Alison in KY Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Do you think the pre-algebra is necessary, or is it just review of the other books? If I'm going to make it through pre-algebra in 8th grade, I'll have to do summer math with him. He's 12 and just started Epsilon. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Pre-Algebra is not a review of the other books (although review is included as always). In MUS, Pre-Algebra is a hole filler. It teaches many of the topics that other curriculums would have included along the way including important things like order of operations and does lots more solving equations. It is also the first book with Honors lessons which introduce some more difficult word problems and make student think more than the other levels. I recommend it even if you are going to switch to another curriculum for Algebra and above because it really completes the Elementary math series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dereksurfs Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) Pre-Algebra is not a review of the other books (although review is included as always). In MUS, Pre-Algebra is a hole filler. It teaches many of the topics that other curriculums would have included along the way including important things like order of operations and does lots more solving equations. It is also the first book with Honors lessons which introduce some more difficult word problems and make student think more than the other levels. I recommend it even if you are going to switch to another curriculum for Algebra and above because it really completes the Elementary math series. Yes, I agree with this. My son is in it right now and it is definately not filler. He has gone through the entire elementary series (thru Zeta) and this really does cover new areas. Keep in mind that because MUS is a mastery program they don't spend a lot of time on material already covered in previous books. Take look at the scope and sequence below. Would you really want to skip these topics before moving into Algebra? LESSON 1 Negative Numbers, Addition LESSON 2 Negative Numbers, Subtraction LESSON 3 Negative Numbers, Multiplication LESSON 4 Negative Numbers, Division LESSON 5 Exponents LESSON 6 Place Value LESSON 7 Negative Numbers with Exponents LESSON 8 Roots and Radicals LESSON 9 Solve for an Unknown LESSON 10 Pythagorean Theorem LESSON 11 Associative and Commutative Property LESSON 12 Distributive Property LESSON 13 Solve for an Unknown LESSON 14 Solve for an Unknown LESSON 15 Surface Area of Solids LESSON 16 Transform Celsius to Fahrenheit LESSON 17 Transform Fahrenheit to Celsius LESSON 18 Absolute Value LESSON 19 Ratio and Proportion LESSON 20 Similar Polygons LESSON 21 Least Common Multiple LESSON 22 Greatest Common Factor LESSON 23 Polynomials, Addition LESSON 24 Volume of a Cylinder LESSON 25 Polynomials, Multiplication LESSON 26 Adding and Subtracting Time LESSON 27 Volume of a Pyramid and a Cone LESSON 28 Military Time, Addition and Subtraction LESSON 29 Measurement, Addition and Subtraction LESSON 30 Irrational Numbers Edited March 7, 2012 by dereksurfs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison in KY Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Ok, thank you. Looks like we'll have to play catch up like I originally planned. Have either of you used the algebra? I plan to stick with theMUS series and not switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Yes, ds did Algebra this year. It is a long course with 35 lessons, but we are almost though (lesson 31). Did you have any specific questions? Algebra started off difficult for us. The videos were long and the "reviews" we actually applying techniques they had learned in new ways, something my ds struggles with. He found it very difficult to keep up at first. This levels out pretty quickly though and the second half of the course has been great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma4Boys Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Yes, I agree with this. My son is in it right now and it is definately not filler. He has gone through the entire elementary series (thru Zeta) and this really does cover new areas. Keep in mind that because MUS is a mastery program they don't spend a lot of time on material already covered in previous books. Take look at the scope and sequence below. Would you really want to skip these topics before moving into Algebra? Great to know - we have also done MUS from the beginning and are scheduled to do Pre-Algrebra this coming year (which i think is a year late). Gonna have to play catch-up as well :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 We'll be using MUS at three different levels as soon as it arrives (shipped yesterday), including Pre-Algebra for my 7th/8th grader. We're spending the waiting time reviewing fractions and decimals like crazy because I want her *ready for success*. I've been through too many muddy waters with my oldest and math, and in fact am switching her to MUS for Geometry. If it goes well, I'm thinking she just *might* be agreeable to going on to Algebra 2, which as of right now she wants no part of it. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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