Andrea in Dutchess Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 with a child who is just starting Algebra right now(June) Chemistry will begin in September, will the little Alg he has be enough? He is really good at math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicki Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 You are supposed to be doing Algebra 11 or have finished it before doing Chemistry. God bless, Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 There are some formulas that may be harder to work out, but if he's good at fractions, it should really be ok--the harder math doesn't come into play for a few weeks, and you can just show him how to do it. That's my opinion--fwiw. Ds isn't that strong in math, and he had no problems whatsoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 problems are balancing chemical equations, which has a lot to do with proportions. Just a slight correction here: You are supposed to be doing Algebra 11 or have finished it before doing Chemistry. God bless, Vicki From Apologia's website, the student should have completed Algebra I, not Algebra II. Algebra II would be necessary for Advanced Physics or Advanced Chemistry (and possibly also taken concurrently with Physics). Here's the link: http://www.apologia.com/store/?PHPSESSID=7b7fd7737627f494eaeeb3c121beada3 There may be another reason for the requirement for Algebra I. I see Algebra I as the beginning (or one of the beginnings) for abstract thinking skills. Some of those may be necessary for the more difficult problems, many of which require more complex applications from the reading. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to e-mail Dr. Wile. He's very good about getting back with people's questions via e-mail, often within a day or two. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenschooler Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 problems are balancing chemical equations, which has a lot to do with proportions. Just a slight correction here: From Apologia's website, the student should have completed Algebra I, not Algebra II. Algebra II would be necessary for Advanced Physics or Advanced Chemistry (and possibly also taken concurrently with Physics). Here's the link: http://www.apologia.com/store/?PHPSESSID=7b7fd7737627f494eaeeb3c121beada3 There may be another reason for the requirement for Algebra I. I see Algebra I as the beginning (or one of the beginnings) for abstract thinking skills. Some of those may be necessary for the more difficult problems, many of which require more complex applications from the reading. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to e-mail Dr. Wile. He's very good about getting back with people's questions via e-mail, often within a day or two. Good luck! I know the guidelines are Alg I/Biology, but after that, does it go by more of a Saxon sequence? I'm planning on Geometry/Chemistry, and then Alg II/Physics. I thought I'd read somewhere that Alg II needed to be before Physics, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea in Dutchess Posted June 4, 2008 Author Share Posted June 4, 2008 There are some formulas that may be harder to work out, but if he's good at fractions, it should really be ok--the harder math doesn't come into play for a few weeks, and you can just show him how to do it. That's my opinion--fwiw. Ds isn't that strong in math, and he had no problems whatsoever. Chris in NY Did your child have any Alg 1 before beginning Chemistry or did he just have some Alg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 problems are balancing chemical equations, which has a lot to do with proportions The main complicating factor in balancing these is equations is converting units and cancelling with fractions. We introduced the concept when we did the metric system so it was review in chemistry. If he's good at math, you should be able to explain it early on. I think it was in the first chapter. If you make sure he gets this before he moves on, he shouldn't have any trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I know the guidelines are Alg I/Biology, but after that, does it go by more of a Saxon sequence? I'm planning on Geometry/Chemistry, and then Alg II/Physics. I thought I'd read somewhere that Alg II needed to be before Physics, though. for Apologia's Physics, it looks (from that link) as though Algebra II is not necessary for Physics, which is suggested for the junior year, and then Algebra II should be taken before Advanced Physics or Advanced Chemistry. I'm not familiar with the Saxon sequence---doesn't it go Saxon 1/2, then Saxon Algebra, then Saxon Advanced Math? I think geometry is incorporated into Saxon. I'd e-mail Dr. Wile on that one, but probably completing Saxon's Algebra would be enough before taking either Apologia's Chemistry or Physics. We did Geometry/Chemistry this year without any problems (although the chemistry was hard for my dd, but she made it through! :D ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtsmamtj Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I know someone who teaches the Apologia Chemistry and prefers that the student know Algebra 1, but can struggle through if doing it at the same time. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I taught this in a co-op 2 years ago. My best student was taking Alg. 1 concurrently. She did very well. I don't think there is anything in there that would be beyond Alg. 1. Significant figures seemed to be the math that caused the most problems for the kids. If you student is good with math, I'd recommend you go ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenschooler Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Thanks - I think we'll be fine, but I'll email Dr. Wile just in case. This one has an easy time of math and science, so it should be fine. She didn't hit any bumps at all this year with Lial's Introductory Algebra or Apologia Biology. We don't use Saxon, just to clarify. It just seemed to me on the Apologia website that the recommendations were following a Saxon sequence. Our (tentative) plans: 9th - Apologia Chemistry & Jacobs' Geometry 10th - either Lial's or Chalkdust Algebra II & Apologia Physics 11th - either Lial's or Chalkdust Pre-Calc & Apologia Advanced Biology 12th - Chalkdust Calculus & Apologia Advanced Chemistry (or a college-level chemistry class - we've got a private college nearby that is allowing homeschooled seniors to enroll in this) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whisperam Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 He said it wouldn't be wise to start Chemistry without a whole year of Algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.