LEK Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I have no idea why I was, and still am, second guessing my decision to use AoPS prealgebra (which I love, love, LOVE!) but for some completely illogical reason I feel the need to have a more "standard" prealgebra textbook on hand as well to give us additional practice or an alternative teaching method if we run into trouble in a topic or if I feel extra practice is needed somewhere. So, I ordered Lial's prealgebra after reading way, way too many threads in here and agonizing over the decision for months. It finally arrived today 7 weeks later (I assumed it had been lost in the mail and was chasing it up) and OMG I cannot begin tell you how much I HATE it. The format, the jumbled mess, the sidebars, pictures everywhere, weird patterns and shapes, different colors all over the place... It is like this textbook has ADHD. I can't even focus or understand the topic as there is so much other "stuff" all over the page, different text boxes, columns and sidebars everywhere, and I know this content well. There is no way am I giving this book to dd it is a complete jumbled mess :thumbdown: So, where to now? I want something clear and concise with lots of practice problems and very clear explanations. Something uncluttered, logical, and direct but not completely dry. I love :001_tt1: the AoPS prealgebra book, it is well set out, clear, uncluttered and logical, everything Lial's is not. Apparently I do not want colors and pictures and random "stuff" all over the place. So please tell me, what prealgebra book am I describing? I do not want anything too expensive as this is just a supplement. This book is for a 9yo (if that makes a difference to recommendations). Thanks :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingmom Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 I also looked at Lial's and said.... NOPE! Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) Dolciani is quite clear and well laid out but it's not exciting. We mostly used it and AoPS to a lesser extent for pre-algebra. We moved to Foerster for algebra I and the punny names in the word problems are about as exciting as it gets, but it's excellent content. ETA: We had Lial's too and I tried to use it but I couldn't for the same reasons plus it went far too slow. Edited October 31, 2016 by deerforest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 If you like AOPS use AOPS and also selectively use something like Math Mamouth for practice. I did not like AOPS yet stuck to it until half way through the algebra book, whereupon we switched to Foerster.â¤ï¸ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc26 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 One of my kids used Saxon Algebra 1/2, the other is currently using Math Mammoth 7. I really wanted to use AOPS but we all looked at it and said "Gah, too many words!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) Use AoPS. And Alcumus. If you haven't had a problem with it yet, stop second-guessing yourself :) If you feel better having another text on hand, Dolciani's Prealgebra, An Accelerated Course is what you are asking for (dated 1986-1992). Edited October 31, 2016 by wapiti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 My ADHD kiddo was very overwhelmed by Lial, but the ASD kiddo absolutely adored that prealg book. *shrug*I'll add a vote for Dolciani as the cleanest page prealg I've ran across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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