{"id":1985,"date":"2009-02-24T10:16:21","date_gmt":"2009-02-24T17:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=1985"},"modified":"2009-02-24T10:18:26","modified_gmt":"2009-02-24T17:18:26","slug":"my-thoughts-on-teaching-textbooks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/osbornz.net\/amy\/?p=1985","title":{"rendered":"My thoughts on Teaching Textbooks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lately on a small homeschool group I particpate in we’ve been talking about Teaching Textbooks<\/a> which I started to use this year with my two oldest boys.\u00c2\u00a0 Also I shared my thoughts on using it with a child with significant reading disabilties on the Teaching Textbooks yahoogroup<\/a> this weekend – but it never posted for some reason.\u00c2\u00a0 So here are some of my thoughts\/responses on this product for anyone searching for information.<\/p>\n

Teaching Textbooks are currently offering Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry and Precalculus.\u00c2\u00a0 Pre-Algebra and above offer the lecture and practice problems on CD-Rom and then the student works on their own.\u00c2\u00a0 If they are stumped they can use the solutions CD to walk them through to the correct answer.\u00c2\u00a0 Math 4 – 7 are all on CD-Rom.\u00c2\u00a0 The student watches the lecture on the computer and then completes the practice problems and lessons too.\u00c2\u00a0 They are given hints if needed,\u00c2\u00a0 immediate feedback, and a second chance – and if they still get it wrong, they are walked through the process to get the correct answer.<\/p>\n

Below are some of my replies to specific questions.<\/p>\n

RE Sufficient review\/dyslexia<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’m using TT with two of my sons.\u00c2\u00a0 We are using Pre-Algebra and TT5.\u00c2\u00a0 My son who is in TT5 is 12 yrs old, but reads at a 1st\/2nd grade level.\u00c2\u00a0 However, he has no trouble with comprehending and math.\u00c2\u00a0 We were doing Saxon in the past, but that required I teach\/read him the lessons and walk him through the practices as well as read him most of the problems.\u00c2\u00a0 So while he could do it – it was hard on both of us.\u00c2\u00a0 Then, this year I needed him to be more independent when we started Homeschooling his brothers also (14 and 8 yrs old) and adopted their baby sister.
\nSo to answer your question – yes, I’ve found that there is sufficient review throughout the year.\u00c2\u00a0 In fact, my son loves that because even if he struggles to learn a new idea,\u00c2\u00a0 he knows there will review that will be easier for him.
\nAs a almost non-reader, he’s doing very well with the program.\u00c2\u00a0 A few times they will ask him to find the words for a number (Two Hundred Thirty-two and 8 tenths) and he will tell me the answer and I will show him which words on the screen corresponds with what he says.\u00c2\u00a0 I’ve never helped him on those – if he said it wrong, I showed him the wrong one.\u00c2\u00a0 I felt bad the first couple of times I did that, but he seemed to really learn from it.\u00c2\u00a0 And, lately as his reading is improving, he seems to ask me less and less for help.
\nThe other thing I love about TT for him is the immediate feedback whether his answers are right or wrong.
\nIt has been nice to have a program that he can excel at – without my help.\u00c2\u00a0 It has really helped him realize he’s smarter than he thought!
\nI’m sold on TT – I just wish the upper grades were formatted the same way.<\/p>\n

RE WHETHER WORKBOOKS ARE NECESSARY:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the lower grades, the workbooks are not being used by us.\u00c2\u00a0 But in the older grades, only the lecture and practice are on the computer.\u00c2\u00a0 Then he goes to the table and uses the book and has to write out all his answers.\u00c2\u00a0 I then correct it – he tries to fix his mistakes.\u00c2\u00a0 If not, then he views the solution CD where they walk you through the problem.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I hope this helps someone!<\/p>\n

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