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What math options are there, where I do NOT have to be the teacher?


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I used Teaching Textbooks for Algebra I for my high schooler (when he was in 8th grade), but he did not like to actually USE the CDs so we wound up doing the lessons by me sitting down, going over the lesson in the book, work the practice problems side by side on lap-sized white boards, him copying my work for the practices, then I would literally sit next to him with the white board while he worked each and every problem; I would do the problem on the white board (where he couldn't see), he would work in the book, if he got tripped up, he'd look at mine for guidance. This worked okay, but was long and frustrating.

 

Now he is enrolled in an on-line high school program, but the program does not have video lectures at all, so for Geometry he is assigned what section of the chapter to read, and which problems to do. There is no instruction given. So, again, I'm sitting with him, reading the text, going over the lesson, working through the sample problems side by side, and then walking him through how to do every problem. Usually his teacher assigns only a handful of problems, so I can model an odd problem that is from the same sub-section, then have him work the assigned even problem on his own; then I check his work, have him make any corrections (he is notorious for dropping negatives, etc...). He is making As, but I don't think his retention is great; I am literally walking him through every single problem.

 

He needs and I need something next year (I would switch now, but I fear losing a semester/switching mid-year is a bad idea) that takes me out of the equation. What programs are out there for this? CDs, DVDs, on-line classes that DO involve a lecture to watch, etc.?? I want to take this semester to research our options and figure out a better fit. I am open to any and all suggestions!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

(oh, if it matters/helps, before TT he used Singapore, for K to 6th grade, he switched to TT in 7th grade)

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Unfortunately many high schoolers are not going to learn math without an adult nearby. We have seen repeatedly that students hit walls in math--whether they are using text books, online programs or video lectures. On their own, teens can spin wheels and shed tears. The easiest way around this usually involves an adult sitting at the table or being nearby when a student is working through their lessons.

 

Engaging a tutor is one way of removing yourself from the equation--at least for a bit.

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My ds is using Thinkwell for math and we really like it. There are usually 3 short videos to watch with each lesson, and then a 10 question multiple choice exercise. For each section there's worksheets to print out that usually have 20-30 questions. There are also practice tests and regular tests as well. It's all online, and there is no textbook. For my ds it's worked really well so far. He's finished 7th grade math and is half way through 8th grade math.

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Unfortunately many high schoolers are not going to learn math without an adult nearby. We have seen repeatedly that students hit walls in math--whether they are using text books, online programs or video lectures. On their own, teens can spin wheels and shed tears. The easiest way around this usually involves an adult sitting at the table or being nearby when a student is working through their lessons.

 

Engaging a tutor is one way of removing yourself from the equation--at least for a bit.

 

 

I do not mind being available to him while he works, at all, but as we get into higher maths I begin to doubt my ability to be the one *teaching* the math. Helping with homework, probably; actively teaching, not so much. Does that make sense?

 

Also, he learns math very differently than I do, so he really needs someone explaining it in a better way than what I can do, or better suited for him. If we have something that has lectures, I could watch the lecture with him, learn with him, and help with assignments but I would not be the one actually doing the instruction. I could use the methods in the lectures, know which part he would need to re-watch, etc.....

 

I suppose I didn't mean I need to be out of the equation all together, just not serving as the teacher; support role is fine.

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Also, he learns math very differently than I do...

 

Then perhaps include him in the curriculum choice? You may be evaluating on what looks clear to you but it may not resonate with him.

 

I think you still need to look at the choices in terms of rigor and coverage. Remember that not all math texts are created equal. But you could streamline the list and then present it to him. I found that allowing my son ownership of book choices in high school worked very well.

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It is hard to say what he can do independently when the issue seems to be he doesn't want to do it independently :). TT is the most independent hs math program I know of. If he doesn't want to use the videos and you aren't willing to make him, why would he use a different set of videos?

 

That said, courses with video teaching include:

TT

MUS

VT

 

Saxon (there are multiple video instruction sets that are designed to go with it)

Kinetic Books

Chalkdust

Thinkwell

 

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. As Jane in NC pointed out, they are not all created equal. TT & MUS are at the light end content wise, but offer clear instruction for kids that have trouble "getting it". Chalkdust & Thinkwell are the other end of the options I've listed. Kinetic Books is definitely a different approach that some love. You might have him look at it to see if it speaks to him.

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Having him look at the options sounds like a great idea; I will do that, I just needed to know what options are even out there. :)

 

I don't think it's an issue of him being unwilling to be independent; he is 100% independent with everything else, he just did not like the format (I think) of TT; he's more of a visual learner/learns best by reading the material, at least with other stuff, so he would gladly sit down, read the assignment himself, try to work the problems, be frustrated, not do well, etc. So we started the side-by-side method. We're trying that now with Geometry -- he reads the chapter, then comes to me and we do the practices and walk through the problems.

 

I am hopeful that perhaps something with an actual instructor might work; maybe I need to look into different on-line courses that have live support?

 

I haven't heard of the kinetic books; I'll look those up and see. I thought maybe Life of Fred, though it's not video based at all, but my husband was/is strongly against it. I think it might *really* work for this kid, but.......DH is not on board.

 

Thanks, all. I'll give these a look, see what he thinks, and go from there....

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Other options...

 

BJU online or DVD

Jann in Tx's classes http://www.myhomeschoolmathclass.com

Chalkdust DVDs

 

Of course, you may still need to be involved.

 

ETA: Not a DVD curriculum, but Ds and I found Lials to be almost self teaching for prealgebra and algebra 1, and Ds is more of a Lit/history kid.

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We've also found Lial's to be pretty much self-teaching. We've used it for Algebra 2; currently using it for pre-algebra and pre-calc. Dds are both pretty independent about wanting to read and figure out things on their own and then check in with me. We have the answer keys that list all of the steps for working out the problems, so if there's an issue it's all spelled out there.

 

By the way, we used Kinetic Physics. It was an awesome course, but dd said she would NOT want to have used it for math because they don't show you how to work out the problems if you get them wrong. OTOH, a friend's dd loves it. Take a look at the samples.

 

Neither of my kids like Life of Fred. They say it makes too many leaps without explicit instruction -- okay for review, not for the first time learning something.

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I'll put in another vote for Thinkwell. Some people find that they want to supplement it with extra practice problems, but they're usually not hard to find. The math instructor is really engaging, though (he appeals to the goofy side of boys, I've found), and the math is solid. It isn't live, though, so you wouldn't be able to get that kind of support.

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You can also look into Derek Owens. It is actually distant learning. My son is doing Physics right now, and he did Algebra last year. it is video lectures, homework assignments and tests. The homework and tests are turned e-mailed/faxed to Derek Owens and he e-mails them back with comments. He also keeps a running report regarding grades and semester scores. You can call/e-mail with questions and he will respond within a day (usually). My ds is doing very well in the Physics class. It's $58/month and you have a school year to complete. My ds finished Algebra and will finish Physics in about 6 months.

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I don't think it's an issue of him being unwilling to be independent; he is 100% independent with everything else, he just did not like the format (I think) of TT; he's more of a visual learner/learns best by reading the material, at least with other stuff, so he would gladly sit down, read the assignment himself, try to work the problems, be frustrated, not do well, etc. So we started the side-by-side method. We're trying that now with Geometry -- he reads the chapter, then comes to me and we do the practices and walk through the problems.

 

I am hopeful that perhaps something with an actual instructor might work; maybe I need to look into different on-line courses that have live support?

 

I would definitely suggest Chalkdust. My oldest sounds similar to your son. He hated Saxon and the Dive CDs, but he loved Dana Mosely on the Chalkdust DVDs. I still was available to him to help with occasional problems, but the DVDs explained the problems very clearly and patiently. After too many years with Saxon, he used Chalkdust for PreCalc & Calc with great success. He's gone on to do well in higher math courses in college, too.

 

Brenda

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I don't think it's an issue of him being unwilling to be independent; he is 100% independent with everything else, he just did not like the format (I think) of TT; he's more of a visual learner/learns best by reading the material, at least with other stuff, so he would gladly sit down, read the assignment himself, try to work the problems, be frustrated, not do well, etc.

 

Foerster with the MWB (Math Without Borders) cds would fit this. You might be able to see samples of Foerster online. It is a very clear text to read and learn from. Not that I'm using it. I own it just because you pick up things along the way. Anyways, it would fit what you're saying, especially with the MWB lessons.

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Foerster with the MWB (Math Without Borders) cds would fit this. You might be able to see samples of Foerster online. It is a very clear text to read and learn from. Not that I'm using it. I own it just because you pick up things along the way. Anyways, it would fit what you're saying, especially with the MWB lessons.

 

this sounds like exactly what we need; I've never heard of it before, but looking at it now, it looks perfect! thank you!!!

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This is OT, but possibly it will help your DS. I don't think anyone that has replied previously has recommended Khan Academy. The videos there might help your son understand things he is having trouble grasping. Many times, having someone else explain, with different terminology, can make something easily understood.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

 

My DD is a Distance Learning student in TTUISD, but their Online courses do not include videos, if that is what you are looking for. They do require regular textbooks be purchased, and passing the final examination (with an Approved Proctor) is mandatory. GL to your son.

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UPDATE --- So, after looking at all the options in this thread and others, basically wishing I could find an on-line tutor to teach him math, 1 on 1, and then discussing all the options with my DH, I finally pulled out his textbook to show my DH. My DH then asked me about a little symbol in the side of the textbook that said "Go On-Line..." and asked, "what's this?"

 

I had no clue. We searched the book, found the website and checked it out. Turns out, the textbook we use has a website with video tutorials, homework helps, explanations for each section of each chapter, interactive activities on-line, etc. In other words, everything I was hoping for, and more. Yay!!

 

I feel like a giant dork only discovering this now (end of ch 3, 12 wks in....) but am SO GLAD it is there. NO add'l. cost to use the website, it's just included (via a code in the book).

 

It's a Prentice Hall textbook; the website is through the publisher.

 

This is OT, but possibly it will help your DS. I don't think anyone that has replied previously has recommended Khan Academy. The videos there might help your son understand things he is having trouble grasping. Many times, having someone else explain, with different terminology, can make something easily understood.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

 

My DD is a Distance Learning student in TTUISD, but their Online courses do not include videos, if that is what you are looking for. They do require regular textbooks be purchased, and passing the final examination (with an Approved Proctor) is mandatory. GL to your son.

 

Lanny, I quoted you b/c we use TTUISD too; are you aware of this feature in your DD's textbook?? We are very pleased with TTUISD, especially now that I discovered this re: the math program/book. My son is doing 9th grade -- biology, world geography, English, Geometry, Art, and Health. We've been mostly very impressed with all of it. How's your DD enjoying it?

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Hey that's awesome! So did you have to register for it or provide a code? Is it something where you can share the link with us? I've seen stuff like that for history, but it would be interesting to see for math...

 

 

If you google "Prentice hall Math Companion site", you find this page:

http://www.phschool....k_res_math.html

 

you can select your textbook by series (they pictures for the individual books of a series cycle through; there are more than show on the first page!)

The site for your text has additional online practice and a link to video tutorials, for example for this text:

http://www.phschool....k&wcsuffix=0099

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Hey that's awesome! So did you have to register for it or provide a code? Is it something where you can share the link with us? I've seen stuff like that for history, but it would be interesting to see for math...

 

 

Here is a link to PH prealgebra videos and quizzes: http://www.mathchamb...pre-algebra.htm

I've never looked at the videos. The quizzes and tests are multiple choice.

 

Dd11's middle school uses PH for algebra and she does not have a textbook - it's on-line or something (mostly she uses some website with teacher notes and PH worksheets with problems that she prints out for her homework - this requires a password but it might be the teacher's personal site). AFAIK, she has not used PH on-line video or quiz options for algebra 1 but I'm sure they exist - try here http://www.mathchamb...l/algebra_1.htm

 

More PH math: http://www.mathchamb.../prentice_hall/

 

Eta, regentrude's links are better as my links are not directly from PH. I don't even know why I have them :tongue_smilie: . I don't know where my dd's links are - she probably links through Infinite Campus.

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Hey that's awesome! So did you have to register for it or provide a code? Is it something where you can share the link with us? I've seen stuff like that for history, but it would be interesting to see for math...

 

 

I am still exploring the site; yes, for some of the help you have to provide a code that is specific to section & chapter & what type of help.

 

This link *should* be to all the video tutorials for the geometry book, broken down by chapter, then those links are broken down by topic....

 

http://phschool.com/...a=view&x=7&y=14

 

That link should not require add'l. codes; in general, though, the codes are listed in the front of the textbook.

 

I am so glad my DH noticed this in the book!

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The Holt Math series also has many of the Thinkwell videos with Edward Berger linked to Homework Help on the website which supports their books. You do not need any codes for these. From their main Math website, select the book (alg, geo, etc.) and then select a book edition of 2007 or later. Next select Homework Help and the Chapter. Click on the video icons in this example from their Geometry book to see a few samples.

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