Hi! I am in 7th grade Algebra 1 Honors. It is ok. It is still a little tough. I go to an IB school so it is expected to pass this class or pre algebra, which we had last year. If you pass honors, you go to geometry! It sounds tough, but I have a B! I think as long as you have a sense of what to do, it is easy. It is more about whether or not you believe in yourself. At least, that is what I have found. Hope this helps!

Anonymous wrote:He is a math/science kid, but needed more time on the vine before he started the HS math sequence. Some kids can still do well in math without taking Algebra I Honors in 7th.

Can I just say I love that expression? "More time on the vine." Perfect and describes to a T an argument against accelerating when it isn't completely necessary.

Do the kids doing algebra honors in 7th or 8th apply the algebra to science class problems? Like speed acceleration problems, etc?

Our younger DC took Algebra I Honors in 7th, Honors Geometry in 8th, and is about to complete Honors Algebra II in 9th. At Longfellow, all A's no summer programs or tutors not in AAP. So, some children are ready for it in 7th and have a sound foundation and capable of doing in on their own.

Our elder DC was not ready and took Algebra I Honors in 8th and will take AP Calculus BC in 12th. While not all A's he is generally between B+ and and A- and does well on the major tests. He is a math/science kid, but needed more time on the vine before he started the HS math sequence. Some kids can still do well in math without taking Algebra I Honors in 7th.

Neither go nor wanted to attend TJ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is a good idea to take Algebra in 7. However, I'm pretty sure the reason so many parents demand it is so that their kid will get into TJ.

Our ds has no interest in TJ, and neither do we as parents. He took algebra 1 in 7th because he qualified and because it seemed silly to have him retake 7th grade math if he didn't need to. In all honesty, I see more value in repeating Algebra if necessary.

+1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is a good idea to take Algebra in 7. However, I'm pretty sure the reason so many parents demand it is so that their kid will get into TJ.

Our ds has no interest in TJ, and neither do we as parents. He took algebra 1 in 7th because he qualified and because it seemed silly to have him retake 7th grade math if he didn't need to. In all honesty, I see more value in repeating Algebra if necessary.

+1

DD took Algebra I in 7th and Geometry in 8th and has no interest in TJ and took the classes to make room for electives in high school. I agree with the need for a strong Algebra II experience.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is a good idea to take Algebra in 7. However, I'm pretty sure the reason so many parents demand it is so that their kid will get into TJ.

Our ds has no interest in TJ, and neither do we as parents. He took algebra 1 in 7th because he qualified and because it seemed silly to have him retake 7th grade math if he didn't need to. In all honesty, I see more value in repeating Algebra if necessary.

DC took algebra I honors in 7th and Geometry honors in 8th. Got As. Got the content. Has not had education compromised in the process. Is going to TJ in the fall.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it is a good idea to take Algebra in 7. However, I'm pretty sure the reason so many parents demand it is so that their kid will get into TJ.

That's a blanket generalization that has no basis in fact. There are other school districts where the "gifted" or "advanced" or whatever you want to call them--tracks do math that's two years ahead of grade level, and sometimes more depending on individual kids' levels (we moved here from such a district). The kids generally do well, but those districts also have far more restrictive criteria for admission to an advanced track--maybe 3-5% of the kids tops make it.
The point is that there is a subset of the population that will thrive with Algebra or even more advanced math in 7th grade. It's just not the case for all AAP students.

Anonymous wrote:

He does all the math in his head, but is missing the habit of showing his work. An important skill for more advance math!

So he'll learn. Like the PP, my child is in Algebra 1 Honors this year and it has not been a big deal at all. She also does not like to show her work, but it's a skill that she is working on and is much improved from the beginning of the year.

Also, at least at LMS, there were a lot of kids who took summer algebra courses before 7th grade so they were essentially seeing the material a second time, if not already being tutored as well.

Wow. That is not the case at our MS at all.

This was also the case at Kilmer this year. A majority of the kids already knew Algebra, so the teacher didn't find teaching necessary.

Kids that staffed as gifted generally take Algebra 1 Honors in 7th grade and do well on the EOC. You can check the EOC results by grade level at www.fldoe.org.

He does all the math in his head, but is missing the habit of showing his work. An important skill for more advance math!

So he'll learn. Like the PP, my child is in Algebra 1 Honors this year and it has not been a big deal at all. She also does not like to show her work, but it's a skill that she is working on and is much improved from the beginning of the year.

Also, at least at LMS, there were a lot of kids who took summer algebra courses before 7th grade so they were essentially seeing the material a second time, if not already being tutored as well.

Wow. That is not the case at our MS at all.

My DC had high 90's on the Iowa & perfect score on the SOL and was very challenged by Algebra honors in 7th. Had always been strong math student. Granted, this was at Longfellow, where I believe it's especially challenging. Plenty of kids got As, but there were also plenty who dropped out or repeated algebra. From what I could tell the biggest factor in success was not just aptitude, but application -- hard working kids who are very diligent with homework and don't like getting less than near perfect scores did great. Some kids aren't ready for that developmentally, even if they are extremely bright. Also, at least at LMS, there were a lot of kids who took summer algebra courses before 7th grade so they were essentially seeing the material a second time, if not already being tutored as well.

The kids have not even taken the SOLs yet. We just got the Iowa test results on Saturday. How is the OP knowing her DC SOL tests that have not been taken.

The letter from saturday said you only needed a 7th grade sol of 500 with the baseline iowa. (meaning the 6th grader took the the 7th grade sol, not last year's 6th grade sol that DC took as a 5th grader).

My DS got a 99 on his iowa, and we are thinking about not letting him take Algebra as a 7th grader. (teacher actually brought it up)He does all the math in his head, but is missing the habit of showing his work. An important skill for more advance math!

Of course, we are not at an AAP center - so maybe they set the bar higher for the non-center kids.

My child took honors algebra in 7th grade and did well (final grade was an A). DC had scored in 99th percentile on IAAT and pass advanced SOL in 6th grade. DC is taking honors geometry in 8th grade and continues to maintain an A average. I know many kids who are doing the same thing and are doing well. It is not some huge disaster to take honors algebra in 7th grade barring exceptional circumstances. There certainly are plenty of kids who can handle it. My child is not really a math/science type and ultimately chose not to apply to TJ but nonetheless enjoys math and welcomed the challenge of taking algebra in 7th grade. We did not push it but largely left the choice up to DC (after meeting with 6th grade teacher to see if teacher felt there was any reason we should not allow DC to take algebra as a 7th grader.)