Teaching Textbooks and High School Science

[BrandieRose]

Hi all!

I'm looking for Teaching Textbook veterans to share their experiences.  I just switched my upcoming eighth grader from Saxon to Teaching Textbooks Algebra. He has also just finished Apologia General Science.  Physical Science comes next in line.

 

I've heard that TT can be slow and that Algebra is equivalent to most people's Pre-Algebra and half of Algebra. I don't mind this since he's in 8th, but I'm concerned about science.  He'll be starting Physical Science this year and Biology his ninth grade year. If TT is really a year behind, will he be lost in his science?  I'm thinking if TT has a slower pace, maybe I should also do science at a slower pace too. Should I leave Physical Science till 9th grade? I'd be grateful for any experiences you can share!

 

Brandie

 

 

[OneStepAtATime]

Not a TT veteran but unless you are using a Biology course that includes a ton of math (most don't) that should be fine.  Usually it is Chemistry and Physics that have the more intense math included.

[Amateur Actress]

Physical Science freshman year is fine...the Christian high school here requires it for freshman. I also took it as a high school freshman back in the day.

[BrandieRose]

Not a TT veteran but unless you are using a Biology course that includes a ton of math (most don't) that should be fine.  Usually it is Chemistry and Physics that have the more intense math included.

 

Thank you for your reply! It's actually having him take Chemistry after finishing "Algebra 2 that is equivalent to everyone else's Algebra 1" that I'm worried about.

[OneStepAtATime]

Oh, makes sense.  So if he shifted things for High School he would do Physical Science, then Biology, then Chemistry, then Physics?  Along with TT Algebra II/Geometry/Pre-Calc?/?  Or...?

[Renaissance Mom]

My oldest did TT algebra 1 in 8th along with physical science. She continued with TT thru precalc in 11th grade (did physics that year too). She is not a math kid at all but had no problem with the math required for chem or physics.

 

Her sequence was:

8th algebra 1, physical science

9th alternate algebra 2 and geometry, biology

10th finish alternating algebra 2 and geometry, chemistry

11th precalc, physics

12th statistics, DE earth science

Edited July 28, 2016 by Renaissance Mom

[freesia]

Ds did Chem after TT Alg 2( which is not equivalent to just Alg 1) and had no problem with the math needed. The Akgebra needed for Chem is pretty basic.

[GoodGrief]

We had zero issues with TT being "behind". My daughter excelled, and continues to excel, in both math and science with a foundation of TT.

[Lolly]

 

 

I've heard that TT can be slow and that Algebra is equivalent to most people's Pre-Algebra and half of Algebra.

 

Brandie

 

 

You probably did hear that. It doesn't mean it is true. In fact, it is not. After being convinced by people "who know about math" that TT was not up to snuff, I moved my first dd from TT algebra to a publisher the board approved of. Not only was she fully prepared from algebra 2, it was 3/4ths review of TT algebra 1 (which is normal in math). She had zero problems other than being a little bored. I left my other 3 in TT the whole way through high school. No problems were caused by this decision. No learning lost. No difficulties encountered in high school or college math or sciences. Proceed forward in a normal fashion. All should be well.

 

edit to add-- This was with the original format for TT. I do have some reservations about the changes I have heard about. I did not like the set-up for precalc (multiple choice answers to choose from). I think the newer/computerized versions are more similar to this only with computer grading? Personally, I would not have used any math program set up like that.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Lolly

[Renaissance Mom]

This was with the original format for TT. I do have some reservations about the changes I have heard about. I did not like the set-up for precalc (multiple choice answers to choose from). I think the newer/computerized versions are more similar to this only with computer grading? Personally, I would not have used any math program set up like that.

We used the original format for geometry and precalc but did use the second versions (auto graded) for both algebra courses. When the second version of geometry came out, I spoke with one of the authors to ask about how they handled proofs in the newer version. He said that the multiple choice format within the proofs was intended to teach students how to do proofs, but that as they improved, they should do them independently on paper all the way through before checking them. I can understand that logic, but I would be concerned with my kids depending on the limited choices too much that they'd never get to the independent level...at least for geometry.

[klmama]

The problem with TT isn't necessarily with the program itself - it may be that the learning needs of the student just aren't a good match.  I know a girl who used TT through Algebra 2 and then tested directly into Pre-calculus at the high school when she enrolled, so it can certainly be sufficient. Yet, I know a different student who grasps math when it's presented but forgets it easily who needs a lot more practice problems than TT provides in order to remember the material.  Same books + different students = different outcomes.