Teaching Textbooks Algebra

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by Kathy, Jan 9, 2014.

  1. Kathy

    Kathy New Member

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    My daughter is really struggling with Algebra 1 in Math U See. I am no help and I agree with her that the video doesn't explain very well what she's finding in the book. I'm not sure if it's because we have an older version I bought used to save money or not. Maybe the newer version is more clear but I can't afford to re-buy it and have the same problems.

    Soooo, I've heard more good than bad about Teaching Textbooks. I'm looking for reviews from people who have gone from one curriculum that they used exclusively to TT. I'm quite afraid to just switch curriculum after using MUS since 1st grade but I don't know what else to do.

    I'd also like to know what to look for in buying it used. I'm not sure if the workbook is mandatory. A catalog I'm looking at says it's 654 pages! I don't want to put out money on a used set to find I'm missing something important. We have a Mac if that makes a difference.
     
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  3. KrisRV

    KrisRV New Member

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    I used Teaching Text with both my girls and they loved it and so did I. I just did the CD and they worked problems on paper we never had any work books and they both did great.
     
  4. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    If you are on Mac, I think you need the new version. 2.0 is what I think its called. Also, I never had the workbooks for my oldest, but after buying a new set for my next one coming up that has the workbook, I don't think we will do it without the workbook ever again. Its not that there is anything in the book that isn't on the disks but it lets me see that is being done right and understood. The disks only show a grade and I can tell you that a smart kid can learn to "play the system" and get good grades on it and really not have a clue about what they are doing.

    Have you looked at the samples on the TT site?

    We love TT here. They turned my math hater into a math liker (she still doesn't love math but she doesn't live anything that isn't artistic).
     
  5. kbabe1968

    kbabe1968 New Member

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    We have used TT exclusively since 5th Grade for my oldest. We had used Lifepac before that.

    Anyway, we ADORE TT. While the workbook is not MANDATORY, it does make life easier…saves on copying down the problem to work it out. DEFINITELY GET 2.0 b/c the solutions are right in the CD vs. a separate set of solutions CD's. And yes, the cash outlay is expensive AT FIRST, but remember, the company encourages reselling and you can almost ALWAYS get top dollar on it b/c it NEVER goes on sale anywhere.

    We use the workbook and CD's here. I set up a separate account on the CD's for myself so that when my daughter has trouble, we can work through the problem together and it's not effecting her grade. I'll say the only thing my daughter has trouble with is interpreting word problems. Other than that, the explanations are very clear and thorough.

    I love TT. My kids love TT. I can't say enough good about it. :)
     
  6. Shelley

    Shelley New Member

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    We used Singapore [my son] and Bob Jones [my daughter] before switching to TT. My son's over halfway through pre-Algebra. While we love it here, I can see where it might not be the perfect fit for everyone's needs.

    I'd strongly recommend you go to their site and do some of the sample lessons to see if you, and more importantly your daughter, feel like the program will be a good match.

    As far as the workbook, it's optional. I didn't get it for my son for 7th grade and cursed myself for it as we frequently could've used the easier reference to previous lessons. I got it for pre-Algebra, and we've used it a few times to quickly refer back. If you decide to get the program, you might try going without the book initially and see how it goes. You CAN refer back to previous lessons in the program itself, so the workbook's not necessary for that purpose [it just would've been quicker for us in the 7th grade program].
     
  7. Shilman

    Shilman New Member

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    DD is using TT for Algebra 1 right now. We used MUS off and on and were doing MUS pre-algebra last year. She begged to try something different! So, we went on the TT website and finished up the year by doing the pre-algebra sample lessons on the website. I highly recommend you have your daughter work through some of the lessons to see if it is a good fit for her. The sample lessons are complete from start to finish. After doing this, she decided she wanted to change to TT. She struggles with math, so I do have to sit with her on some lessons. The workbook is not necessary, but it comes in handy for me when I am helping her. Also, the answer book is nice to have. She wants to get a good grade, so she will ask if her answer is correct before submitting her answer!!! (They have 2 tries to get it right) They can also see the problem worked out if they get it wrong.

    We both love it and she likes the independence! Her twin brother is using BJU Algebra 1 at our co-op and it is ahead of teaching textbooks, but that is good for DD! He can help her from time to time when she is stuck.

    I think you will like it, just be sure to try some sample lessons first.
     
  8. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I went with Horizons through grade 3, then switched to Saxon. Both Rachael and Faythe used an old public school book for Pre-algebra, Rachael also using one for Algebra. We then switched her to TT starting in Geometry, Faythe started TT with Alg. 1, and Phillip started it I think at grade 4.

    It was a God-send for Rachael!!! Keep in mind that Geometry is the highest math I took, so there was NO WAY I could teach her beyond that. She did it TOTALLY independently. Faythe is mostly independent. She's just started with Alg. 2. I do go over answers with her, but if they're wrong, I refer her to the videos. Faythe did have a problem in Geometry with the proofs. She has a unique way of looking at things, and often would "prove" something in a very round-about way. It was sound thinking, but definitely NOT the way it was in the book, lol!

    Phillip is having trouble with TT. Personally, I think the problem is a 14yo boy who just isn't interested in ANYTHING, lol!
     
  9. jakk

    jakk New Member

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    We started out with Switched on Schoolhouse, Lifepac, Math U See and a co-op tutor before finding TT Algebra. It made perfect sense to my daughter and it absolutely saved OUR relationship! We never looked back. She used TT for all four years of high school.
     
  10. Kathy

    Kathy New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies. I searched our homeschool group directory because we list what curriculum we use and I found a mom whose daughter is partially done with her algebra cd's. She let me borrow the 1st one and if my daughter likes it then I asked to be 1st in line to buy the set for when my son needs it.

    We borrowed the 1st cd and my dd has gone through 14 lessons so far. It seems to be working. She likes it better and the explanations are SO helpful. Way better than what we got with MUS.

    So my next question would be to see if anyone has the newer version to sell of pre-algebra to prepare my son to move over to TT in a couple years?
     
  11. my3legacies

    my3legacies Member

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    We love TT. We are currently doing pre algebra and Will move to algebra in week or two. We have the work book. I love it because sometimes we need to look back at previous lessons to refresh his (and my) memory and its just easy to grab the book and quicklyfind what we are looking for, rather than get the disc and listen to the lecture again.
     
  12. Shilman

    Shilman New Member

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