Anonymous
Post 01/07/2020 16:37     Subject: FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anecdotal only.

My 8th grader was GE in 6th. Did very well in math and on math SOL.

Parents were highly discouraged at MS curriculum session to take math 7 HN as it was “basically math 8 and skipped a year.” I didn’t want kid worried (has school anxiety) so signed kid up for math 7. Kid did well and had high SOL. Kid chose to sign up for Algebra 1 HN in 8th. Kid is doing well, has A currently. It’s definitely more challenging than math before, but kid is self starter and putting forth strong effort. If kid didn’t have own motivation to take and also study, I would have not agreed to it.

Aside, kid is also taking HN science. Kid says HN science in 8th grade is much more challenging than HN science 7. It is kid’s hardest class. But, we get to listen to this, so that is always fun: https://youtu.be/VgVQKCcfwnU
Kid is trying to memorize it. It takes us down the animaniacs rabbit hole, which is never a bad thing: https://youtu.be/szgdem7EIn4

Anonymous
Post 01/06/2020 16:50     Subject: FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I teach all 3 of those courses.

Please know that this isn't a decision set it stone right now. You can put down your initial choice on the course request form, wait and see how the rest of the year plays out, what the SOL score looks like, etc, and then change your decision over the summer.

The math 7/math 8 curriculums really changed last year. They are now far more challenging classes than they were 2, 3, 10 years ago. Math 8 is truly first semester algebra spread over a year, with a sprinkling of other things. Math 7 is finally a decent step towards algebra, instead of an overly basic repeat of 6th grade.

I kept spreadsheets for years showing the progression of math 7 SOL scores to algebra SOL scores. Historically a 450 in math 7 was going to pass algebra with an A or a B. (Understand that all schools teach algebra differently too--some include extensions when possible, some keep it extremely basic. It's hard to make recommendations without knowing the school).

In my experience, the jump to algebra from math 7 is challenging for almost all kids, but most who are well prepared rise to that challenge. If you are worried, I'd get a tutor for the first 2 months of school to get through expressions and equations. If your DC can get through those successfully, you can wean off the support.



What does an AAP kid who takes Math 7 Honors in 7th grade, instead of Algebra I, take in 8th grade? Do they take Algebra I or Algebra Honors? What is the difference???


Generally, Algebra 1 honors if the want to stay on the honors math track in high school.


I'm confused by this. If an AAP student does:

7th grade: Math 7 Honors
8th grade: Algebra I

Then they're off the honors track and what would they take in 9th? What does Algebra I Honors provide them access to in 9th grade that Algebra I doesn't?


Algebra 1 Honors students do extensions that regular honors students don't. I think it would be difficult for your student to take regular Algebra 1 and then take Algebra 2 honors (which comes after geometry). It can be done, but generally a kid who plans to take honors Geometry, Homors Algebra 2...wouldn't go from Math 7 honors to regular algebra then back to honors geometry etc.


Do you teach math? I see this ALL THE TIME. Kid struggles a bit in M7H, takes gen ed algebra, aces it and jumps back to honors geometry. Depending how that goes, they stay in honors algebra 2 or go back to gen ed algebra 2. There is total flexibility--it's how the system is designed. You can access algebra 2 honors just fine if you found algebra 1 easy.

I also see tons of kids going from M7 to algebra 1. M7 now has a LOT of prealgebra in it--way more than a couple years ago. Each school has a slightly different philosophy on the value of m8/prealgebra, but some FCPS schools send the majority of m7 kids to algebra 1. Others only the very tippy top.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2020 11:09     Subject: Re:FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Math 8 is pre algebra. It would be difficult to go from basic math 7 , skip pre algebra (math 8)and then straight to algebra. There is no pre algebra in math 7.


NOT being a troll, but are you a teacher? DD is doing ridiculously well in Math 7. Our teacher will recommend Algebra in 8th if she maintains her performance.


Different poster and I am a teacher. Math 7 will be much, much easier than algebra 1 honors.


But does math 7 provide the foundation to go straight to regular algebra (not honors) without taking math 8?


yes.

AAP kids in 6th grade are essentially taking Math 7 (that's the SOL they take), and some go on to Alg. I Hons. the next year.

I'm NOT suggesting that anyone do that from reg. math 7 in 7th grade. But, if your kid is doing fine in Math 7 in 7th grade, then go on to Alg. I. (not hon).
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2020 11:06     Subject: Re:FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
^^^meant to say regular Algebra, not regular honors
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2020 11:05     Subject: FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I teach all 3 of those courses.

Please know that this isn't a decision set it stone right now. You can put down your initial choice on the course request form, wait and see how the rest of the year plays out, what the SOL score looks like, etc, and then change your decision over the summer.

The math 7/math 8 curriculums really changed last year. They are now far more challenging classes than they were 2, 3, 10 years ago. Math 8 is truly first semester algebra spread over a year, with a sprinkling of other things. Math 7 is finally a decent step towards algebra, instead of an overly basic repeat of 6th grade.

I kept spreadsheets for years showing the progression of math 7 SOL scores to algebra SOL scores. Historically a 450 in math 7 was going to pass algebra with an A or a B. (Understand that all schools teach algebra differently too--some include extensions when possible, some keep it extremely basic. It's hard to make recommendations without knowing the school).

In my experience, the jump to algebra from math 7 is challenging for almost all kids, but most who are well prepared rise to that challenge. If you are worried, I'd get a tutor for the first 2 months of school to get through expressions and equations. If your DC can get through those successfully, you can wean off the support.



What does an AAP kid who takes Math 7 Honors in 7th grade, instead of Algebra I, take in 8th grade? Do they take Algebra I or Algebra Honors? What is the difference???


Generally, Algebra 1 honors if the want to stay on the honors math track in high school.


I'm confused by this. If an AAP student does:

7th grade: Math 7 Honors
8th grade: Algebra I

Then they're off the honors track and what would they take in 9th? What does Algebra I Honors provide them access to in 9th grade that Algebra I doesn't?


Algebra 1 Honors students do extensions that regular honors students don't. I think it would be difficult for your student to take regular Algebra 1 and then take Algebra 2 honors (which comes after geometry). It can be done, but generally a kid who plans to take honors Geometry, Homors Algebra 2...wouldn't go from Math 7 honors to regular algebra then back to honors geometry etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2020 10:58     Subject: Re:FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Math 8 is pre algebra. It would be difficult to go from basic math 7 , skip pre algebra (math 8)and then straight to algebra. There is no pre algebra in math 7.


NOT being a troll, but are you a teacher? DD is doing ridiculously well in Math 7. Our teacher will recommend Algebra in 8th if she maintains her performance.


Different poster and I am a teacher. Math 7 will be much, much easier than algebra 1 honors.


But does math 7 provide the foundation to go straight to regular algebra (not honors) without taking math 8?
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2020 18:37     Subject: FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I teach all 3 of those courses.

Please know that this isn't a decision set it stone right now. You can put down your initial choice on the course request form, wait and see how the rest of the year plays out, what the SOL score looks like, etc, and then change your decision over the summer.

The math 7/math 8 curriculums really changed last year. They are now far more challenging classes than they were 2, 3, 10 years ago. Math 8 is truly first semester algebra spread over a year, with a sprinkling of other things. Math 7 is finally a decent step towards algebra, instead of an overly basic repeat of 6th grade.

I kept spreadsheets for years showing the progression of math 7 SOL scores to algebra SOL scores. Historically a 450 in math 7 was going to pass algebra with an A or a B. (Understand that all schools teach algebra differently too--some include extensions when possible, some keep it extremely basic. It's hard to make recommendations without knowing the school).

In my experience, the jump to algebra from math 7 is challenging for almost all kids, but most who are well prepared rise to that challenge. If you are worried, I'd get a tutor for the first 2 months of school to get through expressions and equations. If your DC can get through those successfully, you can wean off the support.



What does an AAP kid who takes Math 7 Honors in 7th grade, instead of Algebra I, take in 8th grade? Do they take Algebra I or Algebra Honors? What is the difference???


Generally, Algebra 1 honors if the want to stay on the honors math track in high school.


I'm confused by this. If an AAP student does:

7th grade: Math 7 Honors
8th grade: Algebra I

Then they're off the honors track and what would they take in 9th? What does Algebra I Honors provide them access to in 9th grade that Algebra I doesn't?
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2020 12:54     Subject: Re:FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Math 8 is pre algebra. It would be difficult to go from basic math 7 , skip pre algebra (math 8)and then straight to algebra. There is no pre algebra in math 7.


NOT being a troll, but are you a teacher? DD is doing ridiculously well in Math 7. Our teacher will recommend Algebra in 8th if she maintains her performance.


Different poster and I am a teacher. Math 7 will be much, much easier than algebra 1 honors.
Anonymous
Post 01/04/2020 11:42     Subject: Re:FCPS difference between Algebra and Algebra Honors and Math 8
Anonymous wrote:Math 8 is pre algebra. It would be difficult to go from basic math 7 , skip pre algebra (math 8)and then straight to algebra. There is no pre algebra in math 7.


NOT being a troll, but are you a teacher? DD is doing ridiculously well in Math 7. Our teacher will recommend Algebra in 8th if she maintains her performance.