AmyCC Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 My 6th grade dd is finishing up Singapore 6A and will get through a good chunk of 6B by the end of the year. Instead of moving into algebra for 7th grade, I'd like to give her a year of pre-algebra to cement all the concepts she's learned up to this point. (Side note: we tried algebra with her very mature older sister halfway through 7th grade and then tried again in 8th. I couldn't believe how much more quickly she grasped the concepts being several months older. I'd like to give my youngest dd that same opportunity for success.) So... What options do I have for pre-algebra? I'm looking for a curricula that explains the "why" behind the algorithm. I've actually got Lial's BCM, but I'd like something that's geared more to my dd's age. I know Teaching Textbooks has a pre-algebra program, but we've used TT before, and I don't find it rigorous enough. What else have you used for pre-algebra? What its strengths and weaknesses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 My 6th grade dd is finishing up Singapore 6A and will get through a good chunk of 6B by the end of the year. Instead of moving into algebra for 7th grade, I'd like to give her a year of pre-algebra to cement all the concepts she's learned up to this point. (Side note: we tried algebra with her very mature older sister halfway through 7th grade and then tried again in 8th. I couldn't believe how much more quickly she grasped the concepts being several months older. I'd like to give my youngest dd that same opportunity for success.) So... What options do I have for pre-algebra? I'm looking for a curricula that explains the "why" behind the algorithm. I've actually got Lial's BCM, but I'd like something that's geared more to my dd's age. I know Teaching Textbooks has a pre-algebra program, but we've used TT before, and I don't find it rigorous enough. What else have you used for pre-algebra? What its strengths and weaknesses? The first few chapters of NEM 1 are a continuation of arithmetic and she would learn negative numbers, order of operations, operations on hairy gigantic hairy fractions, LCM, GCM before algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin in Tx Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 hairy gigantic hairy fractions Okay, I just spit wine on my computer screen. LOL!! Tried to rep you for it, but it wouldn't let me... just thought you should know :). Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 is a nice follow-up to PM6. It helps solidify the concepts and introduces the US terminology. Dd finished PM6 and is working her way through Dolciani's Pre-Algebra. She takes each chapter test and if she scores 90% or higher, we skip the chapter. If not, we work on the sections she didn't score well in. There is a bit of new stuff that's not in SM such as a chapter on probability and statistics (which was on her annual FCAT test). HTH, Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 We too use Dolciani's Pre-algebra, and we love it. I am on my fourth time through it, and each time I end up so impressed with how thorough and challenging it is. At the same time, it explains the material well enough that my kids self-teach using it -- for the most part I'm just the grader. About once a month or so I actually answer a question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christi/NC Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 My 8th grader is using Chalk Dust Pre-Algebra this year. I have been very pleased with it but then again, I haven't found a CD math program that I didn't like! Christi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmuse04 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 and I really like it. I watch the videos with my son. I like it because it was how I was taught-teacher working problems on a chalk board with a big long eraser...brings back high school. I also like that it emphasizes the step by step process and not just the right answer--which then leads to partial credit and all. So far, and we haven't been using it all that long, I have been pleased. I don't teach-I just tutor here and there. We stop the CD to work the problems and then push play to see if we were right. It's kinda fun...that would be my opinion, not my son's, but that's cuz math and fun just don't go hand in hand for him. I'm hoping that in time, that will change. Michelle:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 My 8th grader is using Chalk Dust Pre-Algebra this year. I have been very pleased with it but then again, I haven't found a CD math program that I didn't like! Christi My sentiments exactly. Doc Mosely is wonderful! What's not to love about CD (besides the marathon-length lessons)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyCC Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 How do I get my hands on this? Is there a TM or answer key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyCC Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 Do the home school stores sell this? Also, what is the latest version? Can I buy a TM or answer key with it? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 We are using Life of Fred, Fractions and Decimals and Percents, which together constitute a pre-algebra course. http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/11catofbooks.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmen_and_Company Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Also used Dolciani texts for pre-algebra, but since Storm was only going into 5th grade last fall, I decided on Dolciani's Mathematics Structure & Method Books 1 & 2--it's the same as the pre-algebra text, but with more problems and review in two volumes. I found one text @ a second-hand store, and purchased the other off EBAY for a couple of bucks. The answers to the odd problems are in the back of the text. Also, Folett's Books sometimes has the texts & TMs for some of the Dolciani series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmsurbat Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 It is a solid overview of all the basics while at the same time introducing algebraic concepts early on so they are reviewed and used throughout the rest of the year. The TM is excellent, provides extra examples, a few hands-on ideas at times (ie. neg/pos. numbers), and outlines 3 courses of study from the same book: struggling, average, challenging. The "challenging" track doesn't necessarily include *more* problems, but assigns fewer of the "practice the topic of the day" problems and all the "deeper" thinking problems. You can see a sample of one entire chapter at BJU's website. If you don't need/want a DVD teacher, I would definitely recommend BJU's Pre-Algebra text. Another suggestion for you, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 is a nice follow-up to PM6. It helps solidify the concepts and introduces the US terminology. Dd finished PM6 and is working her way through Dolciani's Pre-Algebra. She takes each chapter test and if she scores 90% or higher, we skip the chapter. If not, we work on the sections she didn't score well in. There is a bit of new stuff that's not in SM such as a chapter on probability and statistics (which was on her annual FCAT test). HTH, Sandra This is almost exactly what we're doing. If he can pass the chapter test, we skip it. We're also using the pre-algebra problems to go through the torturous process of teaching the dc to write. out. his. work. Correctly. Completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amber in GA Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Love this concept! Haven't used it yet, but from responses on this board, it seems as though a lot of families are. http://www.videotext.com/homeschool.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyCC Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 If you have any more, keep 'em coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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