Gifted Bulletin Board

Welcome to the Gifted Issues Discussion Forum.

We invite you to share your experiences and to post information about advocacy, research and other gifted education issues on this free public discussion forum.
CLICK HERE to Log In. Click here for the Board Rules.

Links


Learn about Davidson Academy Online - for profoundly gifted students living anywhere in the U.S. & Canada.

The Davidson Institute is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted students through the following programs:

  • Fellows Scholarship
  • Young Scholars
  • Davidson Academy
  • THINK Summer Institute

  • Subscribe to the Davidson Institute's eNews-Update Newsletter >

    Free Gifted Resources & Guides >

    Who's Online Now
    0 members (), 167 guests, and 10 robots.
    Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
    Newest Members
    parentologyco, Smartlady60, petercgeelan, eterpstra, Valib90
    11,410 Registered Users
    March
    S M T W T F S
    1 2
    3 4 5 6 7 8 9
    10 11 12 13 14 15 16
    17 18 19 20 21 22 23
    24 25 26 27 28 29 30
    31
    Previous Thread
    Next Thread
    Print Thread
    Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    From going through it with my older child, I see Algebra II as a natural extension of Algebra I (i.e., higher order equations and more emphasis on systems of equations). That's why I would not consider advocating skipping Algebra I. It is important to my thinking that the Algebra foundation be super strong and automatic.

    As an example of why I don't think he should skip Algebra I notwithstanding chapter pretest scores of mid-80's to mid-90's: I have seen him solve an equation in five steps instead of 4. While I always emphasize that there is a number of ways to solve a problem and it is good to see multiple ways, it is equally important as he progresses to higher mathematics to be able to immediately see the most elegant and efficient approach.

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    LOL about the birds! That's reminds me that proper use of the correct vocabulary/terminology is another reason that I would not consider skipping Algebra I .

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    I suppose that Pre-algebra can be whatever the school elects to include. Unlike Val's description of California math curriculum, about 40% of DS' Pre-algebra curriculum would be more properly label Pre-geometry & Pre-trigonometry. In fact, I think the course may finally be relabeled. Probably something like passport to algebra and geometry.

    Interestingly, I took Pre-algebra over three decades ago and while we covered geometry topics there were no coverage of basic trigonometry. Come to think of it, I am not sure if the non-GT Pre-algebra covers exactly the same topics.

    Last edited by Quantum2003; 10/03/13 12:37 PM.
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Polarbear, I think you are exactly on point. Interestingly, in my day (well over 3 decades ago), the Pre-algebra course was to get the advanced kids out of 7th grade math and onto more advanced concepts.

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    LOL. DS scored a 96% on the last chapter pretest. It would be really sad if he scores lower on the end of chapter test.

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Thanks for reminding me of that book. I have a copy and read it a couple of years ago but didn't remember about the 85% guideline discussed in the book. I do wonder though if the model should apply equally as you move higher in math since that book seem more geared toward elementary and middle school.

    Joined: Nov 2012
    Posts: 113
    A
    Member
    Offline
    Member
    A
    Joined: Nov 2012
    Posts: 113
    Originally Posted by Quantum2003
    As an example of why I don't think he should skip Algebra I notwithstanding chapter pretest scores of mid-80's to mid-90's: I have seen him solve an equation in five steps instead of 4.


    The idea is that he fills the 'gaps' as he encounters them. Too much repetition => boredom and decrease in motivation. (Much discussed in this forum.)

    Example (an actual Alcumus AOPS problem): "Represent 39/2500 as a decimal.". DC does long division, then sees a shorter solution (multiplying both parts by 4) - he'll know in the future to look at the particulars of the numbers first.

    (I'm actually not trying to sway you one way or the other, because your final decision may be driven by very practical considerations - e. g., whether he'll have to work completely on his own, without outside help.)

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    I am glad to read an opinion different from my own. That's why this forum is so useful. It actually isn't a question of DS skipping Algebra I, but rather an issue of how comfortable I am in allowing him to zoom through the Algebra I course. If he does zoom through it, then there is the question of what to do with him the rest of the year.

    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 3,296
    Val Offline
    Member
    Offline
    Member
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 3,296
    Quantum2003, I misread your original post. Sorry! I thought your DS was in pre-algebra now.

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    Q
    Member
    OP Offline
    Member
    Q
    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posts: 1,432
    No problem. Your input was still relevant.

    Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4

    Moderated by  M-Moderator, Mark D. 

    Link Copied to Clipboard
    Recent Posts
    Testing with accommodations
    by aeh - 03/27/24 01:58 PM
    Quotations that resonate with gifted people
    by indigo - 03/27/24 12:38 PM
    For those interested in astronomy, eclipses...
    by indigo - 03/23/24 06:11 PM
    California Tries to Close the Gap in Math
    by thx1138 - 03/22/24 03:43 AM
    Gifted kids in Illinois. Recommendations?
    by indigo - 03/20/24 05:41 AM
    Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5