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Horizons Pre-Algebra is a dud ( for us). Help, please?


DPM43
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Hello -- My daughter is currently about 12 lessons into the most current Horizons Pre-Algebra program and it really isn't working for her.  She is generally pretty good at math but is frustrated with Horizons because it is asking her to solve problems without showing her the steps necessary in order to accurately do so.  For example, the way square roots were explained was that a square root of any given number is a multiple of that number.  End of story. The lesson then proceeded to ask her to solve several square root problems. Occasionally it will ask her to perform a certain task and then explain the necessary steps a few lessons later. Perhaps this works for some, but it has led to lots of discouragement for her.

 

Any recommendations for a program which is challenging but thorough as far as providing clear explanations and examples with each concept introduced? 

 

Thank you

 

 

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Saxon 8/7.

 

After horizon for elementary their pre-Alg didn't work here either.

 

Same here!  She really liked the Horizon elementary series but PA has been nothing but frustration. I don't understand the thinking behind expecting a student to understand a concept never taught in anything even approaching a comprehensive manner. It's been a very disappointing experience.

 

Thanks for your recommendation.

 

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We used Horizons math K-6 but didn't like the look of pre-algebra at all.  I knew I wanted to use the Dolciani texts for Alg 1 & 2, so we opted for the Dolciani Pre-Algebra: An Accelerated Approach text.  It worked well for all three of my students and for the 7th grader I did math with this past year.  Clear explanations, no fluff. 

 

(Looks like something's going on with the price. It's only available used, but the prices on amazon are crazy right now. I wouldn't pay more than $25-30 for the text.)

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It was a bust here for one of mine several years ago.  I would either do Saxon (1/2 or 8/7) (FWIW, I keep running into groups and or people who use Saxon for pre-algebra even though they use a different publisher for the rest of higher math), or Derek Owens Pre Algebra, partly depending on how much review your student needs and also how much more practice he/she needs with arithmetic.  

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We also use Dolciani Pre-Algebra (1986/1988) but we do a lecture with our child for each lesson and go over the class exercises before assigning the written exercises.

 

Are you looking for a program your child can do independently, or are you willing to teach the course? I think that info would make a great difference in which program you should choose.

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We also use Dolciani Pre-Algebra (1986/1988) but we do a lecture with our child for each lesson and go over the class exercises before assigning the written exercises.

 

Are you looking for a program your child can do independently, or are you willing to teach the course? I think that info would make a great difference in which program you should choose.

 

Dolciani is pretty much out of my price range at this point and I need to redirect her right away so I'm not waiting for the price to ( hopefully) go down. I am willing to "help" -- math isn't my strong suit but I can dredge some pre-Algebra from my memory and aid her in searching for online helps if necessary.  So, she will need to be work independently for the most part.

 

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The recommendations for Saxon 8/7 are interesting.  I have never used Saxon.  Is it a curriculum that can be utilized independently by the student  with success?  Also, is Saxon 8/7 homeschool edition the preferred text? Thank you!

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The recommendations for Saxon 8/7 are interesting.  I have never used Saxon.  Is it a curriculum that can be utilized independently by the student  with success?  Also, is Saxon 8/7 homeschool edition the preferred text? Thank you!

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One of my kids used Dolciani. There are copies on Abebooks of the student text for a reasonable price at the moment - two for around $15. The teacher manual has a copy going for less than $15 on Amazon, which is really a good deal - it used to be harder to track down. I think the explanations are generally excellent. It gives a lot of good example problems. The word problems are great.

 

That said - if you want to start right away and you want something firmly geared toward the student, I'd go with Math Mammoth's pre-algebra.

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One of my kids used Dolciani. There are copies on Abebooks of the student text for a reasonable price at the moment - two for around $15. The teacher manual has a copy going for less than $15 on Amazon, which is really a good deal - it used to be harder to track down. I think the explanations are generally excellent. It gives a lot of good example problems. The word problems are great.

 

...

  I'll second (third?) the Dolciani. One of mine has done very well with it.  And that IS a good price for the teacher's manual--I paid much more than that for mine. 

 

 

BJU has a good Pre Algebra as well--I have used the older (much cheaper:) ) edition with two kids so far.  

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yep, my dd used Horizons from grade 1 all the way to Pre=Alg and couldn't make it through- moving way too fast, not explaining concepts, etc.

 

We moved onto Derek Owens and it was great in some ways, but the lack of review caused a real problem.  My dd forgot almost everything by the time the exam came around.

 

I would recommend Saxon 8/7 or Algebra 1/2.  If your child is super strong at arithmetic, and basic math, then pick ALg 1/2.  If your child needs more work with word problems, more work with fractions, decimals, percents, and an intro to Algebra pick 8/7.  

 

There are other great programs but these are the ones with which I have experience.

 

 

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One of my kids used Dolciani. There are copies on Abebooks of the student text for a reasonable price at the moment - two for around $15. The teacher manual has a copy going for less than $15 on Amazon, which is really a good deal - it used to be harder to track down. I think the explanations are generally excellent. It gives a lot of good example problems. The word problems are great.

 

 

 

Yes, that is a good price.  The places I looked were way more expensive -- the teacher text alone was over $100. Thank you!

 

ETA:  I just checked out Abebooks and only found one copy in acceptable condition, student edition, for around $28. Didn't see any teacher's editions. Would you mind sending the link (s) to the books you found? I'm usually pretty good at finding stuff but have struck out on Abe this time around, for some reason.

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We went from Horizons 6 to MUS Pre-algebra. (We never ended up trying Horizons Pre-A--it came out just as my oldest would have needed it, and when I looked at the samples online, I was concerned that it didn't have enough explanation. Sorry you've had a negative experience with it!)

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Yes, that is a good price.  The places I looked were way more expensive -- the teacher text alone was over $100. Thank you!

 

ETA:  I just checked out Abebooks and only found one copy in acceptable condition, student edition, for around $28. Didn't see any teacher's editions. Would you mind sending the link (s) to the books you found? I'm usually pretty good at finding stuff but have struck out on Abe this time around, for some reason.

 

Okay... yeah, looking on Abebooks, the two cheaper copies say considerable wear. But less than $30 is still decent...

 

On Amazon... this is downright confusing.

 

If you look at the search page and scroll down, there's a TE listed with two different selling prices - one high ($395) and one low ($12.95) - I went from the lower price when I posted:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_rsis_1_0?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pre-algebra+an+accelerated+course&sprefix=%2Caps%2C208

 

 

But if you click on the lower one, it takes you to this page, and I think this is the student books, though I really don't know. I did have something similar happen when I bought the Dolciani Algebra and it *was* the TE (I had just decided to risk it for the cheap price). So... I'm not sure...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0395359872/ref=sr_1_7_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1495719626&sr=8-7&keywords=pre-algebra+an+accelerated+course

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I have the Dolciani Pre-A Teacher's Edition (not the solution key)

 

ISBN 0395430518  copyright 1985/ 1988

 

Check that isbn before you buy--I have seen (and bought) way too many student books (with odd answers in back)  that were listed as teacher's editions. 

 

 

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Okay... yeah, looking on Abebooks, the two cheaper copies say considerable wear. But less than $30 is still decent...

 

On Amazon... this is downright confusing.

 

If you look at the search page and scroll down, there's a TE listed with two different selling prices - one high ($395) and one low ($12.95) - I went from the lower price when I posted:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_rsis_1_0?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pre-algebra+an+accelerated+course&sprefix=%2Caps%2C208

 

 

But if you click on the lower one, it takes you to this page, and I think this is the student books, though I really don't know. I did have something similar happen when I bought the Dolciani Algebra and it *was* the TE (I had just decided to risk it for the cheap price). So... I'm not sure...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0395359872/ref=sr_1_7_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1495719626&sr=8-7&keywords=pre-algebra+an+accelerated+course

 

Thanks very much!  I appreciate your search on my behalf.  :)

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