Hi, I’m currently an eighth grader going into freshman year next year. I was wondering what your opinion is on the summer math assignment all incoming freshman.
All incoming freshman are mandated to complete an 100-problem packet featuring adding , multiplying, dividing, and subtracting mixed numbers. Personally, I think it is busy work. I’ve already completed Algebra I and Geometry and feel like it would be weird being one of the only students entering Algebra II (since majority of the students taking it are juniors) and doing homework on fractions. A lot of students are taking Algebra I (and some geometry) next year, and I feel like the students who accelerated should get a more appropriate-leveled assignment. I’d rather use my summer homework to brush up on polynomials, graphing, etc. so I’m adequately prepared to enter Algebra II. Those entering junior year have a completely different summer assignment (relative to what would be learned in Algebra II).
What do you think about the summer homework? Should I ask the department head if I can complete the assignment for students entering junior year OR should I just complete the homework and choose something else to brush up on Algebra II?
So you are taking math above grade-level and want to do the hw assignment for your class, not your age? Sounds reasonable. I would ask them politely about it.
Agreed, it would seem a reasonable request to ask for a packet for your class not just your year.
If they refuse, then do what is requested and if you feel you need to brush up for your class do something on your own. If you are that advanced the work they are asking will probably take you no time at all.
My main issue is that it is busywork and that I am taking a summer class. If I’m going to spend all that time on summer mat homework, I’d rather have it be my level so that I retain something from it (if that makes sense). I think I will request the summer packet for Algebra II rather than incoming freshman. Thank you for your response! @ClaremontMom
As I said before, it’s just busywork. If I have to do it, I will. But, what’s the point of doing something that I’m not going to use? I’m very good at math, so I may be able to complete it quickly, but it’s pointless if it’s not going to prepare me for next year. Also, we did a step-up day and I’m the only freshman in my Algebra II class, which means I’d be the ONLY student completing the assignment. We turn these assignments in to our math teacher on the first day of school. I think it would be weird to have me complete a very basic assignment (one of which is exactly the same to the students ENTERING MIDDLE SCHOOL), when the rest of the students are completing an assignment that reinforces the ideas learned in Algebra I/Geometry. @oneundecided
I would ask for the assignment for the Alg II class to do in addition to this one. Asking to be excused from a basic assignment that is not very time consuming could be seen as a bit ‘whiny’ where as asking for additional challenge would be respected.
Okay, thank you. I know the students entering Geometry next year get a more advanced assignment from the one for the students entering Algebra I (which is the one I’m required to do), so I’m not sure why the same thing isn’t applied to students entering Algebra II. @oneundecided
And dude, you don’t sound like an 8th grader at all. Man… when I was in 8th grade all I cared about was eating donuts and drinking coffee while watching LOTR, not high school classes lol. But thats good, getting a head start and all.
That’s weird. Our summer homeworks are based on what classes you will be taking, not your grade level. I’m not seeing the point of having a class where only some of the kids did the summer assignment because the others are in a different grade. Are you sure you got the right assignment? In my experience, if you are the only kid doing something, it’s easy for staff to overlook this fact and just give you the same papers as everyone else. If you were handed an actual packet (our assignments are posted on the web) it’s very likely that no one thought to make a different one for you.
All incoming freshman were handed a packet. Though, students taking geometry next year were given an alternative and more advanced math packet. The situation is pretty weird. @mathyone
I’m of the mindset that it never hurts to ask for something because you can’t get what you don’t ask for. But if they make you complete the basic package, here’s my advice. Just take it with you wherever you go and complete a problem or two while you’re waiting to be seated at a restaurant, in the orthodontist’s office, during commercials while watching TV, that sort of thing. You’ll probably have it done in a week or two without any effort and you’ll essentially be doing the time-wasting work during normal time-wasting activities. BTW, I feel for you. I have a rising freshman in a similar situation with English, having to read a book and answer questions on a book she read two years ago in class.
Thank you for your advice! If I am going to have to do the packet, bring it around with me and completing the problems does sound like a good idea. @tutumom2001
Fellow freshman here! I would definitely ask about getting some more challenging summer homework. What are they going to say, “No, we won’t let you do harder work! That’s preposterous, you little troublemaker!”? If they don’t give it to you, then I’d still review Algebra 1 so that you’re ready for next year. If you need some good review videos, you should check out my awesome teacher’s YouTube channel, “23mrQ”. Kudos to you for taking Algebra II as a freshman. My school is super strict about the classes you can take, so the highest level math I can take next year is geometry.
I would definitely ask about getting some more challenging summer homework. What are they going to say, “No, we won’t let you do harder work! That’s preposterous, you little troublemaker!”? If they don’t give it to you, then I’d still review Algebra 1 so that you’re ready for next year. If you need some good review videos, you should check out my awesome teacher’s YouTube channel, “23mrQ”. Kudos to you for taking Algebra II as a freshman. My school is super strict about the classes you can take, so the highest level math I can take next year is geometry.