Anonymous wrote:Yeah all the stereotypes and broad brush characterizations about others motivations are a bit much.

Just to share one family's experience, we had our older child do Beast Academy during the pandemic to supplement the gap in learning that was happening, then enrolled for a year at RSM because they generally enjoyed math. They didn't like RSM, so we tried AoPS the next year (because they liked BA), and it was better but they were still not really into it, so now there's been no math supplement at all the last couple years. In the meantime they play soccer and take music lessons and an art class as extras.

For 6th grade Algebra pilot this year, I did what one prior poster suggested and tried teaching them a couple Algebra concepts in early August as a trial run before agreeing to let them take the pilot. They absorbed the material quickly, and now they're doing just fine in the pilot with still no tutoring or supplementation needed. Kid is really into robotics and STEM, so don't know if a TJ application is in the future but seems possible given their interests, but nothing we're pushing towards, we'll provide the info and answer any questions, discuss pros/cons, etc. - but they'll decide.

Younger child we signed up for a year of RSM and has continued with it and is now taking and enjoying their competition class as well. Unlike the older kid they _really_ like it, but if that ever changes we'll just drop it. They are already farther ahead in math than where older sibling was at same age, so it's not supplementing to "get a leg up" or whatever - we just ask each year if they want to continue with it and so far they have said yes. Like their sibling they have a sport, art, and music extracurricular as well. Despite being farther ahead in math, their passion actually seems to be more in the art and language arts domain generally. That could evolve, but I'll be slightly more surprised if they pursue TJ application just based on current interests, despite being farther progressed on math. I do expect they'll be taking Algebra in 6th when they get there based on current math level (assuming the pilot program continues), but if for any reason they're not offered or it's not selected then taking it in 7th is perfectly fine too. We aren't supplementing with some specific goal or objective in mind other than letting our kid pursue the things they enjoy.

And FWIW, I drive a beat up 15 year old Lexus SUV, not a Tesla.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah all the stereotypes and broad brush characterizations about others motivations are a bit much.

Just to share one family's experience, we had our older child do Beast Academy during the pandemic to supplement the gap in learning that was happening, then enrolled for a year at RSM because they generally enjoyed math. They didn't like RSM, so we tried AoPS the next year (because they liked BA), and it was better but they were still not really into it, so now there's been no math supplement at all the last couple years. In the meantime they play soccer and take music lessons and an art class as extras.

For 6th grade Algebra pilot this year, I did what one prior poster suggested and tried teaching them a couple Algebra concepts in early August as a trial run before agreeing to let them take the pilot. They absorbed the material quickly, and now they're doing just fine in the pilot with still no tutoring or supplementation needed. Kid is really into robotics and STEM, so don't know if a TJ application is in the future but seems possible given their interests, but nothing we're pushing towards, we'll provide the info and answer any questions, discuss pros/cons, etc. - but they'll decide.

Younger child we signed up for a year of RSM and has continued with it and is now taking and enjoying their competition class as well. Unlike the older kid they _really_ like it, but if that ever changes we'll just drop it. They are already farther ahead in math than where older sibling was at same age, so it's not supplementing to "get a leg up" or whatever - we just ask each year if they want to continue with it and so far they have said yes. Like their sibling they have a sport, art, and music extracurricular as well. Despite being farther ahead in math, their passion actually seems to be more in the art and language arts domain generally. That could evolve, but I'll be slightly more surprised if they pursue TJ application just based on current interests, despite being farther progressed on math. I do expect they'll be taking Algebra in 6th when they get there based on current math level (assuming the pilot program continues), but if for any reason they're not offered or it's not selected then taking it in 7th is perfectly fine too. We aren't supplementing with some specific goal or objective in mind other than letting our kid pursue the things they enjoy.

And FWIW, I drive a beat up 15 year old Lexus SUV, not a Tesla.

Anonymous wrote:Is the 6th grade Algebra class the same as the high school class Algebra 1 HN and will it be on their transcript? Or is this just elementary school algebra, and kids will still need to take Algebra 1 HN in 7th?

Somehow I doubt after this class many kids will opt to take Geometry HN in 7th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Would child have been ready for Algebra in 6th without the math enrichment outside of school? Ask yourself that. And why is simply taking the normal math offered at school considered “holding a child back.” Why must there be a push to accelerate?

Why are you so angry about the sequence some kids are on?

Are you angry about kids who take private violin lessons and get 1st chair in the orchestra?
Travel baseball players who become starting pitchers in high school?
Kids who take acting classes and get lead roles freshman year?

Or is it only math enrichment that bothers you?

Not angry at all. Not sure how you read anger from my post. I do feel like you are trying to go on and on about it though - we get it! Your kid is exceptionally advanced in math and needs algebra in 6th! Please report back how geometry and algebra 2 in middle school go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Would child have been ready for Algebra in 6th without the math enrichment outside of school? Ask yourself that. And why is simply taking the normal math offered at school considered “holding a child back.” Why must there be a push to accelerate?

Why are you so angry about the sequence some kids are on?

Are you angry about kids who take private violin lessons and get 1st chair in the orchestra?
Travel baseball players who become starting pitchers in high school?
Kids who take acting classes and get lead roles freshman year?

Or is it only math enrichment that bothers you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Would child have been ready for Algebra in 6th without the math enrichment outside of school? Ask yourself that. And why is simply taking the normal math offered at school considered “holding a child back.” Why must there be a push to accelerate?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Would child have been ready for Algebra in 6th without the math enrichment outside of school? Ask yourself that. And why is simply taking the normal math offered at school considered “holding a child back.” Why must there be a push to accelerate?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Would child have been ready for Algebra in 6th without the math enrichment outside of school? Ask yourself that. And why is simply taking the normal math offered at school considered “holding a child back.” Why must there be a push to accelerate?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

#1. Totally agree about TJ - not sure what the advantages actually are, and the downsides are very obvious.
#2. If a kid really loves math, then it's a great hobby and there's no reason to hold the child back. You wouldn't say that if a kid was doing extremely well in violin, we should put them in a math class instead of having them study the Brahms Concerto in order to balance them out. That said, I'd bet that the number of kids who really love math enough to pursue it as a hobby is pretty small. The schools should find a way to accommodate the relatively small number of kids who are really ready to move forward in the curriculum without setting up a large-scale Algebra in Sixth Grade program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad that some people cannot fathom taking advanced math/enrichment math for any reason other than to get into TJ or MIT.

[/b]It's no different than travel soccer [b]or private piano lessons for the right kid. We don't do it (because I'm not driving an hour or more each way to get to Vienna/Mclean), but I did look into it at one point because he was bored at school and yet loved math and wanted more, and I don't know how to present it appropriately for his level.

I actually hope my child doesn't go to TJ. The level of stress and pressure there don't seem worth it to me, unless he suddenly becomes passionate about research. I kept him in A1 anyway though, because he is ready for it and excited about it.

(I drive a hyundai)

Yes it is. If it’s no different, then why not just put your child into said sport or piano. I’d argue that that plus your kid already being smart would be a better combo than math enrichment.