High School Math Help (Algebra 1???)

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Tidbits of Learning
Posts: 303
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:18 am

High School Math Help (Algebra 1???)

Post by Tidbits of Learning » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:57 am

My dd13 was in k12's charter school for our state 1st semester. She was in all high school class so has 1/2 credits in her subjects she was taking. So she was taking Algebra 1. I was going to switch her to MEP's integrated math but she has completed 1/2 of Algebra 1 and it seems like it would be making her repeat this years math when she was doing fairly well in the Algebra 1 course. I do not have any teacher materials, reviews for units, quizzes, tests for the K12 Algebra 1. We just have the worktext and the majority of learning was done on the computer as in instruction was computer based. That was why I was leaning towards starting over with MEP b/c I would have no way to measure her learning with the k12 algebra.
After thinking about it a lot, I have decided against moving her to integrated math simply b/c I feel she had accomplished a lot this year with Algebra 1 and it would be unfair to make her school through the summer b/c we started over with a different style of math. So I am trying to decide what Algebra 1 to buy her. I have looked at Saxon and I am looking at the Foerster's Algebra that HOD is using with WG. We have chosen to start her with Rev2Rev and beef up for high school credits as the last HOD guide she had completed prior to our 2 years in charter was CTC and I am combining her with dd12. I am very happy with that choice now that I have received all the books. :) I am just lost on algebra 1 and how to have her just complete the rest of a different Algebra 1 text without redoing what she has already completed.
Here is what she has completed-
Unit 1-Algebra Basics
Expressions, Variables, Translating Words into Variable Expressions, Equations, Translating Words into Equations, Replacement Sets, Problem Solving
Unit 2-Properties of Real Numbers
Number Lines, Sets, Comparing Expressions, Number Properties, The Distributive Property, Algebraic Proof, Opposites and Absolute Value
Unit 3-Operations with Real Numbers
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Reciprocals and Division, Applications: Number Problems
Unit 4-Solving Equations and Inequalities
Addition and Subtraction Equations, Multiplication and Division Equations, Multiple Transformations, Variables on Both Sides, Transforming Formulas, Estimating Solutions, Applications: Cost Problems, Inequalities, Solving Inequalities, Combined Inequalities, Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities, Applications: Inequalities
Unit 5-Applying Fractions
Ratios, Proportions, Percents, Applications:Percents, Applications: Mixture Problems
Unit 6-Linear Equations and Inequalities
Equations in Two Variables, Graphs, Lines and Intercepts, Slope, Slope-Intercept Form, Point-Slop Form, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines, Equations from Graphs, Applications: Linear Models, Graphing Linear Inequalities, Inequalities from Graphs
Can anyone with a Foester's Algebra text tell me if it would be possible to pick up and just do the topics she hasn't covered and whether these topics would be about 1/2 of the Foerster's text leaving her only 1/2 of it left to complete this semester?
Thanks in advance.
2020-2021
dd20, dd19 Grown and Flown :D
ds18-12th grade at hybrid school
ds14-8th grade MTMM President's Study and Science

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: High School Math Help (Algebra 1???)

Post by my3sons » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:38 pm

We are using Foerster's Algebra 1. We just started Chapter 11, and it has been such a great fit for Wyatt. :D I would highly recommend it! The examples are clear and concise, and the solutions manual has fully-worked solutions that are easy to follow. I snapped some pictures of the Table of Contents for you, so you can compare it to what your dd has already done...
Image Image Image Image

Here is another review I came across that I thought was quite accurate and may be helpful to you...

Foerster's text provides the student with a strong foundation in algebra. Topics are introduced incrementally. Before Foerster introduces a new idea, he first makes sure that the reader has a strong understanding of the concepts on which the new idea is based. His exposition, which can seem pedantic at times, is clear and effective. The numerous examples he provides are explained in painstaking detail. He also warns the reader of potential pitfalls. The exercises are designed to build both the reader's algebra skills and conceptual understanding. Each chapter concludes with a section in which the reader applies the material learned in the chapter to real world problems. This material, which is a particular strength of the text, demonstrates how and why algebra is used.

The book begins with basic algebraic concepts that are sometimes covered in pre-algebra classes. Those concepts include operations on numbers, variables, constants, algebraic expressions and equations, signed numbers, and the rules of algebra such as the commutative, associative, and distributive laws.

Foerster then discusses linear equations in one variable. Rather than discussing equations of lines next, as many authors do, he defers that topic in order to cover operations on polynomials. That allows him to discuss quadratic equations before the midterm review. While he later discusses how to factor by grouping, in this chapter he treats the factoring of quadratic polynomials as a series of special cases. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the quadratic formula, the derivation of which he leaves as an exercise. If this book has a weakness, it is that Foerster teaches you how to do algebra without always justifying the methods he uses.

Following the midterm review, Foerster discusses equations of lines and systems of linear equations. This leads to a brief discussion of probability and statistics. Probability is revisited in the exercises later in the text.

The following chapters address exponents, operations on polynomials, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, and inequalities. The last chapter, which is followed by a final review, introduces concepts such as functions and right triangle trigonometry that are explored in more advanced algebra classes. The final sections of this chapter, which address quadratic inequalities, provide a capstone to the text because they tie together many of the concepts introduced earlier.

The exercises, which are numerous, vary from drills designed to develop the reader's facility with a particular type of algebraic manipulation to challenging application problems. For instance, Foerster poses the following problem: In some states, your state tax is based on your net income after your federal tax has been deducted and your federal tax is based on your net income after your state tax has been deducted. How do you determine how much tax you owe each entity if the tax you owe depends on the amount being collected by the other entity? The difficulty of the problems Foerster poses makes this text suitable for an honors course.


HTH! :D
In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Tidbits of Learning
Posts: 303
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:18 am

Re: High School Math Help (Algebra 1???)

Post by Tidbits of Learning » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:57 pm

Thank you so much for the pics of the TOC. I am going to compare tonight. :)
2020-2021
dd20, dd19 Grown and Flown :D
ds18-12th grade at hybrid school
ds14-8th grade MTMM President's Study and Science

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