What Pre-Algebra for a child who finds math barely tolerable?

[Chelli]

My oldest will be finishing up MUS Zeta this year, and I want to put her in a good pre-algebra for 8th grade. 

 

She will be taking Algebra at a local university model school where they use Foerster Algebra I, so I need something that will prepare her for that, but will also not be too much for her since her strengths or interests most decidedly do not lie with mathematics. 

 

Any suggestions?

[EKS]

Derek Owens, perhaps?

[EndOfOrdinary]

Have you asked why she doesn't like it? That would help on limiting curriculums.

 

In example, if it is because she has to puzzle out what they are asking, Saxon is perfect. It is very straight forward.

If it is that she does not want repetition, the AoPS would be good.

If it is that she just wants it done with, no explanation, just tell what to do, Math Mammoth would work if you eliminated extra problems when she could show she understood.

[popmom]

We had a good experience using Teaching Textbooks along with Life of Fred--both good options for a non mathy kid.  I guess it would be helpful if you could see the scope and sequence of the Foerster Algebra 1 book to compare with whatever curriculum you are considering.

I know a lot of people are critical of TT on here, but my daughter aced her precalculus/trig/algebra course her first semester of college. She spent the whole semester tutoring everyone who sat around her in class. And that is saying something because she would say math is her weakest subject.

[Chelli]

Have you asked why she doesn't like it? That would help on limiting curriculums.

 

In example, if it is because she has to puzzle out what they are asking, Saxon is perfect. It is very straight forward.

If it is that she does not want repetition, the AoPS would be good.

If it is that she just wants it done with, no explanation, just tell what to do, Math Mammoth would work if you eliminated extra problems when she could show she understood.

 

She doesn't like programs that give a lot of the why and try to force her to manipulate numbers (Singapore/Asian math type programs).

 

She doesn't like super cluttered pages or lots of problems on a page because it's overwhelming to her (Math Mammoth, Saxon).

 

She hated Life of Fred despite the story aspect which she usually likes.

 

Honestly Math U See is the only math program she has never complained about, but many people on these boards say that anything above Zeta is pretty watered down so MUS's Pre-Algebra is not a true pre-algebra program unless you add in their Algebra program as well. I don't know if we can get through both pre-algebra and algebra in one year or I'd just continue with MUS.

[SilverMoon]

She doesn't like programs that give a lot of the why and try to force her to manipulate numbers (Singapore/Asian math type programs).

 

She doesn't like super cluttered pages or lots of problems on a page because it's overwhelming to her (Math Mammoth, Saxon).

 

She hated Life of Fred despite the story aspect which she usually likes.

 

Honestly Math U See is the only math program she has never complained about, but many people on these boards say that anything above Zeta is pretty watered down so MUS's Pre-Algebra is not a true pre-algebra program unless you add in their Algebra program as well. I don't know if we can get through both pre-algebra and algebra in one year or I'd just continue with MUS.

 

Considering that last paragraph, I'd work out how to stick with MUS. Their prealg is a catchall for the concepts that were missed during the extreme mastery of their elementary program. Chances are she already knows some of it. I'd be sorely tempted to slice and dice it until it fits in a summer or slightly more and roll into alg 1. Skip some of the extra work, condense as you can, let her test out of sections if she can, etc.

 

My oldest was math phobic. R&S was the one for him. It wasn't easy by any means, but he could keep moving forward. He ended up in MUS with a tutor for high school though.

[Ravin]

If MUS is working for her, I would stick with it despite what others say about it. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

Edited February 20, 2017 by Ravin

[ScoutTN]

If she finishes MUS preA easily or before the years ends, she can always move into the Alg 1 course.

[kiana]

For bridging to Foerster I'd honestly be inclined to do MUS pre-algebra and then either another more rigorous pre-algebra or MUS algebra. 

[Chelli]

Considering that last paragraph, I'd work out how to stick with MUS. Their prealg is a catchall for the concepts that were missed during the extreme mastery of their elementary program. Chances are she already knows some of it. I'd be sorely tempted to slice and dice it until it fits in a summer or slightly more and roll into alg 1. Skip some of the extra work, condense as you can, let her test out of sections if she can, etc.

 

My oldest was math phobic. R&S was the one for him. It wasn't easy by any means, but he could keep moving forward. He ended up in MUS with a tutor for high school though.

 

I didn't know the bolded about the pre-alg program. I will definitely do this and move on to Algebra!

 

Thank you!

[ByGrace3]

Tag along question...would a MUS Algebra or a TT Algebra serve well as a prealgebra and prepare a child for Foresters Algebra?

[Lori D.]

Chelli, I'll just add another vote for sticking with MUS, as the Pre-Algebra really is good at drawing together all of the topics a student needs to be solid in for then going on to Algebra 1.

 

However, much as you and DD probably don't want to hear this, I also would strongly recommend adding in using Singapore or other supplement as a spine for developing the problem-solving, math thinking, and making math connections that will help prepare your DD for the word problems in Foerster Algebra 1. More than some programs, Foerster has a lot of "thinking problems" -- multi-step word problems -- that are somewhat similar to Singapore's word problems -- what your DD describes as "forcing you to manipulate numbers". ;)

 

In addition to being a helpful prep for the word problems DD will encounter with Foerster, I suggest supplementing MUS because I do think that is the one weak area of that program. The word problems tend to be similar and repetitive, and there is not much focus on teaching strategies for approaching word problems overall, or different kinds of word problems. If you can get your DD over the hurdle of dislike with Singapore and understanding how the program's "bar method" helps you visualize what you have and what you need in a word program (makes it concrete), that may help her actually get an understanding of math connections and what she's doing, rather than seeing it as random "forcing you to manipulate numbers." :)

 

We successfully used MUS as our spine, with excerpts from Singapore as a supplement with our math struggler, who sounds somewhat similar to your DD. He can't handle cluttered or busy pages, he needs to have a limited number of problems on a page to not be overwhelmed, and he can only focus on one math concept at a time (unlike Saxon with "bites" of multiple topics in one lesson). He is a very strong visual-spatial learner, and needs the concrete/tangible and visual presentations of Math that MUS provides. 

 

Abstract math is very difficult to grasp for this type of student, and sadly, Algebra is mostly about abstract topics. So, just giving you a heads-up that you *may* be in for a bumpy ride with DD when hitting Algebra, and esp. if having to switch away from the more concrete/visual presentation and head towards the more problem-solving approach of Foerster's. The more tools you can help her develop with Math in advance of that switch, the less rocky the Algebra road may be later on... ;)

 

I totally get not liking math -- DS had math melt-downs and math-rages like you wouldn't believe -- but if you're going to have to switch to something in the future that has more of a word-problem focus that works on "manipulating" numbers, then easing in to more practice of it now might be a lot easier, as some of MUS Pre-Algebra will be a review (and then going a bit deeper) of topics DD has already seen, and there's a good chance she'll move through MUS Pre-Algebra pretty quickly. Adding a second short, 15-minute Singapore (or other supplement) Math time later in the day, or doing MUS 4x/week and then excerpts from Singapore (or other) on the 5th day of the week is really quite do-able.

 

If you go with Singapore, you can start with excerpts from 4A/B, which will be all review topics, so DD will have a lot of confidence with it, and the word problems are less complex, so she can build confidence with a lot of early success. Then as you progress through MUS Pre-Algebra, you can move to excerpts from 5A/B and end your last lessons of MUS Pre-Algebra wit excerpts from 6A/B.

 

Just a thought, FWIW -- use or leave it, as it works for your family. :) BEST of luck in your Math journey! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited February 21, 2017 by Lori D.

[Insertcreativenamehere]

Have you looked at CLE's prealgebra (7th and 8th grade) program, condensed to fit into one year? 

[Tess in the Burbs]

My son hated math, still does.  He did fine with Derek Owens Pre-algebra.  At the time you could purchase the course outright.  I think you can email to inquire about getting the course as non graded for cheaper.  Seriously, for pre-algebra, do this.  The answers are given then and it's easy enough to figure out even if you don't have a background in math.  Both my kids did this course and have done well in other math programs.