Teaching Textbooks is NOT working with my math minded guy. He is frustrated and crying after the lessons. (or the grading) He is getting about half to a third INcorrect. Then and I to go back and help him with each problem he got wrong and figure out the mistake. Normally it is a small problem with computation. He hates the Text book and calls it lazy. I know he is adjusting to home school and learning on his own, but I don't have time to go over 7-8 math problems a day. There has to be a better way! What other Algebra programs are out there??
Ask your son how he would like to learn math? What does he not like about the program? Why does he think the textbook is lazy? Where can changes be made without completely tossing the program. As homeschool parents, we sometimes choose a program because we like it or have heard great reviews, yet it doesn't work for our student.
We tried TT with no luck, as well. I have heard great things about Math-U-See, Life of Fred, and Chalkdust math. But I agree that you should talk to him about how he would like to learn math. He may give you some insight as to how best teach him.
It may not be the program, changing to a different program might not work either. Go down a level of math, make the math easy, let him succeed and slowly introduce the correct level. When children get to a higher level they often struggle because they aren't grounded properly in the basics, then they start to feel a failure and hate math. Math should be easy and do-able, if it isn't you need to make it easier for him.
We took the placement test for both TT and Saxon and it place him in Algebra. He took Pre Integrated last year in PS which is a Pre Algebra equivalent. He says it is lazy b/c the answer in the book will be 11/2 and he puts down 5.5 (which I count as correct.) He really doesn't like this program. I borrowed it, so ordering him a new one isn't an issue.
Just because he's passed pre-algebra in school doesn't mean he's fully ready for algebra. I would get him a pre-algebra book and get him to take the tests or the chapter summaries and make sure that he really knows it and can do it well. It seems to me that the problem is that you want him to work on his own in a subject where he is struggling and really needs help. Gosh homeschooling 5 children, you are an angel, but you want him to have a subject where he is independent and he needs help. Therein lies your problem.
I'm sorry it's not working!!! (And Phillip also has "issues" with answers like that, too!) I'm kinda agreeing with Tina. It might be his frustration with math, especially as it is mostly "computation" mistakes. He'd be making those with whatever program you use.
I can't say enough good about Life of Fred. I sing its praises morning to night! My kids SLEEP with their books and I've caught them doing math with flashlights after bedtime. It's not expensive, either. Check out the samples on the website - just google Life of Fred. It is absolutely the best to me family.