Those of you who've used Video Text Algebra, a question...

[Angel]

My 13dd will be in 9th next year and we are looking at Video Text for math. We have used Rod and Staff for 6-8th (currently). She is a little bored with math these days and dh and I were wondering if we could go ahead and begin VT now with her instead of waiting till next year. Does VT really teach all they need to know for solving algebraic equations at the beginning of the series. Dd didn't finish R&S 7th completely. Would that matter? Also how important are proportions to algebra? This seems to be the only math concept that she struggles with! :(

I despise math! I'm ready for a video teacher (and her dad) to take over this part of school.

Thanks for the help. I think this might be the first time I've posted on "the other side" of the boards :)

Angel

[mcconnellboys]

I don't specifically know what concepts R&S covers for that grade level, but VT begins with pre-algebra and covers tiny bits of info at a time, so I don't think it would be too difficult for her.

Regena

[HSKLNG]

My dd was having trouble with the curr. of Alg I that we got and we were "big time" frustrated. So I started looking and reading and the search led to Video Text. It was Chalkdust Video and VT....she picked VT and I am glad.

Like it was mentioned the beginning is "supposed" to be Pre-Algebra, but even there we found new things from the very beginning...Introduction.

We like it. The lessons are clear, the examples are clear and the lessons are VERY short. A good explanation, some problems to demostrate the explanation and off you go to work you own problems. The student suppose to do 2 or 3 of the problems and get them corrected to see it the concept has been understood, if so he/she may continue with the problems, either the odd or the even problems...whichever you assigned.

VT assumes the student does not know any of this terms, so like my dd, your dd might fly through those concepts she knows (which is very good for her self-steam) and when new materials shows apply the breaks and enjoy the process of learning them.

I think you gals are going to have fun...yes, even you. Algebra was not in my curr. in school and I have learn a lot just working with my dd.

We started in Sept with Module A and we are now in the last lesson of Part D of Module B. We have backout couple times to make sure she gets it clearly. I rather go slow and steady getting the concepts and applying them taking longer than rush through it and at the end she cannot work with her sciences.;)

HTH

[Grace is Sufficient]

Does VT really teach all they need to know for solving algebraic equations at the beginning of the series. Dd didn't finish R&S 7th completely. Would that matter? Also how important are proportions to algebra? This seems to be the only math concept that she struggles with! :(

I despise math! I'm ready for a video teacher (and her dad) to take over this part of school.

Angel

VT absolutely teaches everything needed to know for solving the equations, and in the clearest, most helpful way I've ever seen.

We're almost done with Module E -- this is our 2nd year in VT -- and I asked my 9th grade son about the proportions. He thinks VT taught it at some point, but says that she could do VT with no problems.

FYI, I'm also a math despiser, especially an algebra despiser, but I understand this stuff and find it interesting for the first time with VT.

[GothicGyrl]

We just finished up VT and I can't say enough good things about it!! It gave me a love for math I never had. It is clear, concise and spot on. It teaches the concepts the right way without all the junk like casting out 9's and such.

I don't remember any proportions in it--if it was taught we did it without me even knowing. I say move on and do it now. If she's bored with what she's doing, she'll likely shut down on math and you don't want that. Give her something fresh!!

I do have to say that we did the whole first program with my 6th grader and she got every concept taught. :) They really are very concise and good.

[Angel]

Thank you so much for your helpful advice. I did show dd the sample video and she liked it. Math has become such a struggle as we have gotten into concepts that are difficult for me:eek: Dd also thinks differently. I see how to do the problem, follow the steps and then do it. Dd wants to know [I]WHY[I] we do it that way and if it will work the way she thinks, yada, yada, yada! We spend much of our time misunderstanding each other. I don't CARE why it works:D

It looks like we'll begin saving up for VT (or looking on ebay). Thanks for all the great advice and help!

Angel

[GothicGyrl]

Actually, then she'll really like VT because on some problems, they DO explain the why... :) And they even tell you why a certain way won't work. :)

[Angel]

They did say that on the sampler, that they tell you the "why." I wasn't sure, though, if it meant what I was thinking. Being on the English Lit side of the brain it isn't easy to relate to the math/science side of the brain. Oh, for a dollar for every time I said "they give you the steps, you just have to solve it!" as she goes "but why does it work!" AAAGGHH!

I'm feeling more confident about the VT choice after talking with you all. I was pretty sure that this would work for her, but I feel you all have really confirmed what I was thinking. Thanks

Angel