Algebra

[Anonymous]

Is there a real benefit to taking Algebra in 7th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a real benefit to taking Algebra in 7th grade?

Real can have broad definition here. Only benefit is they are taking advanced math as per their grade level. In the long term if they went with regular course structure, they will still be able to achieve advanced high school diploma if they completed required credits by end of 12th grade.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid.

I would really make the call based on test scores. have the SOL & Iowas where they want them. If boarderline, waiting one year is well worth it. Math should simmer like a good chill. We don't do enough of just "playing" with the numbers.

But if your kid got 600 SOL and 99 iowas let them take the Algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a real benefit to taking Algebra in 7th grade?

It depends on the student. I have one took it is 7th grade and one that we had wait.

The one who waited is now a freshman at Purdue in engineering and doing extremely well. He stayed on track and took AP BC calculus as a senior and earned college credit as a result. He is young for his grade and a later bloomer. He needed that extra year to solidify the pre-algebra and be ready for algebra.

The one who took Algebra in 7th grade and he is currently taking AP BC Calc as a junior. He took AP Stats as his elective as a sophomore and will take Matrix and Mult-Var next year. He so far so good, he gets high A's with a moderate effort (meaning he does the homework and workbooks that's the teacher assigns but doesn't cram or study for tests). Currently, he is seriously thinking of majoring in math in college. While my older DC has a real math aptitude, this one is above and beyond that in a way that is a little scary.

[Anonymous]

According to DC, their 6th grade math teacher (advanced math in LLIV school) discouraged the whole class from taking Algebra in 7th. I know that many parents in our area push their kids to get the scores necessary to take Algebra in 7th (and now even in 6th) whether or not they are ready, but why discourage all the kids? DC got a high score on the IAAT and is now doing well in Algebra (hoping not to jinx DC) and even aced the mid term. I think DC might have been bored in Math 7 HN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to DC, their 6th grade math teacher (advanced math in LLIV school) discouraged the whole class from taking Algebra in 7th. I know that many parents in our area push their kids to get the scores necessary to take Algebra in 7th (and now even in 6th) whether or not they are ready, but why discourage all the kids? DC got a high score on the IAAT and is now doing well in Algebra (hoping not to jinx DC) and even aced the mid term. I think DC might have been bored in Math 7 HN.

Obviously it didn't deter you or other parents with kids who took algebra in 7th so what the teacher says seems to matter little. Some kids pushed ahead will have to retake Algebra in 8th grade to get a decent grade, their loss. oh well.

[Anonymous]

If TJ is a goal, it can be a big help. The TJ test is heavy on Algebra and has some Geometry. Otherwise? Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid.

I would really make the call based on test scores. have the SOL & Iowas where they want them. If boarderline, waiting one year is well worth it. Math should simmer like a good chill. We don't do enough of just "playing" with the numbers.

But if your kid got 600 SOL and 99 iowas let them take the Algebra.

As a math teacher I love that, letting it simmer like chilli. It's different for every kid and it's s bit crazy we are trying to predict a 6th graders senior year in HS. Alg in 7th gives them a chance at BC calc IF it's the right fit and they continue with that course of studies. Alg in 8th still gives them Calc AB in HS. It depends on your child. Depending on where you are you may have different IB options or AP stats too. How is this year going? More time to develop a strong foundation is always better. As a parent myself I always feel we push children too fast and what's the rush? I don't like when my students make decisions simply trying to predict college credit based on AP/IB scores or say their parents forced them ahead because they thought they would go to TJ.

[Anonymous]

^autocorrect is messing up some of my AB BC IB etc letters but you get the idea...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid.

I would really make the call based on test scores. have the SOL & Iowas where they want them. If boarderline, waiting one year is well worth it. Math should simmer like a good chill. We don't do enough of just "playing" with the numbers.

But if your kid got 600 SOL and 99 iowas let them take the Algebra.

As a math teacher I love that, letting it simmer like chilli. It's different for every kid and it's s bit crazy we are trying to predict a 6th graders senior year in HS. Alg in 7th gives them a chance at BC calc IF it's the right fit and they continue with that course of studies. Alg in 8th still gives them Calc AB in HS. It depends on your child. Depending on where you are you may have different IB options or AP stats too. How is this year going? More time to develop a strong foundation is always better. As a parent myself I always feel we push children too fast and what's the rush? I don't like when my students make decisions simply trying to predict college credit based on AP/IB scores or say their parents forced them ahead because they thought they would go to TJ.

Algebra Honors in 8th can track to BC Calc senior year if they take Honors the whole time. Algebra Honors in 7th tracks to Multi Var and Matrix Algebra senior year (BC Cal is taken junior year).

[Anonymous]

If TJ is a goal for the child, I think Alg in 7th is pretty important.