StaceyinLA Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 What are the positives of this program? How many "aids" are there? I'm algebra-phobic, even after teaching 3 kids algebra, but I want something better for my son than I had for my girls. I have been looking at Foersters and trying to get feedback on it, but I'm not getting many responses. So tell me about Jacobs. What's to like, and what's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawneinfl Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 No answers but I'm curious about this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yslek Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I'm not there yet, but I've looked into this as I plan on using Jacobs with dc when we get there. :) Kolbe Academy offers a DVD to acompany the Jacobs text here: http://www.kolbe.org/Algebra_I___Harold_Jacobs_Elementary_Algebra_DVDs-p22493.html They also offer a course plan: http://www.kolbe.org/8th_Grade_Jacobs_Algebra_Syllabus_%26_Course_Plans_(Free_to_registered_families)-p22390.html HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathie in VA Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hi Stacey, I'm also debating between Foersters and Jacobs Alegebra books. I've heard that Jacob's is more kid friendly, ie written in a lighter style. However do take note that the answer key does not have the solutions written out. It sounds like Foester's is written in a more 'to the point' type of writing.... just a different style. I've also heard that it goes a bit deeper, or offers a higher level of application type problems. Anyway here's some links that might help: Foerster's: http://mathematicallycorrect.com/a1foerst.htm http://www.homeschoolmath.net/reviews/foerster_algebra_1_home_study_companion.php http://www.wtmboards.com/HSboardmay25/messages/1416.html http://www.mathwithoutborders.com/Algebra-I/index.html Jacob's: http://woodburyschool.com/catalog/newsletters/focus_on_math.html (scroll down a bit) http://www.pahomeschoolers.com/jacobs.html http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=642 And here is a comparison of the two from "the Hive": http://67.202.21.157/forums/showthread.php?t=39265 hths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Pro: - very gentle and incremental - divided into "sets", so it's easy to either slow down a lesson, or skip parts and speed it up depending on student's needs - every lesson has a comic strip, fascinating science tidbit, or real life example to help you see the concrete and real-life applications of the abstract concepts of algebra Neutral: - answers to every problem (some at back of student textbook; some in teacher book) Con: - no solutions - some of the reproductions of "overhead transparencies" in the teacher book are too dark and smudgy to make out - the teacher manual is not that helpful -- it usually just includes another example of how to explain the concept aloud to the class, similar to what was presented in the student textbook Our experiences with Jacobs: I'm just average at math (though I am usually quick to pick up patterns and understand how material in most subjects connect or how the manual is trying to teach the material). But I never had any troubles with Jacobs. The problems were all simple enough for me to go through and see the step if a student ran into a problem. Our older son is a math whiz, and had NO problems with Jacobs. Our younger math-struggling son is doing Jacobs this year, and so far he's only had 2 melt-down days (one was due to having to start school again after Christmas break :ack2:). This child has never "gotten" abstract concepts of any kind, so I really thought he'd have much more of a problem with algebra than he is. While he doesn't like algebra, Jacobs is so gentle and incremental he's had very few problems with it, and he doesn't even need or want us to use the teacher book. The threads below have some great reviews on algebra programs in these past threads; don't be misled by the thread titles -- each of these threads includes in depth comments on the 2 algebra programs you are specifically asking about as well. : ) BEST of luck in making a decision! Warmly, Lori D. Teaching Textbooks? http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70523&highlight=jacobs+algebra+video Foerster or Jacobs? http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11222&highlight=jacobs+algebra+video Jacobs Algebra http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40183&highlight=jacobs+algebra+video Are there are video math programs... http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32409&highlight=jacobs+algebra+video Algebra curriculum -- help please! http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17705&highlight=jacobs+algebra+video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 My dd was able to learn from the book with only occasional help. I do have to keep up with checking her work so she doesn't slide through and not understand something. We just back up and start again when she feels stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I've posted many times on the whole Jacobs/Foerster question so I may be repeating things that you have already read on the links provided by Lori D. And, may I add...wow, that was really nice of you Lori to take all that time to pull that together!!! Stacey, I think the real reason you weren't getting any hits on your initial question was that you were looking for input on using the Foerster Al I text with the DVD's from MAth without Borders. I think a lot of us old timers didn't have the benefit of that being an option when our kids went through it. So, we might know something about Foerster, but nothing about the Math without borders option, KWIM? I am digging back a little in my memory, but here is my take on the whole Jacobs vs Foerster question. I sat down and compared them side by side, chapter and verse back when ds was in jr high and about to take Al I. They are so similar that the explanations are virtually indistinguishable. Both texts are great self-teaching texts simply because they are so well written. Both texts have great examples and problems that go from basic to challenging word problems. The problem sets even have extremely similar word problems at times. So, what is different? Foerster does go a little further and deeper, but hey, it is Al I so I have to question whether you really need that extra depth and complexity at AL I (assuming you are going to AL II and perhaps beyond). Jacobs has great little cartoons at the beginning of each chapter. May seem silly and irrelevant, but I guarantee you that it adds a very nice touch. A little levity is a very good thing in a math course. Foerster has a more complete solutions manual rather than an answer key (which is what Jacob's has). This is a slight drawback for Jacobs, but we are talking about AL I. I was SEVERELY math phobic and I was able to figure out everything in Jacobs from the examples when needed. I really mean it....I was shaking in my boots, but I was fine with Jacobs. Jacobs has a great Geometry text as a next course. It dovetails really well after the AL I and includes a great Al I review built in. There is no problem transitioning from AL I to Geometry this way...and since geometry is proofs for the most part, the answer key is really a solutions manual in the case of Geometry. The transition to Al II with Foerster is a breeze if you have done the Jacobs Al I and Geometry courses. The two fit together as well as if they had been written to go with each other....really. Okay....I've droned on way too long even for the hive mind.....hope this helps someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 I had actually considered CD and hoped to weed it out due to price, but now, after the discussions, I'm rethinking it... I just don't know what I'll do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langfam Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) Choosing math curriculum is mind-boggling. What I've learned is that it *really* depends on the child. My personal favorite Alg 1 book is Foerster's because it's my learning style most likely. Last year, 8th grade ds used Jacob's and really didn't like the wordiness of the text. He didn't do well with it, we so had to stop at chapter 6, even after slowing down and reviewing. He just didn't want to go on with it. This year we are using Chalkdust and he loves the Larson text, the structure and organization of the book makes sense to him and he likes that (his words) it looks professional! Well, my DD on the other hand, although she loves Dana Mosely hated the Larson text for Precalculus. I had to switch her to TT after 3 chapters of Larson. She is soooo much happier now and breezing through. If you could buy inexpensive copies of each of the textbooks via www.dealoz.com or amazon your child might help you make the decision. I have isbn #s: Foerster's; http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-I-Expressions-Equations-Applications/dp/0201860945 Larson: http://www.dealoz.com/prod.pl?cat=book&op=buy&q=ean%3D9780618388172%26data_id%3D150790%26isbn%3D0618388176%26mfr%3DHoughton%2520Mifflin%2520Company%26list_price%3D122.76%26asin%3D0618388176&store_id=&start=0&rcount=2&lang=en-us&search_country=us&shipto=us&cur=usd&zip=&nw=y&limit=100&sort=featured&class=&shipping_pref=cost I've bought Foersters' and Larson texts very inexpensively. Jacob's you may have to borrow to look at. Here's a sample pdf of Jacob's ...first link: http://www.google.com/search?q=jacobs+algebra+sample+pages&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-a TT has samples online. Just my thoughts. Edited January 11, 2009 by langfam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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