Math dilemma- Jann, anyone?

[Amy loves Bud]

I'll try to make a long story short. Luke is in 7th grade in PS. He is a stellar math student but fell thru the cracks and didn't get pulled for 7th grade algebra for this year. He has been bored in what was his favorite subject.

 

About a month ago he asked to homeschool, with the main goal of completing algebra and geometry prior to his 9th grade year,and I agreed.

 

Today I got a call from the counselor at his school and in reviewing their records they believe he fell through the cracks and should have been in algebra this year (duh, I told her that in September).

 

They want to accelerate him by having him test out of algebra in late July, then go into Geometry in the fall. She said the district's math specialist looked over his records and feels confident that he can do it.

 

She did say it would be wise to continue to review algebra throughout the year, since he would be goimng through it so quickly to prep for the exam. I concur.

 

She recommended Aleks to prep. I said I would probably prefer to tutor him myself with Dolciani as I had planned, and she didn't really seem to think it mattered to the school district as long as he makes a 90% on the exam.

 

He would like to stay in school rather than homeschool if he could be challenged. He has done well, has lots of friends , is in NJHS and orchestra. But in the end he loves math and wants to pursue amath-oriented career, and if he can't ge the math challenge he needs in school he wants to come home.

 

Would you consider acceleration for CBE in July? Is that too fast?

[Teachin'Mine]

IMO that's too little time to spend on algebra. If he's had some exposure to algebra - worked on it on his own - and/or you will be working on algebra through the next year, then it could be okay. But if he's really looking to advance in math, he may find any math class in school boring as they can only move as fast as the slower students. Homeschooling would allow him to move at his own pace, which can be much faster than a regular class, and can also be slower if there are topics which need more time.

 

I don't think he has anything to lose by trying to get algebra well enough to pass the test in July. If he passes and can go onto geometry, you can always give that a go, and if he's still bored, you can always give him the option to homeschool. How frustrating that they didn't listen to you on his placement to begin with. :glare: Personally, I think they should be giving him until the first day of school to test out of algebra - why the rush for testing in July? I know they have schedules to make, but I would think that extra time would more likely ensure his success.

[MomatHWTK]

If he wants to go to ps in the fall, I'd use this http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/yourteacher-freebie/

and Khan Academy to prep for the test and probably continue with some algebra instruction throughout the summer. Also, if he has time and interest, I wouldn't limit his math lessons to what the school offers- there are college level courses available free online now. Let him take the classes that interest him as a hobby. ;-)

[Amy loves Bud]

His dad and I sat down with him tonight and went over all the options, and he is very excited to try to accelerate. We went through Dolciani together and he got even more excited, because he feels confident that he will be able to master it.

 

So, we are going to go forward as if he is going to take the test and go into Geometry back at his school this fall. If we have to slow down, we will and then he will have to decide if he wants to stay home to achieve this.

 

Tomorrow I am going to talk to his counselor and math teacher about letting him use his math time at school to work on the algebra I give him rather than prealgebra. And then we will start busting out the algebra this weekend!

[Teachin'Mine]

Go Luke!!! :)

[Amy loves Bud]

Go Luke!!! :)

 

:001_smile:

[StephanieZ]

If he can devote a lot of time to it this summer, it is certainly feasible to do Algebra over the summer. Algebra is VERY important, but a motivated bright student need not take years to master it.

 

I'd consider putting him in the Art of Problem Solving's Alg 1 course starting May 30. He'd be almost done by the end of the summer. AoPS is really, truly amazing stuff.

 

http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/classlist.php?#cd_algebra1

[Amy loves Bud]

If he can devote a lot of time to it this summer, it is certainly feasible to do Algebra over the summer. Algebra is VERY important, but a motivated bright student need not take years to master it.

 

I'd consider putting him in the Art of Problem Solving's Alg 1 course starting May 30. He'd be almost done by the end of the summer. AoPS is really, truly amazing stuff.

 

http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/classlist.php?#cd_algebra1

 

I was just looking at that. I'm wondering if, since it is a formal course as opposed to me teaching, the school would give him credit for algebra based on the instructor's evaluation. Then he could spend the entire summer on it instead of having to test in July. They want him to test in July so they can get the scores back in time. I think that would be an excellent option if they will work with us on it.