Reply to Algebra 2 in 8th Grade

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you do not have one of those children who has serious internal drive and is highly intelligent and chooses on their own to spend their time to take a summer class, then you have no business judging those who do. Not everyone who takes a summer class was forced to do so by their parents. I applaud those parents who allow their kid do what is in their child's best interest, even if it means listening to judgmental comments from uninformed parents.[/quote]

But what is your role as a parent?  If her friends are interested and her teacher says she is qualified, I can guarantee we'll be having this conversation. She'll say "but Mom, I really want to. I will fall behind etc etc".  Like with other inappropriate things she wants, I will look her in the eye and say "I love your enthusiasm, honey, but your brain needs a break.  Hang out at the pool, we'll plan some fabulous family vacations and pick a couple of camps you want me to sign you up for.  If you want to do math, let's figure out how you can tutor third graders who are struggling this summer."   she'll complain for a bit, have a great summer, take an appropriate and challenging math class in 8th grade, apparently lose all hope of going to TJ (we'll live), and hopefully be a touch more protected against depression and suicide. [/quote]

That's interesting. I think I will take the same approach that I took with Boy Scouts and football - I won't suggest it but will consider it if my kid really wants to do it and explain why I feel the way I do and hear out how they feel and still ultimately let them make the decision.  So far I have 1 Boy Scout and no football players :). (I was initially against it for religious reasons not being Christian but was happy to see they recently changed to accept transgender children). [/quote]

Yeah - what I didn't say here is that I would be finding some neuroscience and cognitive science articles about learning and brain development and showing her why I think it's a bad idea.

I had a similar experience with my son. He made it into the AAP program but didn't want to go because of friends, he liked his current school, etc. We told him that he needed to go for a year and then we would re-evaluate.  I didn't think he had either the ability or the information to make this decision himself and I believe the same is true in the choice to accelerate math via summer courses on stuff that should take a year to fully and properly master.
[/quote]

How did the AAP work out? Did he stay in? Were you all glad with however it worked?

I agree I think age 7/8 is pretty young to be making a big decision like that.

Thanks![/quote]

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