

Math 8 is pre algebra. It would be difficult to go from basic math 7 , skip pre algebra (math 8)and then straight to algebra. There is no pre algebra in math 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was pushed into Algebra 1 in 7th grade. I didn’t think he was ready but the school said he scores on their placement test showed readiness. He ended the year with a C. I wanted him to repeat it in 8th grade and I think he ended the year with a low B. His high school placement test showed he wasn’t ready to skip Algebra 1 so he is taking it again. I wish I had listened to my gut in 7th grade but the schools are very motivated to get kids to place out of Algebra 1 in high school.

Ugh.