Reply to How hard will Blair's Functions class be for a kid who currently finds Algebra 2 "easy"?

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Reply to "How hard will Blair's Functions class be for a kid who currently finds Algebra 2 "easy"?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I had two kids go through Functions (although I think they’ve changed the teacher since). While neither was a Math Team type kid, they are both highly competent. They had previously had Algebra 2 at TPMS and got A’s in the Functions class, but it was hard. Talking to the other parents, I think it’s hard for everyone.  Blair might have math superstars that take it in stride, but all the kids in Functions are top kids and it’s still hard.  Every year a significant number drop Functions and join the Magnet Precalc classes.

Also, it turned out that the way the follow up courses are sequenced, they’re set up for the 3 semester Precalc. By taking Functions, they had to take two math classes the same semester as a Junior.

Normally it’s:
Freshman Fall - Precalc
Freshman Spring - Precalc
Sophomore Fall - Precalc
Sophomore Spring - Calculus
Junior Fall - Calculus
Junior Spring - Statistics

It’s important for kids to have Stats before their Senior Research Project (SRP).

For Functions Kids it’s:
Freshman Year - Functions (2 semesters)
Sophomore - Calculus (2 semesters)
Junior Fall - Multivariable Calculus
Junior spring - Differential Equations
Junior Spring - Statistics

They don’t want to split MultiVar and DiffEq across years, but the kids still need Statistics for their SRP  The kids lose an elective slot Junior year to math, and according to state requirements, they still have to take 2 semesters of math as a senior. 
[/quote]

This is a good summary.  Mine went into Functions from Geometry.  It was a lot of work (pre covid). I think change of teacher might have made the course more manageable,  though both teachers are excellent. 
 Coming from Alg2 will be better, but like a PP said, there will be gaps, Trig will be new, and the class will go in greater depth. Functions almost burned mine out. But, she bounced back, and it put her in a great place to take some advanced math courses. Instead of stats, she did Linear Alg and Complex Analysis senior year and went into college with a third of a math major completed.

I would agree with PPs that most kids take mvc.[/quote]

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