I was using Saxon 8/7 and switched to the new edition of Fundamentals in Math (7). I like the mastery approach with the harder concepts as you get to pre-algebra and above. I was finding my ds would forget things we had already covered. BJU has many more problems and much harder problems to complete. I am well pleased with this program!!

I just started BJU 7- Fundamentals of Math with my DS and we love it!! We switched from Saxon and I find it much more complete, more challenging because they use larger numbers and more interesting. I like the Teachers Manual because it has extra helps and works out the problem in the solution section. We are very happy with it and I wish we would have switched to BJU sooner.

Yes to Julie. We did try some of the activities with Spelling Power. I do admit we did not do them all. I usually only spend 30 min at the most on spelling. Maybe I need to spend a little longer.

Thanks for the suggestions!! I've heard of AAS, but the others are new to me. I will check out the links. I'm hoping to find something over the Christmas break so we can make a fresh start in January. Since all the other subjects come so easily to him, this has really been frustrating for him. Thanks for all suggestions!!!

Hi, My DS-12 is a terrible speller. He is very gifted in other areas but spelling just doesn't click. He can memorize a word list, do fine on a test and misspell the word that afternoon in a writing assignment. He says if spelling was more enjoyable and we just didn't do workbook pages and memorize lists he thinks he would remember it better. We have tried: Spelling Power, Spelling Workout and Apples Spelling. His older sister is a natural speller(which of course doesn't help!) so we just haven't had this issue before. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! :001_smile:

Thanks for the input! That was my thought all along, but since we have only had ALEKS 2 weeks, I am not that familiar with the program. It has been a nice break from Saxon and I think we will continue to supplement with it. I may just need to investigate other pre-algebra programs to have a change from Saxon. It has been a solid program but he may just need a change.

Hi, My DS has been using Saxon for a while now. He is currently doing 8/7.He has been complaining a lot about math lately so I thought I would give him a break by trying the Aleks free trial. He loves it!!! I will probably keep it as a supplement but wanted to see if anyone has used Aleks exclusively for math. He is really resisting Saxon now that he has found something he likes. Thanks for all your help!!!:001_smile:

Thanks so much for the link to the TE at Follett. I already ordered the book. I REALLY appreciate the help! Have a great Christmas!

Thanks! I just tried Follett with no luck but they may have something in the future. I'll call their customer service Monday. Any other ideas out there would be greatly appreciated. I didn't know there wes a TE for Foresters. Now that I know I've got to have one!

We are enjoying Foresters as well. Where did you get a teachers guide? I have the solutions manual- is this the same? It sounded like yours has lesson plans etc. I would really be interested . Thanks!

I always use the first grade- no matter what. They have to redo the test until they get over 90%. The first priority is that they learn the material, not the grade. That being said, in college they are not going to get multiple chances at the tests. I want them to prepare well and study for the first test, not just figure they'll get a second stab at it.

That is one of the things that looks positive with BJU. I like that the teacher manual is so complete. I just have heard so much about the other programs that I was concerned that BJU's upper math wasn't good. It seems like lots of people do 1-6 then switch.

I haven't seen much on these forums about BJU algebra 1. I was given a set of books, but don't want to start this program if it's not the best for dd. I had been planning to do Foresters based on the feedback on these boards. Anyone have experience with BJU? Is it a solid program? Did your kids do well in higher math levels and testing? Thanks!!!!:001_smile:

Question for you Foresters and MWB users- What do you do about tests? Are there tests available or do you make your own? I am looking very seriously at this program but this is one question I can't figure out. Thanks!

Thanks Ruth. I will look for that post. I really don't want to change curriculum, we have spent a lot on the videotext since we already bought the first 3 modules. But I also don't want to waste our time if this method isn't clicking. She had much of this same material last year and understood it fine. Videotext seems to put things differently than some of the other programs I've seen and I'm not sure if there is a disconnect somewhere.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. For those of you that use Foersters,Jacobs and Chalkdust, do these programs have tests that come with them or do you make up your own tests? Also I saw on an old post that Jacobs does not have an solutions manual. Is that still the case? Thanks for all the info, you've given me lots to think about!!

That is pretty much how we have done videotext with the exception that i don't make her do both quizzes unless she has trouble with the first. I do watch it with her. I think I would like it better if there were an actual text, not just the course notes. Lisa, do you have the solution manual and teachers guide for Forresters Algebra? If so where do you get them. I have been looking into Forresters since this post and am not sure how to get those. The book was dirt cheap on Amazon. I decided to order it just to see if we would like that better.

Videotext is set up in Modules. There are 6 modules that cover both algebra 1 and 2. I figure we are 1/3 of the way through algebra 1 but not really sure. She does ok on the daily review questions and quizzes, but the end of the module test she had forgotten quite a bit. Maybe we just need to review more. I will check out Foersters Algebra. Is there DVD's or Cd's that go with this program?

My dd started algebra this year. We chose Videotext because I liked the DVD's and thought she would understand it better than me explaining. She has always been an A math student, picks up concepts very easily. We have used Saxon math in the past. We just finished Module A of Videotext and I feel like she just isn't "getting it". Maybe it's the way it's presented because it wasn't even many new concepts. Maybe it's her age(13). I'm not sure but I'm just not feeling good about her understanding of the material. I'm more of a textbook girl and she is very visual as well. She wants to go into either medicine or architecture so a stong math base is very important. I am looking for wise advise. Do we keep on with Videotext? Do we change now before we waste too much of our year if it's not working? If we change ,what do you recommend? I love these boards because you ladies always seem to have it all together. I tend to be a grass is greener person,all the other curriculums sound so great, but I don't just want to switch if I don't need to. Thanks!!!!! :001_smile:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will look into all of them. Do any of these programs offer tests like wordly wise? I really have liked having the tests to evaluate her retention.

Hi Everyone, My dd is in 8th grade this year. Up till this point we have been using Wordly Wise for vocabulary. My dd HATES it!:glare: I think she is learning but she really hasn't pushed back on any other subject but WW. ( at least not on a daily basis!) I am looking for any other suggestions. If there is a good program that prepares them well for the SAT that would be great! Thanks for all your Help.

I noticed that at least 2 of you switched from Saxon 7/6 to chalkdust prealgebra. I am curious why you didn't continue with Saxon 8/7 and the new saxon DVD for algebra? I don't know much about Chalkdust which is why I looked at this post.

We like Videotext Algebra. My daughter says she enjoys it and it seems very thorough.

I am interested in this post because I too have an 11 yr old reluctant writer. We tried Wordsmith Apprentice and Writing Strands without much success. Who publishes Writing Tales and Jump In ? Are there Samples?

Winners for my 7th DD- Videotext Algebra Analytical Grammar Sonlight Core 7 Life of Fred IEW Winners for my 5th DS- Life of Fred Rainbow Science BJU Grammar and Writing Apples Spelling Sonlight 7 Others I like- Saxon 7/6 Wordly Wise Apologia Physical Science