Trilliums Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I am looking for suggestions for an algebra program like saxon, but slower paced. This is for my niece in grade 10. I really do not know where she was in math before she came to live with us last year. She has mostly been schooled in Germany and had been in the college track high school program but she pretty much shut down over the past two years while experiencing traumatic life events. She says she covered the quadratic formula and yet she still struggles with dealing with positives, negatives and roots. We started with ALEKS, covering many pre-algebra skills where she had gaps. Then we moved onto Saxon algebra about 4 weeks ago (but we had one week of spring break). She prefers using a text book over the online ALEKS program. She does not like Khan Academy, which was a great resource for my kids. The spiral review approach in Saxon has been good for her. Some of the first problems she struggled, but now she does much better after having the same types of problems assigned day after day. We both like that the text book is free of side bars and various special sections. BUT, when new concepts are introduced, she needs more practice with the basics before moving onto the kinds of problems in the book. The other day we covered combining like terms. She understands the basics, but I had to write up more simplified practice problems before she could successfully work on the ones in the text book. Today we covered exponents and sq roots and she gets mixed up easily with the practice problems in the book. I again wrote out some easier problems for her to work through and then will have her tackle the harder problems in the book on Monday. I am wondering though if she wouldn't be better served finding a slower paced algebra program, or even going back to a pre-algebra program. I can get a hold of the saxon pre-alg book so I will look into that. Any suggestions for a slower paced algebra program? I used parts of a Lial book with my son, but the pages were visually quite cluttered and I am not sure that would be a good fit for her either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 You could try something like Math U See Algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 We watched some of the Math U see videos online and she didn't like them. I think she has issues with male teachers in general. :( Thanks for the suggestion though. I will take another looke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Ah. We hardly used the videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa B Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I am using Math U See with my dd that struggles with math. She used Saxon up to prealgebra, but then needed something simpler. Something with more focus on one concept yet continued practice on what she had already learned. She is loving MUS. But, we have never used the videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I agree, MUS might help. Or you might look at the Key to Algebra workbooks. CLE Algebra I might work but it is spiral like Saxon. I like it better than Saxon. CLE has samples you can look at on-line. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Did she test into Algebra I? I was thinking if you didn't give her a test, she may need to step back into pre-algebra if those concepts are not solidified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I've used Key to Algebra along with Saxon for a young learner. I think it would be a good fit from what you describe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Actually I agree with reefgazer, no matter what material you shift her over to, you should give a placement exam if there is one. Maybe she is missing some key pieces that need targeted instruction before moving forward.... Good luck OP! :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Teaching textbooks is spiral and less rigorous than Saxon. What about just taking Saxon slower? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I would second the suggestion to take Saxon's placement test. Maybe backing up to 8/7 for a bit to make sure the gaps are filled might help her to move more easily through algebra. Or, just keep moving slowly and teach/review the basics as you go, but I think that backing up a bit might give her more confidence in her math ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 look at a sample of Fresh Approach http://cathyduffyreviews.com/math/Fresh-Approach-Algebra-and-Geometry.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumkins Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 What about ACE? Even if that's not the program yiu stick with, it's got a test online where it'll find gaps. You do those PACES to catch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Did you give her the placement test? Given her struggles I'd look at a pre-algebra program instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 She tested into prealgebra throught ALEKS and we covered those subjects on their online program then went onto the saxon alg. Many concepts just don't seem to stick with her for very long. She also has pretty much given up on trying to hard and is willing to accept that she just sucks as math. Hrmm..... Thanks for the ideas and suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Maybe she didn't learn very well from ALEKS? I would check again with the Saxon placement test and consider Algebra 1/2 instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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