Algebra I

[gowribala]

My daughter is in 7th grade (NJ) and doing Pre-Algebra. She was told that she will be taking Algebra 1 next year. We would like to know if there are any options to advance her to Geometry I in 8th grade. We were told that it wasn't possible to take the summer course of Algebra I and pass the test in September so that she can go Geometry 1 in 8th grade. Many of her friends are going to Geometry 1 in 8th. I would appreciate if you could let us know the options.

[Karin]

How about doing something like Life of Fred Beginning Algebra over the summer? But first I'd check the scope and sequence of the Algebra 1 book they use, since not all Algebra programs cover things in the same order. You may wish to do both Beginning & Advanced Algebra with Life of Fred, since in that one you do both of those before Geometry and then follow Geomtry with Trig. http://polkadotpublishing.com . I'd get the Home Companion with the book. This is not expensive, is thorough, fun and is excellent at relating Algebra to real life via the humourous story. The author is a retired math prof, so knows his math.

I should add, though, that this works best for kids who like to read and who enjoy the humour. My dc do.

However, do you know why her friends are going into Geometry next year while your dd isn't? Readiness for Algebra and Geometry are NOT connected with IQ so much as individual brain development, so I'd be sure she's ready. Also, readiness for Algebra doesn't mean readiness for Geometrical proofs.

[EKS]

I have to say, that I wouldn't skimp on instruction or practice in Algebra I. However, if she is strong in prealgebra, she could skip the rest of that and do Jacobs Algebra starting immediately at home. The first several chapters are a review of prealgebra. She could probably finish by September.

[babysparkler]

I have to say, that I wouldn't skimp on instruction or practice in Algebra I. However, if she is strong in prealgebra, she could skip the rest of that and do Jacobs Algebra starting immediately at home. The first several chapters are a review of prealgebra. She could probably finish by September.
:iagree:

[RanchGirl]

Welcome to WTM. Sorry to be dense, but I don't understand the question. Are you looking for an algebra program to do at home with your daughter during the summer? There are tons of options for curricula but it really depends on your child's ability, motivation, and learning style, your teaching style, and what you hope to accomplish.

If she is strong in math and bored in pre-algebra, I would have her start an algebra program now, not wait fur summer. That would give her more time to complete it without rushing and for you to assess whether she is ready for geometry 1.

However, if she is doing just fine in pre-algebra, I wouldn't push to accelerate her beyond her ability/interest for the sole purpose of moving her into her friends' math class.

If you are asking how to make any of this work within the NJ public school system, I'm sorry but I have no advice there. You might want to ask in the afterschooling forum where more parents have their kids in a school along with homeschooling part time.

[shamima]

Hi,
We are homeschoolers and my daughter is doing pre-Algebra in 7th grade. I personally wouldn't do Algebra over the summer. I do understand your concern about the other kids.

My nieces who are younger than my daughter are doing pre-Algebra in accelerated programs at their public school. One is in 6th grade on the East coast and the other is in 5th grade in TX. Sometimes I feel that maybe my kid is behind but then I see how the teachers leave the homework as a responsibility of the parent and when my nieces call me (due to parent's unavailability), I've to walk them through the stuff they should've known. I realize that they know the stuff but have not had ample opportunity to work through it before they're moved on. The public school does this in a year and I can't imagine what a gross mistake it would be for a school to offer it in summer. With my experience, I feel that the parents are proud but their kids might not master the subject before moving on.

As others say, it really depends on your child's ability but make sure that you don't overwhelm the child.
Back when I was in school, we did Algebra in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th, Trig and Pre-Calc in 11&12 and I was still able to join calculus class when I got to college. I still believe that the first math class in college should be Calculus and not the more advanced courses.

That's just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

Hi,
We are homeschoolers and my daughter is doing pre-Algebra in 7th grade. I personally wouldn't do Algebra over the summer. I do understand your concern about the other kids.

My nieces who are younger than my daughter are doing pre-Algebra in accelerated programs at their public school. One is in 6th grade on the East coast and the other is in 5th grade in TX. Sometimes I feel that maybe my kid is behind but then I see how the teachers leave the homework as a responsibility of the parent and when my nieces call me (due to parent's unavailability), I've to walk them through the stuff they should've known. I realize that they know the stuff but have not had ample opportunity to work through it before they're moved on. The public school does this in a year and I can't imagine what a gross mistake it would be for a school to offer it in summer. With my experience, I feel that the parents are proud but their kids might not master the subject before moving on.

As others say, it really depends on your child's ability but make sure that you don't overwhelm the child.
Back when I was in school, we did Algebra in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th, Trig and Pre-Calc in 11&12 and I was still able to join calculus class when I got to college. I still believe that the first math class in college should be Calculus and not the more advanced courses.

That's just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

What she said. The "extended math" taught (rushed through) in middle school in my area is advertised as Algebra I and Geometry. The students don't seem to retain much and I'm not the least bit impressed with the instruction (no textbooks, just workbooks). Their parents are thrilled that they get high school credit for these classes, but they are cheap credits (IMHO) as their children will have to take some remedial math classes in college on their parents' dime.