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What is the best sequence for high school math?


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I know some start in 8th grade or below- regardless of the grade started, what is the best sequence for math?

 

Sequence 1- More traditional

 

Algebra 1

Geometry

Algebra 2

Pre-Calc

Calc

 

OR

 

Sequence 2- I have been told this is best

 

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Geometry

Pre-Calc

Calc

 

Why do you feel one is better than the other? TIA

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Ah, the debate of ages! LOL! Seriously, poll 20 schools, and you'll probably find 10 of each. Our local school actually does both, for two different groups of students (alg1/alg2/geometry for advanced, and alg1/geometry/alg2 for typical). I asked our math head, and he shared that a critical thought involved was when a student was likely to take big hitter tests, primarily the ACT or SAT. You really want a student to have both subjects (algebra and geometry) before such a test. Since typical kids are getting geometry later, this was why it came before alg2.

 

No matter how you work the details, geometry is somewhat of a break from the more progressional math. A good geometry program would probably include at least some degree of algebraic manipulation and review during the year. The risk here is entering precalculus with limited recall of algebraic techniques. If you review algebra throughout geometry, I don't think you can go wrong. It's equally important to review and use basic geometric skills throughout the higher algebras and beyond.

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I did Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, PreCalc, Calc. I had completed everything I needed to excel on the SAT and ACT math sections. My Algebra 2 and Precalc included Trig. For highly excelled student, I would throw a separate trig class in before Algebra 2. If you start Algebra in 7th grade, they would still complete calculus by graduation.

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Geometry only uses BASIC Algebra 1 concepts when working with formulas/solving for missing measures...

 

Having the year between Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 helps SOLIDIFY basic algebra-- the extra year of maturity does wonders! This is why most Algebra 2 programs closely resemble Algebra 1 (from glimpses at the TOC). Algebra 2 reviews Algebra 1 and takes the problems further (messier). Many students do fine in Algebra 1--but do not really UNDERSTAND until Algebra 2 (again that extra year in between really helps).

 

 

I took A1, A2 then Geometry. I failed miserably at Pre-Calc (and was a genius kid!). It was more than one year after I completed Algebra 2 (summer and such) and the first day of Pre-Calc had a 'review' that the other students finished quickly-- and I struggled with... if you don't use it you lose it! I ended up dropping Pre-Calc and self-teaching Algebra 2 again. The next year (my sr year) I started Pre-Calc again via dual enrollment and life was so much better!

 

For standardized testing-- the first semester of Geometry is mostly proofs and is NOT tested-- only the second part (formula work) is on the ACT/SAT (the first semester does give needed background though). Generally only the first semester of Algebra 2 is on the tests... so from a test perspective it makes sense to work Algebra 1, Geometry then Algebra 2...

 

--

Working Algebra 2 immediately after Algebra 1 does not make it 'easier' for the student-- the year in between (and mental/logical maturity) is what makes the biggest difference.

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Sequence 2 for us.

 

1.) I want Geometry to flow into Trig and then Calculus.

2.)I think it is easier to just teach the whole of a subject (algebra) at once in a logical progression, rather than break it up.

 

Tom Clark from VideoText interactive has great thoughts on this, as well as a history of why this sequence is used in schools. I'm sure some of the material from his talks is on his website to read.

 

I'm finishing up my degree to teach high school math, and I know I will proably have to teach sequence 1. But it won't be my preference. :001_smile:

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I've had the suspicion that Geometry introduces students to how to think mathematically, rather than just following the rules. For that reason, it seemed worthwhile doing it before Alg 2. Also, there are parts of Alg 2 that benefit from more geometry background.

 

A good geometry program will do a lot of algebra review along the way, so putting geometry between Alg 1 and 2 shouldn't be a problem.

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