z2_mom Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I need help trying to decided what to do next. My dd age 12 is finishing up chalkdust algebra 1. Math comes easy to her, always has. No I did not push her ahead in fact she did 3 pre-algebra courses because I was trying to slow her down/ hold her back (saxon 87 3 edition, saxon 1/2, and chalkdust prealg) Plus I wanted her to get a bit older/ mature before diving into algebra. Trying to decided if I want to go into geometry next or algebra II. Part of me is thinking geometry and wanting a course that is proof heavy even if we take longer on it. I would just have her keep her algebra skills up by doing a test a week or something. If we go into algebra II, I would just use chalkdust, we were happy with it for algebra. Geometry, I am not sure right now I am debating between Jacob's with the DVD and Chalkdust. I do want something that has proofs, at least 2 column ones. I am fine teaching math, I just need to review it before dd only because it has been a long time. Geometry and trig were my favorites in high school so I am excited to finally be here! What are your suggestions can anyone compare the two programs for me?? I am also open to other suggestions. thanks Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April in CA Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Good Morning! Since your daughter is quite good at math, you might consider materials from The Art of Problem Solving. Their geometry program is quite thorough and challenging. Proofs are included in many lessons, but the style tends more toward paragraph proofs rather than 2-column proofs. All thier texts are designed to be self-teaching and lead the student to an understanding of the concept through solving carefully chosen problems. Many of the problems in their texts are quite challenging - your daughter might enjoy spending some time solving them! Blessings, April Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 My ds is 12, and also is a "natural" at math. When he finished Algebra I, I asked Professor Mosely his opinion, and he suggested doing Geometry next. We used Chalkdust's "New" Geometry. There are plenty of proofs in there, and my ds loved doing them. I have not seen the Art of Problem Solving Geometry program. I did buy a couple of their other books upon suggestions from this board, but, sadly, I am just not mathy enough to teach them. If you like Chalkdust, you might stick with it and carry on with Geometry and fold in some of the other Art of Problem Solving topics such as probability. We are now doing CD Algebra II which has been a total breeze so far. Really, about the first six chapters of the book are a review of material from Algebra I! But, I am glad he is getting reinforced since he is young. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z2_mom Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thanks for the review of chalkdust geometry and algebra II. That helps a ton. I think that we will stick with chalkdust. I just had my dd look at the dvd's that go with the Jacobs and she was not happy with them. I like having the DVD's to fall back on when I am teaching my other children. She requested to just stay with chalkdust. So that it what we will do. thanks everyone. Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I just had my dd look at the dvd's that go with the Jacobs and she was not happy with them. Lynda, Are you using Chalkdust DVDs with Jacobs, or are you using Chalkdust books with their DVDs? And since you have seen both DVDs, what is it your dd prefers? Thinking about next year, thanks... Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z2_mom Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 We are finishing up the chalkdust algebra 1 right now with those dvd's. I had her look online at the Jacob's DVD sample and the Chalkdust geometry sample. Here was her opinion --- the Jacob's dvd stopped in the middle of the lesson to show a bullet point --the screen flashed to pink background with white writing ---my dd felt that was hard to read. She did not understand why the lesson needed to be stopped at that point ---that he could have just said the point or stated check your textbook on page X, this is important. In the Jacob's DVD the man was standing in front of the problems where in the chalkdust one he was standing beside the problems. She also felt that the camera moved around a bit more with the Jacob's DVD's and that bothered her eyes ---she said it felt like she was watching a home movie ---but for math. Overall she felt like the chalkdust videos explained things better. I do know that I showed her the dvd's for Jacob's algebra last year compared with chalkdust, and she felt the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Tell your dd that I really appreciate hearing directly from a student. Thanks so much! Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z2_mom Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 She also just mentioned .... We recently looked at the Jacob's algebra book (could not find the geometry) and she loved the cartoons! But she felt like there were more examples in the chalkdust algebra book. So if you had to do a lesson without the DVD or Mom, that it would be easier to figure out what to do with the chalkdust book. She also had a friend over the other day who watched her math dvd with her and they are using the DIVE. I over heard the two of them talking and the other child was saying how he wished his math dvd's were like the ones my dd had. He was complaining about the DIVD ones for Saxon. Those were never an option for us and my dd and I both disliked Saxon, it was just not a fit for this dd. From a Mom's point of view the chalkdust also has a complete solutions manual that you can purchase...where you can not get that with Jacob's. I know that is a help for me but not necessarily a deal breaker but it would be a deal breaker for some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 We attempted to go with an Algebra 2 course with my 13 yob, but he was struggling a little and not having fun with it. So we put it aside and are using Art of Problem Solving - Geometry. He is enjoying it and doing well. It's a nice break from algebra. We'll probably add algebra 2 back in after Christmas. AoPS Geometry is proving to be one of my favorite programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 She also just mentioned .... Thank her again... Tell her to keep thinking :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Who wrote the book? (Just curious) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Richard Rusczyk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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