Algebra and Geometry together?

Tagged: 

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • December 27, 2011 at 4:10 am
    jenni33
    Participant

    I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions or ideas about a 10th grader studying Algebra I and Geometry at the same time.  I know the two are not related, and I’d like to make sure that my son can get at least 1/2 a semester of Pre-Calculus before he graduates.

    We use MUS, and he does fabulous with it.  He is about 1/4 of the way into pre-algebra now, and he really is doing great.  He gets a little tripped up at times, but once we go over it, he’s good to go.

    Has anyone ever combined the two areas of math in one school year?  Or maybe after I get him firmly entrenched in Algebra I, I could go ahead and start him on Geometry? 

    Any feedback you have to offer would be so appreciated!!

    Thanks!

    December 27, 2011 at 2:46 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    Jenni,

    There is a plan on the MUS website, or at least there used to be, combining Algebra and Geometry at the same time, BUT I do not think it was done in one year.  I’ve taught Algebra 1 and Geometry twice so far, and my kids are very good in math, and it took us a minimum of 6 months for geometry and longer than that in Algebra.  It is much more important to ensure good understanding than to try to do too much at once–I worry that unless he is gifted in math, he will be overwhelmed.  Those algebra skills are absolutely FUNDAMENTAL to higher math and science.  I’d think a better plan would be to go through Algebra 1 until he understands it THOROUGHLY, and then to move through Geometry–it can be done fairly quickly.  I actually can’t think of a single good reason to combine them at once myself. In fact, he really needs those algebra skills for science–he needs them for chemistry and physics if he is college bound.  Get the algebra done first so he can take chemistry.

    It’s very tempting to try to plan and say “We’d like to be here at such and such time” but in practice, I think it often doesn’t work out.  MUS as a program understands this–since it is mastery based, you really can only go as fast as the student can learn.  Again, he really needs very, very solid Algebra 1 skills or everything above geometry is going to be a nightmare.  Also, a heads-up–Algebra 2 is pretty intense and needs plenty of time also. 

    December 27, 2011 at 6:43 pm
    TinaB
    Member

    I agree with Bookworm.  My son did Algebra I last year and is doing Geometry this year.  We also use MUS.  He seems to be breezing through Geometry but it is still a lot to learn, and MUS does review Algebra I througout.  I believe it would be too overwhelming to do both at the same time.  

    December 27, 2011 at 8:15 pm
    jenni33
    Participant

    Thanks so much for your advice.  I do agree that master is most important.  I do tend to want to get to a “certain place”. Not sure what that’s about.

    I think most importantly, I just want to make sure that he’s got everything covered he needs to go into college without having to take any developmental or readiness courses.  Know what I mean?

    We having been plugging away at MUS year round, and he’s done outstanding.  We started in Gamma when he was 11, and now he’s 14 in 2011 and we’ve made it into Pre-Algebra.  I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, and I definitely don’t want to stress him out or push him through something he’s not fully mastering.

    Your comments have been most helpful.  Thanks so much!

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • The topic ‘Algebra and Geometry together?’ is closed to new replies.