initally this was going to be a response to another post, but then i got off track and realized I have a few questions about teaching textbooks! We are using TT pre algebra for my 8th grader. We used Singapore up through 7th, and my biggest concern is some of the math is done differently in TT - for example they had a problem where the first part of the answer was this: 800 100 and they reduced it by factoring. 2x2x2x2x2x3 over 2x2x2x3 or what ever, then cancel out to get 8/1. In Singapore, the first step would have been to cancel out the hundreds first (they taught the idea of canceling early in the step of the problem for ease of solving), and pow! 8/1. The TT step seemed to make it more complicated and I can't understand why it did that. It made no sense to me for it to factor it down, when it seems to me anyone with a brain would have just canceled out the hundreds to get the correct answer. So I'm a bit afraid I will have to be more hands on than I like to let my ds know it is OK to cancel early on to solve some of these fractions, since he just spent 3 years learning how to do that (singapore is VERY HEAVY on fraction usage), and TT doesn't seem to take that into consideration. So now I am a bit worried. I don't know if all of TT will be that way (don't have the system in my hands yet) or if we can work about some small areas that do that. I'm kinda ticked that I have to step in and mark up the book , letting ds know it is OK to do math the way he learned it, instead of necessarily the book's way. This is where math programs tick me off. Any ideas on how to deal with this? Is it OK to do that? or will it mess him up with the math in the book? Thanks for all your input!!
Maybe they are preparing them for finding the LCF or GCF? Look ahead and see if that is coming up next. We are doing Pre-algebra TT this year too but I haven't purchased it yet or I would look. We did the Singapore New Elementary Mathematics (looong time ago!) and they did it the same way TT is describing.
With the problem you said, I'd do it the way you said, just crossing off the zero's. But I'm guessing, like Colorado, that they're trying to get you to find the least common multiple or greatest common factor or whatever. You really need to be able to do both, if you had a number that wasn't as easily recognizable as 800 and 100. Edited to say: I had trouble with the way Horizons taught division in their 2nd grade book. In my mind, it was just plain WRONG! I discussed it with Carl (who is a math teacher), and he agreed. So we didn't do it that way. I did talk with them, because I was afraid it would be foundational to something else they were teaching on down the road, etc. Well, I did it MY way. And I did it MY way with Faythe and Phillip, too! And Rachael is taking Pre-Cal this year, and not doing it the book's way in 2nd grade hasn't made a bit of difference!
we did things our way too, when it seems like the book is trying to complicate something easy I teach both methods and allow ds or dd to do it the way that works best for them, as long as they get the same answer. I do make them try it the book way a couple times so they can decide. I think this helps them in problem solving later too because they will have to determine what is the best way to solve the problem. knowing there are different ways to find the same answer is a good thing.
Math requires a much deeper conceptual understanding than any textbook can offer. That can usually be achieved by repeat practice and a good parent or tutor.
I'd have to say I disagree. I think for most people math requires understanding how to use it when necessary and nothing else. My son has only been using Teaching Textbooks for one year - but I'll tell you I really didn't have to participate in the math process last year at all and this year he's skipping a grade. So in our case a good teacher or tutor is not required and a textbook can do the job just fine. You *may* be a little biased since you are representing a tutoring company in your signature.
I haven't participated in Rachael's math for the past two years. It's beyond me totally, and she got 92% in Algebra 2 last year. Amlebede, I think you're a little prejudiced by your tutoring experiences. It may be true for the kids you deal with, but not for ALL.
Really TT is more than just a textbook though...more in lines of a video tutor (sort of). We haven't used it but that's the impression I've gotten at looking at it and from friends who use it (we're still using Horizons...although the oldest is on her very last workbook in the series).
I definitely like the idea of a video tutor - I just have a hard time understanding the math, so I am not the best person to introduce it. Have someone who really understands it well, even on video, will really help. And he is such a computer junkie, that is really a plus!
Gweny this is why we aregoing to MUS at alg1 with ds, and letting MR D do his instructing, thhen I become the tutor and assist in learning,teaching the concepts second hand and encouraging them to think on it. The good thing is that if you hit replay, rewind, etc you can hear it all again as many times as it takes to do it right!
I have a question about TT's. Can you load the disk on the computer and use it that way? This may sound like a silly question but I am needing to be able to let my son work on the program without handling the disks daily as my other kids use the cpu. Thanks
I THINK that the level you want is actually loaded on the computer. The higher levels are not. But PLEASE don't take my word for it. Call TT at 1-866-TOP-MATH and ask them.
