ALGEBRA - When do they learn it on NC, and is it needed for 11+/selective school exams?

[roisin]

DS1 hasn't done any algebra at school. He's working through Nelson 10 min-tests to expose any weak points.

He managed to work out the algebra questions through logic and guess-work, but was a bit on the slow side.

Do you think I need to teach him algebra, or not?

(I've always been reluctant to encourage him with any Maths at home, because I think they then quickly get so bored at school if they are ahead in Maths.)

Roisin, I think it depends on the school (unless you are in a standard 11+ area). Around here each school sets its own exam - most don't include algebra but a few do. Not very helpful, sorry!!!

No, that is helpful thanks Elenya.

The school have stressed we shouldn't stress about the test: which I won't. But ds1's teacher says he stands a good chance of a scholarship, and I don't want that chance to be compromised because of something he hasn't covered that the independent primary school kids have.

Specimen Maths paper from DS1's old school. It seems to have a little algebra in later questions (i.e. the more difficult ones). DS managed it without any special tuition (but he had been at primary school that taught well above the KS2 syllabus)

Roisin, I would certainly teach basic expressions, and simple equations, including simplifying. The later Bond papers include these, I think.

OK, will get the later Nelson/Bond Maths papers as well and work through those.

I thought Maths would be a problem actually, as it's not his strongest subject. But mostly he gets on just great with them.

Thanks all

I was just amazed at how much he could do just by ... I don't know ... looking at it, using logic, and a bit of guesswork I suppose.

He solved this one in about half a minute:
If 7x - 9 = 10x - 18, what is the value of x?

But I couldn't really follow his explanation of how he did it.

I don't want to put him off algebra and make him think it's hard by making it into a hard slog.

Actually I think he is potentially as bright in Maths as in other subjects, it's just that we've discouraged him in progressing with Maths, because it does cause such huge problems at school IMO.

lm, I looked at that link and that seems similar to the kinds of papers my daughter's schools did for maths at 11+. I don't remember much algebra.

r, you can sometimes ask schools for specimen papers.

As far as I can remember all the selective schools in my area included algebra on the paper. It was not taught at the state primary my sons attendsd. Also, you have to bear in mind that though the papers cover the whole of the year 6 curriculum, the children sit the exams at the beginning of year 6, not the end, so you need to make sure they cover it all at home.

ds1 has been doing algebra for a couple of years now. he is in yr5. he didnt even know he was doing it however, as non on e had told him the term

roisin, just do it. I can't see any benefit in leaving him to reinvent the wheel. The Year 6 SATs have the odd algebra question - DS1's class were told to use trial and error, and he ended up showing the others how to do it properly . I gather they found it rather less conceptually difficult that way - not that I'm surprised...

OK, thanks for the advice.