Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for my time writing this article. All opinions are my own.
As a homeschooling mom of eight with four that are adults, I know the value of learning math and how it will affect their future. To get into college, they have to know Algebra. Many job applications online are now requiring a math speed test to be completed along with the application, even to work a minimum wage job at a popular pet retail store! I have watched on the sidelines as my adult daughter took this test – it required Algebra. This year, we used a self-paced Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra online course.
Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you click a link and then make a purchase.
Pre-Algebra Is The Key
In my years of teaching my children, I have found that when the child has a great foundation in Pre-Algebra, then Algebra is not so difficult for them. Yet it is difficult to find an actual “Pre” Algebra that doesn't jump right in to teaching Algebra. How do I find this firm foundation before actual Algebra?
Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra Has The Answer
In the past, this has been a problem for me and I would use a curriculum and add in my own steps, which has not been easy as the babies have been added to my household and I would lack sleep. I just could not think as clearly and I do feel like a few of my middle children struggle with Algebra due to my lack of providing this middle math foundational bridge between elementary math and Algebra.
This year, I was given free access to Mr. D Math Preparing for Pre-Algebra to try it out with my middle school daughter, Miranda. What a blessing it has been! This is a curriculum that offers the foundational bridge my children need.
Starts With Advanced Math Basics
One thing I appreciate, is that it starts out with advanced math basics. It's more than multiplication, division and fractions – yet not as hard as having a letter replace a number. The topics before you see the letter replacement are:
- Whole Numbers – which includes order of operations, area, perimeter, etc.
- Decimals – including multiplying and dividing them
- Exponents & Scientific Notation
- Fractions – Here they mention an example of “a” as the numerator and “b” as the denominator, but don't actually use letters for numbers yet
- Integers & Absolute Value
So the students gain a firm foundation using regular numbers in all these ways before replacing numbers with letters. You really need to check this out for yourself, as a homeschool teacher. You will be impressed.
Self-Paced Is Our Preference
I know Mr. D Math provides online courses as well as self-paced, but I chose self-paced, since my children each learn at a different pace. Especially with this portion of Algebra – where we start to replace those numbers with letters and it gets harder, the self-paced structure is amazing!
The next topics that are learned with the letter or words replacing a number are:
- Expressions & Equations
- Inequalities
- Ratios, Rates & Proportions – this section is where Algebra really makes sense for use in real life because instead of letters, “bags of chips” or “packages of blackberries” is used.
- Percents, Statistics & Probability – this is another section where you can see how Algebra is applied in real life, with problems that include things the kids can visualize, like dice, a spinner with an amount of numbers, or a deck of 52 cards, for example.
Miranda's Opinion
“It's nice that the quiz is not timed so I can pause and start when I want. Plus, if I think I really messed up, I can retake the quiz and my best score out of two times is the one they keep.”
My Opinion
I think the key to understanding Algebra is learning how it can apply to real-life. Mr. D Math has done a great job of bridging the balance and answering the why we would need it. Check out Mr. D Math for your homeschool!
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