Typical A student is now a B student in math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, problems in math at one level are because the student didn't learn it well enough at previous levels. She quite likely needs algebra or even pre-algebra skills she didn't fully develop.

She did have a sub for math the last two quarters of the year for algebra 1 because her teacher got fired.

I'd expect that her foundation from Algebra I isn't strong.

She got in A+ in Alg I. I doubt that is the problem.

She got an A+ because the teacher was fired and she had a sub the last semester. That doesn’t mean she actually learned the material. You need to be solid in algebra 1 to di well in algebra 2. If she is having to do all that extra work just to get a B in algebra 2 it means she didn’t learn the material well in algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, problems in math at one level are because the student didn't learn it well enough at previous levels. She quite likely needs algebra or even pre-algebra skills she didn't fully develop.

She did have a sub for math the last two quarters of the year for algebra 1 because her teacher got fired.

I'd expect that her foundation from Algebra I isn't strong.

She got in A+ in Alg I. I doubt that is the problem.

She got an A+ because the teacher was fired and she had a sub the last semester. That doesn’t mean she actually learned the material. You need to be solid in algebra 1 to di well in algebra 2. If she is having to do all that extra work just to get a B in algebra 2 it means she didn’t learn the material well in algebra 1.

Ah, I missed this detail. That is plausible then. But still unlikely. Alg I final exam is a typically state standardized. So if she got an A on her final and got credit for the class, there shouldn’t be major holes.

[Anonymous]

After my daughter had a math sub for a few months in calculus, she really struggled when her regular teacher returned. A few one on one tutoring sessions with a calculus teacher were really helpful and got her grade back to an A. The one on one was the key - they were able to identify the weaknesses and get her back on track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, problems in math at one level are because the student didn't learn it well enough at previous levels. She quite likely needs algebra or even pre-algebra skills she didn't fully develop.

She did have a sub for math the last two quarters of the year for algebra 1 because her teacher got fired.

I'd expect that her foundation from Algebra I isn't strong.

She got in A+ in Alg I. I doubt that is the problem.

My son got all As in algebra 1 in 8th grade public school. He took the math placement test for a Catholic high school and didn’t pass. He didn’t miss the cut off by a few points either. Take those public school grades with a grain of salt. He also got all As throughout ES and MS. Private HS was HARD.

[Anonymous]

Look, even for really smart kids some areas are harder than others. I am at the 99.9% IQ level measured by several tests ( mom was an ego tripper). Yet algebra, trig were harder for me than science, history, etc. That math difference carried thru to my SAT, GRE, college grades.
Yet I graduated from MIT in physics, worked as an aerospace engineer. A couple of Bs in college didn't blight my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has always been known at her LCPS school for having really, really good grades. However, this year (9th), she has been unusually struggling in Alg 2/Trig. She managed to pull through with a low A last quarter, but got mostly Bs on the tests. After getting another B this quarter, she started doing math for hours every night, teaching herself concepts before she learned them in class, getting an extra workbook for more practice problems. Just got grades back for the last 2 tests she’s taken and they’re both Bs. DD is devastated because at this point her quarter grade is shot and she’s been working so very hard to improve. She also said that she thought the tests were easy and that she double and triple checked her work. I’m at a loss of how much else I can do to help her. She’s on track to get a B for the quarter, which is very, very unlike her. She has A+s in all other classes. She’s really trying her very best, but this year has just been hell for her, and math usually comes very easy to her. From talking to other kids in the course, she has better grades than most, but she knows this is going to tank her GPA and she’s very worried. Any advice on how else I can help her improve?

OP it is really unlikely any middle school kid is known for good grades. There is massive grade inflation so it is hard to tell how many kids have all A’s.

And you have no idea just based on her talking to a few friends if most of the other students have lower grades.

If you think 9th grade has been hell over one B you need to really control your emotions. It isn’t going to tank her gpa. Don’t be so dramatic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, problems in math at one level are because the student didn't learn it well enough at previous levels. She quite likely needs algebra or even pre-algebra skills she didn't fully develop.

She did have a sub for math the last two quarters of the year for algebra 1 because her teacher got fired.

I'd expect that her foundation from Algebra I isn't strong.

She got in A+ in Alg I. I doubt that is the problem.

She got an A+ because the teacher was fired and she had a sub the last semester. That doesn’t mean she actually learned the material. You need to be solid in algebra 1 to di well in algebra 2. If she is having to do all that extra work just to get a B in algebra 2 it means she didn’t learn the material well in algebra 1.

Why was the teacher fired?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, problems in math at one level are because the student didn't learn it well enough at previous levels. She quite likely needs algebra or even pre-algebra skills she didn't fully develop.

She did have a sub for math the last two quarters of the year for algebra 1 because her teacher got fired.

I'd expect that her foundation from Algebra I isn't strong.

She got in A+ in Alg I. I doubt that is the problem.

She got an A+ because the teacher was fired and she had a sub the last semester. That doesn’t mean she actually learned the material. You need to be solid in algebra 1 to di well in algebra 2. If she is having to do all that extra work just to get a B in algebra 2 it means she didn’t learn the material well in algebra 1.

Ah, I missed this detail. That is plausible then. But still unlikely. Alg I final exam is a typically state standardized. So if she got an A on her final and got credit for the class, there shouldn’t be major holes.

the final might not have much weight

[Anonymous]

Getting a B grade is still pretty good.

[Anonymous]

Personally I think it’s weird how many schools combine Algebra 2 and trig now because it’s a lot of content for one year if it’s a thorough course.

Algebra 2 requires really strong algorithmic thinking when dealing with polynomials, and I think everyone who is saying that it’s exposing weakness from Algebra 1 is probably right. But it may also be a basic math facts issue- if she’s doing ok on homework and classwork but is struggling under time pressure, it might be that in addition to knowing her algorithms she is moving too slowly on factoring or losing track of numbers. That’s a huge part of algebra 2 especially when stuff is floating around in multiple parenthesis and parts of the equation and one small error can blow a problem up.

Now if this is related to exponentials or logarithms, that’s probably a case for a 1:1 tutor who can explain the concepts differently than what she’s getting from her teacher. Same for the trig part of things.

[Anonymous]

well 9th grade taking Alg 2/Trig a B sounds perfect.

this is way too fast and young in USA to be taking this class.

i think take the B and let your amazing child enjoy some creative non-academic endeavors.

there is always a math course that will challenge you and humble one. precalculus is one of them. that is usually algebra 2 with trig.

continuing, perhaps once in calculus, she will resume her A streak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think algebra and geometry are when it becomes harder to do well in math unless you’re actually good at it. Before that, it’s easy to get As if you’re just an average kid.

This is true. I was a top student in math until high school. At that point it was very difficult for me and dropped to a lower level. I wasn’t planning on a career where math was relevant so I was fine with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think algebra and geometry are when it becomes harder to do well in math unless you’re actually good at it. Before that, it’s easy to get As if you’re just an average kid.

I don't think so, she's always been 99th percentile for everything, since the age of 4 or so, math has always come naturally to her, until now

Math gets hard for everyone at some point. Everyone—including superstar math majors at top 10 universities. It becomes more complex and abstract. It doesn’t mean your child isn’t bright. It just means that the content is getting more challenging. This is a good thing. Your job is to help her lean into it.