Jump to content

Menu

If we wanted to do another year of Algebra....


Recommended Posts

Ds is 7th grade...turning 13 next week.  He's doing fine with Jacob's algebra/callahan videos.  He is following their schedule and doing the tests.  He's about halfway through the program but said he wants to do another year of algebra.  He has no confidence in his math skills.  However, his scores show he knows/understands the stuff. 

 

So if I were going to entertain another algebra year...what program to do after Jacob's.  Not really wanting an online class b/c he has other online classes planned for next year for the first time and I can't afford a $600-800 math class.  

 

He's capable, but has no confidence.  And I really prefer something he can do on his own or watch a video.  I just truly have no idea what to do after Jacob's.  

 

thanks!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be listening in, as we'll be in the same boat - finishing Jacobs and maybe wanting to do something else before officiallly starting Geometry in 9th grade.  One thing you might want to check out, I just found it today and have been playing with it all morning - schoolyourself.org has self-paced interactive video courses for Algebra, Geometry, Trig, PreCalculus & Calculus.  You can do it self-paced, or if you want a class you can sign up for Edx classes, there is an Algebra 1 class (and a Geometry class) starting in February.  I'm not sure how the classes will work or be paced, but my understanding is that they will use the schoolyourself platform.

 

I really like this platform so far.  It has a very clear, direct, engaging voice, with really great graphics.  You answer questions on the screen, every 30 sec to 1 min, and if you get it wrong, it explains why the answer and lets you try again.  No long video lectures leading to zone out, no questions without feedback for wrong answers.  I'm not sure how it would work for learning things the first time, because there aren't a ton of practice problems, but for reviewing, self-ed, filling in holes, or confidence building for a kid who has covered this stuff before, I think it looks completely awesome.  I think it's going to be an ideal Pre-Geometry, too.

 

And did I mention it's free?   :001_wub:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

DS will be doing both the Algebra and Geometry course from schoolyourself.org offered by edX.  I don't have a particular curriculum to suggest other then AOPS. I'd try something that explains concepts in a different way then Jacobs.  Also you could get a start on Geometry by doing 3-4 days Alg. 1-2 days Geometry (introduction style no proofs).  That's what we're doing so it's not another whole year of Algebra.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Suggestions:  Lial or Chalkdust or Foerster

 

We used Foerster's for our 2nd year through Algebra 1.  Here's my review.

 

We used Foerster’s Algebra in 8th grade after completing MUS Algebra (easy) and LoF Algebra (challenging).  With 20/20 hindsight, I wish I had done something different for 7th grade, perhaps MUS Algebra and Patty Paper Geometry.  I was able to obtain the 1999 student book and 1999 teacher book used.  I purchased the solutions manual new through Prentice Hall.

 

Pros:

  • Clear, easy to understand explanations
  • Explicit, step-by-step working through problems
  • Sufficient practice and continual review of concepts
  • Clear building upon and relationships between concepts
  • Explicit demonstration of how to apply concepts to word problems
  • Challenging, real-life word problems
  • Solutions manual provides worked out solutions for every problem
  • Solid preparation for ACT/SAT, sciences, college level math
  • Amusing names in many word problems:  Moe Delaune, Mary Thon, Fran Tick, etc.
  • Math Without Borders DVDs available

 

Cons:

  • None

 

Here is an example from Foerster’s Chapter 6 on the Quadratic Formula:

In Foerster's Chapter 6 they teach the quadratic formula. That's

x = [-b +- sqrt(b2-4ac)]/2a

(not easy to type here)
Within this chapter, they teach the vertical motion formula: d = rt - 5t(squared)
They have a section with 12 problems. The TM says to take 2 days to do these problems, but only do 3 problems a day. Here is the first one:
Football problem - A football is kicked into the air with an initial upward velocity of 25 meters per second (m/sec).
a. Calculate it's height after 2 seconds; 3 seconds
b. When will it be 20 meters above the ground?
c. Copy the diagram. Show the answers to part (a) in relationship to the 20 meters of part b.
d. When will the ball hit the ground?

 

We used 1999 student and teacher text. The solution manual was from the publisher and it had no date on it.  It worked fine.

 

student 020132458X

teacher 0201324598

solution 0201861003

 

FWIW - I have a degree in math and ds is math-oriented.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We also did Foeresters with my two boys, after MUS Algebra.  It worked wonderfully for one child but not the other.  It sounds like your son is math-oriented, though, so probably a good fit in that situation.   MUS Geometry could be done concurrently if you wanted (its VERY easy...even for the slower child!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could you do something like Chuckles the Rocket Dog (it's the final follow up to Jousting Armadillos)? Or would that be too much repetition? I just thought since it's shortish and written sort of differently that maybe it would be an option. Or, and I'm not usually a fan, but a Life of Fred book? I guess I just know if I was in that situation, I'd want to do something a little different from what I'd done.

 

I also think if it was me, I'd move on to geometry concurrently with whatever you do. But again, maybe that's just me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We used LoF Algebra along with MUS Algebra in 7th grade.  With 20/20 hindsight, I wish we had used MUS Algebra and Patty Paper Geomety.  Here is my review:

 

Life of Fred website is http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/index2.html 

We used LoF Algebra in 7 th grade.  We have the student book and the home companion.

 

Pros:

  • humorous
  • can be used independently
  • good variety of problems
  • good depth of problems (ie. challenging)
  • Stan Schmidt is helpful if problems arise

 

Cons:

  • Verbose (ds is more of a just-the-facts-ma’am kind of guy)
  • many answers immediately follow the problems (tempting ds to look too soon)
  • sometimes he teaches in the answers to problems (ds doesn’t take the time to read it)
  • student may need additional practice

 

I thought LoF was humorous, rigorous, and challenging.  However, it did not fit my ds’s learning style well.  Or perhaps he was a bit too immature for it (raging hormones created fog brain that year).  FWIW, I have a degree in math, and generally math comes easily to ds.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Well...let me preface this with the observation that ds is in the midst of raging puberty and I'm in the midst of raging peri-menopause.

I have a degree in math. Ds generally picks up math quickly. However, he is lazy and does not particularly like to think, much less think hard. He does not particularly like to work, much less work hard. Sigh!

LoF is humorous. However, we both tend to like clear and concise. There is a lot of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah in LoF. Funny stuff, but on and on. Verbose is the way to describe it. So, you're having a really good time, enjoying the story, and then BAM! You're supposed to think???!!! You're supposed to work???!!! Not likely.

Since it is supposed to be written to the student, I don't sit there and read it to him or teach it to him, and he is totally clueless when it comes time to apply what he's read. Well, maybe not totally clueless. The author encourages the students to email him with questions, but with my degree in math and ds's personality, that ain't gonna happen. So, then I have to wade through all the blah, blah, blah to find the pertinent parts in order to help ds.

The long and the short of it is that ds can do about 1/2 the end of the chapter problems without help, and then he only gets about half right. It's definitely more challenging than MUS (and that's a good thing), which ds whizzes through without much trouble.

One thing that really bugs me about LoF is that the answers to most problems are right there after wards. I prefer the answers to be in another book because ds it too tempted to look. He could have at least put them in the back of the book, but nope, right there after the questions. I use post-it notes liberally. Another thing that bugs me about it is that he sometimes actually TEACHES while explaining the answers. That's great, but ds isn't going to read any explanation about it in the answers.

So, although it's not a glowing review of LoF, I have to admit that part of it is raging hormones on both our parts, part of it is how it fits or doesn't fit his learning style, and part of it is student motivation.

I think LoF would work better for a more self-motivated student than mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if LOF is more challenging than Jacobs?  I haven't looked at it in a while.  I do remember that it had good word problems, and a good explanation of how to turn word problems into equations.  We could use more work with that.

 

My dd hit her first glitch with Jacobs today, with rate word problems.  The lesson didn't give enough explanation at all, just worked through a couple of examples.  I'm not good at explaining how to do these - I can figure them out, but it takes trial and error sometimes, and it doesn't necessarily explain the principle behind it in a way she can apply to other problems.  So I'm looking for something that does a good job with explaining how to transform word problems - especially rate type problems - into equations.  I will have to pull out LOF and Zaccaro RWA again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

he didn't like LOF when I owned it.  I since sold it b/c dd wasn't interested in it either.  I hadn't thought about MUS or TT.  I still think he should try geometry and if he gets stuck then we pull out another alg 1 option then.  Since he likes videos we would use a video program....I may have to watch with him...it's not my fav subject at all.  Which is probably why I was so open to whatever he wanted, so long as we didn't have to do geometry lol. 

 

we have the callahan videos this year.  but I have looked at mathwithoutborders.  I forget about chalkdust...need to look at that again.  

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If he likes the Jacob's format, the 3rd ed of Jacobs geometry is solid if not "proof-y" and has algebra review built in.

 

Like many other folks, I like Foerster's as an option for a second run through algebra in this situation.

 

Personally, I would either move on to the 3rd ed of Jacob's geometry or do a problem solving curriculum interleaved with Foerster's. Jacob's "Math a Human Endeavor" would be an option, but I would choose "Crossing The River With Dogs". We have the '94 edition which seems to have cheap student[1] and teacher editions[2] on amazon.

 

"Crossing The River With Dogs" might be a great way to both scaffold problem solving skills and build mathematical confidence.

 

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Solving-Strategies-Mathematical-Adventures/dp/1559530685/ $0.39 + $3.99 shipping

[2] www.amazon.com/Problem-Solving-Strategies-Crossing-Teachers/dp/1559530693/  $6.35 + $3.99 shipping

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like raptor_dad's idea (either of them) quite a bit but I'd also incorporate some algebra review. 

 

If you do decide to go with algebra, I'd recommend against TT or MUS as those are not as strong as Jacobs -- a second runthrough ought to be with a more rigorous program rather than a less unless the first runthrough resulted in an utter failure. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We used AoPS Intro to Algebra.  Then we followed up with TabletClass for review and reinforcement of concepts over the Summer before moving on to Geometry this Fall.  I highly recommend TabletClass as another perspective for Algebra review based on your description.  They are also having their half off sale which ends today.   It's only $50 for a full year which is well worth it, IMO:  http://tabletclass.com/homeschool/tabletclass-math-discount.aspx

 

We also own Foerster and Dolciani Algebra texts.  But I think TabletClass is more engaging and a more complete package with the full lessons and fully worked out problems.  In addition John Zimmerman provides excellent support.  That's not to say Foerster isn't a great text.  It's just that - a text vs. a full course.  So it really depends what you are looking for at this point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a great thread! Ds12 is a little less than half way done with Jacob's. I am pondering the idea of having him do another algebra program after Jacob's is done because he is not strong in math and I would like him to be solid in algebra 1. I also want to hold him back one year for math because he is a very young 12 yr old. I just wonder if he will be delayed if I do so. Now I will read the responses to your post. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ok, he made another 90 on his math test this week.  He doesn't want to repeat Alg 1 right now.  

 

I am considering trying the AoPS Alg.  If he feels confident we will go ahead with the Dr Callahan/Jacobs geometry for next year.   I believe this has review of Alg built in.  

 

I just feel like it takes him forever to do his work.  Some days he can spend hours doing just a few problems.  But he got the math test done quickly ;-)  

 

I guess we will see as the year progresses which direction we will go.  thank you so very much for all the ideas/suggestions.  I don't know why I had ruled out AoPS long ago, but looking again, I may get it to try it out.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

he hates math.  He's good at it, but has zero confidence.  Dh thinks he should just move to geometry and try it.  Ds wants more algebra b/c he doesn't think he's good at it.  I really have no preference....just want him to be ok with what he's doing.  

 

Will it help if you explain that Geometry contains a considerable amount of Algebra, and he will also revisit some of the Algebra topics in Algebra II?  Another option, rather than working through a whole 'nother Algebra text, would be to pull a "word problem of the day" (or a couple) from an Algebra text.  I would probably take a decent text (I like McDougal Littell, but there are many that would work), and divide it into roughly five sections.  Then stick a paper clip in the beginning of each section.  Each day, choose a problem from one of the sections.  The chapter review pages typically have a good mix to choose from.  Over the course of a week, you will do one problem from each section of the text.  Move the paperclips as you work through the sections.  This way you will get a good mix of review problems. If this is too mixed up, try doing problems from the first section each day for a week, then use the second section the next week, cycling back through after five weeks.  

 

This sounds complicated, but it is fairly easy to sit down at the beginning of the year and go through the text, choose appropriate problems for each chapter, then make a schedule accordingly. Say there are 12 chapters and you do 180 days.  That's 15 problems per chapter.  Choose your problems.  Then think about how you want to cycle through - a problem from each chapter, for 12 days, then repeat 15 times, for a truly mixed-up review?  Or a problem from every other chapter (the evens) then cycle back through the odds, repeat?  Or go through three times, doing 5 problems per chapter each time (giving you one full week on a given topic)?  Or go through only once, doing 15 problems per chapter?  Once you have your plan, write out your schedule accordingly.  (Day 1 - p. 43, #27.  Day 2 - p. 61, #32, ...  Day 180 - p. 341, #12)  Your ds can then cross off the problems as he does them, and can also have the option to do several days' worth at once if he's in the groove.  Make sure he checks his answers and takes the time to make sure he understands the topic!

 

Another option would be to get the supplementary materials that go with a text, and use those.  As an example, the McDougal Littell series has a wide variety of choices of assessment materials, including a one-page worksheet for each chapter with seven or eight typical word problems.  Again I would probably mix it up a bit over the week, or from week to week, so that you're hitting a variety of topics on a regular basis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...