wtmviolet Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I am looking into using Chalk Dust for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive, with the cost of the program being the only major negative issue. However, are these courses rigorous and thorough? Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamarind Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 The Chalk Dust math courses follow the Larson texts; the Larson texts receive positive reviews at mathematicallycorrect.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsintheGarden Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Ds used CD Geometry through Calculus (we didn't know about it when he did Algebra I). He got a 5 on the Calculus AB exam last year. This year he's in engineering school at VA Tech and has gotten A's in all of his math classes so far (2 fall semester, 2 spring semester). He feels he was well-prepared for the rigors of college math. Dh and I are both electrical engineers by education (I'm retired :001_smile:). We have in-depth familiarity with these textbooks and feel they are excellent. We have a few quibbles with how well things are explained here and there, and have found a few errors in the solution manuals, but overall we are very happy with our choice. The number, variety, and rigor of the problems is just what we wanted. We have also purchased the CD Algebra I course as well, and are very pleased with that, too. Best wishes, GardenMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhrice3 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I can only commit on what I know, but the reply before me says much what I have seen. We have used it for Alg I, Geo, Alg II. My ds is a soph and is finishing Alg II this year. He is very quick with math and likes it. Chalkdust seems to challenge him enough, but he still enjoys the DVD's and all the problems. The private high school we looked at before choosing to stay home used the Larson texts for their AP courses. I spoke with the head of the math dept about them, and he said that the avg student just can not handle the depth of these books. Also, a friend that turned me onto Chalkdust, and has graduated 3 from college already, has always found them to work for her kids. Her husband is an Electrical Engineer professor and has written text books, and he finds them very thorough. Her husband has even called and had a conversation with the company founder. They follow Alg II with Precal. I hope this helps. My son also scored well for a soph, I thought, on the ACT. Good luck ReneeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriM Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 The Larson texts are rigorous enough without the added benefit of the Chalkdust video component. :) With that component, then they are more accessible to the student, particularly a self-teaching student. I think a video component is the next-best thing to a classroom instructor. A student might still need an occasional "real" person to answer a question or two (grin) but it definitely presents the scope of mathematics to prepare for college math and science courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtmviolet Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thank you for your responses! Now just to get over the price ... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Thank you for your responses! Now just to get over the price ... ;) I've had good results from posting on the WTB board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Mom Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thank you for your responses! Now just to get over the price ... ;) This thread has some ideas for getting Chalkdust less expensively. Follow it down and it lists the ISBNs for the books and videos which can then be purchased from vendors other than CD. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73803&highlight=chalkdust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtmviolet Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 This thread has some ideas for getting Chalkdust less expensively. Follow it down and it lists the ISBNs for the books and videos which can then be purchased from vendors other than CD. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73803&highlight=chalkdust Fabulous!! The ISBN I found pulls up "Elementary Algebra" (ISBN 13: 9780618753536). Is this the same as "Algebra I" or am I looking at the wrong thing? Also, it's the fourth edition - were there any changes? I can't seem to find the text at the Houghton Mifflin website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhrice3 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Debbie, I know that the price is a bit difficult to swallow. I bought the Alg I text/solutions manual on a used site for $15ppd. It was a steal, I thought. I, also, bought the Alg II with DVD in almost new condition on a used site last spring. I would just post on a WTB or start looking at the boards. I use this one, http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com, and vegsource.com to look for certain things. Good luck shopping. ReneeR P.S. Also, try eBay. You might find one there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtmviolet Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Debbie,I know that the price is a bit difficult to swallow. I bought the Alg I text/solutions manual on a used site for $15ppd. It was a steal, I thought. I, also, bought the Alg II with DVD in almost new condition on a used site last spring. I would just post on a WTB or start looking at the boards. I use this one, www.homeschoolclassifieds.com, and vegsource.com to look for certain things. Good luck shopping. ReneeR P.S. Also, try eBay. You might find one there. Thanks! I found some well-priced algebra books, but I'm just not sure if what I found is correct (see my post from yesterday). Any help with identification of the texts for Chalk Dust Algebra I would be most appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 And, bear in mind when you look at the price...you will be able to resell CD for at least 50%. So your eventual real cost is lower than it looks. That is what I told myself as I bought dd the full pre-algebra program. I already have a buyer lined up for when i am done with the program!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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