DS2 is currently finishing 7th grade. This past year he took Algebra 1 honors and although he got an A he struggled at times and if not for the tutoring of his older brother he wouldn’t have done as well. I realized it was a mistake about half way thru the 2nd semester and considered switching him out but he begged me not to and would have been embarrassed if I would have. Now going forward and having talked to his GC his only option is to take geometry honors next year. I’m afraid he is now on a path he cannot sustain meaning algebra 2 honors(9th) pre calculus(10th) and calculus bc (11th). There is no way he can keep this pace and thrive but I cannot find an alternative at this point. My fear is I started him down a road he cannot succeed. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Not sustain how? Do you mean he won’t get all A’s? Or do you mean he will struggle with the math?
If you and he both believe that this was a mistake, well then don’t enroll in geometry. Give him a year to mature and spend some time revisiting the algebra1. I don’t see how geometry can be “his only option”. It seems to me that having completed algebra1 he has already satisfied all the math requirements of middle school and can’t be forced into a course he feels unprepared for.
Can he, for instance, pick up a foreign language instead of math?
A few comments…
- I would make an appointment to speak with his math teacher before making any decisions.
- Can he take geometry non-honors (or is that with the older grade?).
- I’d also ask the guidance counselor when in the normal progression will there a chance to re-evaluate his math track (later in middle school, before HS?)? There have to be some other kids who feel over their head.
Is the problem the offerings at the middle school level? Usually there are more math tracks available at the high school?
Is middle school geometry followed by going to “regular track” math at the high school an option? Is repeating middle school algebra and going to geometry in high school an option?
@thumper1 Both
@mathyone He is now required to advance to the next level by the district…no other options.
Unfortunately he is required to take a math class in 8th grade…since you can’t go backwards his only option is geometry. This has already been discussed with the GC and district.
I’d keep him on the same track. Struggling and getting an A just means he has to work hard at it. He’ll get better at it the older he gets. If he bombs next year, then shift him. Struggle is not a bad thing, imo.
In this household, we think a good foundation in math is as important,mid not more important than accelerated math.
Will your son be able to do well in geometry? If so…let him take that. You can make decisions about higher level math once he is in HS and will have more options for sure.
Geometry and algebra are different. Some who do well in one can’t get a handle on the other. If you think he will struggle, sign up for tutoring from the beginning either from the sibling or perhaps another high school kid who’d like to make some money. If you start out the year strong, it should be easier than trying to catch up if/when the problems become apparent.
If it is your only choice, make it work.
I agree geometry is very different. He may actually like it better than algebra. Perhaps the high school will be more flexible and allow him to repeat Algebra 1 if that seems warranted.
Well the problem becomes that he might indeed do ok in geometry…only time will tell. That said I wouldn’t say math is his best subject AND maybe more importantly the math track he would then be on is well advanced compared to others in his grade.
You could home school him for a year…do whatever math you choose…then put him back in the school for HS.
Or send him to a probate school for 8th grade.
Do not obsess over this. Definitely agree that algebra and geometry are very different. The fact that he was able to get an A with extra time and effort says he can do it. He learned the material.
Relax and let him do geometry next year. Take each year as it comes. There will be many changes along the way. In a way it is good there is a subject he has to put in effort to do well. One problem some students have is that so much comes easily they never learn how to study. Developing good study habits in HS will be important for your son.
Somehow I suspect things are not as dire as you believe them to be. The fact that your son preferred to put in more effort to get the A and did not want to change classes to the regular one indicates that he is onboard with meeting challenges. When HS course registration comes let your son lead on which HS versions to take.
btw- our school district had some students who took 8th grade algebra repeat it as HS freshmen- merely passing did not mean they knew enough fundamentals. Getting an A, regardless of the time and effort needed, likely means your son has a good knowledge base to be able to do well in subsequent courses. It sounds like he is willing to put in the work required as well.
Correction…send him to a private school! Not a probate school!!
Sorry!