I often hear a popular saying that mathematics in American middle schools is particularly simple. After the students from China came, everyone acted like a math genius. Some parents worry that their children coming to American high schools will delay the improvement of mathematics. Is that really the case? The mathematics level of American students is uneven, which is much higher than that of China high school students. Therefore, it is difficult to summarize the math level of American students, and it is also difficult to summarize the math level of ninth and tenth grades in the United States. In the United States, mathematics knowledge is not taught much in junior middle schools and primary schools, and high schools begin to study hard, especially private high schools that train students to enter universities in the future. They generally call themselves pre-university schools. When ninth-grade high school students enter school, they often have to take the math placement test so that the school can be arranged in different classes. Students will be placed in different classes according to their own level. The difficulty can be very simple. Geometry? Algebra 1, is getting harder and harder? Algebra 2? 、? Even pre-calculus Calculus? .

American private high schools usually have two math requirements for graduation:

1. At least take the calculus preparatory course;

You must take math class for two years.

Judging from these two requirements, if a student has a poor foundation in mathematics when he enters the ninth grade, he may study mathematics from geometry in the next four years of high school until he finishes the calculus preparatory course in 12 grade. If students have more mathematics in junior high school (which is also common in American public elementary schools and junior high schools? Genius plan? Mathematics and English are crash courses), he has finished algebra 1, and may only need to study mathematics for two years. Even if you enter the ninth grade, you can also pre-school calculus students, take calculus or statistics courses, and even take credits in a nearby university in advance to meet the graduation requirements. If students are not interested in math classes, they can take more courses in other subjects that they are more interested in after completing math classes that meet graduation requirements.

Students of the same grade in the same American high school rarely have the same schedule, and each student attends classes in the teacher's classroom on time according to his own schedule. Are you online? Algebra 2? In our class, it is not surprising to see the ninth grade students, 10, 1 1, attending classes together.

Compared with China, American high school students are very flexible and personalized in choosing courses, and there are also great differences in the learning order of knowledge points. Mathematics classes in China schools often focus on one knowledge point for in-depth study, and then proceed to the next one after thorough study. Mathematics in America is a bit like machine gun sweeping, junior high school? Pre-algebra? There are many very simple but extensive contents in the book. Lower algebra 1, algebra 2, pre-calculus again? Sweep? The difficulty is getting deeper and deeper. Once, an American teacher was embarrassed to tell me after giving a math placement test to students studying in an American high school [Weibo] after the second day in China. The student knows a little algebra 2 and can do it with his eyes closed. However, some contents in algebra 1 can't be learned at all, so it's not clear what level class he should be placed in. ?

In order to prepare students for entering American high schools, our school chose American Algebra 2 textbook in math class. For students who have finished the first grade in China, they can learn most of them if they work hard. If their math ability is not enough, they can start studying algebra 1 in the ninth grade after entering high school, which will be very easy. Students who have finished grade three in China can also learn a lot of fresh knowledge in algebra 2, and they will not feel bored in class. If they are strong enough in mathematics, they may choose pre-calculus as soon as they enter American high schools.

The textbook used in our math class is Algebra 2, which is more than 1000 pages thick and divided into 14 chapters. The content of each chapter is:

Chapter 1: Functional basis.

Chapter 2: Linear Functions

Chapter 3: Linear Equation

Chapter 4: Matrix

Chapter 5: Quadratic function

Chapter 6: Polynomial Functions

Chapter 7: Exponential Function and Logarithmic Function

Chapter 8: Rational Function and Root Function

Chapter 9: Characteristics and attributes of functions

Chapter 10: Conical Section

Chapter 11: Probability and Statistics

Chapter 12: Sequences and Series

Chapter 13: Trigonometric Functions

Chapter 14: trigonometric function drawing and its characteristics

I think math teachers, parents and students who have read these catalogues should be able to understand what I introduced earlier about American high school math. Judging from this catalogue, Algebra 2 covers a wide range of contents, and many of them seem difficult. However, don't be intimidated by these titles. Some content is not difficult. As long as you understand the basic concepts, you can do the problem. American math problems focus on conceptual understanding and won't give you a detour.