Karen on Facebook needed some guidance about math.
“I would like opinions on the pros and cons of these sequences: (Algebra 1 -Geometry- Algebra 2) versus. (Algebra 1-Algebra 2- Geometry). Your thoughts?” ~ Karen
It’s best to complete geometry, or at least start it, before the PSAT (when possible). For that reason, I prefer geometry first. Geometry is also a nice review of Algebra 1, so you spend a year getting those Alg 1 concepts all stuck in your brain good and tight before moving on to Algebra 2. That’s another reason I prefer geometry first. But you know, there is some logic in going Algebra 1 then Algebra 2, because it’s just a continuation after all. My preference is just a preference, and other people suggest going the other route. We used Jacob’s Geometry, by the way, and it was wonderful.
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I was just having this discussion this week. I’m trying to make this decision myself. My daughter is a freshman and just finishing Algebra I. She is not strong in math. I am worried about her trying to take Algebra II and Chemistry at the same time during her junior year so I thought I’d go ahead and do Algebra II during sophomore year while she is taking Biology. I know chemistry requires strong algebra skills. Any thoughts about how to match up math and science courses?
My son switched curriculum at a point that seemed to make sense to go from the first quarter of pre-algebra, right into Alg I. The next year he took Alg II. I think his brain wasn’t ready for the concepts. Toward the end of the year, we simply withdrew him from Alg II. The following year, he took Geometry. He did great in Geometry and then retook Alg II this year. He is understanding it all much better this time. I would probably recommend Alg I, Geo, Alg II for my other boys. We used Teaching Textbooks.
Lee, my son is gifted in math. He just finished Jacobs Geometry and loved it. Can you recommend an interesting and challenging Algebra II textbook? He learns very well on his own, just by reading a textbook, so we probably don’t need DVD’s. Thanks for any help you can offer!
Cindy,
You can get tips on math in this article:
http://www.thehomescholar.com/love-of-math.php
Even a child that learns well on his own may benefit from DVDs, particularly at that level of math.
Blessings,
Lee
from what I have heard is if she has started Algebra I as a freshman, then she should take Geometry next, as a sophomore, to make sure he understands it well in time for the SAT/ACT. Geometry is very prevalent on SAT/ACT. I think the order could be switched has she done Alg I in junior high.
Upper level math classes can really go in any order, often it depends on the curriculum. Here’s another blog posts that can help: https://www.homehighschoolhelp.com/blogs/correct-math-sequence