Blair math: functions

[Anonymous]

Yep. Theoretically and practically possible. There is very little Geometry on the test in December, since almost nobody will complete it by 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but there is some geometry on the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

This is my understanding: Everyone is enrolled for pre-calc (or Geom if they're not in Geom now). They make the decisions on which of the Pre Calc students are recommended for Functions later through teacher or camp or whatever.

Just wondering - Is it possible to get admitted to Blair SMAC without having done Geometry? (These would be students who do IM in grade 7 and Algebra 1 in grade 8, right?)

Yes, we were told that some students come in without yet having done geometry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

This is my understanding: Everyone is enrolled for pre-calc (or Geom if they're not in Geom now). They make the decisions on which of the Pre Calc students are recommended for Functions later through teacher or camp or whatever.

Just wondering - Is it possible to get admitted to Blair SMAC without having done Geometry? (These would be students who do IM in grade 7 and Algebra 1 in grade 8, right?)

Yes, we were told that some students come in without yet having done geometry.

This. Magnet geometry used to be the most common Math path for students many many years ago (if I am correctly remembering something mr ostrander once said). Now it is mostly taken by kids who studied algebra 1 and geometry in a non Magnet MS, private school kids who have not studied Geometry yet and a few kids who find the Pre Calculus class is moving too quickly or taking too much time. Math is just one of the three areas of focus for the Magnet program and there are kids who are really great in science or computer science and just very good in math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

I'm pretty sure this is based mostly on what math class your kid is taking currently, not any real recommendation at that point. If taking Alg 1, you would sign up for Mag Geom. If taking Geom (reg MS) or Mag Geom (at MSM), you would sign up for Pre-Calc. After that, Pre-Calc kids get recommended for Functions by teacher/camp (or possible Mag Geom, if coming from reg Geom and the stretch to pre Calc is too much of a leap).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

I'm pretty sure this is based mostly on what math class your kid is taking currently, not any real recommendation at that point. If taking Alg 1, you would sign up for Mag Geom. If taking Geom (reg MS) or Mag Geom (at MSM), you would sign up for Pre-Calc. After that, Pre-Calc kids get recommended for Functions by teacher/camp (or possible Mag Geom, if coming from reg Geom and the stretch to pre Calc is too much of a leap).

I'd think if this were the case, they wouldn't be so casual about the math camp. They just said the kids can come if they like. They told me about 60% of the class usually attends. Seems kind of unfair if they are only checking 60% of the class for placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

I'm pretty sure this is based mostly on what math class your kid is taking currently, not any real recommendation at that point. If taking Alg 1, you would sign up for Mag Geom. If taking Geom (reg MS) or Mag Geom (at MSM), you would sign up for Pre-Calc. After that, Pre-Calc kids get recommended for Functions by teacher/camp (or possible Mag Geom, if coming from reg Geom and the stretch to pre Calc is too much of a leap).

I'd think if this were the case, they wouldn't be so casual about the math camp. They just said the kids can come if they like. They told me about 60% of the class usually attends. Seems kind of unfair if they are only checking 60% of the class for placement.

Many TP magnet kids were told no need to attend the summer school bc they already know the materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

I'm pretty sure this is based mostly on what math class your kid is taking currently, not any real recommendation at that point. If taking Alg 1, you would sign up for Mag Geom. If taking Geom (reg MS) or Mag Geom (at MSM), you would sign up for Pre-Calc. After that, Pre-Calc kids get recommended for Functions by teacher/camp (or possible Mag Geom, if coming from reg Geom and the stretch to pre Calc is too much of a leap).

PP here. All I'm saying is that the class listed on registration is based on what they are currently taking. It is not a thought out "placement." All Mag Geom kids registered for Pre Calc, but some will be placed in Fxns. It is a process, one that hadn't happened at the time of registration.

I'd think if this were the case, they wouldn't be so casual about the math camp. They just said the kids can come if they like. They told me about 60% of the class usually attends. Seems kind of unfair if they are only checking 60% of the class for placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all confusing to me. I have a non-Takoma child who will go to the Blair magnet in the fall, and we already registered for her classes. The level of math she was based on the recommendation we were given by Blair. I assume it was based on her admissions test and her previous grades and math teacher's recommendation. She will be going to the math camp in the summer. Is the camp really just an opportunity for them to assess the kids? (They did say that they might adjust placements based on what they see in the class, but they also seemed fairly confident in where the children were already placed.)

Do you mean you already know your cild's math class next year? If so how did you find out.

We were asked to register for classes, and we were told which math our daughter was recommended to take. (It was the middle of three levels, and I was told it was the level that the majority of kids would take. A small percentage take the top level (functions?) and a small percentage take the lower level, which I think includes geometry.) The middle and lower levels are accelerated, so that over time the goal is to get everyone to the same place. The middle level they recommend for my daughter means she starts calculus after a year and a half. (middle of sophomore year.) The top level starts calculus a semester earlier. I can't swear to all this, but it's my understanding. If your child has been accepted, and you have questions, call the magnet coordinator. He's very helpful.

I'm pretty sure this is based mostly on what math class your kid is taking currently, not any real recommendation at that point. If taking Alg 1, you would sign up for Mag Geom. If taking Geom (reg MS) or Mag Geom (at MSM), you would sign up for Pre-Calc. After that, Pre-Calc kids get recommended for Functions by teacher/camp (or possible Mag Geom, if coming from reg Geom and the stretch to pre Calc is too much of a leap).

PP here. All I'm saying is that the class listed on registration is based on what they are currently taking. It is not a thought out "placement." All Mag Geom kids registered for Pre Calc, but some will be placed in Fxns. It is a process, one that hadn't happened at the time of registration.

I'd think if this were the case, they wouldn't be so casual about the math camp. They just said the kids can come if they like. They told me about 60% of the class usually attends. Seems kind of unfair if they are only checking 60% of the class for placement.

PP here. All I'm saying is that the class listed on registration is based on what they are currently taking. It is not a thought out "placement." All Mag Geom kids registered for Pre Calc, but some will be placed in Fxns. It is a process, one that hadn't happened at the time of registration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If top colleges look to see students are taking the most rigorous curriculum possible at their school, would not taking functions (when it's an option) hurt a student's potential admissions?

No. The other math offered in the magnet is accelerated plenty. My DC was in the 'regular' curriculum in the magnet and will place out of most of the math required for engineering. DC was still able to take all the accelerated math electives with others.

My recollection was that a significant number of functions students drop out of the class. It is not an automatic A by any means. And those raw grades are what colleges look at. In other words, they won't count a B in functions as 'better' than an 'A' in magnet calculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If top colleges look to see students are taking the most rigorous curriculum possible at their school, would not taking functions (when it's an option) hurt a student's potential admissions?

No. The other math offered in the magnet is accelerated plenty. My DC was in the 'regular' curriculum in the magnet and will place out of most of the math required for engineering. DC was still able to take all the accelerated math electives with others.

My recollection was that a significant number of functions students drop out of the class. It is not an automatic A by any means. And those raw grades are what colleges look at. In other words, they won't count a B in functions as 'better' than an 'A' in magnet calculus.

What happens when they drop out? Do they just have one less course that semester (or year?) or do they drop "into" a different course and continue? What will be the new course, and how do they catch up if they join after a month/marking period/... ?

[Anonymous]

They drop to pre-calc. You have to take math,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They drop to pre-calc. You have to take math,

The material covered in pre-calc before they drop to pre-calc - would it have been covered in functions too ?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They drop to pre-calc. You have to take math,

The material covered in pre-calc before they drop to pre-calc - would it have been covered in functions too ?

Thanks.

Not sure of the specifics but enough kids do it that it must work out ok.