Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did Ms. Manchester recommend your DC for Functions? I think the kids have to be recommended by current math teacher to even try it. And, I think she can only recommend 15-20 kids, and about 50 go to Blair magnet from TPMS.

We do not know as yet. In the event that the teacher recommends my DC for Functions, I would want to be prepared on how to teach my DC with the limited resources we have. If she does not get recommended, we will not have to worry about this.

How do we know if our DC gets a recommendation for Functions? Does Mrs. Manchester inform the kids or do you hear from Blair?

I think the invite comes from Blair since not everyone comes from TP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If top colleges look to see students are taking the most rigorous curriculum possible at their school, would not taking functions (when it's an option) hurt a student's potential admissions?

If they are ready for it sure.. My DC found enough challenge in pre-calc. Functions would not have been appropriate in fact about 1/3 of the class drops down to pre-calc after the first test each year. The schedule it so it is easy.

And a few people also drop from pre calc to magnet geometry during the same time period. There are in fact between 12-20 kids who are on the Magnet Geometry track. Many of them are here because their middle school did not adequately prepare them for PreCalc in 9th grade
I am not sure how to answer your question except to say that if that were the case then only students who complete both AP Calculus BC and Multivariable Calculus in your home high school would be considered by a top college since that Math track is the most rigorous track available to students in many area high schools. I would hope in the case of Math especially, colleges would understand that where you end up depends on both your aptitude/effort and whether you have completed prereqs etc.
Blair is a Science and Math magnet and not all kids are equally good at all of the core areas (science, computer science and math). There are some kids who are all rounders and other kids who are great at CS or in Math or in Chemistry or in Engineering etc.
I would add that with Math you don't want to approach it like it is a race. It is really important that students get a solid foundation and the curriculum and teacher quality is really good at Blair so why not take advantage of that and allow your child to learn without struggle and stress. ie don't seek out extra challenge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did Ms. Manchester recommend your DC for Functions? I think the kids have to be recommended by current math teacher to even try it. And, I think she can only recommend 15-20 kids, and about 50 go to Blair magnet from TPMS.

We do not know as yet. In the event that the teacher recommends my DC for Functions, I would want to be prepared on how to teach my DC with the limited resources we have. If she does not get recommended, we will not have to worry about this.

How do we know if our DC gets a recommendation for Functions? Does Mrs. Manchester inform the kids or do you hear from Blair?

Not sure. We're in the same boat. Assuming Ms. M will let the kids know, since they had to write an essay to be considered in the first place.

Anonymous wrote:Did Ms. Manchester recommend your DC for Functions? I think the kids have to be recommended by current math teacher to even try it. And, I think she can only recommend 15-20 kids, and about 50 go to Blair magnet from TPMS.

We do not know as yet. In the event that the teacher recommends my DC for Functions, I would want to be prepared on how to teach my DC with the limited resources we have. If she does not get recommended, we will not have to worry about this.

How do we know if our DC gets a recommendation for Functions? Does Mrs. Manchester inform the kids or do you hear from Blair?

Did Ms. Manchester recommend your DC for Functions? I think the kids have to be recommended by current math teacher to even try it. And, I think she can only recommend 15-20 kids, and about 50 go to Blair magnet from TPMS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our strategy is to prep for functions but not let DC take it. Beware that there are multiple sources of curriculum and not one given textbook. One of the books I have heard mentioned from both PHS and RMIB students is "Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach (Ron Larson)". It is not ranked high in Amazon and there are better books available. We are using a few textbooks and some old assignments from various HS (Blair, PHS, RMIB and BCC) because we have older children, nephews and nieces who graduated from these schools. I am confident I can cobble together something before end of this month for my youngest.

Thank you for this information. Would it be possible to know which other textbooks other than the one you mentioned could be used to teach?

Check out Amazon. There are several. Also, look at college textbooks for precalc. I have a textbook and assigned workbook too, though I cannot tell you offhand which ones. Most material is still with my BCC nephew, I was not in a hurry to get them because they are now like the "brotherhood of travelling study materials".

The textbook that works best is the one that can explain things in the easiest and simplest manner. Make sure that the concepts are clear and foundations are strong. Everything else can be built upon that. Difficult to say which textbook will appeal to which student. Your aim should be that the students doesn't feel lost. This is also a good time to review all the previous material in Algebra and Geometry. Fill the gaps now. Oh, and practice, practice, practice. Especially Math facts that they have completely forgotten by now. Good old fashioned exponents and stuff.

Actually, I would give this advice to anyone starting HS in Fall. There is a whole lot of basic stuff that that has been forgotten by students as they have moved on to higher Math. Growing up in another country, Algebra/Math and Geometry/Trig was always taught concurrently. Having done Algebra 1 in one grade, then Geometry in another grade, then Algebra 2 - I can assure you that they have swiss cheese Math brain. Review everything again.

Anonymous wrote:If top colleges look to see students are taking the most rigorous curriculum possible at their school, would not taking functions (when it's an option) hurt a student's potential admissions?

If they are ready for it sure.. My DC found enough challenge in pre-calc. Functions would not have been appropriate in fact about 1/3 of the class drops down to pre-calc after the first test each year. The schedule it so it is easy.

Anonymous wrote:Our strategy is to prep for functions but not let DC take it. Beware that there are multiple sources of curriculum and not one given textbook. One of the books I have heard mentioned from both PHS and RMIB students is "Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach (Ron Larson)". It is not ranked high in Amazon and there are better books available. We are using a few textbooks and some old assignments from various HS (Blair, PHS, RMIB and BCC) because we have older children, nephews and nieces who graduated from these schools. I am confident I can cobble together something before end of this month for my youngest.

Thank you for this information. Would it be possible to know which other textbooks other than the one you mentioned could be used to teach?

If top colleges look to see students are taking the most rigorous curriculum possible at their school, would not taking functions (when it's an option) hurt a student's potential admissions?

Thank you for the information. This is very useful.
My DC is good in math, and I am having a difficult time to convince her not to take functions. For parents whose kids have taken Algebra 2 in 8th grade (which was offered in the past), would you recommend a textbook? I am told that Algebra II is covered in the first quarter when you take functions in Blair magnet.

Our strategy is to prep for functions but not let DC take it. Beware that there are multiple sources of curriculum and not one given textbook. One of the books I have heard mentioned from both PHS and RMIB students is "Precalculus With Limits: A Graphing Approach (Ron Larson)". It is not ranked high in Amazon and there are better books available. We are using a few textbooks and some old assignments from various HS (Blair, PHS, RMIB and BCC) because we have older children, nephews and nieces who graduated from these schools. I am confident I can cobble together something before end of this month for my youngest.

So she will be going from Geometry to Functions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is keen on taking functions in Blair magnet. She is currently in TPMS magnet. I would like to provide her some enrichment in math- alegbra 2 over summer break so that functions becomes a little easier. We are unable to afford any tutoring programs. DC's dad could teach at home. Which textbook would you recommend for algrebra II? Any other recommendations prior to starting functions? Thank you.

Is your child interested to do 2-3 Math HW daily on top of other classes? If not, do not do it.
Once your child will take Functions, he would have to take Cal in 10th. Then what is in 11 and 12th? Magnet Math? Do you know that there is no way your child would get any college credit for Magnet Math in 11th and 12th? (So called beyond AP, but not really college level)
Unless he will take exam in College that would cover that material (think twice, since the would be 100% curriculum difference). If a child will get C on exam - that C will be on the college transcript.
So basically better not to do it....

There is no book that student to follow in functions. There are only teacher's notes, and these notes are all over the place much deeper and faster than any book.
Good luck.

Read 2-3 hours of HW.

Anonymous wrote:My DC is keen on taking functions in Blair magnet. She is currently in TPMS magnet. I would like to provide her some enrichment in math- alegbra 2 over summer break so that functions becomes a little easier. We are unable to afford any tutoring programs. DC's dad could teach at home. Which textbook would you recommend for algrebra II? Any other recommendations prior to starting functions? Thank you.

Is your child interested to do 2-3 Math HW daily on top of other classes? If not, do not do it.
Once your child will take Functions, he would have to take Cal in 10th. Then what is in 11 and 12th? Magnet Math? Do you know that there is no way your child would get any college credit for Magnet Math in 11th and 12th? (So called beyond AP, but not really college level)
Unless he will take exam in College that would cover that material (think twice, since the would be 100% curriculum difference). If a child will get C on exam - that C will be on the college transcript.
So basically better not to do it....

There is no book that student to follow in functions. There are only teacher's notes, and these notes are all over the place much deeper and faster than any book.
Good luck.

My DC is keen on taking functions in Blair magnet. She is currently in TPMS magnet. I would like to provide her some enrichment in math- alegbra 2 over summer break so that functions becomes a little easier. We are unable to afford any tutoring programs. DC's dad could teach at home. Which textbook would you recommend for algrebra II? Any other recommendations prior to starting functions? Thank you.