Which Algebra program to use? Advice needed!

[runningirl71]

Hi! I have been reading post after post about different math programs, trying to find answers to my questions, and was wondering if anyone would just directly answer them for me!:D

I had to pull my 7th grade son out of a classical private school this semester. He has been out for 3 weeks, and, although I've found what I needed for most other subjects, I'm still in need of a math book. His former teacher (who majored in math in college) use Abeka Algebra I. My son could understand all concepts and explanations quite easily, and enjoyed the more traditional text.

I, on the other hand, am not a math person. I don't like studying it, although I understand it. I can't explain the concepts like someone who loves it would. So, I bought TT Algebra. DS doesn't like it. He says it explains things WAY different then he is used to. Hmmmmm. SO, I borrowed the Saxon Dive CD for Algebra from a friend. This is a little more traditional, and he is okay with it.

My question is: He seems to really understand the concepts, and likes traditional explanations. I think he could REALLY go far in math, except I'm his tutor and didn't get past highschool Algebra II!:) Do I try and locate the Saxon student text, and go ahead with this or is there another program that may fit him better? I was looking into Jacob's Elementary Algebra, but not sure how teacher intensive this is. Any advice?

Oh, when we tried out TT and Saxon, he told me he had already covered about 1/2 to 2/3 of the concepts in school. So, I'm really looking into finding something for him to "finish up."

[Laura in VA]

finishing up with the Abeka text? That way, you can start with a new program next year but give him consistency with the Abeka, since that's what he's used and he'll know where he needs to be in it. For Algebra 2 and Geometry, I'd recommend Chalkdust. It's expensive, but it has great resell value and it is a very thorough program. If he has questions, you can e-mail Professor Mosely and he replies promptly. HTH-

[TheLisa]

I don't have a great answer for you, but just wanted to say that my 7th grade ds also does not like TT...

We have been doing Saxon Alg 2, but as the difficulty level increased, I decided to switch to TT Geometry for a "break." So far he does not like it. I think he just needs to get used to the different style, so we will stick with it a little longer. Later we will go back to Saxon, or just continue 1 Algebra lesson per week, along with Geometry.

If you switch to Saxon, get the Solutions guide as well as the Dive CD, if you are not a math person.

I don't like Abeka, would choose Saxon over Abeka, but if your ds likes it you might want to consider that.

If he has already covered 2/3 of the book, you might try skipping him to the next book, or just skip the parts he knows.

[runningirl71]

finishing up with the Abeka text? That way, you can start with a new program next year but give him consistency with the Abeka, since that's what he's used and he'll know where he needs to be in it.

Yes, you would think that would be logical enough, finishing out his book. But, I don't necessarily feel comfortable teaching him the Abeka text, and I know I won't use it again, thus not sure if I want to *buy* it. I have used Abeka in the lower grades and felt I had to really expand on the instruction part of it. I've seen the Algebra text, and I couldn't necessarily just dive in and know how to teach it. My son had a teacher who *knew* math. I guess I'm looking for something that would resell easily and something I would feel comfortable with being able to explain when my son needs help. Abeka doesn't seem very engaging either, but when you have someone teaching it who *loves* math, I'm sure it is fine. The problem is I don't love it and I don't want to make it a chore for ds and kill his love math!:)

[Jann in TX]

If you switch to any other program you need to be aware that ABeka is a pretty 'lite' program. It teaches the 'computation' part of Algebra but it has very little application. It is also VERY lacking in linear equations (it does not mention point-slope form at all--in any level!).

Teaching Textbooks covers a bit more material than ABeka--but if you add in the Algebra 2 program it is also considered 'lite' in the magnitude and depth of the concepts taught.

Saxon is a VERY different program--not traditional at all! If your son were to switch to Saxon he would need to start at the beginning of the book--and work every problem. Saxon is not set up like ABeka. The problem sets (homework) has many DIFFERENT types of problems other than what was in the lesson. TT has built in review--but they offer more practice on the new stuff taught in the lesson. Saxon is not a good fit for every student.

I suggest staying with ABeka unless you want to start over--you can purchase an inexpensive copy of a good teaching text like Lial's Introductory Algebra (7th edition will cost less than $10 including priority shipping!). Use the 'reference' text if you need help teaching a concept--or if you want to expand the lesson. The Lial text is much larger--but it is traditional in the way the homework is laid out--and the teaching is also VERY GOOD--it was designed for independent learning (videos are also available for about $30)

[runningirl71]

Thanks so much Jann! I appreciate your thoughts! :)

[Hoggirl]

Not sure what to tell you about finishing up the year. I have never heard great things about Abeka Algebra I, though. We have used Chalkdust for Pre-Algebra and Algebra I and are moving into Geometry next year. It is a DVD-based program with EXCELLENT teaching, IMO. And, it goes all the way through Calculus. The solutions manual is completely step-by-step, and the instructor is available for help if you need it. If I e-mail, he usually replies within a couple of hours! I had lots of math in school, but it is 25 years old up there in my head! I haven't needed Prof. Mosely for *too* many questions since we are only in Algebra I, but we have needed him a few times. Especially when my ds asks those "why" questions. I was always good in math, but b/c I was a plug-and-chug kind of girl. Could do the mechanics, but probably never really "got it" like I should. Also, the textbooks for Chalkdust have TONS of application/word problems that are of the real-life/practical mode.
HTH. I think I am some sort of Chalkdust "groupie," LOL! but I just cannot say enough good things about this program.

[Cheryl in NM]

I don't know anything about Abeka, but my friend is a math teacher. She has taught in private school and now teaches a homeschool class. She says that her Saxon students are more prepared and have the concepts down the best. That being said, since it's the end of the year I'd probably finish witht he Abeka or not do any math at all. The school year is almost over and there so much repetition that what he misses at the end of this year will be in the begining of next year's book. If you go to Saxon online they have a placement test to see where your child would be in their text. On caveat about Saxon, there is alot of repetition. If your son is very math minded and picks up concepts easily I wouldn't make him do all the problems on every lesson. I'm not a math person either and I have found Saxon very easy to teach. I've even learned stuff that I didn't know.

[langfam]

Not sure what to tell you about finishing up the year. I have never heard great things about Abeka Algebra I, though. We have used Chalkdust for Pre-Algebra and Algebra I and are moving into Geometry next year. It is a DVD-based program with EXCELLENT teaching, IMO. And, it goes all the way through Calculus. The solutions manual is completely step-by-step, and the instructor is available for help if you need it. If I e-mail, he usually replies within a couple of hours! I had lots of math in school, but it is 25 years old up there in my head! I haven't needed Prof. Mosely for *too* many questions since we are only in Algebra I, but we have needed him a few times. Especially when my ds asks those "why" questions. I was always good in math, but b/c I was a plug-and-chug kind of girl. Could do the mechanics, but probably never really "got it" like I should. Also, the textbooks for Chalkdust have TONS of application/word problems that are of the real-life/practical mode.
HTH. I think I am some sort of Chalkdust "groupie," LOL! but I just cannot say enough good things about this program.I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions on your post.

Hoggirl,
Is your child mathy? Does he have trouble with the college text book? I personally think Dana Mosely is an excellent teacher, but am concerned about using the Larson textbook for my non-mathy DS. Can you give me some ideas as to how you schedule the lessons?

Thanks.:)

[Carolyn in Ohio]

I have to vote for Chalkdust as well. We used Pre algebra and Algebra and I plan to continue on with it.

Carolyn

[runningirl71]

It has helped me think through things! I'm definitely not going to *stress* out on how much we get done from now until the end of the school year (or should I say the beginning of the next school year?). I think we will continue on with math through the summer, and we'll use the Saxon text for practicality purposes-I can borrow a friend's copy! My son used Saxon before he used Abeka at the private school, so he is familiar with how it is set up. We'll just see what he knows and take it slow . . .:)