Chrysalis Academy Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) Totally editing this post, sorry, guys! I originally asked about whether advanced topics, like factoring higher degree polynomials and graphing conic sections, should be mastered in Algebra 1. So some of the answers are addressing that question. My new question: I'm wondering if anyone has experience with online assessments of Algebra 1 mastery. I'm looking at ALEKS and Let's Go Learn's DOMA, specifically, but I'm open to other suggestions. I'm looking for an objective/online assessment of dd's mastery of Algebra 1 concepts. I'd like an adaptive-type test that zeroes in on any holes and ideally that offers instruction to fill those holes. Anybody used ALEKS or DOMA for this purpose? Edited March 8, 2016 by Chrysalis Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 So I'm wondering whether to go for complete mastery at the end of Algebra 1 on some of these topics that will definitely be repeated in Algebra 2? I find it useful to go for complete mastery of algebra 1 then use the review in algebra 2 to build up speed. This is especially useful for my slower speed kid. Are you going for algebra 1->geometry->algebra 2? If you are, the review portion of algebra 2 is useful to have because things get forgotten after a year.. On the other hand if you are going from algebra 1 to algebra 2, then your child can speed through the review portion. Where algebra 1 ends and algebra 2 begins I have not really bother. I know how the aops books tally with the Larson non-common core algebra 1 and algebra 2 books. I had tally the books with California's version of common core state standards last year when I was too bored but it really is a tedious task. Shows how bored I was. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 We did the Algebra 1-Geometry-Algebra 2 progression largely because it seemed like there was so many repeated concepts. I can see a real benefit of going over stuff more than once with some space between. FWIW, in my state the algebra exam is taken after Algebra 2, but is basically just stuff covered in Algebra 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Algebra 1: consensus seems to be: linear equations with one unknown, systems of linear equations, quadratic equations incl factoring/quadratic formula/graphing parabolas. Conic sections are usually not covered in algebra 1, nor are higher polynomials. In the end, it does not matter what you put in which course. I gave my kids algebra 1 credit for the entire AoPS Intro to Algebra book. I would consider an algebra 1 program that does not over quadratics to be weak. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 I don't know if this would be enough,but here's the practice test for the PARCC Algebra 1 assessment. I may turn DD loose on it to see how she does :) http://epat-parcc.testnav.com/client/index.html#login?username=15A1HSPTEO&password=Practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 I'm in such a muddle here. Dd has basically finished Algebra 1. She's gotten good grades on all her tests. She's currently struggling a bit with a chapter on factoring higher-degree polynomials. I don't know whether it's a hill to die on or not. I'd really like to do an online assessment that identifies any holes. I know she needs more work on solving word problems, it's the only area that I can identify where she's weak. I was planning on having her start Geometry next, but I'd really like to somehow alternate Geometry and Algebra 2 topics so there is less forgetting. As long as she's not doing an online class, that should be straightforward. But that's a little up in the air too. I'm not confident in my ability to help her with Algebra 2 if she struggles, not without re-studying it all myself first. So I had thought we could do Geometry at home and then find a class for Algebra 2. But I'm kind of questioning the whole thing right now. So please excuse my muddled and confused questioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) A TE is helpful. My Dolciani Algebra 2 1986 TE has a diagnostic test at the beginning for the "Algebra 1 topics reviewed in Chapters 1-4". Chapter 1 is Basic Concepts, Chapter 2 is Inequalities and Proofs, Chapter 3 is Linear Equations and Functions, Chapter 4 Products and Factors of Polynomials (includes factoring quadradic Polynomials). I don't see graphing conic sections in either of Algebra books sitting on my kitchen table. What are using for Algebra 1 and geometry and looking at for Algebra 2? The Dolciani/ Brown TE's are set up with assignment guides for different paths through the books, and none of them cover everything. Lol you edited while I was typing! Momentarily confused. What Algebra 1 did you use? Edited March 8, 2016 by elladarcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 . She's currently struggling a bit with a chapter on factoring higher-degree polynomials. I don't know whether it's a hill to die on or not. It does get better with more practice. How was she with factorizing quadratic equations? It is a hill to climb over, not a hill to die on. Aleks has a 48 hour free trial. I let my youngest loose on the pre-test and was entertained by it. If you let your daughter do the Aleks free pre-test, watch as she do it or the results would be meaningless. I don't think the pre-test was well done but it was free and it was a slow day for my youngest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) She's done the Arbor Math books - Crocodiles & Coconuts and Chuckles the Rocket Dog. She has really, really enjoyed them, and she's done well on those tests and on tests for Jacobs Elementary Algebra (Callahan's tests). I made her do both to get an outside validation of the Arbor tests. On the one hand, I'm really glad we used the Arbor books, because she enjoyed them so much, but I am kind of regretting it a tiny bit right now just because the S&S was a little unusual, and I'm having trouble knowing if we're . . . done with Algebra 1 or not. Hence the search for a good diagnostic assessment that might also provide lessons if any holes are identified. ETA: She also did EdX's Introduction to Algebra class - easy peasy. For Geometry, I think we're going to use A Fresh Approach. It seemed the most similar to what she's liked about the Arbor books - written directly to the student, with a very clean worktext format, not a traditional high school textbook look - she hates that. She used MM in elementary, and that very clean worktext worked well for her. She doesn't really like video lectures all that much. She prefers self-teaching and working independently on math, which is ok, but I guess it leaves me with less of a feel for how solid her math knowledge is at this point. Like I said, her test scores have all been high - low 90s, only one ~87%. But we both have identified that she needs more practice on word problems, she is pretty shaky about how to set them up, though she has no trouble solving the equation once she figures it out how to translate the words into an equation. For Algebra 2, I have no idea - if she likes A Fresh Approach we could continue with that. Otherwise I'll be shopping around for an online class. Edited March 8, 2016 by Chrysalis Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 For topics how about http://cty.jhu.edu/ctyonline/courses/mathematics/algebra_1.html For assessment Try taking a New York State Common Core Algebra Regents exam (freely available). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Bumping. I'd love to hear from ALEKS users - how you used it in your homeschool, what you think of it. Is it good at teaching new concepts? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Togo Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 DOMA - This test is required from our home school cover until the student has a high enough ACT score. It is good and thorough. DOMA does a good job pinpointing weak areas. ALEKS - Dd tried ALEKS pre-calculus this year, so she did an assessment to determine which parts of the course she already knew. It did a fairly good job of that, but I wouldn't use it as an assessment tool for Algebra I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.