Only when they participated in contest math (Mathcounts) against other math-oriented kids was math ever challenging. Otherwise not challenged so far, and they are finishing up Precalc. The curriculum is not designed with depth for kids who might want to major in math. For that level, they have to learn stuff on their own.

I would say Algebra. My 10th grade daughter now taking precalc, doesn't necessarily find math challenging but she has to study and keep up with the homework to stay on track. Before Algebra, she could get away with not doing much. It's really all about consistent study habits which her math teacher says 90% of kids don't have.

normal curriculum stuff was always easy. only felt challenged by competition math

Anonymous wrote:I'm really not buying the premise of the student doing everything in 5 minutes in any class above Algebra. The claims about Calculus are just ridiculous.

I would be concerned about the depth of undestanding with that minimal level of effort.

Can the student prove all the statements in the class or just memorizing some shortcuts? Is the homework plug and chug or it involves complex applications of concepts?

I'd look into some enrichment if this indeed the case, there's absolutely no point in taking a class where you spend 5 minutes outside the class.

PP I think that's the point people were trying to make-that the level of understanding is really superficial but that's how many schools teach math nowadays. Algebra 2, Precal Honors all a breeze with no homework, no studying and I agree DC has no depth of understanding.

Anonymous wrote:I'm really not buying the premise of the student doing everything in 5 minutes in any class above Algebra. The claims about Calculus are just ridiculous.

I would be concerned about the depth of undestanding with that minimal level of effort.

Can the student prove all the statements in the class or just memorizing some shortcuts? Is the homework plug and chug or it involves complex applications of concepts?

I'd look into some enrichment if this indeed the case, there's absolutely no point in taking a class where you spend 5 minutes outside the class.

The "5 minutes" commenter was talking about through Algebra 2, and said precalculus would be harder.
"5 minutes" is absolutely reasonable for that, since the school spends 3 years, including 45 minutes on class every day, on 1 to 1.5 years worth of simple, repetitive, unchallenging material.

That's part of why precalc and calculus seem especially hard -- the early classes aren't making demands that will prepare the kids for later classes, because the classes are almost entirely the same as the non-honors classes for kids who will never take calculus and might never take precalculus.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm really not buying the premise of the student doing everything in 5 minutes in any class above Algebra. The claims about Calculus are just ridiculous.

I would be concerned about the depth of undestanding with that minimal level of effort.

Can the student prove all the statements in the class or just memorizing some shortcuts? Is the homework plug and chug or it involves complex applications of concepts?

I'd look into some enrichment if this indeed the case, there's absolutely no point in taking a class where you spend 5 minutes outside the class.

Only 5 min is perfect for my non stem kid
Who is required to take 4 years in high school and will never need calculus. Time spent elsewhere makes more sense

Highschool is a bit early to write your kid off as non-STEM

Anonymous wrote:I'm really not buying the premise of the student doing everything in 5 minutes in any class above Algebra. The claims about Calculus are just ridiculous.

I would be concerned about the depth of undestanding with that minimal level of effort.

Can the student prove all the statements in the class or just memorizing some shortcuts? Is the homework plug and chug or it involves complex applications of concepts?

I'd look into some enrichment if this indeed the case, there's absolutely no point in taking a class where you spend 5 minutes outside the class.

Only 5 min is perfect for my non stem kid
Who is required to take 4 years in high school and will never need calculus. Time spent elsewhere makes more sense

I think this is going to be kid dependent. Kid #1 did not find any math classes challenging including AP Calc BC. This kid is challenged for the first time in AP Physics C.

Kid #2 who also has ADHD had a hard time in Algebra II but I think that may have been more due to a teacher whose style didn't work well for ADHD. Doing fine again in AP Pre-Calc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid is in H.AlgII and is flying through. Does his homework but never seems to study. Lacks exec functioning so I still check his assignments. I'll often say oh, I see you have a math test tomorrow. And he'll think about it and say oh yeah--completely nonplussed. He doesn't study and does well on the tests. I'm just wondering when he's going to start finding math difficult.

College

Not in MCPS ever for math major.

A future math major could definitely be challenged in MCPS, even if it requires taking magnet complex analysis as a freshman. Very few future math majors wouldn't be challenged by that.

Anonymous wrote:For math-talented kids, never. That's the problem with acceleration. It misses the point. Your child should get enrichment or pursue other non math interests.

See above.

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids who were in the CES find math challenging as in sometimes they get Bs for a quarter when the rest of their grades are As.

But maybe all the ridiculous methods that we have been annoyed at recent math curricula for having in their program actually does work better than the math we were taught? I work in a title I elementary school and I have students who can barely read do some good addition and subtraction in their heads.

Which curriculum?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For math-talented kids, never. That's the problem with acceleration. It misses the point. Your child should get enrichment or pursue other non math interests.

we live in the DCC acceleration beyond Algebra in 7th wasn't an option unlike WPES but DC is a sophomore at SMCS taking magnet equivalent of Calc BC and almost never studies

What is WPES?

Wealthy Potomac ES. The place where kids get Alg 1 in 5th grade. Also fictitious.

Yep. That's what I thought. It's from the poster who always tries to make us believe only a few wealthy schools offer math acceleration.
Huge chip on their shoulder.