Understanding Pre-Algebra
Middle School Mathematics
Grades: 6-8
Mathematics
Full curriculum
View Sample Pages Grades: 6-8
Mathematics
Full curriculum
- Award Winner
Components Sold Separately
Description and Features
Description and Features
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Thank you so so much for your program!My gifted daughter is an amazing math student. She completed the whole 6th grade CLE math this past fall in one semester and had nothing to take this spring. So we did a placement test and put her in Saxon 8/7. She failed literally every single lesson. Badly. She was in tears and started to hate math. I went on FB and asked a homeschool group for ideas on what to do and they suggested my daughter do your Understanding Pre-Algebra book. She said that not only is it much better explained in your book, but she fully understands what she is doing now. Her self esteem is back and she no longer fights me to do her work. I just wanted to rave and thank you so so much for your program!
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Written by an actual algebra math teacher of 30 years!Previously, I was a college math tutor. I bought this for my 6th grader. The author of this book was a math teacher for 30 years and you can tell. This book explains all steps needed from beginning to end, and in a logical order. She does not skip any steps, and builds upon what was learned in the previous chapter. The colorful graphs, charts, and drawings hold a child's attention well. Most books available aren't very thorough. I searched for a long time, and this was the best book of them all.
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curriculum lives up to its nameThis curriculum lives up to its name “Understanding Pre-Algebra”. It is not a textbook that gives you a lot of problems to do just to learn how to do the problems. It is a math book designed to help the student understand pre-algebra. It gets right to the point, encourages critical thinking, and helps the student think about math—not just learn a formula and solve a problem without understanding what they are doing.
Pros: A lot of color used. It includes a final examination, glossary, reference sheet, and answers to the problems. It speaks to the student like a conversation, not a “textbook”. It is a great way to accomplish a course in pre-algebra at a minimal cost.
Cons: Some students may need more problems to solidify concepts. While it provides the answers, it does not always explain how to solve the problems, so if the student doesn’t understand why they got the answer wrong, they may need outside help.
Overall, I highly recommend the curriculum. It does a fantastic job of covering all the material that is needed before Algebra. For those students that struggle with the idea of algebra, it provides a non-threatening curriculum; and if a student needs more practice, there are many online worksheets and videos that can supplement if needed. For those students who excel in math, it provides what they need without giving them a lot of busywork!Posted on
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combination textbook and workbookUnderstanding Pre-Algebra is a combination textbook and workbook – everything is self contained, which has been nice. The lessons are fairly short (a couple of pages of reading) followed by practice exercises. No different from a traditional textbook except that there are lines on which to write the answers so no additional paper is necessary. I like how they teach not only things that you need to know, but also how to “think out” how to get there. It’s definitely a keeper for us!
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well thought out curriculumUnderstanding Pre-Algebra is a well thought out curriculum and I honestly wished I had this when I was in middle school. It's helped my 11-year-old understand more to where she's not so afraid of Algebra now. I feel the page layouts help to eliminate the intimidation factor and provides just enough instruction to not overwhelm the student.
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concise, easy to understand formatOne of the first things I liked about Understanding Pre-Algebra was that even though it is written to the student it does not have a lot of required reading for each lesson. Concepts are explained in a concise, easy to understand format. Plenty of examples are given to show the student what is being explained. Color charts and number lines are used. Important things for the student to remember are "highlighted" in a colored block. This reminds the students that they need to pay attention to those items. Tips and tricks are given to help students understand the concepts. I love that no other teacher manual is required. The glossary is a great tool to have in case the student forgets what a natural number or a polynomial is. We have been very impressed with Understanding Pre-Algebra and will continue to use it for our math curriculum.
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the rules became so clearI liked how this text/work book was set up. Each lesson first has instruction of the concepts, math vocabulary, critical thinking, and plenty of examples for learning how to actually do the practice problems that comprise the rest of the lesson. There are highlighted sections in the lessons in different colors that indicate math rules that the student really needs to know. There are also pictures, charts, and graphics that are in color so that emphasis of the concept gets internalized. There are some great mnemonic devices in this book to help remember these concepts and master them. We especially liked the cowboy story that teaches rules for multiplying and dividing positive and negative integers. I had never been taught that one and the rules became so clear after learning it.
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Pre-Algebra learningThe book is set up to present the math standards needed in Pre-Algebra learning but does so in a logical manner and emphasizes practice along with critical thinking. What it steers clear of is teaching new concepts before the student is ready. Instead, this book presents new concepts clearly and logically and in connection with other concepts.
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explains algebra in a better wayMy son is not a boy of many words, but he said, "Mom, this book explains it in a better way. I can figure out the problems more easily after learning from this book."
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