Looking for your best math advice, folks! **LONG** sorry!

[HeatherH]

I'm pretty sure this subject has been hashed to death - if it has, you can just hit, "ignore", but I'm posting in the hopes that it might help someone else, too!

We have stuck with Singapore Math through 6B. I like it, the kids like it (well, mostly! ;)), I feel that they are really learning mathematical thinking skills. I'm pretty mathy (even though I was a music major), and Singapore does math the way I "think" it, kwim?

After eldest DD finished SM 6B, we went on to Math-U-See. Fine, I figure. She finished Geometry at the end of her 10th grade year - which, I think, is a year behind, yes? She was "behind" simply cuz mom didn't push her - but she consistently scored A's. A friend loaned me ChalkDust Algebra II, which we have been using this year.

Now, ChalkDust is taking DD16 a long, LONG time to complete. I've posted about that before. She used to be able to finish MUS in 45 min or so, but CD definitely takes 1.5 hours. Her average for CD is a 91 for her first semester.

Here is my issue. DS12 is now ready for upper maths. He finished 6B this past fall, and I bought LoF Fractions/Percents/Decimals to "buy" myself time while I figured out which end is up.

I still haven't figured out which end is up.

First: DD16 is not wanting to go to college :glare:, but I'm thinking some higher ed is in her future. What if she just finishes Alg II with CD, then next year does consumer math? Is she toast? Do I need to think about her doing trig? How will this affect ACT scores? (Which we haven't scheduled, btw)

Second: I would really love to just pick one upper math course, and use it for the next 4 kiddos down the road.

Here is what I need: While I feel comfortable teaching math, I just plain old don't have the TIME with all my littles. That may change in, oh, 7 years, but not yet. I really need something with a DVD component as the main instruction. I also want something that will prepare my kids for basic college math - I'm not sure any of them have a math/science bent (dh and I are musicians - we tend to be an artsy/creative family) - but will definitely make all kids work through a Dave Ramsey type consumer course in late h.s.

Here are the options as I see them:

Math-U-See: not sure that will prepare DS for college, he's more likely to go. Is too easy, yes? But positive: it has DVDs.

Teaching Textbooks: OK, good for the DVD/computer component. I've read that the books are definitely too slow for those considering college math.

ChalkDust: It seems so long and involved! Not sure how my 12yo would handle processing each lesson. Also, it's just sooo pricey - not sure dh would go for it.

Saxon: Does anyone even DO Saxon anymore? Is it an option?

Foerster's/Jacob's/Lial's: They sound good, but won't I have to do most of the teaching?

Thanks for reading this far. I'm just in a quandary, and I've been stewing on this for days. If nothing else, I'm hoping to get a few good answers to print out and mull over and show dh.

Someday, I hope to be contributing to this board more than just feeling like, even with a h.s. junior, I STILL don't know what I'm doing! Sigh. . . .

[langfam]

:thumbup1:Chalkdust Prealgebra! You can check the textbook out used here.

http://www.amazon.com/Prealgebra-Ric...676358&sr=11-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Prealgebra-Richard-N-Aufmann/dp/0618372628/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233676358&sr=11-1)

DS 7th grade just works an hour everyday and stops wherever he's at and continues the next day for an hour. He's on Chapter 7 . We started mid-Aug.
HTHs

[LoriM]

For your oldest child, I'd continue with Chalkdust PreCalc.
For your next child, I'd buy Chalkdust PreAlgebra.

Then all you'll need is Chalkdust Algebra 1 for him next year, and you'll have PreAlgebra through PreCalc for all the littles coming up.

Then I'd stop worrying about it, and spend 1.5 hours per day on math routinely. Four days per week, and at the end of the year, stop. :)

Does that help?

Lori

PS. You can definitely do Saxon math for high school for all your littles, but it's not a teacher-free course. Even if you don't consider yourself mathy, I think you are asking for trouble if you don't "teach" math, writing and literature regularly. Kids can read science and history on their own, but without criticism for their process...refinement in their writing style, corrections in their math work, and discussion in their literature...those three critical areas really suffer. Find a way to spend time with your student at least two days per week in those three areas, or sign them up with an instructor who can. Online courses are certainly an option for your older two.

[HeatherH]

Then I'd stop worrying about it, and spend 1.5 hours per day on math routinely. Four days per week, and at the end of the year, stop. :)



:D

Heh. Best advice I've gotten all day!


BTW - It's funny - math is just where I feel inept, mainly because my "plan" (read; MathUSee) didn't pan out. We are discussing writing and literature regularly, thanks to TOG, which I absolutely LOVE. Your advice is terrific and well-taken. Thanks!

[plimsoll]

I would also add Life of Fred to the list....

[HeatherH]

I would also add Life of Fred to the list....

Whoops! We're even USING Life of Fred. . . . .!

But is it "enough" to prepare for college level maths?

[Momto2Ns]

My oldest is right where your younger daughter is. I posted almost this same question to the K-8 board earlier. We're finishing LoF up after flying through them as a review this spring. My son will be in 7th grade next year and I'm trying to decide where to go. I thought MUS pre-algebra, but then I'd probably switch again for Algebra. I'd considered video Algebra, Chalkdust Pre-algebra. I won't do TT. My ds tested into Pre-algebra in it straight from ps 5th grade where math was his worst subject. That is just not good enough. I also won't consider Saxon, he is not the spiral type and doing a ton of problems/day is not our goal.

I really hope you get some great answers because as you can see, I can only join you in pondering the question. :bigear:

[Kareni]

As regards the question of the ACT ....

Have your daughter take a sample test at home to see where she stands. Do it under test conditions (i.e., one sitting with the mandated breaks). Once she does that, you'll have a good idea of where she stands and one less question on your plate. If you have a good public library, you'll probably be able to locate a book there with a sample test.

Regards,
Kareni

[melissaL]

we are still doing Saxon

[Grace is Sufficient]

I've not seen any mention of Videotext in here. It's also a bit pricey, but easily available used. It's completely video taught, and I've only found myself occasionally having to help my kids when they hit a tough spot. And what I like best is that as a very non-mathy mom, I can understand it easily.

[Momto2Ns]

bump:lurk5:

[Alyce]

My dd used MUS all the way through PreCalculus and had no problem placing into Calculus when she got to college. She took it last semester and had the highest grade in the class. MUS isn't necessarily easier it's just mastery based so they do have to know something before moving on. My caution about the upper levels is that some practice problems particularly in Alg 2 and Pre-Calculus don't have a complete explanation on the DVD. My dd has some math ability and was able to figure it out. I also liked that all levels required brain power. No calculators are used although I guess you could if you wanted to.

For my son I've liked Lial's. We have only used it this year for Alg 2 but we will stay with it for Pre-Calculus and I wished we had done it for Alg 1. It is pretty self teaching but does come with a video component. My son who isn't math savy has been able to do it by himself and hasn't needed the video portion yet and we're 3/4 of the way through the book. We both like it because the explanations are clear.

My son used TT last year for Geometry and hated it. He found it to be too simplistic and has not retained a lot of it now that he's finished. He doesn't want to use it again so I won't. Based on our experience I can't recommend TT but when I compared TT to MUS I thought MUS was more challenging and covered more topics. TT has gained popularity in recent years because of the ease of use. MUS is easy to use as well but in my opinion has gotten a bad reputation that isn't justified.