Need Suggestions for Algebra I Resources

Schaum’s Basic Algebra, amazon or most college bookstores — not exactly showy but an excellent step-by-step self-teacher.

What is especially good about the Schaum’s series is that they present a very short lesson followed by lots and lots of model problems with solutions, and then at the end of the chapter a ton of review problems with the answers in the back. You read the lesson, cover the model solutions with a file card and work them out for yourself, and then after doing the unit you work through the end-of chapter problems and check yourself, going back to the section if you have any weak spots. There’s as much interactivity in this as there is in most computer setups, and it’s a lot less expensive — and you keep it for reference later.

The main difficulty with this is motivation. You have to schedule study time and stick to it rigorously. Once you start putting it off to tomorrow, well tomorrow comes in September. The Schaum’s books are not full of games, just the opposite, but after you get into them there is a motivation to see how well you can do the next thing.

I also use out-of-print textbooks pre-1955 which you can sometimes pick up at the used bookstore. The math hasn’t changed and back then the texts were little pocket-book sized no-nonsense outlines of what you needed, not massive tomes trying to cover everything ever invented.

I’ll go see if amazon remembers me and will post the web address if I can get it.

Here’s your link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0070522626/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-2744257-8795150#reader-link

Formal title is
Schaum’s Outline of Elementary Algebra

Amazon now lets you look at the table of contents (four pages long — keep going to see how much you get) and the first page to see the setup of the book.

The new book is $11.17 plus shipping, and used ones are available at half price. Worth every penny and then some.

Recommendation for use: if you are weak in the subject. start at the beginning and work right through. Do every problem — the more you do, the quicker they get, which is the point, NOT to work to your point of failure. Cover the model solutions with a file card, try to solve for yourself, and then uncover and compare. Work on looseleaf paper in a folder and just cross out errors and move along trying to get it right the second time.
If you are doing OK but just need to review certain topics, do the chapters including those topics as above; if you find yourself making too many errors this way, go back and do the basic chapters.

Thank you for your suggesting Schaum’s Outline of Elementary Algebra and for providing the Amazon web address. For the price, it’s worth a try. I appreciate that you took the time to explain a methodical system for using the book to review algebra. I think your suggestions will be very helpful.

As you said, the key will be having the motivation to stick with the lessons and to avoid procrastination. He does have incentive to study. Since he earned a C average in Algebra I as an 8th grader, he will have to take an Algebra I exam at the start of the school year to qualify to take Geometry. And if does not do well enough on the Algebra I exam, he cannot take Physics. He will also have to basically repeat the science class he took in 8th grade.

LJ

I’d make a “class schedule” and have the class and a syllabus and check off the assignments as they are done, so it’s not a nebulous “I have to review Algebra,” but a finite manageable task that has an end :)
And of course if there are troubles with any given algebra issue, just ASK :-)

Oh, and I have been only painfully disappointed at any algebra software I’ve tried. Lots of it is full of glitches and errors; the others are simply problems and practice. I would love to be on a team to create the software that would begin to use the graphical potential…

Please take a look at http://www.teachingtextbooks.com . This is a new program, but I am very impressed with the looks of it. The website has quite a few sample lessons and a sample from the CD.

A program long popular among homeschoolers is VideoText (http://www.videotext.com ). This takes a very visual approach to algebra and often works when other algebra approaches do not. Some parents have complained there are not enough review problems in the program, and that it requires supplementation. You can email the company for a demo tape and literature.

Nancy

Sorry, I neglected to notice that you need something for summer review. Still, the Teaching Textbook course might be helpful — perhaps for detailed study of an area that gives your son problems. I like the way it thoroughly explains the “whys” of all the steps in addition to the “hows”.

Nancy