Our middle school math teacher proposes to use Mathematics: A Human Endeavor
http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Endeavor-Harold-R-Jacobs/dp/071672426X as the text for 8th graders next year instead of proceeding to Algebra 2 (we may do Alg2 independently) because they haven't figured out whether the high school will accept Alg2 credit from MS. Just wanted to see if any of you were familiar with this book/curriculum.
It sure has great reviews on Amazon.
Yes, I think I'm biases toward AoPS too. I'm not too happy with the loosely structured math for DS11 next year. I've been thinking about driving them to the high school each day, but I'm sure that'll get old quickly.
I am no help, but I have another question.
What's your opinion about Harold R. Jacobs' books? I remember reading a few posts (I don't think it was on this board) about people using his Algebra and Geometry books. Is that a good option for a math kid down the line? Has anybody used/seen those?
Try the challenge problems for sections he has mastered, then move on. You'll definitely get to a point where it'll challenge him (I think--or at least it did for us!). We kept up well through chapter 11 & then the course was going faster than we could master.
Hi Guys:
We just had a big Math convention in our state this past week, and my good friend, math teacher and Phd in statistics attended all 4 days. I did ask her to have a look at the Intro to Alg. book. Called me last night and said that it would be way to simple for DS, and pobably to simple for her DS - 6th grade.
Do you know what - SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT , (sorry friend:-).
As I have mentioned before in this or other threads, we own several AoPS books. They all look easy when you look at the book! It is what they do with the knowledge you have after reading the book (chapter)during an online lesson. The book is just a starting point in many cases. DS reads assigned chapter on the day of an online class, and while he is an active participant during lesson, he is strugling and makes tons of mistakes - reasoning mistakes. While DS never did AoPS Intro to Algebra, he did Intro to Counting and Probability and is currently in Intro to Number Theory. When I was reading something about the Intro to Alg. text , it did mention that they recommend getting Intro to Number Theory and Intro to Counting and Probability midway throug the Alg. book. Well, trust me, that the above mentioned courses are CHALLENGING for my math boy who is curently doing Algebra 2 at school (disaster!).
I do not know how good the Intro to Alg. book will be by itself? But I am almost sure that combined with the course it would challenge my son well, if not during the first two lessons than for sure a little later on.
I will go as far as to say, that I believe a person should have a fair, if not good, prior knowledge of the subject before attempting an online AoPS course. This way one will get the most out of it.
I agree! It is very challenging. As I said before, there were several problems on the Challenge Set of Intro to Alg AoPS that DS9 couldn't do. So I tried, DS13 (in Alg 2--math student of the year for his high school) tried, and my engineer-background father-in-law tried. Very challenging. No one could get, except me after thinking about it day & night for a couple days.
Dottie - looks like you will love AoPS courses.
Dottie,
I know exactly how you feel (well, maybe not exactly since I'm not really too mathy...just a little mathy).
Well, I am not mathy myslef, my H is....
But you really get much more appreciation out of AoPS when you use their courses. In order to learn lots you have to be good, you do not learn a lot just by sitting in front of the computer and looking at other's responses. You have to participate. It takes a lot to be able to participate - it takes knowledge.
I really do not know how else to put this ???