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Sneak Peek #12: New US2 History Guide

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:32 pm
by Carrie
Ladies,

After much time spent pondering the varying math needs of students at the high school level, for our new U.S. History II guide we have chosen 3 different options to recommend. These include using Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry along with the Math Without Borders lessons (for a textbook-based option with clear examples and strong video presentation), or continuing on with VideoText Geometry (for those students who began Geometry through VideoText last year and are now moving through the Trigonometry and possibly Precalculus portions), or using Mathhelp.com for College Algebra (for those students who do not wish to take Precalculus). The description for each program is found below. :D At Heart of Dakota, we will carry the textbook option which includes Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry text and the corresponding Math Without Borders flash drive. :D

Description of Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry from David Chandler (of Math Without Borders): :D
“Paul A. Foerster has taught mathematics at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas since 1961. In that same year he received his teaching certificate from Texas A&M University. His B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and M.A. degree in Mathematics are from the University of Texas. Among many honors, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 1983. He brings to his teaching and textbook writing the insights from his engineering background. His textbooks contain some of the best collections of real-world applications to be found in any algebra/calculus textbooks. Cathy Duffy says, "Foerster’s books, in particular, have long been recognized as among the best high school math texts."

Description of Math Without Borders: Precalculus with Trigonometry Flash Drive: :D (This program is in Cathy Duffy Top 102 Picks)
The Home Study Companion Precalculus with Trigonometry Flash Drive supplements the textbook in several important ways. Each lesson section begins with an overview of the material and then ends with a few problems worked out as examples. Using Foerster’s textbook, experienced teacher David Chandler talks students through each of the key concepts in each section of the textbook using a whiteboard to teach the concepts. He follows the text, occasionally teaching in a slightly different fashion for the sake of clarity. After he’s taught the concept, he typically works through a fair number of examples before he leaves students to work through problems on their own. Chandler sometimes expands on a topic that he knows is particularly troublesome to students.

Whether or not parents feel comfortable with this material themselves, students benefit from being introduced to these topics by an experienced teacher. That is what these video lessons provide. The lessons cover not only new techniques, but new levels of problem solving skills and new models for thinking about practical problems mathematically. This level of material is not “presented," it is taught.

Link to assigned lessons in Precalculus with Trigonometry from Math Without Borders (These same problems have video solutions shown on the flash drive): https://mathwithoutborders.com/wp-conte ... ctions.pdf
View sample lessons here (scroll down to view Precalculus): https://mathwithoutborders.com
Further description specific to Precalculus with Trigonometry as taught through Math Without Borders: https://mathwithoutborders.com/precalculus

Note: For a limited time Heart of Dakota will also be carrying the solutions manual with all problems worked out for Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry. So, you can choose which components to use for Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry in your own home. The fully worked solutions manual is available through Heart of Dakota only if you have also purchased the Student Text from us as well or have purchased a Heart of Dakota guide to use in teaching your students. This is due to the Publisher's regulations for proving that Solutions Manuals are purchased for homeschool use by homeschool families.

VideoText Geometry Description: :D (This course was one of Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks.)
Visit http://www.videotext.com to purchase
Bibliographic Data – DVD, print copy, or online options

VideoText Geometry is an interactive, video-based program that teaches Geometry, Trigonometry, and PreCalculus in an integrated manner. Due to the integrated manner in which VideoText teaches, once you begin VideoText it is best to complete the course because all modules work together to teach Geometry, Trigonometry, and PreCalculus. All students must begin VideoText Geometry with Module A, regardless of previous math experience with Geometry. It typically takes two years to complete the coursework, so students looking for a stand-alone Precalculus course for their final year of high school would need to choose Foerster's Precalculus with Trigonometry or a Precalculus course of their own choosing instead. Also, it appears that the final module of VideoText Geometry is not yet complete. So, in completing the available modules of VideoText your student will earn a full-credit in Geometry and a full-credit in Trigonometry, but you would need to check with the publisher to see how much credit (if any) could be counted for Precalculus upon completion of the currently available modules from VideoText.

The main components of VideoText are the video lessons and the worktext. However, unlike textbooks that may use a video supplement, in this case the video lessons “are” the textbook. With each module of the course, you receive the video lessons (each 5-10 minutes in length, either on DVD or online), course notes, worktext, solutions manual, progress tests, and an instructor’s guide with detailed solutions to all quizzes and test problems. Students will love the brief lessons and the clear explanations of concepts in VideoText Geometry.
For an overview of the geometry course, click here: http://videotext.com/algebra-a-complete-course/
To view samples and purchase VideoText Geometry visit http://www.videotext.com

Mathhelp.com (formerly Yourteacher.com) Description: :D
List Price – Visit http://www.mathhelp.com to purchase
Author – Mike Maggart
Bibliographic Data – online options
*This program has been in Cathy Duffy’s Top 100, Top 101, and Top 102 Picks.

MathHelp's lessons replicate the entire math classroom experience, but you are the only student! Each lesson includes:
*Multiple Video Example Problems
(similar to how a teacher starts class at the board by explaining the examples from the textbook)
*Interactive Practice Problems with Built-in Explanations
(similar to how a teacher assigns practice and walks around the class providing math help)
*A Challenge Problem
(similar to how a teacher assigns a higher level problem which students must work on their own to prove mastery)
*Multiple-Choice Self-Tests
 (similar to how a teacher assigns problems which you must work on your own to prove mastery of material)
*Extra Problem Worksheets
(similar to how a teacher assigns additional problems for homework)
*Review Notes
(similar to how a teacher provides summary handouts or refers you to your textbook for online math help)

Taking College Algebra through http://www.mathhelp.com is a good option for students who are not interested in taking Precalculus, but who would like to continue with math instruction for their senior year. Our own oldest son took College Algebra through math help his senior year and then went on to test out of College Algebra through ALEKS very quickly in order to earn college credit for Algebra. Our son really enjoyed the College Algebra course through Math Help and did very well with it!

Of course, you may choose a different math path than those we have outlined above, but hopefully these options will give you some help as you search for the right math program for your child! :D

Blessings,
Carrie