s/o AoPS Pre-Algebra Alternative Usage question

[Chrysalis Academy]

Anyone using a combination of Alcumus & the video lectures for primary instruction and practice, and not so much on the book? I realize this isn't utilizing the discover method. But what if a student who found the book tough going to grapple with watched the videos and then did Alcumus using the "follow the book" function.

 

It's working really well for *me* ;) but obviously I have seen this stuff before . . . the book is kinda making my eyes cross, though. It's too much - too wordy, too much explanation, just . . . too much. But I love the videos - his explanations are so clear, and the lesson length is perfect, and the examples are great. So trying *not* to throw the baby out with the bathwater, here, I'm wondering if anyone uses AoPs PreA. . . .without the book?? Or is that heresy?

[crazyforlatin]

Ugh, I just tried to look for that thread, but can't find it. I think Derek emailed RR about this and received a great reply. I don't feel adequate even in paraphrasing the author.

 

Where did it go?

 

 

[Chrysalis Academy]

Ugh, I just tried to look for that thread, but can't find it. I think Derek emailed RR about this and received a great reply. I don't feel adequate even in paraphrasing the author.

 

Where did it go?

 

 

Oh yeah, I read through the *whole* alternative usage thread!! It's on page 2. right now. The author definitely addressed watching the video or reading the explanation in the book before tackling the problems - that alternative usage. What I'm asking about is using Alcumus & videos (as a supplement to other stuff maybe?) and *not* having the student use the book, mostly. Because I love the videos and Alcumus, but the book would make dd run screaming. loudly.

[~Anna~]

We tried AoPS Prealgebra at the beginning of the year and after 2 chapters I could see my DD was just not getting it. I think since it is a very algebraic Prealgebra, coupled with the fact that she's coming out of public school and has never learned in that style, just made it too much for her. So we stopped.

 

We then went through the whole Kiss My Math book by Danica McKellar and that seemed to help. Then the other day I decided to pick up the AoPS book again and just start discussing it with her instead of her looking at the book. We went back through the 2 chapters we had already done, and I wrote down a few of the problems and had her work through them. Then I went through chapter 3 (which we hadn't done yet) and did the same thing but a little more in depth. I think it worked much better for her. So basically I had the book to look at to make sure I was covering all of the important points, but we were just discussing and she was working through problems. Then the next day we watched all of the videos and she worked on Alcumus. This approach seemed to work much better for her.

 

Just throwing my experience out there for you to read through.

[Woodland Mist Academy]

My first thought is that using any part of AoPS is a good thing. ;)

 

Would you use something else as well or just the videos and Alcumus?

 

Another thought is to not rule out the book forever. Lots could change in a year or two.

 

I think that watching the videos helped my daughter learn to love the book. (OK, I exaggerate. Maybe I should say tolerate. ;) It depends on the day.)

 

The first few lessons we watched the videos first because I was pretty certain it would end in disaster if we didn't. After a few lessons she understood the discovery concept, so we switched to watching the videos after she does the lesson. She now tries to "find something smart to do" when she starts to get overwhelmed.

 

Granted AoPS isn't for everyone--there is no one approach that works for everyone. I just would hate for someone to give up on it too soon. Or not give the book a brief trial.

 

(I am always hesitant to post something like this for fear I will jinx myself and we'll end up dropping the program before the week is over. ;)

I also don't want to come across as trying to talk you into a poor fit math text. :crying: )

 

But yes, I think using the videos and Alcumus is a great idea!

[Chrysalis Academy]

My first thought is that using any part of AoPS is a good thing. ;)

 

Would you use something else as well or just the videos and Alcumus?

 

Another thought is to not rule out the book forever. Lots could change in a year or two.

 

I think that watching the videos helped my daughter learn to love the book. (OK, I exaggerate. Maybe I should say tolerate. ;) It depends on the day.)

 

The first few lessons we watched the videos first because I was pretty certain it would end in disaster if we didn't. After a few lessons she understood the discovery concept, so we switched to watching the videos after she does the lesson. She now tries to "find something smart to do" when she starts to get overwhelmed.

 

Granted AoPS isn't for everyone--there is no one approach that works for everyone. I just would hate for someone to give up on it too soon. Or not give the book a brief trial.

 

(I am always hesitant to post something like this for fear I will jinx myself and we'll end up dropping the program before the week is over. ;)

I also don't want to come across as trying to talk you into a poor fit math text. :crying: )

 

But yes, I think using the videos and Alcumus is a great idea!

 

I know what you mean about the jinxing!! I think I logged a BFSU recommendation about a week before I ended up dropping it for good. :glare:

 

It's good to hear how you have used AoPS. I know a lot can change in a year, and I'm having one of my semi-annual planning way to far ahead binges, and I'm trying to rein it in!

 

One of the things I'm trying to be sensitive to is that I think that if you try AoPS too early (and stubbornly persist when it's clear it's too early) - before the maturity is there to grapple with it - you might turn a kid off to the whole series, which would be most unfortunate. So I'm trying to come to grips with my *own* desire to use AoPS, and separate that out from what might be the best fit for dd.

 

I think the videos and Alcumus would stretch her in a good way; I think the text is too much as the first pass of a presentation. Of course, a lot could change in a year, so we'll re evaluate when the time comes.

 

My current plan is to stay the course - finish up MM5, then focus on really solidifying all of basic math (hmm, kind of like Pre-Algebra, right?) using a combo of MM6 (the "old" which contains a fair amount of Pre-A), Zacarro, LOF pre-Algebra, and Khan academy. That will take how long it takes. Once we're "done" with that, I think we will take a stab at the combo AoPS PreA (using whatever combo of texts, Alcumus, and text seems right at the time) & supplementing w/ Zaccaro real-world Algebra, because I really like all his word problems and I have a "real-world apps" kinda girl. Depending on how that goes we may continue with AoPS or do Jacobs Elementary Algebra (which I just ordered). Now that I kind of have a plan, structure, and materials in place, I can relax and just go with the flow . . . changing plans as needed. I know that seems perverse, but for me, having a plan is what makes me feel secure enough to be flexible!

[Woodland Mist Academy]

That sounds like a perfect plan! I think I was a bit confused about what you were saying before.

[Chrysalis Academy]

That sounds like a perfect plan! I think I was a bit confused about what you were saying before.

 

 

 

:lol: Well, that makes two of us! This is the plan I've come up with *since* my original post, which was slightly incoherent. . .

[Woodland Mist Academy]

:lol: Well, that makes two of us! This is the plan I've come up with *since* my original post, which was slightly incoherent. . .

 

:smilielol5:

[dereksurfs]

I know what you mean about the jinxing!! I think I logged a BFSU recommendation about a week before I ended up dropping it for good. :glare:

 

It's good to hear how you have used AoPS. I know a lot can change in a year, and I'm having one of my semi-annual planning way to far ahead binges, and I'm trying to rein it in!

 

One of the things I'm trying to be sensitive to is that I think that if you try AoPS too early (and stubbornly persist when it's clear it's too early) - before the maturity is there to grapple with it - you might turn a kid off to the whole series, which would be most unfortunate. So I'm trying to come to grips with my *own* desire to use AoPS, and separate that out from what might be the best fit for dd.

...

 

 

C'mon, we as parents would never do that?!? :D Let's see, if my little genius does xyz he/she can become the rocket scientist they've always dreamed of... or was what me? :rolleyes:

 

Yes, good point about the separation part. I think I need to cool my AoPS zeal a bit as well while ds11 finishes Pre-A using TabletClass. Though he really does enjoy their Pre-A videos and their sample chapter on linear equations. I can totally see using it in part as a great supplimental at the very least.