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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 23 2013 at 11:08am | IP Logged
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Same here with Algebra.
But in the gradebook you can see if they do 1 or 2 tries. I like having that second try because rather than a child that's guessing, I've had a child type in an answer wrong or have the problem wrong and need to figure it out again, and that means that the next time she's more likely to remember it. Plus it's the way we've always done math. Getting an answer wrong means that you have to go back and redo it.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: May 23 2013 at 2:35pm | IP Logged
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Oh, this is interesting. This is not how it has been for us. Jodie, are you using the new editions of these books? Do you have an actual textbook?
My second daughter is saying that she thinks with the new editions you have the choice to enter the answers for automated grading, etc. Hmmm.... I clearly need to sit down and take a look at what we have.
I think I prefer, as does this daughter, to do everything in a notebook and grade them herself (I grade the tests). You would have to have a notebook/paper anyway to work the problems. What I like about TT is the lectures and the capability to watch/listen to the solutions cd if needed (like when I can't figure out how to do a problem, but I bet most programs have this feature.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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MarilynW
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| Posted: May 23 2013 at 2:52pm | IP Logged
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Just wanted to mention ALEKS again. I keep hearing good things about it. Whilst my rising 9th graders will do TT Geometry I was thinking of signing up for the 2 month free trial for the boys for the summer.
The kids I know who have used ALEKS have done really well on the SAT and ACT. A friend was telling me this morning that when you sign up for ALEKS - they do a diagnostic and figure out your child's weaknesses and then tailor the program?
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Kathryn
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| Posted: May 23 2013 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
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MarilynW wrote:
Just wanted to mention ALEKS again. I keep hearing good things about it. Whilst my rising 9th graders will do TT Geometry I was thinking of signing up for the 2 month free trial for the boys for the summer.
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Ohh...I might look into that again. We did use that one year. If nothing else, like you mention, the free trial would be good review for the summer.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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MarilynW
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| Posted: May 31 2013 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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I wanted to come back and talk some more about things I have learned with Math:
1. ALEKS - cannot say enough good about it right now. I am using it as a review to make sure my kids have learned the concepts properly - and it is very good at showing what the student's weaknesses are, and tailoring a program to this. My guys who completed Jacobs Algebra are definitely finding out which areas they have not really grasped. My 9 year old loves doing ALEKS - and his only weaknesses were things not covered by Horizons 4.
2. The longer I go homeschooling Math, the more I think it is best to use a mix of programs. Use the same base if you want, but use other programs to review and make sure that your child is understanding the concepts. eg use Key to as a supplement or ALEKS or do assessment tests for different programs to check if your child is on track.
3. I want to mention Singapore Math - my three oldest kids did this before we switched to Horizon. I liked it but had to supplement with drills as it is weak on drills. But I am switching back for elementary as I think that there is no other program that is as good as teaching concepts and real understanding, as well as mental math and word problems. I will supplement with Aleks in the summer and Calculadders through the year.
4. Re Teaching Textbooks, I think the older versions are better than the new ones. Allowing a child to do a problem twice is not good for speed or accuracy. Also for TT to succeed - the recommended format must be used - read the lesson, watch dvd, do practices, watch practices, do problems, grade and watch solutions videos for errors. If a child cuts corners, it is not so effective. All the steps can make Math lessons long. For my boys who will be doing geometry, I will meet with them once a week and check their grades, make sure they are following procedure, and I will definitely grade tests to make sure they are showing workings logically and neatly, doing proofs properly etc.
For those using TT for high school - check the table of contents with other programs to see what is covered. Also do SAT prep early (eg. Collegeboard book, also ALEKS has an SAT module) to identify weaknesses. eg if you do Algebra II TT, this will NOT be good for the SAT - it does not cover enough on functions. But doing some SAT prep will highlight areas you need to work on.
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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MarilynW
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| Posted: May 31 2013 at 11:48am | IP Logged
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One more thing: with my next child I am probably not going to do a Pre-Algebra program. I am probably going to do Jacobs Algebra I over two years (7th and 8th), and add in supplements for things like probability and statistics. I will make sure their grasp of fractions/decimals/percentages is very solid by using things like Key to. Plus ALEKs for review.
Another good resource is Lial's Basic College Math (you can get the 7th edition for a great price on Amazon used) - I may use this in 7th rather than a pre-Algebra program.
Re: pre-algebra programs we have done - Teaching Textbooks is a little light and Saxon is just horrible. (does not explain 'whys' and jumps around too much. My kids always want to know "why" and they really disliked Saxon pre-Algebra when we were reviewing it)
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 16 2013 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
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If you are wondering about Saxon - have hime take the placement test. It isn't for everyone for sure. But really works for us! My oldest is now a JR in college and did great on SAT's and ACT. And great in calculus in college. That said - it isn't just spiral but also incremental. Which is similar to horizons.
Since it seems you discovered Horizons does go past 6th grade - did you like it last year. If so, why change.
Barb
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 16 2013 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
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I would in no way automatically do algebra in 8th grade. It depends on where your child is in 7th grade! In 7th they need to have had an 8th grade pre algebra book and have done very well in it. I really don't like that it has become standard for algebra to be 8th. Yes, some kids are ready for it. But it is a developmental thing - if a kid isn't ready for it you potentially set him or her up to be frustrated all through out high school math!
Barb
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Sept 16 2013 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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Barb.b wrote:
Since it seems you discovered Horizons does go past 6th grade - did you like it last year. If so, why change.
Barb |
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I was looking to move him into something by a different provider so he would be more familiar with that style once he got to the higher level. Now that I found horizons does goes beyond grade 6, I ended up keeping him in this same curriculum and so far, so good. He def. won't be doing algebra next yr in gr 8 but that's ok...he's feeling successful and capable in math so that is a blessing for us both!
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Middle School Math
