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I'm a bit confused about the math sequence contained in the late middle school/high school guides. My ds is currently in 5th grade using CTC and SM 5b. Next year he will use RTR and SM 6a/6b for 6th grade. So if he continues with HOD math recs he would be using DM 7a/7b for 7th grade with Rev to Rev. Is this equivalent to a Pre Algebra program? This is where I get confused because MTMM has options for maths he would have already done and then VT Algebra which is Algebra 1 and 2 correct, and No Nonsense Algebra. If he does Algebra 1 for MTMM what does he do for 9th grade? The choices there are all Algebra 1 again but with Foerster's added as a choice. Couldn't he just use Foerster's in 8th if I like that choice better since your website says that kids only need to have completed SM 6b before starting it? But then what does he use for 9th? I'm also wondering If there is anywhere that I can see samples of the Foerster's Algebra 1? Thanks

I don't have answers about what they will use after Algebra 1, but many students complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade and it is counted as a high school credit. You would move to Geometry for 9th grade and then Algebra 2 then Trigonometry...you just keep working through your math credits required for graduation and transcripts.

I think Carrie will have recommendations for Algebra 1-PreCalculus based on what she has already. That would leave you finding something for Calculus for the senior year. It might be worth looking at a community college for that to make it easier on you. And if he does complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, you can count it for high school. It is very common to do that (I did that almost 20 years ago when I was in PS).

I know a lot of people who only use Singapore up through 6B and that is it. And several of those moms I know then move into VideoText. Video Text does it a little bit differently - they do pre-algebra, algebra 1 and then algebra 2. Then they do geometry, trigonometry and pre-calculus. If you prefer to text book approach I know many do love Foerster algebra and then many also love Jacob's geometry. Sorry, I am not help to you. But I do love VideoText and plan to use it. My dd will actually be starting pre-algebra when she is in 7th grade too.

Your ds is doing very well in math! Hooray! My ds, Wyatt, completed SM through 6B, completed DM 7A (formerly called DM 1A), and went into Foerster's Algebra 1. I found he didn't need to finish out DM 7B to go into Foerster's Algebra 1 - he may not have even needed DM 7A. We have loved Foerster's Algebra 1. Technically, Wyatt is in 8th grade, and he is flourishing with Foerster's this year. He is currently doing HOD's WG guide and is set to graduate a year early with HOD, but we shall see what the Lord has planned. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Julie. I think he is doing fairly well with math. He isn't a math whiz or anything but he is probably doing better than I give him credit for. Why is that we moms are always harder on our oldest child? I'm still not sure exactly what route to take. I was thinking he would need something in 7th to use between SM 6 and Algebra 1 but I can not figure out what to use. Since SM 6 doesn't cover negative numbers will he need to cover that before going into Algebra 1? I was thinking 8th was a good year to start Algebra 1 and I'm just not sure that he would be ready for it in 7th. I guess I will just focus on ordering for 6th grade and keep researching for now. I can't wait to get our RTR package. I'm thinking of ordering this weekend.

I have found Key Curriculum Press's consumable workbooks to be helpful. I especially love their fractions and decimals books, but I've also used some of their algebra books. That might be helpful filler to help get your son grounded.

I am tentatively planning to use Math U See's pre-algebra for my 7th grader next year after he finishes Singapore 6B and before he begins Foerster's Algebra. That might be an option for you.

I don't think I'd do Foerster's in Gr. 7 either. Rick Fisher has both a Pre-Algebra and an Algebra program. They are excellent, though the Pre-Algebra program has some inaccuracies in its answer key (part of why HOD doesn't carry it). You could either have dd do DM 7A/7B, or Rick Fisher's Pre-Algebra and/or Rich Fisher's Algebra 1 (which HOD does carry). I know many view Foerster's as being an honors level course, so I'd hold off until 8th grade at least for that. I hope something here helps!

In Christ,
Julie

I know I'm late coming into this conversation, but I'm in your same situation so thought I would chime in. My daughter is currently in 6th grade in RTR and working on finishing up Singapore 6B. She's doing well with it, but I don't feel comfortable with her going straight into Foerster's Algebra for 7th grade. I've decided to steer away from Singapore for 7th grade based on some of the reviews I've read and because of my daughters strong desire to try something different. So, I'm leaning towards Richard Fisher's math. I had thought about maybe doing both Pre-Algebra and No-Nonsense Algebra for 7th grade, but without seeing it in person it is hard to say if that would be too much. I also had concerns about the answer key errors in Pre-Algebra that I had heard about, even though I've heard they are fairly minor. I decided to email Richard Fisher the other day about it and to see if there is a corrected answer key. Here is what he said:

"Hi, We will correct errors during next reprint which is about 3 months away. The extent of the answer key errors is not that large. I would order and you should be fine. However, the entire first chapter of No-Nonsense Algebra, "Necessary Tools for Algebra", includes all the necessary pre-algebra skills. That might be the best way to go for you. Best, RFisher"

So, with that, I think I still might go ahead with both Pre-Algebra and No-Nonsense Algebra but start off with just Algebra and refer to the Pre-Algebra text if necessary for guidance or extra practice as needed. For 8th grade the plan will be to go to Foerster's Algebra, though I think I will order it with my order for Rev2Rev in a few weeks just so I can get my hands on it and see it in person.

Maria Miller, the author of Math Mammoth, which is similar to Singapore, says this on her website:

"I am in the process of writing a full pre-algebra curriculum during 2014 (Math Mammoth Grade 7)."

So this might be one possibility for a pre-algebra option in 7th grade.

HTH,
Kathy