Summer Math Packets
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Anonymous
| My rising 7th grader has a math packet that is 20+ pages long and he can't figure out (or remember) how to complete a lot of the assignments. He'll be going into Algebra 1 and finished with an A in IM math last year, even though he was constantly telling me that he didn't understand everything. We had a weekly tutor helping him along. So, now I'm wondering if we should just hold him back and let him repeat the 7th grade subject matter to strengthen his understanding. I broached the thought to him and he refused, saying it would be embarrassing and boring. At the same time, I don't want to be paying for a weekly tutor for Algebra this year, and for whatever comes in future years, and so I'm a bit torn on how to proceed. |
Anonymous
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Get him a tutor ASAP. It would be embarrassing, but you certainly need some professional help right now before school starts.
Most likely, there will be a test on that packet the second week of school. You and your kid have to fix this now so he can stay where he wants to be, or get out of the class before the inevitable disaster. |
Anonymous
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Oh jeez. I was the one on who posted on the private school forum a month or two back that I was concerned when I learned that my rising 8th grader isn't ready for algebra 1. I was trying to determine whether I should beg and plead his way in, with promises of working all summer and tutors all school year. Then I really thought about how much his struggles with math are taking away from his ability to focus on areas where he can be strong and how unhappy he was all year with doing 2-3 hours of math homework every night. He might be embarrassed for about day day if and when he realizes he is in the lowest math tier at his school, but it's well worth it to us as a family to have an emotionally healthy kid who can, hopefully, find some joy in school, with the weight of difficult math off his shoulders.
It just wasn't that long ago that algebra 1 in 9th was the norm. I would suggest that the reason Americans fall behind him math fields compared to the rest of the world (as so many seem concerned about--I'm not), is that not nearly enough students are building strong foundations. They're getting through enough to make intense parents feel they are raising the smart kid, but probably not finding much fun or confidence in the learning. |
Anonymous
What does your son want? If he needed a tutor all last year and doesn't want a tutor this year and it's not a matter of him falling behind but just not being advanced, I would let him repeat. If he thinks it would be more embarrassing to repeat than to have a tutor, I'd set some ground rules with him and figure out a way to make it work financially (if he's not willing to cut other expenses, then he can repeat) |
Anonymous
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Is there no other option for 7th grade? Can you help him with the assignments? He might just need a quick refresher (Math started going over my head at about Algebra II and I haven't had math since 1990).
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Anonymous
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Repeat Algebra in 8th if he doesn't do well.
It's reasonable to be as hands-on or as hands-off as you like, whatever promotes a good relationship w/your son and whatever level of involvement doesn't cause you resentment. It's coming - - when it's all him. He lives with the consequences. The progression of that happening is not something you have the responsibility to manage perfectly. |