Homeschool Blog

I helped teach my oldest son learn Algebra at home. He has learned Algebra up through Elementary Algebra quite well, and without an excessive amount of my help. He is fairly bright, but this did not come naturally. Here is what we have already done:

• Make sure the student has a solid foundation in basic mathematics. They should know how to work with fractions, decimals, and whole numbers using the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We used Saxon Math at the elementary level. And, when the student completes homework sets, correct them immediately and make them redo incorrect problems, providing help if needed, until all problems are done correctly - this is very important! You can find Saxon Math books at a fraction of their new price here.
• After the student completes 6th grade, you can start prealgebra.  The text I used was Prealgebra by Auffman, Barker, and Lockwood. You can use the older 4th Edition with ISBN 0618372628. I have ordered these texts for a few dollars at Amazon Used. In fact, it now goes for around $2 plus shipping. Or, stop by your local Community college - they may have an old edition they no longer use that they will give you for free! And, you can use a different Prealgebra text just as well, provided it is a traditional text (not reform) that covers operations with fractions, percents, decimals, proportions, and integers as well as introductory algebra.  You should also get the DVD video lessons that come with the book. These also may be obtained at Amazon. The DVD set accompanying the Prealgebra text described above has ISBN 0618372709 and may be found at Amazon for under $20 at this link. Assign every other odd problem for homework. Do not allow a calculator to be used except for percent and proportion problems. And, make sure the student redoes every incorrect homework problem until they get it correct.  I would recommend that you do Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7, & 8 which consists of Operations with Whole Numbers, Positive and Negative Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Exponents, Variable Expressions, Introductory Algebraic Equations, Ratio & Proportion, Percents, and Geometry (if you have time).  Note that if quantities of this edition are not available, you may need to use a newer edition.
• Next, do Algebra I and Algebra II. A single text, Algebra: Introductory and Intermediate, 3rd Edition, by Aufmann, Barker, and Lockwood with ISBN 0618293922 may be used for both and is available for  as little as $10 at Half.com. The DVD set that accompanies this book has ISBN 0-618-29403-1 and may be purchased for about $45 at Amazon at this link. Note that if quantities of this edition are not available, you may need to use a newer edition. As with the Prealgebra, you should correct every problem from each HW assignment and make the student redo each incorrect problem.  I would suggest assigning every other odd problem. For testing, the chapter tests will work fine. You will want to cover Chapters 2,4,5,6,7 in Algebra I, which consists of First Degree Linear Equations, Linear Equations in 2 Variables, Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities, Polynomials, and Factoring. For Algebra II, cover Chapters 8, 9, 10, and the first half of 11 which consists of Rational Expressions & Equations, Rational Exponents and Radicals, Quadratic Equations, and Introduction to Functions including Linear Function Graphs and Quadratic Function Graphs. If you the instructor are a little unsure of your own algebra skills, the DVD sets can help you the teacher as much as the student.  Nothing wrong with both you and the child both learning. So make sure that no matter what text you get, there is a DVD set that accompanies it.  And make sure to check your local colleges - you may be able to get these materials at no cost!
• The next step after Algebra II would be a College Algebra course followed by Trigonometry. These College Algebra and Trigononetry books and DVD sets are a bit more difficult to find used at a low price online, so your best bet is to find a book with matching DVDs at your local community college or four year college. Yes, they will give old editions away! Ask for a “non-reform” traditional text. Several good texts are by authors Larson and Hostetler and also by Auffman and Barker. Get a text titled Algebra and Trigonometry and it can be used for both College Algebra and then Trigonometry. In the College Algebra course, cover chapters on Review Topics, Solving Equations and Inequalities, Functions and Their Graphs, Polynomial Functions, Rational Functions and Conics, and Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. In the Trigonometry course, cover chapters on Right Angle Trigonometry and Trigonometric Functions, Trigonometric Identities, Laws of Sines & Cosines and Vectors. The courses in College Algebra and Trigonometry together make up a full year study and will prepare the student for college calculus. I would advise not to allow graphing calculators in exams - students are expected to know how to graph elementary functions when they begin calculus. You really want to have a DVD series if you teach College Algebra and Trigonometry! If we had not decided to enroll our son in Christian Liberty Homeschools Academy, we would have gone this route this year. We may still go this route in the future.