What are some good Algebra 2, math courses??

Question

I am looking for a good and clear Algebra 2 course. I have tried an online course with live teachers, but I need something with longer time limits, meaning something I can work on at my own pace. Something online is preferred, but if anyone knows of a book that explains Algebra 2 well, then that is just as fine. I do not like Saxon math, because it gets too complicated for a student to be reading on his own. Suggestions greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

<< For teaching textbooks: I looked at them, didn't get the price yet, but IS it more helpful than just a textbook? Because it seemed the cds just repeated the lesson, but online...can those who have answered give a more "experienced review"?>>

The lectures go over the information in the text.  Typically my son just reads the text.  But then there are the CD-rom answers, which are worked out, step-by-step, by the instructors.  So if you work a problem and don't understand it, every single one of them is worked out on the answer CD's.

Some people need the A/V input of the lesson being "taught" (lecture) rather than just reading it and understanding it.  This is why TT works so great - it adapts to most types of learners.  My DS is a highly visual and auditory learner, so it's great.

The whole set for the lecture CD-roms, answer CD-roms, testbook (HUGE!), and test/answer key booklet is around $185.  You cannot find it cheaper, as it's the same price everywhere.  If you order directly from TT, you get free shipping.

Answer 2

Look at Teaching Textbooks.  They are pc and textbook based, and wonderful for visual & auditory learners.  My son is finishing up Algebra 1.

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com

It's like having a Harvard-educated math tutor in your pc!  They work out *every single* problem in the book - very rare in the HS'ing market.  They have some nice demo lectures and sample text pages on their site.  My son will be starting their Geometry soon.

While Aleks is nice, it's also expensive.

Answer 3

I would strongly suggest ALEKs math!

-online

-artificial intelligence continually updates

-you only work on the content you haven't mastered

-my 10th grade son has completed Alg 2 and he placed very high on the community College placement test

I have a link for the free 30 day trial on my blog

www.purehomeschooling.com

Jana

Answer 4

To me, the BEST Algebra texts are the ones by Foerster.  You can get them from Prentice Hall.  http://www.phschool.com/classics/math.ht...  As a homeschooler, you will need to sign up with them before being allowed to purchase the teacher's manual.  I think the explanations are very clear.  These texts are consistently rated as some of the best as far as breadth and depth are concerned.  Some people recommend Teaching Textbooks.  These have fairly clear instructions, but they don't always use terminology that would be used by most mathematicians.  The scope and sequence of Teaching Textbooks Algebra II, would be more in line with the Algebra one book from Foerster.   On the other hand, you have more of what you looking for as far as the step by step video teaching.  All the problems are given step by step solutions...  It might be more of what you are looking for.  We, however, use the Foerster book, but my husband has a degree in physics, and I was a computer scientist/math programmer at one point, so math is our focus.  One of our children wants to be an engineer, thus the strong focus on rigorous mathematics.  If that isn't your focus, and you are struggling, then the Teaching Textbooks might be the better option.

While I like the Saxon texts up to 8/7, I wasn't happy with them for Algebra.  

One other thought.  There are DVD's put out by the Teaching Company for Algebra.  That might be an excellent resource for you to look into.

Here are some reviews of Algebra books:  http://mathematicallycorrect.com/algebra...

Answer 5

I HIGHLY recommend Teaching Textbooks!  I hated math and dreaded doing it, but when I started TT it just 'clicked'.  It's on the expensive side, but if you really want to understand math, it's worth the price!

The lesson is on the computer.  You have about four CD's with lessons 1-180something.  For each lesson, there's a friendly sounding teacher who explains each problem step by step.  It's SO helpful, especially when you can't figure out what you did wrong on a certain problem.  I just finished Algebra 1 and I'll be doing Geometry this fall.

Answer 6

You might like the Math U See version, which also comes with an Honors supplement.