March 5, 2007 - Teaching Textbooks: Algebra 1
After trying Algebra 1/2 with Saxon and feeling very frustrated with it, I searched long and hard for an Algebra program that my daughter would enjoy and actually learn from. I also wanted a program that was user friendly as I found my time dwindling and I was needing something that we could use without so many reference books to cover material.
I found that Teaching Textbooks offers a wonderful Algebra 1 program that my oldest daughter enjoyed and she said it finally made sense! She had tried Saxon Algebra 1/2, and Holt Algebra and struggled to make sense of both. Teaching Textbooks came with a textbook that is spiral bound and on thin paper. I was not really happy with the text as I thought it would fall apart and definately not last through more than one kid. We are on child number two and the book is still intact and nothing has ripped. My first opinions were wrong!
The program also comes with CD's with lectures and practice problems, and lesson problems. My daughter is allowed to have the lecture cd's which teach the lesson on the computer with an instructor talking to the student and a pad of paper on the screen with writing going along with what the teacher is explaining. She listens to the lecture and goes through the practice problems. If she understands, she then continues on with the lesson problems. I keep the lesson problem cd's in mom's files. If my daughter has a problem that I cannot quickly answer, we get those out and go over it together. It removes temptation to cheat by having mom in control of the lesson problem CD's. Plus, it keeps me in touch with where my daughter is struggling and I can keep tabs on her progress better.
My second daughter enjoys Algebra so much she says... I may even do Algebra 2. I am so thankful for such a user friendly program. The cost was a bit high, but the alternatives were also high in price. I found that this program was just more user friendly than the others that I researched and I am very happy with it.
Warmly, ~Melissa
Comments
March 8, 2007 - Thanks for the Review
Posted by jugglingpaynes
I need to consider this as I've finally decided to give up on Singapore Math's higher math program. I've also been told good things about Math-U-See. Unfortunately, I struggled through algebra/geometry/trig, so I need something that can help me at the same time (since I will have to go through this two more times).
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
