
I also discovered another competition that younger children can participate in: Kangaroo Math. Apparently, it is very popular, not as word problem-oriented for younger children, and the first division is 1st grade. The competitions happen once a year and are locally administrated. The only thing is that the kids have to learn to use a Scantron answer sheet, but these are available for purchase ahead of time from a variety of places, so you can show your child how to use them. They also have practice books available for purchase.
As your child gets older, the choices for math competitions expand. Apart from the Continental Math League already mentioned (which provides contests through 12th grade), students in 4th-8th grade can participate in Math Olympiads. While the website says that only homeschool associations (not individual homeschoolers) or institute teams (so I assume if there is a math club in your area, that might work) can participate, the form to register does give individual home schools as an option, so I am not sure what the real deal is (but I am trying to find out). JHU-CTY has a prep course for this contest.
Mathcounts is for 6-8th graders and is open to individual homeschoolers. The overall level of the child has to be 6-8th grade, so for instance, a child who would be younger and accelerated only in math would not be eligible. S/he would have to wait until s/he is caught up to at least the 6th grade level in all subjects. The Art of Problem Solving (AOPS) has both online classes and books available to prepare for these contests. JHU-CTY also has online prep classes.
AMC is for 8th graders and under (AMC8), 10th graders and under (AMC10) who have mastered algebra and high school geometry, and 12th graders and under who have mastered pre-calculus. There is no lower age limit to participate, and the web-site states that children as young as 8 have participated. My understanding is that you can participate as a homeschooler, but the your child has to take the test at a private school at the same time as their team or some other proctoring arrangement has to be made. Solving (AOPS) has both online classes and books available to prepare for these contests. JHU-CTY also has online prep classes.
MAA sells prep books for all kinds of math competitions.
For high-schoolers, there is also the Harvard-MIT Mathematics Contest. Unfortunately, all the competitions take place on Saturdays, which is a hindrance to Jewish students who are observant. They require you to be on a team of some sort (a team of homeschoolers who live in the same area would qualify). There is an online version of the tournament, on the same day as the face to face one.
There are many other math competitions, of course, but these seem to be the most popular and those for which prep classes and books are the most widely available.
2 comments:
Hi! I know its been a while, but I was just wondering if you were planning to continue updates?
I so enjoy following Joeys adventures in life and education.
I miss you guys!
--mom2bee from BrillKids
Hi mom2bee, I have a lot more responsibilities at work, which explains my silence. All is well though, Joey is doing great and maintaining his four grade acceleration. He is now a Young Davidson Scholar. All the best
Post a Comment