Algebra review suggestions?

[MommyThrice]

My 14 yo son is finishing up Saxon Algebra I right now, but he has really struggled with it. We usually study or review math through the summer and I'm trying to decide what to use. He certainly isn't ready for Algebra II yet. I'm going to try some of Jacobs Algebra (I'm not very optimistic) but I want him to keep reviewing Algebra, too. Any recommendations for this? I don't want something that teaches it from a whole different point-of-view, if there is such a thing, because I think it would only frustrate him. When we review what he's missed, he seems to understand what he did wrong. He just makes WAY too many careless mistakes and doesn't feel confident with math. I'm hoping for a good, solid review so that we both feel that he knows what he's doing with Algebra I.

 

Thanks,

Tracie

[MIch elle]

Use the Saxon alg. 1 tests as worksheets. If something doesn't look familar or he can't remember then go back to that section of the textbook and review and then finish the test/worksheet. Khan Academy is a good Youtube source for review. Watch/read then do the tests or some combo.

 

The other free resources is PASS algebra.

 

We'll be using Art Reed DVD's with Saxon alg 1. They are $50 which is a bargain! He does a wonderful job of presenting the material in short video sections.

[HollyDay]

Have you looked at Key to Algebra?

[MommyThrice]

Have you looked at Key to Algebra?

 

Just now looked at it. There are ten books - is there a placement test somewhere? Do you know if it covers what Saxon I does? The first couple of books looked really simple. Maybe I just need the last 3-4 books.

[MommyThrice]

Anyone used David Quine's Algebra book? He has a whole chapter on fundamental principles (ie. the inverse principle, associative principle, etc...) I don't think my son got that in Saxon.

[MommyThrice]

Khan Academy is a good Youtube source for review.

 

They have science, too. This looks great. Thanks.

[HollyDay]

I have David Quine's book. It does cover a lot of conceptual ideas that I do not think are presented as thoroughly in Saxon. But, Quine's book only gives answers not solutions. I found this to be a MAJOR drawback. In fact, we abandoned the text because of the lack of solutions.

 

What about LOF algebra? LOF covers things very differently.

[Teachin'Mine]

Use the Saxon alg. 1 tests as worksheets. If something doesn't look familar or he can't remember then go back to that section of the textbook and review and then finish the test/worksheet. Khan Academy is a good Youtube source for review. Watch/read then do the tests or some combo.

 

:iagree:

 

And let him work out the problems he does get wrong until he gets them right. To me, there's more learning from problems missed than from the ones they get. :001_smile:

 

If you see the same type of problem keeps coming up as having been missed, then you can go back to that lesson and re-read and do the practice problems. Some lessons also have supplemental problems in the back of the book too.

[MyThreeSons]

Just now looked at it. There are ten books - is there a placement test somewhere? Do you know if it covers what Saxon I does? The first couple of books looked really simple. Maybe I just need the last 3-4 books.

 

 

For $6, you can register for the Key to Tracker program. Your son could then take a pre-test, which will let you know exactly what skills he needs to work on. The program will direct him to specific pages in the particular workbooks; after working thru those pages, he would come back and take a spot check quiz and receive further guidance. As the teacher, you would have access to reports of his progress.

[Carol in Cal.]

...there is a high school math teacher who uses Saxon with homeschooled children, and reviews with Key to Algebra in the summer. So they must be somewhat compatible.

[EKS]

ALEKS has been good for review here.