Algebra 1 in 8th Grade?

RB+Gravity · 08-21-2008, 04:04 PM

I'm taking Algebra 1 this year in eighth grade. That's what most people at my school do. So it isn't really that big of a deal to me.

cngp90 · 08-21-2008, 06:00 PM

What about skipping pre-algebra and going straight to algebra? is that still ok... i guess it would be as long the person gets it... anybody done it?

**bravesfan007** · 08-21-2008, 07:06 PM

I had Algebra 1 in 8th grade. All it did was put me on track to finish Pre-Calculus in 12th grade. Other than that, that's the only reason I believe it may be beneficial. I mean, I'm not saying I was the smartest kid or anything, but I didn't find it that difficult. Ultimately though, it would depend on each individual person. By the way, I had Pre-Algebra in 7th grade.

**meatfinger** · 08-21-2008, 08:22 PM

As a teacher, I would encourage kids to take classes above grade level as long as they can handle it and are still able to develop normally socially. I graduated high school with an A.A. degree, and I can think of very few cons that went with that decision.

Jay Tea · 08-21-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cngp90

What about skipping pre-algebra and going straight to algebra? is that still ok... i guess it would be as long the person gets it... anybody done it?

I went straight from our normal 6th grade math to Algebra 1 and 2 in 7th grade. I really struggled for the first bit of algebra, but with a little extra attention from a tutor, it worked out OK.

The one caution that I would give is that the answer to the question "Can you handle it?" may not be readily apparent from your grades...it may take a follow-up course to expose deficiencies.

**beanbag** · 08-21-2008, 10:34 PM

I started algebra I in 7th grade. for some reason that is still unknown to me, I was forced to repeat it my freshman year of highschool. that certainly aggravated me beyond belief, especially because I detest math.

I happened to be 11 in 7th grade, and I honestly don't think my brain was mature enough to handle some of the abstracts that were thrown my way. I just got extremely frustrated with math. plus, the text that my mom used was horrible (ask any homeschooled child, and they will tell you the author should be put on trial for BAD TEXTBOOKS!) and unnecessarily confusing.

it's fine for your mom to start your brother in algebra I this year if she thinks he can handle it, but really she should proceed with caution. parents (especially homeschooling parents) really should pay attention to frustrations their children express. if a kid complains once or twice about something, that is probably normal adolescent contrariness. however, if a kid complains over and over about one or two subjects in particular, it is time to sit down and examine what exactly is triggering the frustration. for me, it was because I hate math (there are reasons that date back to public school!) and my text book wasn't worth crap and didn't explain anything. the few times my dad was available to help me, his method of solving problems made so much more sense than the textbook method, and he actually cared to explain to me what he was doing. as a result, there are some areas of algebra that I am a lot more proficient in than others. using the right text book is extremely important.

cngp90 · 08-21-2008, 11:10 PM

So why did they decide to change it from pre-algebra to algebra in public schools? Was it to just get kids on their way to more advanced math faster? or another reason? anybody know the logic behind it?

**MtlMom** · 08-21-2008, 11:21 PM

It will soon be required in California.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1072678.html

ryanxxxx · 08-22-2008, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCarrfan

My school system was whack. I never took pre-Algebra, took Algebra 1 in 8th grade, got a B, and since I didn't get an A, I was forced to take it again in 9th Grade. Got a B again, then took Geometry in 10th (Got a B), then Algebra 2 in 11th (Yep, another B), then I had to take College Algebra my freshman year. This time, I got an A, not because I learned how to do algebra, but because I had memorized all the answers.

we have the exact same jr. high / high school story
only difference is i got an A in geometry
other than that its spot on
i feel kinda like im talking to myself
weird...

taykey · 08-22-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cngp90

So why did they decide to change it from pre-algebra to algebra in public schools? Was it to just get kids on their way to more advanced math faster? or another reason? anybody know the logic behind it?

maybe they decided that there was no point to pre algebra because they do the same things in algebra 1? or that it's uneseary.

normajean777 · 08-22-2008, 08:48 PM

I think I did algebra in gr 12

edit: nope that was calculus.

ForgivenPix · 08-25-2008, 11:22 AM

It seems not uncommon to take Akegbra 1 in 8th grade. I took A1 in 8th, A2 in 9th, Geometry in 10th, trig in 11th, and calc in 12th. We didn't think much about it at the time. We took what they told us to take haha but I took algebra in my freshmen year of college and it was a cake walk.

TheProdigalModern · 08-25-2008, 02:12 PM

I failed Algebra twice in college. I got the concepts, but I kept messing up the order of the numbers.

**scared2mosh** · 08-26-2008, 10:08 PM

I'm homeschooled and in tenth grade and I'm doing Alegebra 1 this year...