Ask Dr. Callahan Algebra DVD Set w/ Printed Teacher Guide, Tests, Syllabus
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About Ask Dr. Callahan Algebra DVD Set w/ Printed Teacher Guide, Tests, Syllabus
Jacobs' math courses - Elementary Algebra and Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding - are known for their clear explanations and strong, college-prep math. However, they've lacked the depth of teacher support (complete solutions manuals and teaching videos) available for other courses, making them less user-friendly for homeschoolers. The Ask Dr. Callahan series ends that! Each set of DVDs provides approximately 12 hours of lesson lectures that parallel the respective texts. Concepts are illustrated and problems (similar to those in the text) are worked on a white or black board behind the lecturer. There is an occasional use of illustrative videos which provides a break from the teaching environment. Solutions for assignment problems are not worked on the DVDs. The general feel of these DVDs is unscripted and casual rather than slickly professional. Dr. Dale Callahan is the instructor for the Geometry DVDs. The Algebra course is taught by Cassidy Callahan, who is also the author behind the Elementary Algebra Solutions Manual - a new publication from Jacobs - which shows solutions for all problems. In addition to the support offered to confused students by the DVDs themselves, there is more. Both courses are supported online via email answers (askdrcallahan.com) and the website also has a support page that answers common questions and is constantly expanding. One interesting aspect of the Geometry DVDs is the parallel that is drawn with logic arguments which occasionally include examples of biblical apologetics. Some basic equipment is required to complete the geometry constructions in that course. We'll be adding a set soon that includes this equipment: a compass, 6" ruler, 180 degree protractor, 45 degree triangle, 60 degree triangle, automatic pencil, eraser and spare leads.
Both DVD sets come with a printed Teacher's Guide that includes a course syllabus, tests (more about these in a minute), a test grading guide and grade sheets.
Category Description for Elementary Algebra (Jacobs)
Now published by Master Books, Harold Jacobs½ Elementary Algebra is the same thorough algebra course it has always been. This course is the equivalent of Algebra 1 and covers the basic algebraic concepts from a review of operations and functions through quadratic equations and number sequences. The chapters are Fundamental Operations, Functions and Graphs, Integers, Rational Numbers, Equations in One Variable, Equations in Two Variables, Simultaneous Equations, Exponents, Polynomials, Factoring, Fractions, Square Roots, Quadratic Equations, Real Numbers, Fractional Equations, Inequalities and Number Sentences this is the same chapter sequence as found in the previous edition of this text. A midterm and final review are included in the text as well.
Master Books assures us that there have been no changes in content even the problems in the exercises have remained the same. If you are familiar with the older text, one thing you will miss is some of the cartoons; however, some were kept in the text to add to the readabilityand a bit of humor never hurts. Although Master Books is a Christian company, this text doesn½t proselytize there is no Christian content.
Lessons in the Student Textbook begin with concepts, and Mr. Jacobs makes sure you understand the why½ before tackling the how.½ The text½s thorough explanation bite-size amounts of information make this a very popular program for understandability. There are still four sets of exercises in each lesson Set I reviews ideas from previous lessons for that continual review; Set II and Set III practice concepts taught in the lesson (Set III exercises are found in the teacher guide more on this in a bit); Set IV can be optional or be used for extra credit these offer challenge problems that go beyond the lesson. Answers to Set II exercises can be found in the back of the student book, which allows the student to self-grade, if you would like.
The Solutions Manual is just what the title states this book offers the solutions for all of the exercises and chapter reviews. It does not offer test solutions.
The Teacher Guide offers a suggested daily lesson schedule that allows you to finish the course in one academic year 180 lessons. Worksheets for the Set III exercises are found in the teacher guide. These are optional for those students who might need more practice. Tests for use at the end of each chapter are also included. There are four different versions of each test that are labeled A, B, C, and D. Problems are similar in each test and cover the concepts of that chapter. There is some variation in the numbers used in the different tests. The question might say, "Use the property named to write another expression equivalent to x(x+8) in test A. However, in test B, it says, "Use the property named to write another expression equivalent to x(x+3) or in Test C, x(x-6). Tests are one page, front and back, and the number of problems varies by chapter. A midyear and final exam are also included (just one version of each): 80 problems each and 4 pages in length. Answers to the tests are included in the back of the teacher guide these are not solutions, just answers.
Harold Jacobs½ math courses have a long-standing reputation for thorough explanations and it is nice to see them back on the market! ~ Donna
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