Questions about Dolciani's Structure and Methods Algebra and more

[Pam in MA]

I am planning to use Dolciani's Structure and Methods Algebra Book 1 next year for my eighth grader. First of all, I was wondering if Book 1 is intended to be a one year course. Also, what would be the sequence I would follow using this series for the rest of high school? I've just learned about this series and am impressed with the recommendations, so we're going to make a change after we complete Saxon this year, but I'm not clear on the series through high school. Any help would be appreciated.

[chelsea in TN]

Dolchiani is a one year class.

My plans for now 9th grader:
9th -Dolchiani Alg I
10th - Dolchiani Alg II
11th -Jacobs Alg
12th-Community College

Now 6th grader
6th -Finish Saxon 8/7 ( he just started after christmas - so we will continue this into 7th grade)
7th - finish Saxon , Do Teaching Company Basic Math DVD's
8th - Dolchiani Alg I
9th - Dolchiani Alg II
10th - Jacobs Geometry
11th - Community College
12th - Community College


As we all know plans may change but that is my plan for now:rolleyes:

HTH
Chelsea

[Bev in B'ville]

Book II incorporates Trignometry. If you do not plan on using this part of the book, you should be fine. However, if you plan to use it, you should have your child do geometry before attempting this book.

JMHO.

Bev

[ereks mom]

Does Dolciani not have a Geometry book in their series? Chelsea said she would use Jacobs Geometry. Bev, what do you use?

[Gwen in VA]

For geometry we use Jurgensen, Brown, and Jurgensen's Geometry. It is VERY proof-heavy and rigorous.

We don't have the solution's manual so when we correct the proofs we do not have the right answers -- and there are a few proofs that neither my dh nor I can do! But we love it -- and it challenges not only the student but the teacher as well! :rolleyes:

Yes, we do have the TM so at least we have ALL of the simple numerical answers readily at hand. :D

[Bev in B'ville]

Does Dolciani not have a Geometry book in their series? Chelsea said she would use Jacobs Geometry. Bev, what do you use?

My dd is completing Saxon Alg. 2 and TT Geometry concurrently this year. TT Geometry is proof heavy at least in the sense that dd has proofs on every test. She's also completed proofs in her logic classes, so I don't worry about that too much. If competency is any indication, she's doing great on the Saxon geometry sections when they come up (but she uses the TT videos to explain the concepts instead of the Dive videos). She'll be moving on to Larson's Precalculus next year.

My son is doing Dolciani Structure & Method, Book 1 this year. Next year he'll be doing TT Geometry concurrently with Alg. 2.

HTH.

Bev

[Pam in MA]

For those of you who use different course books from different sources, you haven't found that to be a problem through high school? I thought through elementary/middle school is was good to have some continuity to make sure everything was covered, but since the high school subjects are more discrete, it does seem to make sense to pick the best text for each year. I think I'm satisfied to go ahead with either Foerster or Dolciani for Algebra I, but then how did you determine where to go from there? I'm a math major so I'm not worried about following the material and it's important to me to make a good choice.

[Gwen in VA]

I figured out what books to investigate by checking out what the honors-level math classes used at various public and private high schools that I respect. Many / most high schools have information about texts and scope & sequence online now.

I discovered that my local high school (in Massachusetts, and one of the two top-scoring schools in the state) used the same book that we did (Dociani) for algebra 1. I figured that if the teachers had enough sense to use Dolciani for algebra 1 that I would follow their textbook sequence, and we have been very pleased with it.

Also, if you happen to have a friend who is a mth teacher, beg to have access to her textbook collection. I spent a delightful day in a friend's office poking through math texts and was amazed -- some prealgebra texts covered almost identical material to some algebra 1 texts. Which textbook you choose can make a HUGE difference in not only how the material is covered but also what material is covered.

[Gwen in VA]

Sorry -- my previous post wandered. The textbook sequences I have seen for high school math have ALL jumped textbook series at some point. I would not be concerned about hopping from one to another -- but I would follow the sequence of someone, whether a friend or a school.

[Pam in MA]

I had thought of checking the book lists of some prep schools (like the ones you mentioned in MA) but I haven't been able to find any information about texts used. I have found some Scope and Sequences. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places?