how to combine TT Pre Algebra & Hands On Equations?

[Guest zammaz]

I know there are lots of pre-algebra threads and some mention combining these programs.  What I would so love is specifics on how to combine them from those who have used Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra and Hands On Equations together.
 

We really like TT and weren't planning to supplement.  But, I heard about HOE and just loved the idea of manipulatives for pre-alg, so I bought it, too.  However, I assumed there would be a table of contents or scope & sequence with HOE so I could figure out which HOE lessons go with which TTPA lessons.  But there isn't.  And math isn't my forte, so I can't tell just by looking at the lessons.

Besides how to mesh the two, time is a challenge.  I don't want to lengthen our school year (35wks) or the time per day spent on math (45min max).  TTPA alone is longer than TT7 and will require us to do math 5/wk instead of 4/wk and for 33wks instead of 30wks.  TT suggested I have dd take the 1-6 unit tests and skip those review units if she does well enough.  That would free up just enough days to incorporate the 58 HOE lessons, but only if she never has to bump a day, which isn't realistic.

 

 

Do you complete all of HOE and then start TTPA?  Or do you incorporate the applicable parts of HOE when the material is covered in TTPA?  If you do that, which levels/lessons in HOE go with which lessons in TTPA? 

 

Do you use HOE to introduce the concept or only use it if your child struggles with the concept as taught in TTPA?

 

How long do the HOE lessons take? 

 

Does your student do any of HOE independently, or do you do it together?

 

Do you do both TTPA & HOE in one year? 

Is HOE all Pre-Algebra, or would parts of it go with Algebra I?

 

Any other tips on combining these two programs would be very appreciated!

 

Thanks so much!

[Dina in Oklahoma]

:lurk5:

[Pat in MI]

Great questions!  I would love to know more about this too.  I hope someone will be able to help with this.  

Blessings,

Pat

[Guest zammaz]

Hi Pat,

With no replies and our school starting soon, I had to figure out a plan.  I can tell you what that plan is, but I can't guarantee it's a good one, lol!

I read through all of HOE twice, and worked through some of the problems.  It's not as daunting as it seemed at first.  

Basically:  
TTPre-A Units 1-6 are review and could be tested out of.
The benefit from HOE will come in presenting the concepts visually before they are presented in TTPre-A.
HOE will best be done together, or possibly independently with the dvd.  I'm planning on doing it together.
HOE Level 1 should come before TTPre-A Unit 8.
HOE Levels 2 & 3 should come before TTPre-A Unit 9.
HOE Verbal problems would be great to continue with throughout the rest of TTPre-A.
    Note: Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook - these are Level 1 problems
              Verbal Problems Book - these are Levels 1-3 problems (this book does not come with the kit)

My biggest challenge is the amount of time required to incorporate HOE and complete TTPreA, which has so many more lessons than TT6 or TT7.  

As for exactly how to mesh HOE & TTPre-A, here's my plan:
    If dd tested out of TTPre-A Units 1-6, this plan would take 32 weeks, 5 days per week.

* Take TTPre-A Units 1-6 Tests.  Per TT these are review.  Skip any unit for which dd scores 90%+.
    I had her take these tests before we start school, so I would know better how to plan the year.

* Complete any of TTPre-A Units 1-6 that aren't tested out of.
    For us - dd tested out of 3 of the 6 units.  Her other 3 scores clearly indicated she needs those units.
    I've had to add those in at 1 lesson per day, 5 days/week.  However, if she gets through a lesson quickly,
    I'll have her do another (max. 45min per day).

* Complete HOE Level 1 - one week (5 days)
    Day 1 - Lessons 1-7 (these are very basic, and I think dd, who is in 8th grade, should be able to do it in one day)
    Day 2 - Verbal problems A
    Day 3 - Verbal problems B
    Day 4 - Problems 1-12 from Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook
    Day 5 - Problems 13-25 from Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook

* Complete TTPre-A Unit 7 - two weeks (10 days)  - this unit is Simple Algebraic Equations
    9 lessons plus Unit Test

* Complete HOE Level 2 - Lessons 8-16  - equations with negative numbers
    9 days - one lesson per day
    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book (or Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook) each day.
    If she can move faster through the material than I've planned, we'll do that.

* Complete HOE Level 3 - Lesson 17-26 - more with negative numbers
    10 days - one lesson per day
    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book (or Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook) each day.
    If she can move faster through the material than I've planned, we'll do that.

* Work in Verbal Problems Book - complete X # problems per day for 1 week to reinforce HOE lessons
    I'm not sure about this part yet, as this book didn't come with the kit I purchased, so I haven't seen it.
    Also, I planned this week before I knew I had to schedule those 3 units she didn't test out of.
    And, it's an extra $35, so I'm not sure I'll get it yet.  I am going to try to borrow it through inter-library loan first to review it.
    
* Work through TTPre-A Units 9-17, completing one lesson or test per day
    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book each day (If I buy it.)

Anyway, that's my plan, for what it's worth!  Hope it helps.

 

 

 

 

[Pat in MI]

Wow, it looks pretty good.  I'm going to print this out for next year. Thank you.

Blessings,

Pat

[Guest zammaz]

Glad you found it useful.  If I think of it after we complete the year, I'll post how it went!

[Dina in Oklahoma]

Hi Pat,

 

With no replies and our school starting soon, I had to figure out a plan.  I can tell you what that plan is, but I can't guarantee it's a good one, lol!

 

I read through all of HOE twice, and worked through some of the problems.  It's not as daunting as it seemed at first.  

 

Basically:  

TTPre-A Units 1-6 are review and could be tested out of.

The benefit from HOE will come in presenting the concepts visually before they are presented in TTPre-A.

HOE will best be done together, or possibly independently with the dvd.  I'm planning on doing it together.

HOE Level 1 should come before TTPre-A Unit 8.

HOE Levels 2 & 3 should come before TTPre-A Unit 9.

HOE Verbal problems would be great to continue with throughout the rest of TTPre-A.

    Note: Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook - these are Level 1 problems

              Verbal Problems Book - these are Levels 1-3 problems (this book does not come with the kit)

 

My biggest challenge is the amount of time required to incorporate HOE and complete TTPreA, which has so many more lessons than TT6 or TT7.  

 

As for exactly how to mesh HOE & TTPre-A, here's my plan:

    If dd tested out of TTPre-A Units 1-6, this plan would take 32 weeks, 5 days per week.

 

* Take TTPre-A Units 1-6 Tests.  Per TT these are review.  Skip any unit for which dd scores 90%+.

    I had her take these tests before we start school, so I would know better how to plan the year.

 

* Complete any of TTPre-A Units 1-6 that aren't tested out of.

    For us - dd tested out of 3 of the 6 units.  Her other 3 scores clearly indicated she needs those units.

    I've had to add those in at 1 lesson per day, 5 days/week.  However, if she gets through a lesson quickly,

    I'll have her do another (max. 45min per day).

 

* Complete HOE Level 1 - one week (5 days)

    Day 1 - Lessons 1-7 (these are very basic, and I think dd, who is in 8th grade, should be able to do it in one day)

    Day 2 - Verbal problems A

    Day 3 - Verbal problems B

    Day 4 - Problems 1-12 from Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook

    Day 5 - Problems 13-25 from Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook

 

* Complete TTPre-A Unit 7 - two weeks (10 days)  - this unit is Simple Algebraic Equations

    9 lessons plus Unit Test

 

* Complete HOE Level 2 - Lessons 8-16  - equations with negative numbers

    9 days - one lesson per day

    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book (or Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook) each day.

    If she can move faster through the material than I've planned, we'll do that.

 

* Complete HOE Level 3 - Lesson 17-26 - more with negative numbers

    10 days - one lesson per day

    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book (or Verbal Problems Introductory Workbook) each day.

    If she can move faster through the material than I've planned, we'll do that.

 

* Work in Verbal Problems Book - complete X # problems per day for 1 week to reinforce HOE lessons

    I'm not sure about this part yet, as this book didn't come with the kit I purchased, so I haven't seen it.

    Also, I planned this week before I knew I had to schedule those 3 units she didn't test out of.

    And, it's an extra $35, so I'm not sure I'll get it yet.  I am going to try to borrow it through inter-library loan first to review it.

    

* Work through TTPre-A Units 9-17, completing one lesson or test per day

    Do 2-3 problems from Verbal Problems Book each day (If I buy it.)

 

Anyway, that's my plan, for what it's worth!  Hope it helps.

 

 

Zammaz ~

 

Another grateful hive member. Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing!

 

Dina      :001_smile: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mybluesky]

@zammaz, how did it go this past year? I was so happy to find this thread…this is exactly the program I am thinking of for my 8th grade DD this year!