Publisher's Synopsis
-The Basic Math of Algebra- - Book 3 of Doodles Do Algebra by Kirsten West, PhD. How Much of Algebra Is Covered In This Book? This third book in the Doodles Do Algebra series teaches your child how to evaluate equations followed by a comprehensive tour through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of monomials and polynomials, including long division of polynomials. This leads the way towards the next books in the series that cover factoring and fractions, followed by learning to solve simple equations, and more. Do I Have To Start With The First Book In The Series, Or Can I Pick And Choose Subjects? The book series is designed as a complete curriculum and also as a supplement so that if your child is having difficulties with a specific area of Algebra, you can use just the relevant Doodles Do Algebra book. What Is In This Book? Evaluating Equations Writing Equations Algebraic Addition (of both positive and negative terms) Algebraic Subtraction Distributive Property of Multiplication Commutative Property of Multiplication Multiplication of both monomials and polynomials Division of monomials Long Division of Polynomials This book includes the student work pages, teacher's notes, and answer key. Unlike most curricula for homeschooling that seems to include teacher's notes as an afterthought, this series is focused heavily on notes to the teacher. We provide alternatives for teaching each lesson so that you can adjust the material to fit your child. No matter how your child learns and understands math best, we have a suggestion. The Approach Answers The Question We All Hear: -Why Do I Have To Learn This?- All of us, at one time or another, have asked, -But why do I have to know this?- This curriculum is designed to eliminate those questions. Children begin solving real life problems that get progressively harder, perhaps even pushing your own limits of concentration but I guarantee your child will breeze through the material. At the end of this book, we introduce the concept of the unknown as a way to keep track of the bits and parts of a problem. Then your child will fully understand why they are learning algebra, not just how to do the problems. A Lesson A Day Is The Best Way! Each lesson is meant to be done in one day and is designed to be flexible. If your child understands right away, then encourage them and move on. If, however, your child doesn't understand a topic, then I provide alternative teaching methods for you to try in the teacher's guide section at the end of this book. Curricula Designed For Both Independent Learning Or Working With You, Whatever Is Best For Your Child. The lessons are laid out in a fashion that allows your child to work independently as much as possible. You generally need to spend a few minutes with your child prior to any independent work in order to set the stage for the day's learning. Depending on your child's age and ability to work independently, you may feel most comfortable working through the entire lesson each day with your child. I have found with my own kids that on some days they really want to work by themselves, and on others they really want to do the lesson together. This curriculum is designed to handle both scenarios and allows you to be completely flexible. The Doodles Do Algebra series includes the algebra topics encountered in modern day Algebra I and Algebra II, as well as topics that are no longer covered until college (such as calculating the square root of large numbers without a calculator, or a computer). The curriculum is based on the teaching methodology of algebra texts written in the late 1600's to the early 1800's and used by English and American children.
