Math-U-See Algebra I

Demme Learning's newly published Math-U-See Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics course is not just a revamp of its original course. You will find this new Math-U-See course more challenging if you are familiar with the previous one. A number of additional math concepts are introduced in this course, thereby better preparing students for higher-level mathematics courses. For the video portion of the lesson, Sara Donavan is the instructor. Unlike other Math-U-See courses, this course presents lessons in a different format. Lessons are divided into 3 sections: Part A, Part B, and Targeted Review. I will elaborate further in the review. Additionally, there is a Lesson Test for each lesson. Math-U-See Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics is part of the Timberdoodle 2023 Eighth-Grade Curriculum Kit. 

How does the course bundle work?

This course includes the Instructor Handbook A & B, the Student Worktext A & B, the Test book, a laminated Formula Sheet, and access to the online Digital Toolbox. The Digital Toolbox provides access to instructional videos. The Digital Toolbox allows students to watch lesson videos. Students have access to a Desmos Scientific Calculator and a Desmos Graphing Calculator. In the Digital Toolbox, students can also utilize digital manipulatives. Additionally, graph paper can be printed. A password is required to access solutions to lesson practice problems, tests, midterms, and final exams.

Those students who may need some extra practice can take advantage of Extension Lessons to get more practice.

Student Worktext Book A

Unit 1: Foundations of Algebra

Unit 2: Linear Equations and Functions

Unit 3: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

Student Worktext Book B

Unit 4: Polynomial Expressions and Equations

Unit 5: Quadratics, Exponentials, Radicals

The course Math-U-See Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics consists of five units. An average unit has four to eight lessons.

I absolutely love the way Math-U-See is set up. It really prepares students for mastery and success. An overview of the Algebra I course is included at the beginning of Student Worktext A. Throughout this section, you will find a thorough explanation of the Course Structure, Student Components, a flow chart Quick Start Guide, step-by-step instructions on How to Complete a Lesson, and a Recordkeeping Page. 

There are two parts to every lesson: Part A and Part B.

In order to understand what you will learn from this lesson, you should know what the Objectives are and Why you are learning them. 

Warm Up: review key concepts about what you're about to learn.

Explore

• Video of the lesson.

• Guided Notes and Examples - fill in the blanks in this section of your student workbook as you listen to the video.

• Checkpoint - following the completion of the video and notes, there are some problems to solve.

Practice 1 provides the students with an opportunity to put what they learned into practice. If you need extra space to solve problems, you can use a sheet of paper.

This Mastery Checklist is used for determining whether your student has mastered the lesson concepts. Depending on their score, you may skip Practice 2 and move onto Part B. If they did not score well, they should continue with Practice 2.

Similar to Part A, your student will complete Part B.

After your child has mastered Part A and Part B concepts, you can administer the Lesson Test.

Prior to moving onto the next lesson, there is a Targeted Review. The purpose of this review is to help students retain what they've learned in previous lessons. They are highly recommended. Instructor Handbook provides the lesson from which each of the problems is found for students who have difficulty with these reviews. With this, you and your student will be able to review the concept easily. There is something for everyone in this course, both those at an advanced level and those who need a little more guidance.

Whenever each lesson is completely completed, a test is taken. Typically, these tests have around 10-15 problems. There are approximately 25 multiple choice questions on each unit test. One open-response problem exists. Unit tests cover only the material covered in that unit. After the first three units, there is a midterm exam. Students take the Final Exam once they have completed the course. The final exam will mainly have questions from the final two units. As mathematical concepts build, mastery of previous material is essential. 

I did not receive the Instructor Handbooks for this review. In the Digital Toolbox, you'll find everything you need. The Digital Toolbox is set up very user-friendly.

My 15-year-old daughter suffers from severe ADHD and Functional Processing Disorder. As I was preparing for this review, I was extremely excited. Math is really difficult for my daughter. Her previous two years were spent on two different Pre-Algebra curriculums. Having used Math-U-See with her older siblings in the past, I was familiar with the program. We jumped right into the curriculum and I realized we were in serious trouble not too long after starting. Upon realizing this new algebra would be more challenging than my previous algebra, I knew I had a problem. Demme Learning already knew that this may be an issue for some students, according to what I saw. Demme Learning provides a Bridge Materials: Pre-Algebra to Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics.

Unfortunately, my daughter needed more help. This year, in order for her to succeed, I had to enroll her in an Algebra 1/2 course due to her Functional Processing Disorder. When people suffer from FPD, they might learn math concepts one day but forget them the next. Math is challenging to learn and retain because of this. As soon as she completes Algebra 1/2 in two months, I plan to pick up where we left off, or perhaps even start over. Math-U-See repetition may be a good fit for students who struggle with learning.

I recommend this curriculum.