<p>My son is only 12 and will be 8th grader in this August. He did good on math when he took SAT I (M 660 and R 570) as 7th grader. So I sent him to summer school to study physics this summer. this physics is very tough since it has tons of homework and quiz everyday. It will cover all topics of AP physics B in 6 weeks. So far he is doing well (got A in the first two weeks). But it still has long way (4 weeks) to go. I am very proud of him and sometimes I think it maybe too tough on him.</p>
<p>Did your S want to go to summer school to study physics? I’m all for challenging a bright mind, but I think children need a chance to be children. What ever happened to summer camp? There are many summer enrichment programs that combine academics with recreational activities. Is this such a program? From your post it sounds like this is an intense, graded class with little leisure time. Personally, I’d much rather see kids at that age reading for pleasure, learning a new sport, participating in a theater workshop, volunteering, etc., or just generally exploring the outdoors and having fun with their friends. There are a lot of life lessons to be learned outside of a classroom.</p>
<p>Does he think the physics class is fun? If so, then it is fine. I believe that kids should do something fun, that they enjoy, in the summers. I had one child who enjoyed taking math and programming classes during the summer. The other child would have hated it - she took dance classes and swimming. Ask your son what he would like to do. </p>
<p>He likes physics and read many books for fun. I saw he is good to use his physics sense in his homework. The difficulty for him is that this credit class nees knowledge of algebra/geometry/trig, which he has basic knowledge but maybe not enough. </p>
<p>The problem with taking a high school AP science or math course ahead of the normal schedule (without taking the usual prerequisites) is that if you’re not prepared, you’re stuck with the grade and it may leave gaps in your learning. AP Physics is usually taken late in high school because the students taking it have had higher math prep, and also have more mature brains and conceptual ability.
You know your child better than anyone, but it seems like a lot of unnecessary pressure. He likes physics and reads many books for fun. You don’t want him to lose that, which he easily could if it becomes all about the grade.</p>
<p>Has he taken algebra? I googled and found this math placement test. Can he do all of this math?<a href=“http://www.phcprep.org/files/math_pre-test.pdf”>http://www.phcprep.org/files/math_pre-test.pdf</a></p>
<p>Also, do you know that there is no such thing as AP physics B anymore?</p>
<p>My preference is to send my kids to academic camps. They are fun and educational at the same time. They learn a lot, are around other kids with the same passions, and have a blast. </p>
<p>Are there other kids there his age and is he doing something besides physics-related? And is he okay with this? He’ll be home in August and can have down time, if he needs it- he may not. And if you see signs this was too much, you don’t repeat this sort of intensity, next summer. I just hope this isn’t about some pre-hs plan to get him to a tippy-top college.</p>
<p>Moonchild, my daughters’ hs sets physics as the 9th grade science. The easier section requires at least algebra 1 experience (which is 8th, there.) The other builds on algebra 2. AP physics can be taken in 11th or 12th. It’s a small school, but they want to build the fascination. </p>
<p>Lookingforward–Yes, my kids had a 9th grade science course that included a lot of physics as well, but not the AP Physics with the curriculum focused around the AP test, like the OP’s son is taking. That is offered in 11th or 12th, like in your kids’ school. By then the students have had AP Chem, and have either taken math through calculus, or they’re taking it concurrently.</p>
<p>First it is Physics. I am not sure if it is AP Physics but I do see many homeworks named as AP physics B. May it is just equal to Honor Physics.</p>
<p>He has a similar math test in the first day of class. He got C+ only (14 of 18). But he learned it immediately and use them in physics class and homework. I saw he improved his math through using it in physics. He is attending this credit physics class which is in a famous private school. Most of students are 10-11th grade students. Not easy to get A.
He maybe take AP physics 1 and 2 tests in next 1-2 years directly. He can only take one year physics(AP physics C ME) in 11th grade of his public school. Most likely he will take all AP physics tests including AP physics 1,2 and Physics C ME&EM. </p>
<p>What is the question? OP, if he is happy and keeping up, fine. This is one summer.</p>
<p>I agree @lookingforward. What is the question? If you are happy with him taking the class, what does it matter what a bunch of strangers think on the internet? </p>
<p>Are kids 12 yrs old capable of taking alg based physics and doing well? Absolutely. </p>
<p>FWIW, there is absolutely no reason for him to take AP exams 1&2 if he is going to take the physics C exams. The SAT physics subject test, yes, but not APs.</p>
<p>Wzb…why are you sending your son to summer school? Are you trying to leverage his studies for college? </p>
<p>He just finished 8th grade. I sure hope you are letting him do some recreational activities, and socializing with his friends.</p>
<p>Life is more than taking higher level courses during the summer after 8th grade. </p>
<p>Apparently not. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/profile/comments/100257117/wzg69g”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/profile/comments/100257117/wzg69g</a></p>
<p>I personally believe that AP physics B (1 &2) is better than C since it covers and focus on all basic physics concepts. AP physics C only selects some topics and not good for high school students to really understand physics . So I prefer to let him take all physics tests if he can study them early.</p>
<p>@SomeOldGuy
Well that link sheds a slightly different light. (I only read the first 2 pages, but I am guessing that was enough) And makes me wonder about @thumper1’s question about leveraging his studies.</p>
<p>OP, have you looked into AoPS? I would highly recommend that approach vs. trying to rapidly advance or skip foundational math courses. Successfully completing AoPS math courses will give your ds far more academic advantages than simply checking off some rapid progression box. (skipping alg and geo would definitely not be a good decision. Alg is the foundation for all upper level math.) For a STEM major, problem-solving is a critical math skill and AoPS definitely builds those skills. (and for top math students, it is not difficult to take multiple math courses in a yr.)</p>
<p>And we will have to disagree about the AP exams. If he is taking this course to master content, then shouldn’t he have already learned the material? The AP exams themselves are pointless unless you are trying to prove mastery of material to a university for college credit… A university is not going to care if they took the 1&2 exams if they have C. STEM majors won’t receive credit for 1&2 anyway. Or are you simply having him take this course to check off some box and not expecting him to really master the material and therefore he will need to relearn it all anyway?? </p>
<p>(FWIW, my ds has taken physics through 300 level mechanics 1&2 in high school and never took AP physics B. He certainly has a strong grasp of physics and has never been at a disadvantage by spending more time on cal up physics.)</p>
<p>ETA: most AoPS kids are ps kids taking the classes independently at night b/c they love math.</p>
<p>Ah…this is the Basis school parent. </p>
<p>Different strokes for different folks, I guess. When my kids were 12, I was more concerned that they have fun in the summers. I wasn’t all,tied up in knots about AP tests and SAT scores, and the like. </p>
<p>Like I said…I hope this youngster is being given the chance to actually be a preteen. </p>
<p>@wzg69g, as someone who is starting a PhD in physics at Harvard this fall, I think it is a terrible decision to take a first course in physics over the summer. Physics is a really deep field and in order to really understand things (which obviously won’t happen the first time through), you need time to think about the material. This is clearly not possible if your son will be covering all the material in physics B over a summer.</p>
<p>I also disagree that physics B is better than physics C for high school students. While it is reasonable to start with an algebra based course (I took one in freshman year and then physics C in senior year), taking the calculus out of physics reduces the subject to a bunch of equations to be memorized. In order to even begin to understand physics, you need calculus. The subjects in physics C typically cover the two semester intro sequence for majors and engineers. All the extra stuff they teach in physics B, like thermodynamics, quantum, nuclear, etc. must be grossly simplified to be taught in high school. Typically modern physics is a second semester sophomore college course.</p>
<p>He is using AoPS website only for AMC8 this Fall. I hope he can get into honor roll list for top 5%</p>
<p>Why AMC? Why not use AoPS for their actual math sequence? Their math classes are outstanding and the sequence classes are going to be far better than what he is getting in school. </p>
<p>Honestly, reading your posts it seems like you want to have things to check off (physics as a 12 yr old at a prestigious school, an SAT score, assuming wanting a high AMC score and shooting for AIME, etc) while building an excellent academic foundation seems to get the short stick. I am still trying to understand why anyone would want their child to skip alg and geo. It certainly would not be to his long term benefit. (any more than I agree that physics 1&2 are better than cal based physics.) </p>
<p>@Poeme, I think we have the same idea: physics needs about 3 years study. But my S is in public school, he only can take 1 year physics at most. I just try to find every oportunity to extend it to 3 years. </p>