Why 7th Grade Algebra Is Challenging For Many Students

Seventh grade is a challenging year for many reasons. Socially, students are in the heart of middle school and all of the drama that it brings.

In many subjects, the work gets harder too!

In math, concepts begin to jump from concrete to more abstract, making 7th grade algebra a challenging course for many students.

It’s important that you set your child up for success when they move up to 8th grade.

To do so, you need to first consider why your seventh grader finds math so challenging.

A New Type of Thinking

To start, algebraic thinking is not the same as the type of thinking required to compute numbers.

Algebra is more abstract than elementary math concepts. It requires analytic and qualitative reasoning to work with numbers. For kids who are used to solving math problems arithmetically, they may find it difficult to transition to working through an algebra problem. Sometimes, the required abstract thinking skills feels as though it is beyond their math skill level.

7th grade math is not the first time many kids see basic algebra problems. Some begin to see pre-Algebra concepts in 6th grade – which is meant to help the transition to 7th grade. However, the problems get substantially harder in seventh grade compared to the grades prior. Some students find the skills they used for elementary algebra no longer work.

A Lack of Basic Number Sense

Algebra is impossible if the child does not have a clear basic number sense. How can they successfully work through algebraic equations, inequalities, or probability without having mastered multiplication and fractions?

If your child has struggled with elementary math, then algebra is going to be daunting. This may be the time to supplement some training at home to solidify those basic number sense and number facts skills.