momto2Cs Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I am not a super mathy person, but my ds is really looking forward to using AoPs pre-algebra. Any other not super mathy people teach with this? Please tell me I don't need to be so worried. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 AoPS teaches itself. :) My suggestion would be to plan on working through the books yourself. I think many of us learned math using a different approach and are thrilled with the opportunity to relearn math with AoPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 The text is written TO the student and is designed to be used without a teacher. The solution manual is very detailed and has explanations, not just answered; you should absolutely get one. Give it a try. ETA: PP's suggestion to work through the book yourself is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I am mathy, so I might not be much of a help. I do think it helps for the teacher to go through the chapter a week or so ahead of time so they can read through and really sit with the problems as while. The concepts are not crazy, but very different than the additional approach. One of the greatest parts of the program for my son was when I admitted to him that a problem seemed weird. It was in Chapter 2. He got really smiley and relieved when I had to read the problem twice and was all befuddled. He no longer felt "dumb". The program is designed to make you think. Be straight up with you kids and it can be a great experience of you both working together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Don't be worried :) Not only is it designed to be self-teaching (note that the self-teaching is working through the lesson problems), the full solutions to the lesson problems are in the text itself - you can always take a look if he (and/or you) get stuck. Don't forget that the Prealgebra text has videos too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I feel your pain! So for you guys using this with middle-school age kids - not super-young kids - how independent is it, really? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'd also recommend working through the book with your child. Also, don't forget that there are free videos for the entire book on the website and alcumus is a great additional learning tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 I feel your pain! So for you guys using this with middle-school age kids - not super-young kids - how independent is it, really? Good question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Math is a significant weakness for me, and my boys and I made it just fine through AoPS pre A. I worked hard with them to wean them from so much of me during math. I have prepped them for my lack of ability to help past a certain point. Dh has a math weakness, as well. I have alternate sources for reinforcement, Kahn Academy, a friend who homeschools and is mathy on call, a sharp homeschooled teen or two who are older than my boys, and the number of a math tutor in my back pocket. Game on. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I feel your pain! So for you guys using this with middle-school age kids - not super-young kids - how independent is it, really? I worked with them at the beginning of last year for pre A, and we always watched the videos together. By the end of the year, they had adjusted to being more independent using the solutions manual. How independent depends on the kid, I think. Mine were very well-entrenched in having mom at elbow and helping during math. The main struggles that they had were in the geometry chapters, which I actually understood quite well so I had them watch me work through the problems that they could not master. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldilocks Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 My son has difficulty working independently. I felt like the text was too difficult for him to navigate. Too wordy. We did prealgebra together. First we watched the video for the section. Then, I skimmed the section in the book to see if there was anything that wasn't covered in the video. We did a few practice problems together. Then we worked on the section problems individually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 We have two sets of books so we can sit at our desks and work through the problems on our own. We are always on the same section, so I try to make a comment here and there if I want to make sure she notices something. These comments are received with varying reactions from shouts to leave her alone... :cursing: ...Can't I see she's working?!?!?..... to :rolleyes: with a snide remark about how obvious that is.....to comments about how interesting or fascinating she found something... :coolgleamA: . Math is volatile at our house. It is by far the scariest part of the day for me - I never know what to expect. She isn't obsessed or particularly advanced in math, but she wants it to be hers and seems to sometimes resent any of my involvement. I try to sneak peeks at her notebook to make sure she's writing the problems, etc, but sometimes I need to do it covertly. ;) She appears to have a 1 1/2 to 2 hours math setting in her brain. That seems to be the ideal time for her to be able to get started, focused, and work to the point of diminishing returns. Speedy she is not. Persistent? Yes. Just being real...I am constantly second guessing the way I'm approaching math. She is making steady progress, and it is carrying over to other math work, so we'll stay the path for now. Besides, she gets indignant when I mention a different program, so I really have no choice... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas_mom Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I worked with them at the beginning of last year for pre A, and we always watched the videos together. Texasmama did you watch the videos first, or did you try doing some of the example problems first and then watch if confused? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas_mom Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Never mind I found the past message that I was looking for. To the OP this link might be helpful for you, too. I am right there with you! http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/476133-aops-prea-users-talk-me-through-how-you-use-it/?hl=%2Baops+%2Bschedule&do=findComment&comment=5095080 My son is VSL and so is my husband. I have to try, with my husband's help, to use with my son. This might be the program he needs and there are so many different ways to use it. Even in the book it says you can either use as a "discovery method" or use like a traditional course where you tell them how to do it. I guess with using the videos. It doesn't specify how to use it "traditionally". My son also loves Fred, so we are supplementing with LOF - Pre-alg Biology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 That was a great thread, wasn't it? So interesting to read all the different ways that people work through the book. Funny to go back and read your "old" thoughts, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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