Questions for BCM/Pre-algebra users

[happymom]

We have been using BCM this year. My dd just finished chapter 6. Here are some questions I've had lately:

1. Do you let your kids use calculators with the problems that have the calculator symbol. I didn't let my daughter use one until this last chapter. It was really slowing her down not to use it.

2. Do you have your kids memorize all formulas? My daughter had trouble keeping all of the formulas straight in chapter 6 (percents). I let her copy the formulas she couldn't remember on a card to use for the chapter test. How important is it that she memorize these?

3. I'm using BCM for Pre-Algebra. What exactly is covered in most Pre-Algebra texts and how does it compare to BCM. Does my daughter need to complete all of chapter 9 (Basic Algebra) before starting Algebra in the fall. I've been looking through some Table of Contents for Algebra Texts and it looks like much of this will be repeated. Is that typical to teach the concepts both years? It doesn't look like we will finish the BCM this year if we go at the pace we are going. Are there sections I could skip? Could I have my dd do fewer problems (She does all odd right now) My dd has made A's on all chapter tests so far. These are the chapters we have left- Measurement, Geometry, Basic Algebra, Statistics.

[Colleen]

Here are my answers, but keep in mind that I've only had one use BCM thus far so I don't have a great deal of experience:

1) Yes, I let him use a calculator for the problems with the calculator notation.

2) No, I did not require him to memorize all formulas.

3) I did have my son complete all of Chapter 9. I thought it laid a good foundation and while the material will be covered again, repetition is not necessarily a bad thing. As well, my son was only 11 while using BCM and I was in no hurry to move him on to algebra. In fact, earlier this year, I had him go through the Key to Algebra series before starting Lial's Intro Algebra more recently.

I'm not clear as to why you'd not just complete BCM in its entirety, but if you do choose to fast forward, I'd not skip statistics.