looking for some math advice for my going to be a 9th grader next year

[lori in tx]

WE are currently using MUS and she will be finishing the Zeta book this year. Well that means next she will be doing Pre-Algebra, math is not her strong subject at all. She is finally getting math with MUS BUT my only concern is if she is not constantly reviewing something it can and most times will be forgotten. So do I continue with MUS and find a way to do review or switch to something else, for instance right now she is doing a daily review page and for the life of her can not remember how to divide fractions (she finished that book in Oct.). Any ideas?

My son is the exact same way he can't remember how to do long division, even though he has been doing it for about 5 months but we took a 2 weeks break for moving and it is completly gone.
thanks
lori

[Michelle in MO]

pre-algebra, we used Lial's Basic College Math. We used Abeka math through 6th grade, and then I had my girls do Lial's in the 7th grade. Lial's is very thorough, and you can purchase a DVT (Digital Video Tutor) component, which is like a DVD, but a bit "clunkier"---it runs on your computer like a CD-ROM, but there are teacher for it.

Also, I'm not familiar with the Pre-Algebra book for Chalkdust, but we're doing Chalkdust Geometry this year. I have to say I still don't really like the book Chalkdust uses for geometry; however, Dana Moseley is the teacher, and he does an excellent job of teaching geometry. You might check out Chalkdust also for Pre-Algebra. Chalkdust uses regular DVD's, and they are good quality, and Dana Moseley's instruction is excellent. Maybe that will help solidify the concepts your daughter needs?

HTH!