Algebra SOS: Our Resources, Links, Materials and God + Algebra

I'm not sure if anyone's ever actually died of algebra.

I'm afraid to look into this too deeply, for fear of truly finding out.

When  I do <ack>  get myself and, most importantly, my son ( ! ) 
 through the curriculum and

successfully  mastering the concepts this school year,

I'll be by this lake,
subject of many of our vacation pics and blog posts:

with a pitcher of white zin, and  a massive feeling of accomplishment, 
come summer 2014.


Until then...here goes:

My son is in grade 8 and  while he'd be taking algebra anyway this year, 

we've decided to  "accelerate" him into

the curriculum for which he'll take the state test, the Regents exam, in June.
Here's the Board of Regents website, with a focus on algebra,
 for my NYS friends and readers.
For out of staters, maybe you might use this as just one more
additional resource for practice examples?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's  heavy in common core.
Well, whatever we think of the substandardization that CC is bringing down the pike,
we still need to master the material, right?
So let's do that.

We plan to enroll him in high school next school year and since he is learning algebra and Earth Science at home ( the latter, with my hubby as this is his area)

he'll take both of those tests and then enter high school in the "advanced" track.

Okay, so lots to say about that and to worry about too,
( though I think I've done a pretty good job of hiding my stress
over being an inadequate higher level math teacher where my son's concerned).
At mass today, Father said this in his homily, as he
discussed the Gospel,
"Fear is the absence of Faith."
Since I'm algebra-obsessed,
 I took this to mean that he was specifically telling me
I should  look to the Lord to give me what I need 
to not only conquer the course but make these numbers dance poetically.
It put things in perspective.
Really.

So, let's focus on the path to success this year with a plan, with great resources and
most importantly, with Faith.

Please jump in and share any resources which you've used 
and can recommend with assurances!
 Believe me, I am wide open to tips and advice!
Thank you for that!

Here is a listing of resources we're using this school year.




Ok, I have to say that I AM an amazon affiliate.
 I am not affiliated with any of the other companies to which I link here. 
I'm really just linking to them because I'd like to make it easier 
for my readers to click to the source and get more info.



As our spine:

Math U See Algebra (student text)
Math U See teacher edition
Test booklet
Algebra/decimal inserts
The entire set of Algebra 1 MUS is found here.




 



Resources for ME to obtain concept-background 
and presentation tips:

Bob Miller's 
Algebra For the Clueless

I LOVE LOVE the Bob Miller series!! 



You must check out Bob's series. 
He breaks every topic into fundamental,
manageable pieces of info.

Algebra 1 pub by Holt


The above is really intended for whole classroom instruction,
 as it contains overhead transparencies....
BUT, the ideas and unique presentation of concepts drew me in....
so, we put the overhead on the table between us and use it that way.
It can be adapted and it works out fine.
There are literally 92 "Lesson Openers" throughout the book 
on every topic imaginable within 
the realm of algebra. 
It is REALLY worth looking into.


Ancillary materials for review /
 additional practice problems:

Algebra DeMystified



Algebra 1 Abeka




Algebra 1 Glencoe




~Some Fun Resources In Which to Spend Algebra Time~

Fred's Home Companion: Algebra



Life Of Fred Beginning Algebra
as Serious as it Needs to Be


If you don't know Life of Fred, you should!
Go get a LOF book and have fun!




~Review books for year end assessments~

Integrated Algebra
Barron's Review Course Series





Algebra Schaum's Easy Outlines




And, again, here is the link to past  NYS tests, presented by the 
Office of State Assessment.
These can be used as additional review!



~ Algebra DVDs we've used and liked~

Math Relief!
( click for their site)

The Standard Deviants - Algebra Adventure

Friends, thank you so much for stopping in today to take a peek 
at our journey and spend a little time here in my space!
Perhaps some of this info has been helpful to you on your quest
 to master algebra in your homeschool as well!
I'd love to hear from you if you have time to comment.

Friends, as always,  

thank you for stopping over and 
spending some of your precious time here at my home on the web!

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I'd love to stay in touch regularly.

Until next time,

~Chris