<p>My younger son is in the middle years IB program (will be in 7th grade next year) and I had a question for those of you in the IB program.</p>
<p>He really likes math and does well in it -- I think that he would like to do HL math when he gets to the diploma program. (or at least have the choice to do it)</p>
<p>The school is not very informative about how this all works -- and they do not have many kids do the HL math.</p>
<p>for those who have done HL math -- what classes did you do early on?</p>
<p>If he does Algebra in 7th, geometry in 8th, alg II in 9th, trig in 10th -- is he on track? Would it be ok to slow that down and do algebra in 8th??</p>
<p>should he do some outside classes -- like the art of problem solving? will the middle school years curriculum prepare him well? his school doesn't do any of the math stuff (math counts, math olympiad, etc).</p>
<p>sorry for so many questions -- but his school seems really out of touch. They seem to wait until the end of 10th grade to sort it all out, and that can really be too late (probably why so few of their kids do the HL math).</p>
<p>Hmm.. I am not in HL Math myself. But here's what ALL/MOST of the students in HL Math next year did in general.</p>
<p>8th Grade Algebra 1
9th Grade Advanced Geometry
10th Grade Advanced Algebra II <em>Note good grades in these all</em></p>
<p>When I went to a teacher to ask about HL Math all they said was :
"You need great grades in Advanced Algebra II"</p>
<p>There is this one kid who did Geometry in 8th grade, Advanced Algebra in 9th, and HL Math in THIS year *SOPHOMORE. he's really really smart though.</p>
<p>I think you should make sure your younger son is keeping up to standards (good grades) and make sure he's handling it well. In terms that he isn't working or stressing TOO hard to get those grades. Then he should be able to handle HL Math. Perhaps consider a tutor right now in earlier years before HL Math comes to prepare him even more. =) I sure wish i was prepared by my parents more.
Best of luck. Hopefully this information was useful :)</p>
<p>In conclusion, i think your son is on a good path for HL Math in HS. Not 100% Ready. He'll have to work a little bit. But he'll be fine. =)</p>
<p>I took Pre-Algebra in 6th grade, Algebra in 7th grade, Geometry in 8th grade, Algebra II in 9th grade. I then moved to Europe after 9th grade and took Advanced IGCSE Mathematics, which is more of an overall comprehensive math course than anything specific. Then I did HL Math in 11th and 12th grade. It's probably better that your son does Algebra in 7th grade, but it's not imperative. The most important thing is developing a general understanding of math and an ability and aptitude to solve problems. </p>
<p>The IB coordinator at my school told parents of 10th graders that unless you child does quadratic equations at the breakfast table they shouldn't do HL Math. While I don't know if this should be taken literally the basis is true. You need to like math to do HL. It's a lot of work. Some of the sections are hard to understand, especially depending on what option you choose. </p>
<p>It's not important for him to do outside competitions or even to get a tutor before he begins. If he does well his Middle School and early High School curriculum should adequately prepare him. If he'd like to do outside classes by all means let him, but it's not a necessity. </p>
<p>I feel I can say this now that I'm done. Although Math was at times very difficult for me, in the end it was nevertheless rewarding and I actually enjoyed it.</p>
<p>I took HL Math this year, though I'm not actually a full IB diploma student...I just wanted a math class for senior year since otherwise I would have finished out AP Calc, the highest math class at our school besides HL, in 11th. My classes prior to HL were:</p>
<p>If your son is in the middle years of an IB program now he will probably be well-prepared to work hard and handle a heavy workload, and he seems to be on track. Just make sure trig is done by 10th grade, and he should be pretty comfortable with any concepts up to trig...HL is definetely a class for people who enjoy math, or at least can do it without many problems. My HL class started out with calculus for the first year (it was actually combined with AP Calc AB), so if your son is fine with Algebra 2 and trig concepts then he should be fine in the class...I don't think it's quite as hardcore as people make it out to be, but it's not easy either.</p>
<p>thanks so much for the information! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>My son may not end up in HL math -- that is quite a ways down the road, but I wanted to make sure that he would be prepared if he chose that opportunity he would be ready.</p>
<p>He will take a placement test at the beginning of the year and it will place him into either Algebra or Pre-Algebra. i will have him do a little review (they take it the first day of school) but I won't have him sweat over it, since it seems like he could still do HL no matter which class he ends up in.</p>
<p>I do worry about his knowledge being in-depth enough -- he makes "A's" in his classes easily, but he definitely does not do quadratic equations at breakfast. He likes math, seems to do well, tested into the gifted program in math in kindergarten -- but as far as I can tell he is not the next einstein. most likely he is very bright as opposed to "gifted".</p>
<p>My understanding is that the IB program (including the middle years) has a certain curriculum that must be followed -- is that correct? So even if his teacher isn't the very best one year, he should still have covered the topics?</p>
<p>I'm taking Math HL right now, I'll try to answr all of your questions, if you still hjave any doubts PM me. I've always been good at math, not amazing, but good. The amth level at our school is pretty good, but I don't relaly remember the name of the courses I took. Last year I took math 125, which is a wierd college math course that the U in my country gives. This year I started HL. Its really really interesting, but I guess this depends on the teacher. Its definitely not an easy subject, I've had to study, but up to now zero tutorings and my average is around 98. Yes the curriculum covered is the same regardless of the teacher, what may vary is the order in which it is seen. I'd say that if your son is as good at math as he sounds he should take HL. He might do a lot better in HL than in a regular course becasue Hl will actually be fun/intersting/challenging/etc for him. I know it is for me.</p>
<p>i did HL math, and i did:
6- algebra
7- algebra 2, geometry
8- trigonometry
9- AP Calc, and Stat
so i think that his load is actually, quite light...</p>
<p>Ib hl math depends on the student. The top students in our class all do well and get A's but thats because we were all good at math. There are 2 in our class who struggle mightily even though they try hard. The didn't do pre cal but still went in the class so its that combined with their lack of an innate ability to do well in math that helped with their bad grades.</p>
<p>Lol laxgirl07, it's not that his load is light, but rather that yours is intense. AP Calc + Stats in freshman year is like borderline genius status...</p>
<p>
[quote]
My understanding is that the IB program (including the middle years) has a certain curriculum that must be followed -- is that correct? So even if his teacher isn't the very best one year, he should still have covered the topics?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The IB Middle Years Program is not imperative. My school doesn't have it and you don't need it to do HL Math. They have a certain curriculum but it doesn't have to be followed and if you choose not to you will be fine. Not all schools offer MYP. </p>
<p>A lot of the topics covered are brand new, particularly the options and some of the stuff covered in the second year of the course. Most of the topics you would have covered in earlier math courses are just considered background and presumed knowledge, so it's good to have a general understanding of them.</p>
<p>Yeah, I would have been on the track for HL and I had</p>
<p>7th: Algebra I
8th: Geometry + Algebra II Trig
9th: AP Stats
10th: Precalc + Self Study AP Calc AB and BC
11th: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations
12th(pending): Graph Theory, Numerical Analysis, Number Theory, Complex & Real Analysis, Modeling</p>
<p>So you see, as the OP's son gets further in math, if he's into it he might to accelerate the pace at which he consumes new material.</p>
<p>great information -- and so much more helpful than what the school tells me. (they are into that "just leave him alone and he will be fine" stuff)</p>
<p>It looks like so far his interest and ability will allow him to do HL if he so chooses. He is going to CTD summer camp for 3 weeks and taking a class on architecture from a mathematical perspective and he wants to do some type of math competition/extracurricular next year. I will have him ease into it -- he is a very busy kid and I don't want him to burn out!</p>
<p>He will be testing for Algebra in August and my gut feelling is that he will get in -- he isn't challenged in math at all right now. </p>
<p>when i attended school, we did the regular route -- algebra, geometry, algebra II, trig -- so all these upper level math topics are new to me.</p>
<p>My plan now is to make sure he has a solid foundation, has enough challenge to keep his interest without burning him out and keep him on track for HL</p>
<p>^Thats great. I really hope your son decides to do HL. Its an amazing experience. If you have anymore doubts later on feel free to pm me and I'll try to answer them or I will at least research amongst my other IB peers for the answer. ( Btw we are doing "analisis combinatorio" in HL right now, its so awesome, sorry I have no idea how to say it in english, and our math teacher gives HL in spanish)</p>