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Ok - Algebra question...


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My son is in 8th grade. He started Alg. 1 last year and we took a break from Lial's (he hit a wall after ch. 2) and played with LoF. I ordered Math Rescue and we are finishing it up right now - because I wanted to make sure his basics were up to snuff (he completed Lial's BCM).

 

Now, I am seriously looking at other Alg. programs for him. I do have Lial's, but I wonder if there is a better program for him? How does Chalkdust, Jacob's, etc., compare to Lial's?

 

IF you had to pick which would you use? Thanks. I am thinking I will use 4 days of "x" program and use LoF on Fridays for a supplement to make it fun. Thanks.

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I can't comment on the other programs out there, but I just wanted to offer another idea/option..... have you considered tutoring? On-line tutoring? When my dd ran into a wall in chapter 7 of Lials, I contacted Jann in TX, and she provided tutoring services for my dd. It went very well.

 

Just another option, because I really like Lials. :)

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Chapter 2 is a strange chapter. It has some review--but then those sections with word problems.. ug... all of those 'last' word problems from BCM come back at the same time...

 

It helps to know that that chapter is in the book to help the TEACHER gauge how well the class is prepared for word problems. The point of the chapter is NOT to teach word problems. All of those problem types will be revisited (separately) later in the text in MUCH more detail.

 

I usually guide my students through that chapter gently--and then the 'real' Algebra 1 starts in chapter 3. I have even started students in chapter 3... I want them to feel like they are successful---and if they are bogged down with chapter 2 and the wide variety of word problem types then we just move on--and it has ALWAYS worked out!

 

If you feel like you need a video math class then I highly recommend Chalkdust (but I would purchase the Dr Mosley videos through the publisher).

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that he can start back up with ch. 3 (even tho' he had ch.1 and 2 in the spring) and not have to re-do them? He jammed on ch. 1 - and he did well with ch. 2 - just when we did the test it was crazy hard for him.

 

We won't miss something if we don't revisit those 2 chapters and just start in ch. 3? That would be awesome - and I would really like to not start the whole thing over again. He would really be ahead for this year if we completed Math Rescue (systematic mathematics) and started in ch.3 Algebra! PLease tell me this is what you mean!! Thanks.

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If I ever test on chapter 2 it is always open book--this year I have NOT tested any student on that chapter--we just worked through it and moved on.

 

As long as your son is comfortable with basic processes he should do just fine. If he ever needs a jump start or gets stuck let me know... also let me know when he gets to factoring polynomials as I have alternate lesson plans that are much easier for the students to understand.

 

Jann

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I don't think that it's quite right for what you want as it covers pre-algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2, all in two years time. Since you have finished pre-algebra already, it's probably not the best choice.

 

However for someone who thinks very mathematically, it looked like a great program. It introduces real mathematic language from the beginning, more so than Saxon or Lial. However, it appeared a bit thin in review and problem sets. I love the program, but am certain that it would not have worked for my DD.

 

DD is currently in the early part of Saxon Algebra 1. I would say that it's a little easier than Lial in the algebra area, and covers a tad more geometry. I own Lial and compared both very thoroughly, and finally decided that the mixed review in Saxon was going to be crucial for DD. DD has finished Saxon 87 (the third edition that has significant pre-algebra). Looking at Lial, I felt that about the first 30% of the book would be review, and the rest would be all new all the time. Saxon had interspersed review and new material shading through about the first half of the book, and covers most of the same ground as Lial. I felt that if we did Lial, DD would hit a wall with the new material and crash and burn. Also, the mastery approach has not been best for her learning style in the past. Because Saxon intersperses easy with difficult material, I think that she will get some relief from the misery with which she normally learns math.

 

I told her that if she learns Algebra thoroughly with Saxon Algebra 1, she can go on to a brick and mortar high school next year, but that I reserve the right to have her repeat 8th grade next year with Lial if this doesn't go well. No pressure!

 

(That sounds harsh, but I delivered it more as 'You'll learn algebra best from me and with as much time as you need to really get all the material, and it's SO important for your future that we need to do whatever it takes to get it done right!')

 

Lial is the kind of book that I learned from, but DD is just different from me. I have accepted that, and I know that Saxon is better for her right now.

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