This past October, PS8’s middle school started a Math Regents program for kids who felt like the 8th grade math class just wasn’t challenging enough. This class really gives you the upper hand when getting into high school. The New York State Regents tests come in a wide variety of subjects: English, Science, Math. The Regents is basically the state test of high school — you have to pass certain subjects to graduate with a Regents Diploma. By doing the 9th grade Algebra Regents in 8th grade, you are one step ahead of everyone else.
Math Regents is held during the arts classes (namely music, dance, and fine arts), and although it means you don’t get to do your arts classes during the school day, there are plenty of opportunities after school to express that artistic side. We have Regents three times a week, which means we can really focus on the “why.” What I mean by this is asking yourself, for example, why the quadratic formula works, or why 2x+4 = 4+2x has infinite answers. We can really go in depth into the algebra, and all of the things you need to learn to ace the Regents exam.
The Math Regents teacher is Ms. Barth-Werb, the 8th grade math teacher. She keeps the class fun and interesting, with lessons like, “Math Speed Dating,” where we had five minutes to solve a quadratic equation with each person. She really strives to make sure everyone has complete comprehension of the topic, and strives towards making sure we are not only passing the test, but understanding it.
The Math Regents program isn’t for everyone, but if you are in 4th or 5th grade right now, don’t be discouraged if you think you’re not good at math. Don’t think of everything you aren’t, think of everything you could be! In 5th grade, I could barely understand what my teacher was saying, it was like an entirely different language, but with some one-on-one help from a special help teacher, Ms. Brown, now there’s not a problem in the world I can’t do! I love math, when I finish my homework, I go online and look up math problems to do. Not that you have to be as boring or as enthusiastic as me, but keep up the good work, give 110%, and there’s nothing you can’t do.
By Ella Redmond, Class 801