Math 7 Honors vs. Algebra

[Anonymous]

If your 7th grader either chose to do Math 7 honors or didn't quite qualify for Algebra, how is M7H going? Is it too easy, and do your kids wish they had taken Algebra instead? Or is M7H a good fit, and they're happy in it? If you have a 7th grader in Algebra, how is that going? Are your kids happy there, or do they wish they took M7H instead?

[Anonymous]

Algebra in 7th is a big jump. Your kid needs to be ready and responsible.

[Anonymous]

My son qualified for Alg. I Hons. for 7th grade, but I let him make the choice and he chose to do Math 7 Hons (mainly b/c the 6th grade math teacher gave them a lecture about how much work they would need to do in Alg. I Hons).

So, in 7th grade he kind of regretted not doing Alg. I Hons b/c he saw that most of his friends from 6th grade did take Alg. rather than Math 7 Hons. DS did well and felt that it wasn't hard. I think there was at least one time where the teacher told the class that DS got one of the highest scores in the county on and ecart or some sort of test.

Now, in Alg. I hons -- DS is finding that A's aren't as much of a given as they always have been. Even though he breezed through Math 7 Hons (and had already passed the IAAT in 6th), Alg. I hons is more challenging. I think if it was just regular Alg, he would sail through as he always has. It's the "honors" part --- the stuff that touches on Alg. II -- that is probably what is catching him a bit. He's still doing well, but he has to up his game.

So, that probably doesn't make your choice any easier! FWIW, your if you decide to let your kid wait on Alg. I hons, and then your child wants to push ahead in math (to be with those who did Alg. I hons in 7th), it is possible to take Geometry during the summer after 8th grade (very compressed version). But, it is a way to let your kid's brain mature a bit before tackling Alg. I Hons and Geometry.

In any case, I would encourage you to let your child make the decision. It is not a life or death decision. And your child is in the best position to know what he/she is willing to take on. And if it turns out to be a bad fit, s/he will learn something from that too and it will guide future decisions that s/he will have to make all the way through high school and college. Give your kid the information. Encourage them to talk to their math teacher in the spring when IAAT results are in. Go to the curriculum night. Let them talk to their friends. And then let them make the choice.

They need to own their education.

[Anonymous]

My dd is in 7th and is regretting not being in Algebra, but that is ok. There is a big difference between this and Alg. 1 honors. First off being that any algebra goes on the HS transcript. I made the decision to place her in Math 7 honors.

The kids who are in Algebra make her feel bad (or perhaps she does it to herself) but I am trying to see the long game. She doesn't love math and I didn't think it was wise to put her on the path to very hard math in 12th.

She has made A in 1st q of Math 7 honors, but it wasn't a breeze. I am happy she is solidifying her base in a class that won't follow her forever.

Middle school has a lot to get used to. I didn't think starting it off with a HS class was best for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd is in 7th and is regretting not being in Algebra, but that is ok. There is a big difference between this and Alg. 1 honors. First off being that any algebra goes on the HS transcript. I made the decision to place her in Math 7 honors.

The kids who are in Algebra make her feel bad (or perhaps she does it to herself) but I am trying to see the long game. She doesn't love math and I didn't think it was wise to put her on the path to very hard math in 12th.

She has made A in 1st q of Math 7 honors, but it wasn't a breeze. I am happy she is solidifying her base in a class that won't follow her forever.

Middle school has a lot to get used to. I didn't think starting it off with a HS class was best for her.

PP here. Don't beat yourself up or let your DD beat herself up!

The competition and the race is ridiculous. She can still take Calculus (if that is even a goal -- doesn't have to be!). She may think it is a little easy this year, but I bet she won't think that next year. You are smart to play the long game.

[Anonymous]

So, my DD took Algebra in 7th and I didn't want her to, for all the regular reasons (it's a high school class, secondary school is a huge jump, there's no need to be so far ahead....). However, she is literally the best of the best. I have five kids and I see how extraordinary she is. Not that she's a genius, she's just so skilled and quick in math plus (and this is probably most important) she's extremely type A, conscientious, perfectly behaved and always working hard and paying attention type of student. She's never lost a paper or been confused or missed a beat. She had 3 years of 600s on her math SOLs, a 99% percentile on the IOWA, and won some Continental Math League best in the school award. I finally couldn't argue and let her take Algebra. She did great. Just like any old math class and she had an A. Having said that....I don't expect any of my other children will be in Algebra in 7th grade. She's unique.

[Anonymous]

DD chose math 7 honors and is happy with her choice. Is getting A’s while her friends in Algebra I are getting Bs. Some have even dropped Algebra and are now in DD’s class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my DD took Algebra in 7th and I didn't want her to, for all the regular reasons (it's a high school class, secondary school is a huge jump, there's no need to be so far ahead....). However, she is literally the best of the best. I have five kids and I see how extraordinary she is. Not that she's a genius, she's just so skilled and quick in math plus (and this is probably most important) she's extremely type A, conscientious, perfectly behaved and always working hard and paying attention type of student. She's never lost a paper or been confused or missed a beat. She had 3 years of 600s on her math SOLs, a 99% percentile on the IOWA, and won some Continental Math League best in the school award. I finally couldn't argue and let her take Algebra. She did great. Just like any old math class and she had an A. Having said that....I don't expect any of my other children will be in Algebra in 7th grade. She's unique.

If she was that good, she’d have taken it in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, my DD took Algebra in 7th and I didn't want her to, for all the regular reasons (it's a high school class, secondary school is a huge jump, there's no need to be so far ahead....). However, she is literally the best of the best. I have five kids and I see how extraordinary she is. Not that she's a genius, she's just so skilled and quick in math plus (and this is probably most important) she's extremely type A, conscientious, perfectly behaved and always working hard and paying attention type of student. She's never lost a paper or been confused or missed a beat. She had 3 years of 600s on her math SOLs, a 99% percentile on the IOWA, and won some Continental Math League best in the school award. I finally couldn't argue and let her take Algebra. She did great. Just like any old math class and she had an A. Having said that....I don't expect any of my other children will be in Algebra in 7th grade. She's unique.

My God, humblebrag much?

[Anonymous]

My child took honors math in 7th, which was easy for him. Homework, if any, took 15 minutes. So we got a really good Algebra textbook and had him learn Algebra in the evenings and weekends at home. When he took Algebra in 8th, it was really easy (and really not taught well compared to the rigorous algebra text he was using at home) so he started studying for geometry at home. He took geometry in between 8th and 9th then was put into Algebra 2 in 9th. Because he had such a rigorous algebra class at home then had everything reinforced in 8th grade algebra, he is finding algebra 2 easy.

[Anonymous]

This doesnt make sense to me. The 6th graders are already taking math 7 content so I just assumed the AAP kids would take math 8 in 7th grade if they didnt qualify for Algebra in 7th grade. I have a 6th grader in AAP so I need someone to clarify.

[Anonymous]

Also, how are kids taking Algebra in 6th grade when Fairfax County explicitly states that the prerequisite for Algebra in 7th grade is 91% on IOWA test and pass advanced scores on 6th grade Math SOLs??? I've never seen anywhere in their documents that sets conditions for Algebra in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesnt make sense to me. The 6th graders are already taking math 7 content so I just assumed the AAP kids would take math 8 in 7th grade if they didnt qualify for Algebra in 7th grade. I have a 6th grader in AAP so I need someone to clarify.

Math 7 Hons IS Math 8. It's just all 7th graders in Math 7 hons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my DD took Algebra in 7th and I didn't want her to, for all the regular reasons (it's a high school class, secondary school is a huge jump, there's no need to be so far ahead....). However, she is literally the best of the best. I have five kids and I see how extraordinary she is. Not that she's a genius, she's just so skilled and quick in math plus (and this is probably most important) she's extremely type A, conscientious, perfectly behaved and always working hard and paying attention type of student. She's never lost a paper or been confused or missed a beat. She had 3 years of 600s on her math SOLs, a 99% percentile on the IOWA, and won some Continental Math League best in the school award. I finally couldn't argue and let her take Algebra. She did great. Just like any old math class and she had an A. Having said that....I don't expect any of my other children will be in Algebra in 7th grade. She's unique.

My God, humblebrag much?

Yea, When her daughter can play a 3 hour chess match against an adult and win then I will put her in the same class as my son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, how are kids taking Algebra in 6th grade when Fairfax County explicitly states that the prerequisite for Algebra in 7th grade is 91% on IOWA test and pass advanced scores on 6th grade Math SOLs??? I've never seen anywhere in their documents that sets conditions for Algebra in 6th grade.

It happens but rarely. They generally move up to 6th grade aap math in 5th, and take the Iowa then.