Ok, I'm getting ready to figure out what I am going to use to teach my 7th grade daughter Pre Algebra next year. She is not a lover of math, but not bad at it. I'm leaning towards Teaching Textbooks, but I didn't know if there is anything else out there that ya'll thought was better before I fork over the money. Suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
In 7th grade we used Saxon, but I have come to really like Interactive Math. InterAct Math is designed to help your student succeed in their 6th grade thru college math courses. The tutorial exercises accompany the end-of-section exercises in Addison-Wesley and Prentice Hall textbooks. However I think that it can be used with any good math textbook & best of all its free! http://interactmath.com/home.aspx
TT is my first thought, esp given that she is decent in math but doesnt' like it. It made my son who was like that like doing math!
My son's using TT for pre-Algebra right now. I've heard no complaints, but we've also been using TT for the past 4 years so it's not a new program to him. Did you let your daughter try the free online sample lessons of TT? That might give both of you a feel for the program before purchasing to see if it will be a good fit.
Sigh.... With Rachael, my dh decided that she didn't need pre-algebra, and put her straight into Alg. 1, using a "retired" book from the public school. IT WAS TERRIBLE!!! She and I were both having fits, and he said it was *my* fault, because I had a bad attitude toward math! Finally, he listened to me, and we started using Merrill Pre-Algebra. This was also an "old" textbook, but it went very well for her. Then Faythe comes along, who is NOT a math person! She was able to do fine with this book, but we did switch to TT for Alg. 1. Phillip has been doing TT, and my friend was selling her TT pre-alg, so we got it for him. I hated spending the money, but if it meant not fighting with him, it would be worth it!!! He hasn't started it yet.
I recommend TT Pre-Algebra. My oldest is using that right now, and I'm hoping to test my son into it for next year (since we already have it!). My oldest has used TT since 5th Grade, my middle since 4th, and my youngest is using it now also. I love them. They love them. It's a win-win in my household!
If your child would like a wordy math book with lots of puzzling math problems then Art of Problem Solving might be a good fit. In addition to the textbook there are short instructional videos online and an online "game" that goes along with the textbook. They also offer online classes.
TT Pre-Algebra here. DD hated math but this book turned her around. Connected the dots for her in a big way. She is now in TT Algebra 1. Taking it slowly, at her own pace, but is able to follow it without much help from us.
We use Thinkwell. Both of my kids enjoy it. Check it out on http://homeschoolbuyersco-op.org. The teacher is fun and easy to understand. I listen over my daughters shoulder where I can help when she needs it(most of the time), but my son works on his own (98% of the time). It is multiple choice questions, but they also have worksheets which are not.
DD uses Math U See pre-algebra with me. DS uses Bob Jones pre-algebra at our co-op. I prefer Math U See. I have heard many good things about TT.
