Pre-Algebra or straight into Algebra?

homeschooler06

homeschooler06

Active Member
The title is my question.
After 6th grade/elementry math do you go straight into Algebra or do you have your child take a pre-algebra class? If you child knows all the operations, fractions, decimals and what ever basics can't you go into regular algebra? Is pre-algebra more of a public/private school subject?

I have been using different math programs and if I continue to homeschool, I still use different curriculum. I have had my eye on teaching textbooks and Math-U-See for upper math. I would like something with a DVD for the upper math because I think it will make the day go a bit smoother.

I am currently using MCP with my 4th grader and I have the last two levels for 5th/6th grade.
 
It depends on the child and the program. If the Algebra program you choose to use has very basic pre-Algebra skills as a review at the beginning, and you have a strong math student, you are probably fine to start right into Algebra.

My oldest child is not a strong math student, so I had her do Teaching Textbooks 7 AND TT Pre-Algebra. It was all review for her ~ until the end of Pre-Alg, and she finished them both very quickly. My goal was to build her confidence, which in my opinion is VERY important in math, and doing both programs accomplished that goal.

My younger daughter is very strong in math and just finished the 6th grade program ahead of schedule. She will skip TT Math 7 and only do the END of the Pre-Algebra program. (Just because we own it already and it will be a good quick intro for her. If we didn't own it already, she'd probably skip that too.) She'll go into Algebra after that.

Best wishes.
 
I chose to do the review of everything first because my oldest had a spot that we somehow did not get and going back and reviewing made all the difference in the world, now I am glad that AOP has review for 7th and 8th grades! Then of course they both have pre-algebra algebra stuff as well so they are gradually going into it. I don't want to do ALg1 through them though, I will use MUS!
but its a good way to transition. imho
 
I htink it really depends on your child. We skipped 2 math grades over the years, so I am guilty of it. But we are doing 7th pre-algebra right now. He's never had percents so this was a good time to learn that. I think he will have no problem next year but if we had skipped another grade or went straight into algebra there would have been trouble.

It is a personal decision that only you can answer.
 
I used to be an Algebra teacher in a middle school! Some students take a 6th grade math course that teaches most of the Pre-Algebra skills. These students then take Algebra 1 in 7th grade. These students are considered the GT students.
Some students who don't have the solid foundation for math, should take Pre-Algebra.

Therefore, if your child has a strong math background is an extremely comfortable with fractions, decimals, basic math facts, integers, and proportions, then I would try him in Algebra 1. If not, then I would stick with pre-algebra.

Algebra-class has an Algebra Readiness Test that might give you a better indication of his skill level.
 
This question is my life...currently. My oldest will finish Horizons 6 in January. I've debated and poured over different Alg and Pre-Alg curriculums and am just leaving it in God's hands for the time being because it was stressing me out. She's a bright kid and could probably go to Alg 1 fine (formerly in gift ed at her previous school)....but I did that without any sort of lead-in growing up and never really understood Algebra even though I got a 4 on the AP Calc exam...lol. I was good at memorizing formulas and dumping in numbers....but didn't understand what and why.

Anyway, when she finishes Hor 6 (which is really more a 7th grade in scope & sequence compared to some other programs....like everything else in curricula)....I'm going to have her take several readiness/placement tests over the next week or two and see how she does. I do have a Saxon Alg 1/2 we can use if we need a bit of honing or if testing shows she needs a lot we'll look at other things. (personally don't like Saxon but it was FREE...I used Saxon from Alg on up in high school).

Anyway, it does depend on the child. I know that I would never consider skipping Pre-Algebra for my 9 year old (when she gets there....she needs the repetition more than some).
 
I agree it depends on the student. I don't have to worry about that yet. But I would base it on each child's math skills and whatever program you are using. If my child was really strong in math I'd probably take them straight into algebra. You could always back them off and start on pre-algebra if they seem like they're struggling.
 
We did Lifepacs - Jake skipped 7th grade math and is doing 8th now which is pre-algebra. He was doing Algebra but didn't like it and honestly I had to explain too much :) 8th grade is just fine...
 
I was always tempted to push our children a little too much. Plus, since I was always good at math, I assumed they would be too. In retrospect, I was wrong. It's better to work through subjects methodically, and I'd certainly advise taking pre-algebra before embarking on algebra.
 
Part of the reason you're asking, I believe, is that there's been a change in teaching of Algebra. When I was a kid, pre-algebra didn't exist. What is now "pre" was incorporated into general math classes. Now they are not; I think the text books ASSUME you've had pre first, so they don't teach certain skills in depth. Rachael took a placement test at that age, and it said said she was ready for Algebra. So Carl brought home an Algebra 1 book his district had gotten rid of, and it was a DISASTER!!! And I had one heck of a time convincing him she wasn't "ready" for it. We finally put her in an older discarded Pre book (same one Faythe is in right now), and she did beautifully, both that year and every year since.
 
Jackie said:
Part of the reason you're asking, I believe, is that there's been a change in teaching of Algebra. When I was a kid, pre-algebra didn't exist. What is now "pre" was incorporated into general math classes. Now they are not; I think the text books ASSUME you've had pre first, so they don't teach certain skills in depth. Rachael took a placement test at that age, and it said said she was ready for Algebra. So Carl brought home an Algebra 1 book his district had gotten rid of, and it was a DISASTER!!! And I had one heck of a time convincing him she wasn't "ready" for it. We finally put her in an older discarded Pre book (same one Faythe is in right now), and she did beautifully, both that year and every year since.
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Jackie, That's what I'm nervous about. I guess over Christmas break I need to sit down with my FREE Saxon Alg 1/2 book and see exactly what's in there that my DD11 hadn't seen in Horizons. I know she doesn't need the entire book....sounds like a project :)
 
I made dd take Pre-Algebra because we hadn't used just one Math curriculum for lower Math. We had a difficult time finding something that dd liked, so there was a bit of bouncing around & trial & error. I wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything. So, even though the placement test at TT said she could go into Algebra, I made her do Pre-Algebra instead.
I'll probably have ds do it, too. He'll be using TT for Pre-Algebra & up. Since he's not using TT now, I want to make sure everything has been covered. So, I'll have him do Pre-Algebra.
 
rmcx5 said:
Jackie, That's what I'm nervous about. I guess over Christmas break I need to sit down with my FREE Saxon Alg 1/2 book and see exactly what's in there that my DD11 hadn't seen in Horizons. I know she doesn't need the entire book....sounds like a project :)
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Rhonda thats where we were last spring, so I went with the 8th grade level after checking what he knew. My ds now 12 is doing fine in the 8th level. it has algebraic equations as well as a good solid review of the other levels that should give ds confidence as we enter the full blow algebra levels.
I thing going through and giving yoru dd a sampling for the rest of the school year would be a great idea!
use your Saxon since you have it , if you can.
 
My understanding with Saxon is that you take either 1/2 OR 8/7, but not both. 1/2 is suppose to be a little more advanced of the two.
 
For Saxon - I really suggest the free online test to see where your kid is at on their chart. Jake tested into Algebra last year - but instead we did 7th grade LifePacs (instead of 6th) and this year we started with Algebra I.... went back to SOS 8th grade and now back with Saxon Algebra.... it's just what has happened in this house......

However, even though he tested into Algebra last year - he wasn't mentally ready for it. He wasn't at the beginning of this year either - but now I think he is and HE believes in himself right now which is very helpful and is already making a huge difference in how he is doing.
 
Jackie said:
My understanding with Saxon is that you take either 1/2 OR 8/7, but not both. 1/2 is suppose to be a little more advanced of the two.
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That's my understanding as well from the Saxon website and others. Honestly, I despise Saxon (from my own high school experience) but since it was free and we don't need to do the entire book, I'll live with it.....lol. :)

(No offense to Saxon users, I know it's used by a zillion schools and homeschoolers, it's strictly a personal "I hated it back then" issue)
 
Yep, dd tested into Algebra last year as well, but wasn't mentally ready for it. This year she's doing CLE 8th grade math. It covers a LOT of territory, and is VERY good in my opinion! I'm glad she's doing this before Algebra, I think she'll be much more confident. We're going to try to do the Life of Fred Beginning Algebra over the summer, then another Algebra program next year. Not sure what yet though (I just know it WON'T be Saxon--same personal issues[like Rhonda], and dd tried it before and it did NOT work with her at all!).

My suggestion would be to go with Pre first. It's sets a stronger base for her to draw from, and she's not in a race or anything, so the extra work on strong base will be GOOD!
 
If you have the 1/2 I would use it :) I almost bought it at a used book store for $5 but decided against it.

But you do one or the other - my friend's daughter is going to do the 8/7 next year.

Alexis WANTS to go back to the 5/4 so I figure "whatever" of course I think it's a little easy for her (which is why she wants to do it)... but I can live with that.
 
I am grateful for pre algebra so far this year, ds is relearning some things and getting a new look at other things and we are finding his strengths and weaknesses, I think without some sort of pre algebra whether half year, or mixed in since we home school and can do that if we choose, is a needed thing.
 
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