Finding a PRE-ALGEBRA Middle School Math Curriculum

So glad you are here! Today, we're discussing our search for the perfect pre-algebra math curriculum for my 7th grader.

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BJU Pre-Algebra:

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#homeschool #homeschooling #prealgebra

[artrosario]

Denison Pre Algebra, and then Algebra next. It takes ALL the stress out of math, for both child and mom! Absolutely incredible! My daughter was actually able to go straight from Saxon 6/7 into Denison Algebra no problem.

[SevenInAll]

I've never seen AOPS in real life, but I've always heard it has a reputation for being an extremely challenging approach to math, most ideal for kids who like wrestling with challenging math puzzles. My sister did the entire Life of Fred series up through Calculus--my mom says it's very convoluted and not very straightforward at all in the high school levels, but they had fun with it, and supplemented with extremely straightforward Math U See for 'easy' math to complement the LoF approach. Glad you found one that fits your needs!

[LifeofTillmans]

I’m beginning my math search now and this was super helpful! Thanks!

[ThisHomeschoolingAdventure]

I've never heard of this one. We went with Khan Academy since I personally prefer online for math. I still make ours write the problems out when they miss them, but I like the automatic grading and teaching videos.

[Homeschooler]

Thanks for the review! I am looking into trying out AoPS Prealgebra for my 5th grade son after receiving standardized test results that show he is ready for 8th grade math and some Algebra 1. We have done some Beast Academy in the past and then switched back to Primary Mathematics as he got easily frustrated with the "star"/challenge questions in Beast Academy. He is currently in Primary Mathematics 5A.

While my son is mathy, he doesn't necessarily care for anything being more challenging or harder than it needs to be. However, he often goes about solving questions way(!) differently than I do (and I am not a naturally mathy person), to the point where I just scratch my head when he explains it back to me. But, hey, if it's right it's right, and his test scores obviously show that there is something to it.

Even with Primary Mathematics I have often felt that, with no tests, it's hard to gauge whether he has mastered the material given that he still got quite a few problems wrong on the reviews. He also plays the prodigy math game, and I would say he gets most of his arithmetic practice from there. I give him a whiteboard and marker to work out the problems, as that's easier than the virtual pens they can use within the program. I am always amazed how he can solve 100+ problems in prodigy in one day, but still complain about having to do 20 problems or so in Primary Mathematics...

All this to say: I am starting to believe that getting a certain % on a test or review section isn't always the most important thing. If your curriculum follows a traditional scope and sequence and they test well, then that shows they got it. Of course you don't want to crush their spirits or have them think they are bad in math, but you could easily set it into context and tell them that just because things are challenging and we have to work through them doesn't always mean we are bad at them! I would try to use it as a teaching moment. 

Sometimes it's time to switch, but if it's just a PTSD thing, and we project certain feelings about math from our own childhoods onto our children, I would say, let it go and have your kid have a go at the challenge! I am definitely going to give AoPS a try!

[ashleym]

We went through a crazy time with math for my first child. We did a prek curriculum and a kindergarten curriculum from teacherspayteachers. Then, we switched to Horizons and then TGATB before finally landing on BJU. I knew I needed something more hands on with my middle child and so I picked BJU for him from the start and it's been great. My oldest walked in one day and was like I want to do math like him. We changed and I really think it might work for us for grades K-6. But, I am already shopping around in my mind for the middle school grades. We are using the 3rd edition for the elementary grades and they are phasing it out into updated editions like what you have. Are you using video lessons or are you teaching it? The new elementary editions follow more of a Common Core strategy in the K-3 levels and that is why I am currently using the older versions. I couldn't really tell how easy or difficult it would be to use for grades 7 and up. Is BJU in her grade written to the student? How teacher intense is it? I have multiple kids and I may lean on Math U See or Denison in the future, but would love to see a flip through and hear your perspective as there are not enough videos out there for math in the middle grades.

[tld_smd]

I've been using dimensions math 2nd-6th grade. I'm currently shopping for next year, 7th. Thank you for this helpful video.

[Michelgia]

Did you look at Denison? It’s amazing!!!!

[creatingcommunity]

We will be using Denison Pre-Algebra next year for 7th grade. We will be coming from using Saxon 6/5 this year. God bless ❤

[JNLHM]

How did you decide to go with BJU Pre-algebra, as opposed to BJU Fundamentals of Math- which is the 7th grade math? I use horizon and 7th grade is pre-algebra. Not sure if I should go with BJU Fundamentals of Math or Pre-algebra.