happy7 Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 My son used Thinkwell for 6th grade math and really liked it. I'm thinking of using it for prealgebra. Is it enough? The 6th grade level seemed a little light on practice and review. He is good at math but probably will not end up pursuing math/science/engineering as a career. So I don't need rigorous, but I do want to challenge him. Is there an easy way to beef it up a little? My older son used the geometry, and I kind of felt the same way about it (just seemed like it needed more depth). But maybe prealgebra doesn't need to be complicated.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 My son used Thinkwell for 6th grade math and really liked it. I'm thinking of using it for prealgebra. Is it enough? The 6th grade level seemed a little light on practice and review. He is good at math but probably will not end up pursuing math/science/engineering as a career. So I don't need rigorous, but I do want to challenge him. Is there an easy way to beef it up a little? My older son used the geometry, and I kind of felt the same way about it (just seemed like it needed more depth). But maybe prealgebra doesn't need to be complicated.... I think you need to be careful about deciding what career path a child who has just finished 6th grade (I'm assuming) will take. I was a "humanities type" (in my geophysicist father's words) all through K-12, but halfway through college, I decided to major in biochemistry. That said--in response to your question--we used Thinkwell Prealgebra for awhile. My son loved the lectures but the problem sets were problematic on several levels. I do not recommend it even with "beefing up." Derek Owens Prealgebra is a solid choice. It's more expensive than Thinkwell, and his lectures aren't as flashy, but it is rigorous (without being AoPS rigorous). When we used it (after ditching Thinkwell) my son really liked having a teacher other than mom grading his papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I was also going to suggest Derek Owens. I've looked at samples of Thinkwell, but never used it because it seems people often ask whether it's enough. I figure if they have to ask, perhaps it's not enough FOR ME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Thinkwell gets no love here but I will say this: friend's child that's been using it exclusively scored far higher on the AMC than until-then AOPS-using son. She is mathy and he isn't, and they attended the same AMC prep class. *shrug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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