| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling by Subject Pre-Algebra and Algebra for Homeschoolers by Julie Shepherd knapp, copyright 2006 Free Online Algebra Options! Understanding Algebra by James Brennan, Boise State University -- a free online algebra textbook Maths for the Masses -- a collection of links to free, well-written, easy to understand math tutorials on a variety of advanced math topics, including algebra, calculus and analysis, combinatorics and discrete mathematics, geometry and topology, logic and set theory, number theory, probability and statistics, etc. Algebra In Simplest Terms -- A free online video instructional series on algebra for college and high school classrooms and adult learners; 26 half- hour video programs from Annenberg media Mathematics Articles by Stan Brown -- online tutorials in Algebra, Trig, and Calculus, including use of a TI-83/84 graphing calculator National Repository of Online Classes: AP -- free, self-study, online AP courses in science, math, and history UCCP Open Access College Prep -- free online Algebra 1 course HotMath Algebra Practice Problems -- with hints and answers Algebra Equation Buster -- free online activity where you can solve practice equations with a few mouse clicks Line Gem -- dragons collect gems by player clicking on the line equation with the most gems, includes a great tutorial on how to graph lines! Free Online Graphing Calculator from Coolmath.com Printable graph paper -- select grid size and type of paper, includes cartesian (most common for algebra 1), logarithmic, polar, engineering, etc incompetech -- free print outs of various graph papers and templates Algebra Textbooks and Workbook Curriculum: Elementary Algebra by Harold Jacobs -- written in light conversational tone, appeals to visual-spatial learners and those who need to understand the big picture, not the best choice for students who just want to be shown how to work problems, a good review here. Lial Algebra series -- a classic text book used by Stanford's EPGY gifted enrichment program. Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul Foerster -- a classic text book. See the Amazon reviews for good info on homeschool use. Saxon Algebra 1 -- a textbook with answer key and tests, heavy on drill Bob Jones University Press Algebra 1 -- Teacher's Edition includes student pages with notes and answers (including solutions) and sections with common student errors and one-on-one activities. Activity Pages include math history, Bible integration, drill, enrichment, and review work Algebra the Easy Way by Douglas Downing -- Kid-friendly introductory text that explain math concepts in a story-book format; great for young students who are interested in higher concepts but not ready to take a full-blown course, also a helpful supplement for those who need to understand the reasoning behind the formulas in a traditional text. (There seems to be more than one book with this title -- double check the author before you buy) Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra -- from a series of math books written by a retired math teacher. Who says learning algebra has to be tedious? These books are very charming, written in a conversational tone, in narrative style, with just a touch of dry humor. The name comes from the main character in the series, Fred, who learns about each book's topics thru practical, everyday experiences. All of these books are complete courses, with plenty of problems to work, and an optional "Homeschool Companion" teacher's guide. Great for the math phobic, for those needing review, or as a complete course in Algebra. Explore the website to learn more and see sample pages. Online Subscription Programs: TabletClass Algebra -- This is an online, self-paced program good for students who prefer to be shown how to do problems, rather than read textbook explanations (though a section with written lecture notes for review are also provided). Lessons are narrated by the instructor as he goes thru the steps to complete sample problems on a white board. The tone is conversational and teen friendly, and lessons include the reasoning behind the steps and trouble spots to pay attention to. Problem sets are small, but thoroughly cover the concepts. Includes directions for using scientific and graphing calculators. Includes free printable Homeschool Parent Course Guide. Lessons can be downloaded to portable devices. Inexpensive monthly subscription, sample lessons available for viewing. (Pre-Algebra also available, Algebra 2 will be released soon) Time4Learning Algebra --This is an online self-paced program good for students that prefer a visual, interactive multimedia approach to math. The optional narration is a plus for students with learning disabilities. Can be used as a full program or for review, reinforcement, or supplement to other courses, inexpensive monthly subscription. Also offers K -- 8th grade math (pre-Algebra) Aleks Algebra 1 -- This is an online self-paced math program where lessons are provided as text to be read by the student. Not much drill - when a student can complete 4 problems on a topic they are allowed to move on. Student progress is displayed in a pie chart that tracks lessons done and lessons pending. Inexpensive monthly subscription, free 48- hour trial. (Grade 3 -- Calculus also available) Kinetic Books Algebra -- an interactive CD-ROM textbook with animations, games, and activities. Also available in print and on CD-ROM. Designed for classrooms, but fine for homeschool Video/DVD/CD Algebra Programs: Thinkwell Algebra -- video/CD lessons by Dr. Edward Burger, Professor of Mathematics at Williams College. A very personable lecturer explains concepts and works thru problems on a split screen. This is the same Algebra program used by Johns Hopkins CTY gifted program (see listing below). (Pre-Algebra thru Calculus also available) The Teaching Company High School Algebra I -- A video lecture series by Dr. Monica Neagoy of the National Science Foundation. She focuses on meanings and interrelationships rather than just on learning the skills and includes historical anecdotes and stories about various mathematicians. Employs manipulatives and concrete models such as prisms, cubes, and disks to help students visually connect algebraic expressions with the shapes and quantities they describe. Includes lessons on using the latest graphing calculators. (Algebra II also available) Teaching Textbooks: Algebra 1 -- comes with a worktext, a teaching CD, and a CD with full solutions to every problem in the book, text is slightly conversational, explanations are brief but clear, word problems are mildly humorous, a good review (also available: Grade 5 -- Pre-Calculus) Math-U-See Algebra 1 -- This is a manipulative approach to algebra for hands on learning (see sample video online). The package includes video lessons, a teacher's book, student workbook, and manipulatives. (K -- Calculus available) VideoText Interactive Algebra -- Video/DVD lessons, emphasizes drill and review, suitable for following Saxon 7/6, telephone helpline provided. (Geometry also available) Chalk Dust Algebra 1 -- video/DVD lessons with a textbook and solutions manual, online samples of the video available (Pre-Algebra thru Calculus also available) Kinetic Books Algebra -- an interactive CD-ROM textbook with animations, games, and activities. Also available in print and by online subscription. Designed for classrooms, but fine for homeschool Distance Learning Courses for Honors Algebra: CTYOnline: Honors Algebra I -- Johns Hopkins University online distance learning course for gifted students, uses Thinkwell Algebra by Dr. Edward Burger, students must qualify to apply EPGY Beginning Algebra (Honors) -- a Stanford online distance learning course for gifted students, students must qualify to apply Supplemental Resources for Algebra: Real World Algebra: Understanding the Power of Mathematics by Edward Zacarro -- (grades 4 and up) Recommended for upper elementary students with higher math ability and interest. Dr. Math Gets You Ready for Algebra, and Explains Algebra -- two supplemental math books from The Math Forum at Drexel University. Both books are written in a conversational tone and excel at explaining things in several different ways to reach kids who are having trouble. Good reviews of these books at HomeschoolMath.com Borenson Hands-On Equations -- (grades 3-8) a method that even young children can learn, uses manipulatives and video/dvd lessons to present his kinesthetic method of solving algebraic linear equations in a game-like manner. Algebra and Beyond -- a literary approach to algebra from Living Math Texas A&M Virtual Math Lab -- free online algebra turorials Algebra Supplements by Daniel F. Symancyk -- free online tutorials The Algebra Balance -- a fun, visual way to practice solving for X Number Balls for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 -- free online games Algebra: Fun with Calendars -- a math trick using algebra CoolMath Algebra -- fun exercises and lessons Algebra Homework Solver -- gives typical example problems and shows how to solve them HotMath Algebra Practice Problems -- with hints and answers Algebra Solved -- a software series from Bagatrix.com that lets you enter the specific equations you're having trouble with and it will solve them for you, showing you the solution steps. Available in 4 levels, provides unlimited practice problems, too. Great tool for non-mathy parents who are trying to help their student learn algebra! ;-) But wait! Here's a free online program that does much the same thing -- Quick Math Automatic Math Solutions -- I suggest giving the free tool a try to see if it works well enough for you and your student |
| (back to) math options |