We are still struggling with Algebra 1 with our ds. I'm not sure were going to be able to finish this semester. It's to the point that he ends up totally frustrated and I end up in tears! I've seriously considered doing something different after Christmas but have no idea where to begin. Am I the only one going thru this or does anyone have any other options? Our state only requires four maths for graduation but has no requirements for what those maths are. I appreciate any input.
What math are you using? I highly reccomend Teaching Textbooks! They are AMAZING, expensive but definately worth the cost and also hold their value for resale! My next pick would be Life of Fred, it didn't work for us, but we were an exception. My son likes to not work, and would "cheat" instead of putting any effort into his work. Many here use it and like it. Hope you find something that works for you guys.
I'm sorry! I forgot to tell you what we were doing. We're using Switched on Schoolhouse (SOS) but have considered switching to ABeka's online streaming lessons. I'm just not sure that this will work either.
Most kids thrive on TT, go to their website and watch some of the demos. It makes it fun and interactive, the program does ALL the teaching and even the grading, taking you out of the place of the mean teacher-mommy
You sound like me two three years ago! Dd took two years to get through Alg1 then we found MUS and she did Geometry, is now using it and SOS for Alg2 at her homeschool style school and doing great! We stressed, we cried we yelled we screamed...and did it all again for two years on Life Paks Algebra1. She has now asked to take MUS (math U See) Algebra 1 as well so that she can learn what she missed throught eh process. Check it out too! Math U See and Teaching Textbook and even Video Text and Shieler Math ( think I spelled that wrong) and in the mean time go to Purple Math and use its resources and youtube!
Ok, take a breather and realize you are not alone. We all (or a lot of us at least) have been there done that. My son was melting under the BJU pre-algebra. So this year we are doing pre-algebra again with Teaching Textbooks. The pace is different, but is much better for the math phobic. I LOVE them. My son even said he likes the pace. Plus, it reviews a lot. Of course, if there is too much review-you can have them do just the odds or something. I have a question-you said your state requires 4 years of math, is that the law for public/private schools only or for homeschools also? I was thinking that if we homeschool, we can choose what and how much we expect from our children. I know there are college concerns, but what about the well-being of the environment at home? I am not trying be rude, just presenting something else to think about it. In fact, I read a very eye-opening article that really hit home with me. So, this isn't my original thought. I will give you a link: http://www.homeschooloasis.com/art_problem_with_math.htm You may not agree and that is OK, but just a different viewpoint on the matter. I personally used to be so tied into what we HAD to do, I forgot that some of it isn't really necessary in the long run.
We use abeka dvds. They can be very challenging for someone that has not been using abeka. My kids both do great on it but they love math. You can go to their website and watch a sample. Sorry, I can't help you with the others. We've mostly done abeka but have done mus too and they loved that also.
Another idea that I have been considering.... Setting the Algebra aside and starting a Consumer Math course. This will deal with more life skills for him and yet in a sense be applying more of an elementary algebra.
Check out "Life of Fred". It reads as a STORY, rather than a dry math book. Faythe did the Fractions and Decimals/percents books.
My youngest dd was having the same problems we switched to Teaching Text and she went through Algebra 1 like it was nothing. I know they are pricey. If I didn't lone mine out I would let you use it. It is well worth the money.
Whatever you choose, look for areas he may be missing. Math concepts build on previously learned math concepts. And when some of those concepts are forgotten, it makes the latter concepts harder to understand. For example, one of my daughters is taking Pre-Algebra. When reviewing one of her tests, I realized that she had forgotten how to multiply, add, divide and subtract fractions. So, we took a week off of her regularly planned work and I retaught her fractions.
Oh, we also use http://khanacademy.org when we hit things that aren't very well explained in their lessons. His free videos have been a lifesaver!
I took a week off of Saxon, because Phillip wasn't sure when to multiply or divide when doing word problems. So I have a really good book called "Word Math" that goes through all kinds of story problems. He's been doing them for several days now, and will continue with Saxon when I feel he has them down.
I would try TT first...I have heard such good things about them. (I am saving up for next year preAlg. for us!) Then if that doesn't do the trick...do some accounting maths and give it a bit. My own soap box is the early algebra thing. I so didn't get it at all in either 9th or 10th grade. But in College (at 24) it was simple. It can definitly be a developmental thing. NOT worth hating math to have it on your transcript.
Thanks so much to everyone for your input. I'm currently checking into the TT. This looks like it would be a very valuable asset to us. It is a little pricey but we'll see what we can do. Thanks again!
You can find it used, usually it's not much cheaper, but it's a help. It does hold it's resale value which is a huge plus to many.
So far nobody has suggested Keys to Algebra. I haven't used it myself, but a LOT of people like it a lot. And it's much less expensive than TT or most of the others.
In all honesty, I didn't read all of the posts because I'm a little short on time today. I"m sure you have had some great suggestions. Algebra was ALWAYS our nemesis. I can't tell you how many tears were shed over that Algebra book! We tried ABEKA, BJU and Saxon. Here is what I learned, for what it's worth: 1) Most Christian texts, including ABEKA and BJU in particular, cover the ENTIRE public school Algebra I and Algebra II curriculum in their Algebra I text. The only chapters not covered are Calculus and Trig. lol. 2) It is my personal belief that they read more like college texts than HS. If you don't know if this is true, get your hands on a PS Algebra text and just LOOK at the difference! Now I in no way support the PS on a normal basis, but I also don't believe in pushing children to exasperation. God says that we are not to do this. I believe that ABEKA especially often times does this. This is ONLY my opinion, and I know that many people LOVE ABEKA. I like both ABEKA and BJU, but esp. with ABEKA, we almost never completed a year's coursework in a year. We pretty much always went 1 1/2 years, esp. in math. For algebra, we took two and counted it as both Alg. I and ALg II, as it covered all the material in both for our PS curriculum. As home schoolers, we can do that. Both of my girls did fine in college, although neither of them will ever excel in math....:lol: 3) By lengthening out the amount of time we used to cover the text, we took off a lot of the pressure and were able to take the time to work out the individual problems, the issues, and keep up with the "learning" vs. the "coursework". The tears became a lot less frequent, although they still did occasionally happen (they occasionally happened even when my daughter went into PS, if that helps any...lol!) But after we gave up the year "timeline", things went much better.
