Hi, I found the MWB materials through DC's posts on the WTM boards, where
Foerster is pretty popular.  My daughter is in the BJU math 5 book right now,
will be in their gr 6 math by fall, so I'm starting to research pre-algebra and
algebra options.  Do you have a recommended or preferred pre-algebra?  If you do
not, then I'll probably just do the BJU pre-algebra.

Also, am I understanding it correctly, that your geometry course uses the
Chakerian geometry book and INCLUDES that book in the complete course price?  I
just wanted to make sure, unless I need to be tracking it down.

And finally, what are your plans for future prospective levels?

Thanks!
Elizabeth

Mr. Chandler,

I am looking into you Alg2 & Trig course, however, I have one student who is NOT
math oriented and one who is.  What I've read about Foerster is that it is for
people that are mathematically oriented.  Is this right?  Neither my son nor I
are, but my daughter is.

Also, will the solutions to ALL the problems be worked out?  I really NEED that!

Thank you so much!
A. Rice

Could you post the ISBNs for books needed for the Algebra 2 and Trig courses? I
found too many suggestions at the used bookstores online and the Oasis website
hasn't responded yet.

Lisa

Dear Mr. Chandler,

Any plans for pre-calc and calculus curriculums to accompany your existing
course offerings? If not, what resources would you recommend for homeschoolers
who are ready to pursue higher secondary math subjects?

Thank you,

Eric Matzko

--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, "ematzrn" <ematzrn@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Mr. Chandler,
>
> Any plans for pre-calc and calculus curriculums to accompany your existing
course offerings? If not, what resources would you recommend for homeschoolers
who are ready to pursue higher secondary math subjects?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Eric Matzko
>
I am planning to release a Pre-Calculus course, but not a Calculus course.  I
don't know that there is demand for a home-study calculus course.  I would
expect most home schoolers to enroll in a community college Calculus course.

Mr. Chandler,

We are currently using Algebra 1 from Math without Borders and my daughter is
doing very well.   I have another daughter who is a rising senior this year and
we plan to do calculus with her.  I have been searching for a homeschool course
and have it narrowed down to two programs.  The first is Saxon with the DIVE CD,
although I am not sure this is the best choice.  The other is Ask Dr. Callahan,
which uses a college textbook for the course.  Would you be willing/able to
advise me?   I know the best option would be dual enrollment, but our community
college is not offereing Calculus this semester and probably not in the spring. 
Also, NC is in a budget battle and right now dual enrollment may not be
available anyway.

Thank you in advance,
Kim

Mr. Chandler,
Do you have a syllabus or assignment guide for Algebra 1?  I am afraid I may be
assigning way to many problems.

Thanks in advance,
Kim Cesare

Hi Kim
We are just finishing Algebra 1. I created a math syllabus at the beginning of
the course - which I could upload to the file section here if David approves.
I assign all even problems of every section with 2-3 tests per chapter. This
approach makes for a very long Algebra course - it might not fit into a typical
180 day school year. I would consider it more of an "Honors" approach.
My students read the text, "attend class" which is watching David's lesson, do
the problem assignment. I set a deadline for each assignment - some assignments
get 2 days for completion. If the student gets less than 90% correct then they
must go back and correct their errors. If the student gets less than 70% correct
then I re-teach the material and the student does ALL the problems - kinda tough
on those long assignments! Less than 70% on a test requires repeating the all
assignments for that test and a re-test.
The benefits have been that my students are not afraid of "high volume"
assignments or tough problems. I believe mastering Algebra 1 is absolutely
fundamental to success in higher math - so, with David's invaluable help, I made
the course very challenging.
Hope that helps,
MikeO

We are just finishing Algebra 1 and thought it might be helpful to post a recipe
on "how we did it." I have a degree in mathematics and my wife taught high
school math - so we are math-people - which means we probably go overboard when
it comes to teaching homeschool math.

I was delighted to find David Chandler's work to use as an aid to teach Algebra
1. I knew I wanted to use Foerster and although we could teach it ourselves I
though I would also supplement with David's lecture series - which, in
retrospect, was a GREAT decision - I will review the Algebra 1 course in a
separate post.

We wanted new course materials so I contacted Pearson publishing and set up an
account on their OASIS system. We bought the textbooks, solutions manual, and
test bank. Kinda pricey but well worth it. You can get used text books cheaper
but I could not find the solutions or tests elsewhere so the whole order went to
Pearson.

I assign ALL the even problems of EVERY section with 2-3 tests per chapter. This
approach makes for a very long Algebra course - it might not fit into a typical
180 day school year. I would consider it more of an "Honors" approach. Some
students react poorly to a high volume approach but my students actually do
better with more problems.

My students read the text, "attend class" which is watching David's lesson, do
the problem assignment. I set a deadline for each assignment - some assignments
get 2 days for completion. If the student gets less than 90% correct then they
must go back and correct their errors. If the student gets less than 70% correct
then I re-teach the material and the student does ALL the problems - kinda tough
on those long assignments! Less than 70% on a test requires repeating the all
assignments for that test and a re-test.

This approach is very intensive and requires the solutions manual and test bank.
Mr. Foerster, when he taught Algebra 1, gave 25-28 timed tests per school year
and I do the same or more. The advantage here is that I know very quickly when a
student has not mastered the material and by the end of the course my students
are pretty good math test takers - which will help them in standardized testing
(PSAT, SAT, ACT) and beyond.

I believe mastering Algebra 1 is absolutely fundamental to success in higher
mathematics - so, with David's invaluable help, I made the course very
challenging and am pleased with the results.

I hope this post is helpful.

MikeO

I am a homeschool parent of twin boys. I have a degree in mathematics and an MBA
while my wife is a physician that taught high school math in "an earlier life" -
so we like math and emphasize it in our curriculum.

I was so happy to find David Chandler's Math Without Borders Home Study
Companion for Algebra 1. I knew I wanted to use Mr. Foerster's Algebra 1 text -
there are other good texts out there but David's supplement convinced me to go
with Foerster.

I firmly believe that Algebra should NOT be taught by giving the student the
book and walking away. The student must actually SEE the problems worked out and
hear the description of the mental process of solving the problem. Better math
teachers will show their work very carefully and talk slowly while they are
solving the problem - describing every step. David Chandler does EXACTLY this on
every example he works - in fact, as I watch the lessons David says exactly what
I am thinking almost as if he's reading my mind - kinda spooky!

Each lesson section begins with an overview of the material and then ends with a
few problems worked out as examples. David's speech is clear and to the point -
he is careful not to use too many words that might confuse the student. His
handwriting is very clear - better than seeing the solution typed using a font -
you see him writing the solution just like the student will do on paper. He lays
out the problem very nicely and this acts as a pattern for your students to
mimic in their own work - very important as problems become more complex.

The computerized video lessons work well - we use PC's so I can't comment on
running on Macs. We have it running on a 10 year old PC with minimum resources
and it works fine - there are no drops in frames or audio.

There are no tests or problem sets with David's Algebra 1 product - so think of
this Home Study Companion as just that - a companion to the text. A test bank
and solution manual are available from the text book publisher (Pearson) web
site. The industrious teacher could certainly make up tests and solutions on
their own.

I highly recommend this product. This is a classic approach to Algebra 1 by 2
very talented teachers - Foerster and Chandler.

Mike,
Thank you for your help.

Kim

--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, "mo1258" <mike.occhialini@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Kim
> We are just finishing Algebra 1. I created a math syllabus at the beginning of
the course - which I could upload to the file section here if David approves.
> I assign all even problems of every section with 2-3 tests per chapter. This
approach makes for a very long Algebra course - it might not fit into a typical
180 day school year. I would consider it more of an "Honors" approach.
> My students read the text, "attend class" which is watching David's lesson, do
the problem assignment. I set a deadline for each assignment - some assignments
get 2 days for completion. If the student gets less than 90% correct then they
must go back and correct their errors. If the student gets less than 70% correct
then I re-teach the material and the student does ALL the problems - kinda tough
on those long assignments! Less than 70% on a test requires repeating the all
assignments for that test and a re-test.
> The benefits have been that my students are not afraid of "high volume"
assignments or tough problems. I believe mastering Algebra 1 is absolutely
fundamental to success in higher math - so, with David's invaluable help, I made
the course very challenging.
> Hope that helps,
> MikeO
>

I have no objection to your posting your syllabus here, but I just want to state
that, from what you have said, you assign far more problems than I would
normally do.  I want other homeschooling parents to recognize this so they don't
feel this heavy load is the norm.  The amount of work to assign is a judgment
call.  On the other end of the scale, some educators find that making Algebra I
a two-year course is often appropriate.  This is not a competition.  Algebra is
all about learning to do problem solving.  Readiness and mental maturation are
critical elements to this decision.
--David Chandler


--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, "mo1258" <mike.occhialini@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Kim
> We are just finishing Algebra 1. I created a math syllabus at the beginning of
the course - which I could upload to the file section here if David approves.
> I assign all even problems of every section with 2-3 tests per chapter. This
approach makes for a very long Algebra course - it might not fit into a typical
180 day school year. I would consider it more of an "Honors" approach.
> My students read the text, "attend class" which is watching David's lesson, do
the problem assignment. I set a deadline for each assignment - some assignments
get 2 days for completion. If the student gets less than 90% correct then they
must go back and correct their errors. If the student gets less than 70% correct
then I re-teach the material and the student does ALL the problems - kinda tough
on those long assignments! Less than 70% on a test requires repeating the all
assignments for that test and a re-test.
> The benefits have been that my students are not afraid of "high volume"
assignments or tough problems. I believe mastering Algebra 1 is absolutely
fundamental to success in higher math - so, with David's invaluable help, I made
the course very challenging.
> Hope that helps,
> MikeO
>

Mr. Chandler,

Do you have any pre-algebra curriculum that you recommend before starting
Algebra I? Dolciani, Larson, Lial?

Eric

--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, "ematzrn" <ematzrn@...> wrote:
>
> Mr. Chandler,
>
> Do you have any pre-algebra curriculum that you recommend before starting
Algebra I? Dolciani, Larson, Lial?
>
> Eric
>

I just read Kim's response.  My comments would be just about identical.  When I
was a student there was no such thing as Pre-Algebra.  It is not necessary for
Algebra.  I see it as a "holding pattern" for students who are finished with
arithmetic and may need some review of arithmetic topics, or need to mature a
little more before going into Algebra, which requires a higher level of abstract
thought.  If those are not issues with a particular child, I would recommend
going directly into Algebra.  If it's hard to maintain the pace to finish the
course in one year, do it in two.

I agree that "pre-algebra" is a misnomer.

We had some time before I wanted to start Algebra 1 - so we used Singapore math
for a few months - it was excellent and the "challenging word problems" were
particularly good. Check out the "Primary Maths" series for grade 5 and 6.

Good Luck!

Mr. Chandler,

Aside from the actual Algebra I text, do you recommend purchasing the Teacher's
Manual and the solution guide as well?  Or could one get by with just the
solution guide if using your Home Companion for the teaching portion?  Please
advise.   Thank you!
Stephanie

One other question.....many of the math programs available to homeschoolers that
included DVD instruction often offer a money-back guarantee within a set time
frame...even if the DVD's have been opened and watched.  (providing they are
returned in salable condition).  Does your return policy allow this as well?

Can you estimate how many hours of teaching is presented?  Is there just 1 DVD
for the entire book, or multiple DVD's?
Thanks!

Thank you for the reply.  I can understand your reasoning.....I think the other
math programs have to be played from the DVD, not downloaded.

--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, David Chandler <davidchaler@...>
wrote:
>
> I don't have a similar policy.  Once the DVD is installed, the full value
> has been extracted.  The entire contents is copied onto your hard drive.  I
> have a policy of accepting returned books that are still salable and
> unopened software.
> --David Chandler
>
> On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Stephanie <dollhoney@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > One other question.....many of the math programs available to homeschoolers
> > that included DVD instruction often offer a money-back guarantee within a
> > set time frame...even if the DVD's have been opened and watched. (providing
> > they are returned in salable condition). Does your return policy allow this
> > as well?
> >
> >
> >
>

Thank you, I appreciate your reply!


--- In MathWithoutBorders@yahoogroups.com, David Chandler <davidchaler@...>
wrote:
>
> The Algebra I DVD has a presentation (~15-25 minutes) for each section in
> the text.  the Algebra II DVD similarly has a presentation (~20-30 minutes)
> for each section in the text plus another video with worked out problem
> solutions for selected problems.  In each case the whole course fits on a
> single DVD ROM.  The file format is much more compressed than a regular
> video DVD.
> --David Chandler
>
> On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 1:32 PM, Stephanie <dollhoney@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Can you estimate how many hours of teaching is presented? Is there just 1
> > DVD for the entire book, or multiple DVD's?
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
> >
>