Jacobs Algebra

[Julie]

Jacob Algebra users, how is this text to use given there is no solutions manual? We are finishing up Teaching Textbooks Math 7 and are exploring other options, have read various glowing reviews of Jacobs. I would love to hear any oppinion on a pre. alg. math.

 

Thanks,

Julie

[Lori D.]

We used Jacobs Algebra here with no problems. It is laid out with several sets of problems. Generally we did sets 1,2 and 4, without much need to do problems in set 3:

Set 1 = review of past concepts

Set 2 = gentle, gradually increased in difficulty in problems using the concept explained in that lesson

Set 3 = same as Set 2, if you need more practice

Set 4 = a "challenge" problem

 

Since the problems in set 2 moved very gently/incrementally, not having a solutions manual never was a problem here.

 

 

re: recommending a pre-algebra program

Don't know what to tell you there. We did Singapore up through 6A/B, and the first half of Singapore's NEM1 before doing Jacobs, and that seemed to work great as prep for Jacobs Algebra. That was with older math-minded son. Younger math struggler son connects with Math-U-See, which he's been using since 5th grade. This year (8th gr.) he's using MUS Pre-Algebra supplemented with Keys To ... workbooks and Singapore 6A/6B. Next year he'll do MUS Algebra, and we'll supplement with Jacobs.

 

I guess I'd say, if your child connects with whatever you're using right now, and the program goes up through pre-algebra, algebra, etc. -- stick with that. Understanding the approach of a math program is esp. helpful as you move into the higher, more abstract math programs.

 

BEST of luck finding what fits best for your family! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Krista in LA]

I'm using Jacob's algebra with my dd right now. It is a very easy to use, straight forward kind of book. We do pretty much the same as Lori. We read over the lesson, she does set 1 orally or on the whiteboard if she needs to write something down, and then sets 2 and 4 in her notebook. The answers for set 2 are in the back of the book and the teacher's guide has the answers to all of the other sets. I have not needed to see a solution, and usually don't even need the teacher's guide to check answers. If you are not confident in your algebra skills and think you will need solutions rather than just answers, you might want to consider something else.

 

As for pre-algebra, we just did Singapore through 6B and then worked on Lial's Basic College Math for a year. We really didn't need to do that, but it was a nice break for my dd who was ahead in math anyway.

[AngieW in Texas]

We did Singapore through 6B as well.

 

My oldest went to ps when she finished and took pre-algebra there. She returned to hs and did Jacobs Algebra and is now halfway through Jacobs Geometry.

 

My middle just finished 6B in April last year. I had her do aleks pre-algebra for the one month free trial, but she really didn't like it. Then I had her work through Math Smart Junior. This is a very inexpensive book that reviews pre-algebra topics in a fun way. You can find used copies on amazon dirt-cheap.

 

My dd is working in both Jacobs Algebra and Kinetic Books Algebra now. She thought that Jacobs looked very intimidating after Singapore. Kinetic Books seemed a lot more appealing to her (and it was available as a free download at the time). After one chapter of Kinetic Books, the format with instant feedback was getting very stressful for her, so she asked to try Jacobs. After one chapter of Jacobs, she wanted to go back to Kinetic Books. Now she switches programs at the end of each chapter and is very happy with doing two programs. She even said to somebody that she "gets to" do two algebra programs and that's a bonus benefit of hsing.

 

Both programs are complete standalone programs, but my dd likes switching between them.

 

When we are working in Jacobs, I go over the lesson and then do one example from each problem in set 2. My dd does sets 1 and 3 on her own and does set 4 when she wants to. If she needs more practice, I will have her do set 2 the next day, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

The problems in sets 2 and 3 are nearly identical and mostly just use different numbers/equations.