Algebra vs. Algebra
By Beth Jennings
September 26, 2013
Algebra 1 kids are smarter than Algebra Readiness kids, right?
This is the common thinking among the South Bay Middle School students. According to Mr. Cameron, that’s not true. He says, “We have Algebra 1 and Algebra Readiness so the kids can be in a class that suits them best.”
Unlike in 7th grade, when all students are learning the same material at the same pace, 8th graders are split into Algebra 1, which is a high-school level class, and Algebra Readiness, which is the traditional 8th grade-level math.
According to Mr. Cameron, middle school math teacher, the classes are split so “Algebra 1 kids can get into Geometry in high school, and Algebra Readiness kids can go into Algebra 1 in high school and get a good grade.”
Some of the Algebra 1 students like the two classes.
“I like the split classes because last year we went slower because some kids didn't get it, so we got held back,” says 8th grader Chayslin Johnson. But Algebra Readiness student Yaque Chavez disagrees.
“I don't like the two classes because it’s pointing out who’s not good at math and who is.”
However, she does like the pace of the class. “I do think we could handle going a little faster, though.”
Mr. Cameron understands that some students worry about what others think when they are using “the green book” (Algebra 1), or “the blue book” (Algebra Readiness), but believes the most important thing is that everyone is learning the material in a way that works for them.
“Algebra is like a light switch, and the readiness kids are getting theirs flicked up, while the Algebra 1 students switches are already on; it’s just about keeping them up,” says Mr. Cameron.
Students will likely continue to notice the colors of the books and wonder what it all means, but Yaque says, “I feel more motivated to work harder so I can get more strong in math and be prepared for high school.”
This is the common thinking among the South Bay Middle School students. According to Mr. Cameron, that’s not true. He says, “We have Algebra 1 and Algebra Readiness so the kids can be in a class that suits them best.”
Unlike in 7th grade, when all students are learning the same material at the same pace, 8th graders are split into Algebra 1, which is a high-school level class, and Algebra Readiness, which is the traditional 8th grade-level math.
According to Mr. Cameron, middle school math teacher, the classes are split so “Algebra 1 kids can get into Geometry in high school, and Algebra Readiness kids can go into Algebra 1 in high school and get a good grade.”
Some of the Algebra 1 students like the two classes.
“I like the split classes because last year we went slower because some kids didn't get it, so we got held back,” says 8th grader Chayslin Johnson. But Algebra Readiness student Yaque Chavez disagrees.
“I don't like the two classes because it’s pointing out who’s not good at math and who is.”
However, she does like the pace of the class. “I do think we could handle going a little faster, though.”
Mr. Cameron understands that some students worry about what others think when they are using “the green book” (Algebra 1), or “the blue book” (Algebra Readiness), but believes the most important thing is that everyone is learning the material in a way that works for them.
“Algebra is like a light switch, and the readiness kids are getting theirs flicked up, while the Algebra 1 students switches are already on; it’s just about keeping them up,” says Mr. Cameron.
Students will likely continue to notice the colors of the books and wonder what it all means, but Yaque says, “I feel more motivated to work harder so I can get more strong in math and be prepared for high school.”