profmom Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I'd love your opinions on favorite Pre-Algebra programs! What goes well with Foerster Algebra I? We're coming from Math in Focus/Singapore, if that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I am not sure you need a preAlgebra after SM 6, especially if you have a string math student. I am not familiar with Foerster, but both my kids went through SM and it's pretty comprehensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 My first Foerster user used Lial's prealg. It's an honors level prealg. Two thumbs up. She did great with Foerster. My second Foerster user mostly used Horizons prealg. She was also in Math Olympiad and used extra books like Zacarro because she really enjoyed them (Horizons doesn't need them). She's doing fabulous with Foerster thus far this year. No complaints. Neither used SM or MiF at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 (edited) What grade will your child be when he does the pre algebra? Edited February 10, 2017 by matermultorum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If you follow MIF through Course 3 you will be able to go directly into Algebra. Pre-Algebra is built into Courses 1-3. I am not sure what you are currently using though or what year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 My kids, including my Dd who used MiF through Course 1, have used MUS alg and geo in a single yr as pre-alg and pre-geo and have then gone into Foerster's with extreme ease. It has been a good transition for my kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 (edited) Right now I'm really loving Dolciani's Pre-Algebra. The word problems are great, though they have been tricky for my kid who likes bar diagrams. He's like, why would I solve this with a variable? Look at my better method! Last year, with my other son, we used Jousting Armadillos and I liked that very much as well. I can't say for sure about preparing for Forester's specifically, but since SM6 is so strong and so many people go right into algebra I from it, maybe JA, which is much shorter and more compact than most pre-algebra programs and much more focused on gearing up to think algebraically, might be a good fit. Mostly just tossing out other avenues for you to think about. Edited February 10, 2017 by Farrar 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 What grade will your child be when he does the pre algebra? 7th grade for pre-algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 If you follow MIF through Course 3 you will be able to go directly into Algebra. Pre-Algebra is built into Courses 1-3. I am not sure what you are currently using though or what year. Thanks. We're in Course 1 right now and are thinking of jumping out and going to pre-algebra for 7th, Algebra 1 for 8th, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendall Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 This is the first year I have used a prealgebra book. This is my 6th child. The others have gone from MEP 5 or 6 or Singapore 6 right into Foerster Algebra. Because I don't want to get farther than Calculus I in high school, I didn't want to start this 7th grader in Algebra I. I also wanted to deepen the mathematics instruction and mathematical thinking. So I am using AoPS prealgebra. I did move to the Foerster book before the equation solving chapter in AoPS. We then did the 1st 3 or 4 chapters in Foerster and now we are back to the equation chapter in AoPS and will finish the book. Next year we will finish Foerster Algebra I. Most of my other children did fine without this "deepening", but I want more :001_smile: . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 (edited) We weren't thrilled with any pre-algebra and now I'm realizing that it's just pretty much review and intro to algebra. We dabbled in just about everything mentioned, a little Lial, AoPS, Dolciani, JA, MM7. It just was a lackluster math year for us. We have been much happier in Foerster's and I wish we had just moved to it. Edited February 10, 2017 by deerforest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyz Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 We went from Singapore 5 to AOPS Prealgebra and then to Foerster. AOPS was a challenge, but we got through it in a regular school year. We started Foerster a couple of weeks ago and it's all way too easy after AOPS Pre-A. Based on our experience, I tend to agree with those who say going to Foerster's after Singapore 6 wouldn't be too big of a leap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 6th grade was our prealgebra year and we wallowed in prealgebra a while, using resources from Lials, Math Mammouth and then also doing the AOPS prealgebra book. We are using Foerster for algebra now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 We went from Singapore 5 to AOPS Prealgebra and then to Foerster. AOPS was a challenge, but we got through it in a regular school year. We started Foerster a couple of weeks ago and it's all way too easy after AOPS Pre-A. Based on our experience, I tend to agree with those who say going to Foerster's after Singapore 6 wouldn't be too big of a leap.I think Foerster may get harder, it did here at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.Ivy Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 (edited) We are using Rightstart G between Singapore 5 and Foerster, and I think it is just perfect for us. We are also using Advanced Math for Young Students, and love that, too. And parts of AOPS Prealgebra. Don't have time to list what I like about it but just thought I'd mention it. Edited February 10, 2017 by Ms.Ivy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 6th grade was our prealgebra year and we wallowed in prealgebra a while, using resources from Lials, Math Mammouth and then also doing the AOPS prealgebra book. We are using Foerster for algebra now. That's exactly us! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 We have used AOPS Prealgebra between Singapore 6B and Foerster. It's not your traditional prealgebra, but has stretched and challenged my kids in so many positive ways. I also think most kids could also go directly from 6b to Foerster if pressed for time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSprout Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 (edited) You could test through Math Mammoth 7? Foerster does ramp up a little because it trots out quadratics early on. Keeps the story problems interesting. We did part of Jacobs Algebra b/c MM 7 wasn't done. We tested through DO PreA and took a detour through Dolciani Algebra (1970 and 1986) before finding our groove with Foerster. YMMV Edited February 11, 2017 by elladarcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbatoo Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 We're going quickly through MM7 to brush up before Algebra. DS isn't as mathy as my other kids and I just didn't feel he was ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 If your student is not struggling, then you can go straight to algebra. Personally, I like AoPS prealgebra - but then I like all of AoPS. If you start algebra in 7th and want to stretch out the traditional math sequence, you can add in statistics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Thanks. We're in Course 1 right now and are thinking of jumping out and going to pre-algebra for 7th, Algebra 1 for 8th, etc. OP, would you mind letting me know how that goes? We are thinking of doing the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Many kids can go straight from SM 6 to algebra. My favorite prealgebra is AoPS, but then I like all of AoPS. As others have said, going to a different algebra after AoPS prealgebra often seems easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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