Teaching Textbooks Question....

[Mel]

My daughter took the placement test for Algebra 1 and she got 7 correct on section 1 and 5 on section 2 - It says you should score

Section 1 - 10 correct
Section 2 - 8 correct


To start Algebra 1 - do you think her score was close enough? I was really hoping she could start Algebra 1 (she will be in 9th) We have worked through MOST of Lial's Basic College Math but are so ready to just end it and take a break. What would you do?

Does Algebra 1 cover enough pre-algebra in the beginning for her to be ok? HELP!!!!

[Chris in VA]

TT is pretty easy compared to other programs, and she will probably be fine. I would look at the types of problems she missed, and expect to cover those things with a little more practice or support.

One thing that consistently tripped up ds was fractions--once he learned those, other things came easily. See if there's something that she's consistently unsure of--maybe division, or fractions, or basic facts. These are easy to remediate.

[Brindee]

From what I've seem, about the first 9 chapters are review. So I'm guessing that she has enough knowledge to get it with the reviews at the beginning to reinforce what she already knows!

Best wishes!

[Mel]

I just did NOT want to have to repeat pre-algebra with her - I would love to hear from any others as well. :0)

[Tap, tap, tap]

We faced the same decision two years ago. Ds decided that he would rather face the challenge of the harder level than be bored for most of the year in the easier level. We used Painless Algebra to reference fractions and as far as I remember that was the only stumbling block he encountered. (The Key to series are another great reference.)


As a parent I decided that we could always go back and buy pre-algebra later if jumping into algebra 1 wasn't working. But if I had bought pre-algebra, I knew I would have wasted at least 1/2 a year of ds's time doing review.

I called TT at the time and talked to them. They told me that 2/3 of pre-algebra is basic math and the last 1/3 is algebra. The main points of basic math get a quick review in algebra 1 and the algebra component is almost entirely revisited. So, if you skip pre-algebra there are no algebra concepts that are not repeated, skimmed over quickly-yes, but not missing entirely.

We did plan to have stumbling blocks and planned extra time in because of it. That was a major part of why we didn't stress when we needed to stop TT for a week or two, and review fractions. Once ds remembered how to handle fractions, then we picked up TT and we were off and running again. Every once in a while ds would get a little lost in TT, so he would stop for a day, and go back about 5-10 lessons and only listen to the lectures. The review from the lectures was all he needed and then I would hear from the next room " OH, I get it now!" and again he was off and going.

Ds did TT Algebra in 7th, Algebra 2 in 8th and will start Geometry in 9th. He tests with the public school and scores 'advanced' in all the math tests he takes. We believe that the program works and ds loves it!


Good luck,
Tap

[Mel]

I really appreciate your info it makes me feel a lot better in purchasing Algebra I - Math is NOT my thing, but it seems like TT is an awesome way to go if you aren't so good at teaching math :0) I love what I have seen online and think this program will be great for my daughter. Actually I am going to use the 5th grade program too w/ my younger dd.

[Tap, tap, tap]

Dd9 just started TT5 and really likes it too! I love the freedom it has given me. I listen to her lectures with her while I am doing a nearby chore so I know what she is doing, and it has worked great so far.

I hope next year is great for you all,
Tap