OT New Random Thread Pt. 3

[flcheermom]

Our school system allows some HS credits in 8th grade. So my daughter took a math, I think algebra and a science - Physical Science. So when she got to HS she had 2 credits. My school district operated on a 4x4 at the time - only 4 classes a day, but each class was an 1 1/2. You ended up getting more credits than you needed to graduate. She didn't really like Science but was in AP classes. I think she just took Chem in HS. Took Trig - maybe calculus as her highest math. She dual enrolled for 9 credit hours at the community college during her Senior Year. Had I known a little more about dual enrollment, we would have done that earlier, as that was completely free - books and classes. They give you a college placement test, as long as you score a certain score, you are eligible, you have to be 16 I think. She had 2 kids in her graduating class get their AA degree while in HS free of charge. I don't know if we could have gone that route, she did cheer lol but she could have gotten a few more credits if we started earlier.

 

[cheer25mom]

All Chicago public schools are doing physics in 9th grade now. It's under the idea that physics (9th) and chemistry (10th) will make the biology (11th) more in depth and understandable. I'm trying to just go with the flow - all of idp's school stuff is completely the opposite of how my education was, but so far it's going OK.

They can only take general or honors physics, not AP. They can't take the AP until 10th (even the most accelerated). We don't have Regents, so there are just the 2 choices for 9th. The high schools that Idp will apply to only have honors classes, so she's required to take honors physics in 9th. [emoji15]

In idp's case, she'll have algebra, geometry, and some trig before 9th, so I think she'll have a leg up. Most of them are in algebra in 9th . I really couldn't get a straight answer when I asked how that works. He just said it works, and they learn the math they need.

Considering the city is operating at a 50% graduation rate, I'm not so sure it's working, but that's a bigger problem than just physics I guess!

My daughter's school uses all flipped classrooms. When they first started, it was a huge adjustment (especially since some of the teachers took it to mean, "Use a computer. No more teaching required! Wooo hooooooo!")

It really seems to work well now. The kids work at their own pace and get a lot out of it. I'm astonished at how far Idp has come in the past year in most subjects!



***For all of you struggling with physics now: I hear you, the struggle is so real. But you know... My sister even failed it, and went on to get a bachelor's degree in neurobiology and animal science from an ivy league school, and she is extremely successful now. So keep on keepin' on! There is light at the end of the physics tunnel!

I teach Honors physics. If they are in Algebra 1 and Physics at the same time, there is no way they are doing all the math they need to be doing. They are going to be poorly prepared to handle a college physics course if they don't take AP. There is just no way to teach all of the algebra 2 and all of the trig they need plus teach the physics material. They will either come nowhere close to completing the actual Physics curriculum or they will only skim the surface on the math.

 

[UCFKnights07]

im confused as to why school systems are forcing kids to take physics. chemistry i can understand i knew lots of people who willingly took chemistry in high school. the only science classes i took in high school were two years of biology and an earth science class.

 

[SheCheers]

My 9th grader is taking biology. They have to take both chem and physics to graduate (in that order), and then one additional science. one choice is Earth Space Science which is dual credit. but there are literally 10+ other science courses to choose from.
They only have to take algebra 1 and geometry for math, but it's recommended they take algebra 2 as well. there is no trig anymore, it's integrated in pre calc and algebra 2, i believe. in order to take physics, you also have to be enrolled in or have taken algebra 2.

 

[vannahlexis]

Never going to college because I'm going to fail physics & get my acceptions revoked & not be let in. I'm already not a science person & this is seriously a horrible teacher. I've failed every single test & I have another one tomorrow while I'm currently attempting (but not succeeding) doing my test corrections from the last test. And I'm currently having a mental breakdown because I keep getting the same wrong answer. I'd rather have all of my eye lashes plucked out one at a time than have to take physics......end rant

idk if your school does this or not butttttt..... my senior year i was going to fail algebra 2 and i just had to go talk to the principal and get a paper signed that let me fail and still graduate/go to college/not affect my GPA. i think it was basically like a "hey at least she tried" kinda thing lol

 

[Just-a-Mom]

I should clarify that I'm not overly familiar with traditional high schools in Chicago. I do know they are all taking physics (not physical science, which is what I thought up until this year - it's definitely physics) in 9th grade, city wide... But I don't know what they do for math.

Idp is in an extremely accelerated program, geared towards starting some AP classes in 9th grade, and by 11th having only AP classes and any extra electives. She'll have 2 high school math (algebra I and geometry), 1 English, and 2 foreign language (French I and II) credits by the end of 8th grade.

I am fairly certain the traditional schools start algebra in 9th, but it's called Integrated Math I now. (flipped classroom and common core and all that - so they can't just call it Algebra I guess).

And yes, we know that we're extreeeeemely fortunate that she's in the program she's in. The city throws a ton of money at these programs (and none at other schools... Sigh) and she is definitely at a huge advantage for high school acceptance. (*Brag: it doesn't hurt that she works so hard - even with 5 days a week of dance, she's still getting straight A's. Proud mom right here)

 

[Just-a-Mom]

I teach Honors physics. If they are in Algebra 1 and Physics at the same time, there is no way they are doing all the math they need to be doing. They are going to be poorly prepared to handle a college physics course if they don't take AP. There is just no way to teach all of the algebra 2 and all of the trig they need plus teach the physics material. They will either come nowhere close to completing the actual Physics curriculum or they will only skim the surface on the math.

Saw this after I posted. Yes, I agree. I definitely do not think most should be taking it. If most 9th graders are in algebra I, I have no idea how they can pass physics. I couldn't pass it in college, with already having calculus!

However, not sure how familiar you are with Chicago schools - most of these kids aren't in any danger of taking an AP physics exam. [emoji15] Half of them aren't even in danger of getting to 11th grade.

Personally, I think the city should be more worried about their graduation rate than trying new things like physics in 9th grade. For the kids like Idp that are taking high school math in 7th and 8th, yes. If they're in a college prep, selective enrollment high school, and have demonstrated a strong aptitude for math and science, and have the prerequisite classes, then yes.

But gen ed 9th graders in a traditional high school? No. It's completely unfair to them and puts them at a huge disadvantage. Of course our graduation rate is so low - they're practically guaranteeing that these kids cannot succeed. I really hate CPS - it's great for my kid, but 450,000 other kids are really getting screwed by this city.

 

[CEAisstronger]

I doubled my sciences every year. So I took Earth Enviornmental Hns and Bio Hns my freshman year. Sophomore year, I took Chemistry Hns and Physical Science. This year, I'm in Physics Hns and AP Enviornmental Science. Next year, I want to take AP Chemistry. You have to have an Enviornmental science, biology, a physical science (could be physical science, physics, or chemistry), and another science.

 

[Nikaa]

I was in London last weekend and I went to the Warner bors studio. Making of Harry Potter. This place in freakin UNREAL!! I loved it because Harry Potter is basicly my childhood. I've read all books at least 4 times and read first book probably around 20 times (no joke!) and have watched every movie over ten times. I am HP biggest fan. This day was so speacial for me because everything that is in this museum they used it in movie. I loveeeed it!

 

[Daniellerae]

I feel bad for the kids in the videos on those Cheer Fails accounts but the little arm/ leg flails they do midair is so funny to me...

 

[ErinS]

I didn't take physics or calculus and I turned out okay.

 

[ilikebigbows]

Our school taught: 9th grade - algebra1 and biology, 10th grade - algebra2 and chemistry, 11th grade - geometry and physics. In 12th grade you could either take precal or discrete math, and science was not required.

I was 2 years ahead in math so I was taking AP calculus AB my junior year with physics. Maybe it's because I left calc crying after every test, but I could not wrap my head around physics. My teacher was very enthusiastic and intelligent but I just didn't get it. My senior year I took AP Environmental Science as a filler because it was known to be very easy at our school and the teacher was a total babe. They offered AP Physics, AP bio and AP chem but they were all known to be some of the most difficult courses our school offered, AP physics topping that list. My best friend got a 5 on the AP Physics exam and the Calculus BC exam and is currently a mathematics and physics major on a premed track. I don't know how she does it.

 

[Daniellerae]

My high school wasn't exactly strict with science requirements.
Freshman year you could take advanced biology, regular biology, or if you were a struggling student VERY watered down physics.
Sophomore through senior year you could take regular or advanced chemistry and regular or advanced geoscience. Upperclassmen also had the option of human anatomy, organic chemistry, AP chemistry, AP biology, and AP physics. So basically you could just take whatever you wanted after freshman year.

 

[vannahlexis]

I feel bad for the kids in the videos on those Cheer Fails accounts but the little arm/ leg flails they do midair is so funny to me...

this one time my friend was doing a round-off tuck and i recorded it. she fell sooooo hard and i vined it bc it was so funny. apparently one of those cheer twitters found it and it got like 300 RTs and like 14,000 replays on vine. it was so funny that she couldn't even be embarrassed! we still think its crazy that so many people saw it lol.

i'm glad social media wasn't this big when i cheered because i DEF wouldn't want videos of some of the "cheer fails" i've done out like that! lol

 

[cheernerd5678]

this one time my friend was doing a round-off tuck and i recorded it. she fell sooooo hard and i vined it bc it was so funny. apparently one of those cheer twitters found it and it got like 300 RTs and like 14,000 replays on vine. it was so funny that she couldn't even be embarrassed! we still think its crazy that so many people saw it lol.

i'm glad social media wasn't this big when i cheered because i DEF wouldn't want videos of some of the "cheer fails" i've done out like that! lol

I'm really glad nobody was videoing when I tumbled into a mat and faceplanted....