poohma Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 We have used Jacobs Algebra and Jacobs Geometry for the past two years. I am trying to decide what curriculum to use next for Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus. Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eumyang Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I remember reading a question very similar to this. IIRC Harold Jacobs himself recommended Foerster for Algebra 2/Trig. 69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 (edited) We have used Jacobs Algebra and Jacobs Geometry for the past two years. I am trying to decide what curriculum to use next for Algebra 2 & Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus. Any recommendations? Our older, math-minded DS very successfully used Jacobs Algebra and then Geometry. This year for Algebra 2 he is using Foerster's "Algebra and Trigonometry". It is *quite* rigorous -- more than what we needed, as DS is not going into a math/science field. And while he has been able to figure it out, it has been challenging at times. I only assign him about 1/4 to 1/2 the problems per lesson and it still takes him about an hour to complete the math; a number of lessons we have taken 2 days to slow it down to be able to absorb. (Note: if you DO have a student headed for the math/science fields, Foerster's is a great choice; you will need a graphing calculator for using it, AND it would be very helpful to have access to the computer CD Rom that comes with some versions, as the advanced problems at the end of each lesson often have the student write out a short computer program as the solution to the problem.) For younger DS who is also NOT going into a math/science field, and who really struggles with math, we will use Math-U-See's Algebra 2, and supplement with Lial's Intermediate Algebra. Neither DS will be going beyond Algebra 2. As far as I can tell, Foerster only seems to have an Algebra 1 and an Algebra 2 text (Algebra 2 text is called "Algebra and Trigonometry"). While Saxon was not a good fit for either of our DSs, it does go all the way through your math sequence, and includes DIVE computer CDs for visual assistance: - Algebra 1 (includes geometry concepts) - Algebra 2 (includes geometry concepts) - Advanced Mathematics (includes pre-calculus, trigonometry, calculus prep) - Calculus For especially rigorous math in preparation for college course of study heavy on math/science fields, consider Dolciani (see this past thread for more information) For programs with a DVD component, you might also check out - Chalkdust (http://www.chalkdust.com) = Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2; Trigonometry; Precalculus; Calculus - VideoText (http://www.videotext.com/homeschool.htm) = Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2; Trigonometry; Precalculus BEST of luck in finding what matches up the best with your family! Warmly, Lori D. Edited April 25, 2010 by Lori D. added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Harold Jacobs actually recommends Foerster as a good follow on to his own Al and Geometry texts. But as Lori posted they are quite rigorous. I used Foerster for both Al II and then for precalculus. We used the standard "classics" versions of Forerster's AL II with trig for Al II only...not venturing into it's trig portions. It is an older text and Foerster moved on to Key Curriculum Press for both his Pre-Calc and Calc courses. I had an email correspondence with him a couple years ago and his recommendation to me was to use the Al II with trig for a 1 year Al II course and then move to the Key Press material for Pre-calc and beyond. The reason he suggested this was the older course did not use the TI 83 or 84 and the newer material with Key Press taught those important functions. We made it through pre-calc with him and then bailed to Chalkdust for Calculus. I really like Paul Foerster's work...but if I were to do it a second time, I'd probably move to Chalkdust by Pre-Calc at the latest. I was well and truly and the end of me with Foerster for Pre-Calc...I just couldn't keep up with my son and we really needed the video teacher/email support type of thing that Chalkdust and Dana Mosley provide. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poohma Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 How does Chalkdust compare to Foersters? What is the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS in MD Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 My oldest used Jacobs Algebra, Jacobs Geometry, Kinetic Books Algebra II, and now Larson's Precalculus. My middle dd used Jacobs and Kinetic Books Algebra (but dropped Jacobs about halfway through because she liked KB better), Jacobs Geometry, and now Kinetic Books Algebra II. I think I'm going to try Lial's Precalculus (or College Algebra, don't remember what would be next in the Lial's sequence) for her next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I like Lial's for precalc/trig. Ds is using it in high school (public) and I think it presents things clearly with really good practice problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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