9 replies to this topic

[Robles]

I passed the algebra regents with a meager score of 73 in my junior high school. I was put in algebra, but asked to transfer to geometry, since my algebra teacher said we have to do geometry if we "passed" the regents. 1 day into the homework (algebra review) and I already can only fully answer half of the questions. I know this is probably way too hard for me right now, and want to go back to algebra. Can I still transfer back?

Or should I stop worrying since it's only an algebra review and i can still do geometry?

[Asif Mahmud]

Sorry, tough luck. I tried to transfer back and they couldn't let me because the state already awarded credits for the class.

This isn't regular Geometry, this is Brooklyn Tech Geometry. I got an 84 on the Algebra Regents and ended up getting a final grade of 75 on Geometry totaling to an 80 after I added my regents score. It wasn't really my fault, it was because the teacher was tough on us; it shows 'cause I scored a 90 on the Geometry Regents.

Geometry isn't really like Algebra, you'll have to do logic proofs and such and it'll take some time getting used to and understanding. Try going to a tutor for help on the subject, and depending on which teacher you have for Geometry, you'll need to. If you can answer only half the questions on the Algebra review, you're going to have a bit of trouble coming your way, then again, I only answered 2-3 questions out of 5 from my Trig class, and those questions were Algebra review.

See how you do, and don't worry too much.

[ClEMeNt]

Um...
How did you accelerate without mastery.

[Asif Mahmud]

ClEMeNt, on 12 September 2011 - 08:46 PM, said:

Um...
How did you accelerate without mastery.

You don't need mastery on the Regents to take an accelerated course, all you have to do is take the Algebra Regents and pass it.
Some Middle Schools don't give the Algebra Regents to students, thus they end up in Tech Algebra.

[xMrStrife]

Asif Mahmud, on 12 September 2011 - 08:44 PM, said:

Sorry, tough luck. I tried to transfer back and they couldn't let me because the state already awarded credits for the class.

This isn't regular Geometry, this is Brooklyn Tech Geometry. I got an 84 on the Algebra Regents and ended up getting a final grade of 75 on Geometry totaling to an 80 after I added my regents score. It wasn't really my fault, it was because the teacher was tough on us; it shows 'cause I scored a 90 on the Geometry Regents.

Geometry isn't really like Algebra, you'll have to do logic proofs and such and it'll take some time getting used to and understanding. Try going to a tutor for help on the subject, and depending on which teacher you have for Geometry, you'll need to. If you can answer only half the questions on the Algebra review, you're going to have a bit of trouble coming your way, then again, I only answered 2-3 questions out of 5 from my Trig class, and those questions were Algebra review.

See how you do, and don't worry too much.

You can't really blame the teachers. If you have a tough teacher, rework your habits to cope with the workload.

[Asif Mahmud]

xMrStrife, on 12 September 2011 - 09:35 PM, said:

You can't really blame the teachers. If you have a tough teacher, rework your habits to cope with the workload.

I would rework my habits, but it's funny that I tried to do that for a year and still nearly failed.

[AnAdrenalin]

I felt the same way today doing trig though I was actually good at geometry and eventually got through the trig hw, skipping only 3 questions (but it did take 2 hours! )
No matter how tough the teacher or the class you can always try and improve even a little bit if you create a stronger work ethic.

[xMrStrife]

AnAdrenalin, on 13 September 2011 - 11:00 PM, said:

I felt the same way today doing trig though I was actually good at geometry and eventually got through the trig hw, skipping only 3 questions (but it did take 2 hours! )
No matter how tough the teacher or the class you can always try and improve even a little bit if you create a stronger work ethic.

Yeah I agree. I had a horrible Algebra teacher that never taught, but I took the time each day to teach myself with the textbook and from online videos for a whole year :s

[AnAdrenalin]

xMrStrife, on 13 September 2011 - 11:12 PM, said:

Yeah I agree. I had a horrible Algebra teacher that never taught, but I took the time each day to teach myself with the textbook and from online videos for a whole year :s

same here. some of those youtube teachers are actually super useful.

[azntechguy]

Take this one from one of the younger teachers in the Department of Ed system. I teach General Science at a promising new public high school in nearby Downtown Brooklyn right now, but conditions are pretty tough over there. Perhaps a bit harder than what I can reasonably take on at my stage.

Teaching is not easy by any stretch of the imagination, especially if you have to do it every day. Count your blessings if you're lucky enough to get a teacher who knows his/her stuff (to be fair, some teachers are assigned to subjects outside of their specialty area), who can adjust to meet the different needs of most students AND who can find ways to make a lesson interesting (I need to work on this part myself).

---

As a student, you should tough it out and make it through too. You're not alone in disliking Geometry and frankly, you have options in making the most out of things.

If your teacher offers after-school tutoring, stick around and see if that helps. It's very well possible that while your teacher is terrible at teaching to 30-32 students, he/she might be the best you've ever seen with 5-10 students. I've seen that before.

Don't be afraid to crack open the textbook. I personally find that older textbooks (ones from the 80's to mid 90's) are MUCH better at offering helpful, solved-out examples that walks you through the process. Newer textbooks are better with the color and graphics, but they seem to offer fewer worked-out problems and the quality of the explanations leave more to be desired.

Have trusted family and friends that's good with Geometry? Find a free time and talk to them. It helps

Youtube didn't even exist until my Junior year at Tech and it did take a few years for the library of videos there to become meaningful. Looks for videos there that teach Geometry concepts. Some of the video teachers are among the best I've ever seen.