Help! I can't decide which one I want to get. I am leaning towards chalk dust, but I don't know...DS thinks they both look boring and that is his number one concern. But let's face it, unless you LOVE math, math is boring. I can't think of a way to make it fun. He has zero problems with math and catches on to concepts very quickly and retains them well.
I odn't know how to tell you which to get, but I use TT, and it works very well for us. My daughter is doing it 99% on her own. She started in Geometry, went on to Alg. 2, and is doing Pre-Cal this year.
My oldest DD is using Chalkdust Pre-Algebra. I like it and she's OK with it. Math isn't a "love" for her...but she didn't want TT and I preferred Chalkdust for the kids too. We've only been using it for a few weeks but so far, so good.
TT is easy to grade. Though I probably should have Rachael explain, because she grades it herself. It is designed so that she can do it 100% on her own. This math is TOTALLY beyond my ability to help her. If she misses number 8 in lesson 10, I have no idea how to solve it. But she can put in the CD and pull up that problem, and it explains, step by step, how to solve it. It explains EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM. Now, there was one section where she was still getting problems wrong, and had to turn to her dad (who is a high school math and computer teacher), but that has only been once or twice.
My DD likes chalkdust. It has a colorful text to go with the dvd that also explains the work. So she likes having both to look at. I too have not tried TT but it looks good also. I guess it depends on your taste in curriculum. I always struggle with those decisions. Good Luck!!!
Actually, while I've never used Chalkdust, it sounds as if it's similar to TT. You can put the CD in with TT and watch the lecture, or you can read the book (or both!). Usually, Rachael will read the book. But if she goes through and is having trouble, she will go through a second time listening. You might take the cost into consideration. I know TT is rather pricey; don't know about Chalkdust.
Half? It's like 1/3 the cost of CD.. WOW. I looked and will walk the other way. I can't imagine paying over 500 for a year of math!! I also just read that CD is better for a mathy kind of kid and moves faster than TT.
I am not sure where you are looking, but the full set of TT Algebra I is $184 and full set of Chalkdust is $394. My son wants to do a science or architecture related field and will need a good math background. I see that CD covers more than TT. But I prefer the cost of TT. I keep going back and forth and it's driving me crazy. LOL!
Something else to consider. We've discussed on here that TT isn't as in-depth. By that I mean that you kind of need to do both Algebra 2 and Pre-Cal to have a good grasp of Algebra 2. So if he wants to go into science/architecture, CD may be a better fit. Have you considered Life of Fred?
The only issue that I have with Chalkdust is that the answer key only has the odd problems except for the Chapter Review and Tests. I think that's because CD doesn't sell the TE because you have the videos. Although I could probably track it down if I really wanted since the books are published by Houghton Mifflin's college division The only other little issue is that there are WAY TOO many problems and so I go through and decide what she does. This isn't a negative but does take more time than TT. From what I can see, CD and TT are different in the fact that CD has a live person instructing on DVD and you can call him if you have questions (I like this fact that you get the instructor not a 1-800 call center....maybe TT is the same, no clue). From the general scope & sequence, I do think that CD moves faster. I'll be honest, I got college credit for my AP Calculus test in high school and I still learned something from the instruction in Pre-Algebra Chapter 1 (the DVD portion not from the book). He explains things very well or at least I think so but we're just starting Ch 2. As for the cost, yes, it's pricey but I have 3 kids that will use it AND I won't have any trouble selling it down the road if we want too (although I'd probably hang on to it for review until they all take their SAT/ACT exams). My oldest was very anti-TT after looking at it (for whatever reason) and I just felt Chalkdust would be the best overall fit for all 3 kids to use down the road. I guess I should add that my oldest is interested in architecture/engineering and my son wants to go to West Point like his Daddy so I wanted to use as thorough of a math program as I could from home...not saying TT isn't thorough but Chalkdust went thru Calculus and TT doesn't yet.
Jackie~I think you've confirmed what I was thinking. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else ;o) Sommer~that is very expensive! The way I look at it though is we were spending $4K on a private school before that didn't even cover fractions by the end of 4th grade. This is cheap in comparison, plus I can use it for the 2nd child when she's ready.
Jen, there's been a good bit of discussion about that on here. Do a search and see if you can find it. I'm just repeating what I've read here, and not repeating it very well! TT has been great for my daughter, but I'm not sure what we're going to do with her next year. We might switch to Life of Fred, which actually goes through college material.
I have been looking at ChalkDust as well. The one thing that turns me off is the DVD thing. I mean, I guess he could watch it in his computer, but is it interactive? Personally, I think TT could be better in several ways, however - I think it is the best thing out there for us so far. If ChalkDust had an interactive format I'd buy it, but just putting DVD's in...I don't know. Plus, while I might be sold on the lecture DVD alone, I'm not sold on the textbook.
I am struggling with this now too. (ugh...thought I was done with this) I had planned on TT...but now, if it isn't in depth enough?? Still, I am hyperventalating at the cost of TT, so I am not sure I could stomach Cd. I have an elementary math text...it is a college text for either liberal arts or elementary ed students. I am planning on using that when we finish Saxon before the end of the year...maybe I could do TT and this text on alternate days.(for next year) I am hoping it is not too deep for him, but it really has some great logic, problem solving and how to apply math. I don't really support early Algebra or pushing it as I feel it is quite developmental, but I do want to keep him challenged. There is also a very good chance he will return to ps for high school, so does anyone have any feelings on TT pre-algebra getting ready for ps algebra? Also looking for something different from Saxon for my younger son...he is in the 5th grade book at the moment. (we won't be done early) The spiral method doesn't work as well for him, I think he needs more of a mastery approach. He really likes worksheets. (????!) I am looking at TT for him also. But I am not sure the computer aspect will be a positive for him.
Phillip is in fourth grade, and I've dumped Saxon for him this year. As you say, it's just not working! Faythe is using Merrill Pre-Algebra, and will be using Merrill Algebra 1 next year. These are old public school books that kind of were dropped into my hands. They worked well for Rachael, and is doing well for Faythe this year. We atarted Rachael in TT with Geometry. I would really hesitate using two different programs at once. One program does it one way, a different does things differently. I think it would be confusing. However, when I think Faythe needs to slow down and go over something in the Merrill book, I will go to this web site and print off worksheets. There's enough that I can use them as long as needed, until she "gets it" and we can then continue in the Merrill book. http://www.math-drills.com/ (Click on the topic in the black box along the top!) http://www.math.com/students/worksheet/algebra_sp.htm
The two books (programs) I am looking at are really covering completely different things. The college text is almost more of a logic/problem solving sort of thing...and the pre-algebra would be pretty straight forward. I was kind of thinking doing them on alternate days. I have found quite few of what I consider "gaps" in Saxon...metrics being the most obvious. I have an Abeka 6th grade math workbook that I pull stuff out of from time to time and some miscellaneous workbooks (complete book of... Kumon...etc.)
