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Integrating Foerster Alg 2 and Jacobs Geo?


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Dd and I have decided that after she gets a good foot hold on geometry, she wants to alternate chapters with Foerster Algebra 2 rather than do a lot of Algebra 1 review (and she's doing Novare's ASPC next year, so plenty of algebra in there). She likes this idea because it breaks things up a little and we don't loose her momentum from Algebra 1. We had a pretty good routine.

 

Is there a logical way to approach this? Two chapters of Geometry then a chapter of Algebra 2? Or are there topics in geometry that need to be covered before they show up in algebra 2? Trig is the only thing that jumps out at me, and it's at the end of Foerster.

 

She did all of Foerster Algebra 1.

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I would not give her this choice. Jacobs Geometry has some review in it. Algebra two starts with review. She will be fine without adding an additional book for review while doing the geometry. I am all about choice with kids, but this one, no. Jacobs geometry is a good solid program that needs full attention. And it needs no supplement at all, not to review algebra one or otherwise.

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I agree with Janeway.  Also, I think that the break from algebra that geometry affords is a good way to find out what was actually mastered in Algebra I and what might need a bit more work.  It will come back quickly when you start back with Algebra II.  And, like Janeway said, Jacobs Geometry does give periodic algebra reviews throughout the text.

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I'm confused. I'm not adding another book (ASPC is an algebra-based physics book). How do "integrated" math courses work? Is that different somehow?

 

No, I don't think it's too much different than what you're proposing, but I do think that a good integrated course will time the introduction of the material so that it is intentionally integrated by having whatever topic or skill that is being presented necessary to be successful in multiple areas, meaning that the course is more than a series of multiple, but for the most part, non-integrated strands.  Singapore is amazing with regard to this.  But when you run two (or three) texts simultaneously, you don't get that intentionality.  If that makes sense.

 

Anyway, of course you should do whatever you think is best for your student.

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I've never used Jacob's Geo, but I don't see the problem with two chapters of geo for each Alg 2. Or three days of one and two of the other. Or two weeks of one and one of the other. Just don't spend too long away from either one.

 

Eta: Dd#1 would have liked this because she hated geo. If she had something to look forward to (alg 2) every once and a while, things might have moved faster...

Edited by RootAnn
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I'm confused. I'm not adding another book (ASPC is an algebra-based physics book). How do "integrated" math courses work? Is that different somehow?

You really need to do integrated all the way through high school, or not. Because she will get some of algebra 1 and geometry in the first book, more geometry and more algebra 1 in the next, maybe even some algebra 2, and more algebra 2 and the rest of geometry, maybe some precal and trig in the next..and so on. You just cannot go back and forth between integrated and traditional math scope and sequences. Unless, of course, you are prepared to back up to the first book and try to pick up every gap along the way, including figuring out all the gaps. Just not worth it.

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I think I'm causing confusion. She did Singapore in elementary (and liked the topical arrangement).

 

We're not going back and forth between integrated and standard math, just trying to add some Algebra 2 chapters to Geometry.

 

She liked the format of Singapore, but I wasn't sure if she'd eventually be in school. We went with the standard scope for PreAlgebra on.

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I think I'm causing confusion. She did Singapore in elementary (and liked the topical arrangement).

 

We're not going back and forth between integrated and standard math, just trying to add some Algebra 2 chapters to Geometry.

 

She liked the format of Singapore, but I wasn't sure if she'd eventually be in school. We went with the standard scope for PreAlgebra on.

If she is doing Jacob's Geometry, that is a part of a traditional sequence and is not needed at all if you are doing integrated math at the higher levels.

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... (and she's doing Novare's ASPC next year, so plenty of algebra in there). 

 

Is Janeway confused by this inclusion? This is a science book, not an integrated math book.

 

If she is doing Jacob's Geometry, that is a part of a traditional sequence and is not needed at all if you are doing integrated math at the higher levels.

 

I get the impression that OP doesn't necessary want an official integrated math sequence, just a way to keep moving forward in algebra skills (vs. just reviewing) while working through a geometry book. Others have done this in the past or said they wished they had

 

ETA: Alternating Chalkdust Geo & Alg 2

Alternating TT Alg 2 & Geometry (saw a couple threads on this, actually)

Edited by RootAnn
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While you could do it, there is really not a reason too.  Almost all (traditional) Algebra 2 programs available were designed to follow a year of Geometry-- they have built in review.  This does NOT mean that Geometry is a prerequisite (as in the students need to learn critical concepts in Geometry in order to be successful in Algebra 2).  The year of Geometry fosters brain development (critical thinking/multi-step tasking).  This extra year allows students to revisit Algebra and see it in a more mature light. 

 

Again, it is possible and if you stay organized it can work just fine... I just do not see any great benefit.

 

 

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My reasoning is somewhat odd. She's not going to need a whole year for Geometry. She already did Understanding Geometry, so we're finding some of the "2-day" assignments in Jacob's are only taking one day. She might slow down, though.

 

Either way, I know most people need 12 school months to finish the Foerster Algebra 2 book. My thought was to spread the first quarter of the book throughout the Geometry year so Algebra 2 book wasn't such long stretch, and give her time to marinate the geometry a little.

 

Regardless, my Foerster 2 book is out on loan, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to get it back until January. She might be 3/4 of the way through Geometry by then. So unless I want to buy another, it might not matter!

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