Algebra for Homeschoolers
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Teaching and Learning High School Algebra for Homeschoolers
Algebra is just combining unknown numbers that can be represented by blocks such as Cuisenaire Rods. Algebra equations can seem complicated at first but when taken step by step, using colorful, wooden blocks, Algebra becomes a delightful math game that can be easily understood and mastered.
How can you make learning algebra fun? In this article, you will learn the methods we used to prepare my unschooler to not only learn algebra but to eventually major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Math. She graduated with top grades and was chosen to tutor top level math students throughout her college career. It was her foundation in hands-on, concrete methods in learning Algebra that made her be able to visualize the math needed to teach her fellow students.
Here are the methods and materials we used to learn algebra. All of these algebra materials are inexpensive and easy to understand. Let's learn algebra...
Photo Credit: The Never Ending Math Problem by ddluong_
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Algebra is Fun!
It's Easy to Learn High School Algebra!
The first thing I would like to do is assure you that algebra can be fun. It doesn't have to be a textbook full of endless pages of seemingly unsolvable equations. Algebra can be as easy as playing with blocks. Mathematics is all about patterns. By recognizing patterns, putting those patterns together and taking them apart, we can solve the problems confronting us.
Wooden Cuisenaire Rods are my favorite material for teaching algebra. I will also be suggesting a few workbooks, some dice and a some videos that you may find online for free or possibly from your local public library.
Let's continue on from the Fun and Games of Pre-Algebra on to Algebra, a fun way to play with blocks...
Transitioning from Pre-Algebra to Algebra
Photo Credit: Original 24 Game Cards Single Digits
Available on Amazon
One of our favorite pre-algebra games was Game 24. If you have been playing this game for a while, you and your children will quickly recognize how you can combine numbers to get to 24. Once my children had become quite familiar with the four operations and this game, I began to show them how to write their answers on paper. If your card showed the numbers 2,6,0,1, for example, you could write: (2X6)/1+0
Photo Credit: Algebra for Homeschoolers
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Note: If your children are not fluent in the four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, I suggest that you play the games suggested in my Pre-Algebra article:
Algebra in the Concrete
Algebra using Cuisenaire Rods
Mary Laycock developed a method of teaching algebra using Cuisenaire Rods that makes algebra easy to understand. The advantage to using wooden Cuisenaire Rods is that they are visually and tactilely appealing. With a set of Cuisenaire Rods and a copy of the book, Algebra in the Concrete, you and your child can begin to explore the patterns and relationships between numbers described by algebraic equations.
Photo Credit: Multiplying Binomials by rodaniel
on Flickr, Creative Commons
Algebra in the Concrete
Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 05/27/2012)
Algebra in the Concrete was the first book my daughter and I used to begin our understanding of algebra. It is part workbook and part teacher guide. Algebra in the Concrete shows how to arrange Cuisenaire Rods in order to visualize and solve algebra equations.
Wooden Cuisenaire Rods
Cuisenaire Rods for learning Algebra
Photo Credit: Cuisenaire Rods by Rev Dan Catt
Used under creative commons
The first time I ever set eyes on a set of wooden Cuisenaire Rods they seemed magical. The colors are bright and inviting. Attractive and appealing, Cuisenaire Rods are so perfectly proportioned that you can actually play music with them by dropping onto, let's say, onto a desk, dining room table or a hardwood floor.
Cuisenaire Rods appeal to visual learners, tactile learners, and musical learners.
If you haven't purchased wooden Cuisenaire Rods yet, I urge you to do so today. You can use Cuisenaire Rods to teach and learn math from pre-K though high school algebra and beyond. But besides that, they are just fun to play with.
Cuisenaire Rods Intro. Set Wood
Amazon Price: $12.05 (as of 05/27/2012)
Wooden feel and look so much better than the plastic ones. It is worth the few extra dollars to pay for the high quality. Having the set in this box, means that when you put them away, you will instantly know if a rod is missing as well as the length and color of the missing piece making it easier to find it before putting away the box.
Wooden Base Ten Blocks
Of course you could just put together groups of ten orange Cuisenaire Rods but using the wooden Base Ten Blocks is much easier and the sense that these 100 units all go together as a group of 100, shows visibly a square or, in the case of algebra, shows an unknown square.
Use the hundreds block with Cuisenaire Rods to display algebraic equations.
Hands-on Algebra Activities
Fun Explorations in Algebra
Photo Credit: First to Finish the Algebra Triangle Puzzle by Eljay
on Flickr, Creative Commons
This puzzle is a fun way to practice matching equivalent equations. Working together, algebra learners can discuss their thinking for auditory learning, move the pieces around for tactile learning and have fun while learning algebra.
If anyone knows where this worksheet comes from, please let me know.
Tricky Triangles
Interactive bulletin board activity for visualizing Pascal's Triangle.1 point
“Algebra is Fun!”
Mortensen Algebra Video
Jerry Mortensen teaches Algebra using Base Ten Blocks
. I would suggest that you take out your Cuisenaire Rods and construct the problems with Jerry Mortensen as he shows you how to construct and solve algebra equations.Quadratic Equation Song
Sing a song of Algebra!
Come sing your way into algebra...
Algebra on you Own!
Resources for learning Algebra on your Own
Here are two more amazing resources for teaching yourself algebra. Kahn Academy has free online videos that explain algebra as if you had an Algebra teacher right there in your home. Kahn Academy was not available when I was teaching my oldest but I discovered it when teaching my youngest. We found that watching these lectures were another layer in helping us to grasp the topic.
The Algebra Survival Guide: A Conversational Guide for the Thoroughly Befuddled
Algebra from Khan Academy - Free, Online Video Lessons
Khan Academy is on a mission to provide a free world-class education to anyone anywhere. With over 2,600 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and 200 practice exercises, we're helping students learn whatever they want, whenever they want, at their own pace.1 point
Math Success for Everyone | Blog
Josh Rappaport is a person who loves to help students succeed at math. He is the author of The Algebra Survival Guide: A Conversational Guide for the Thoroughly Befuddled
Algebra from MathUSee
Algebra for Homeschoolers
Essential Tools for Teaching Algebra...
by Mary Laycock and a set of Wooden Cuisenaire Rods
. Soon you and your children will be having fun playing with playing with algebra while singing the Quadratic Equation Song!
Applause for Algebra!
Questions and Answers about teaching and learning algebra with a hands-on approach...
Tell us about your experiences with teaching and learning algebra. Was algebra easy for you? Have you forgotten everything you learned from high school algebra classes? What are your thoughts on using a hands-on approach to teaching and learning algebra?
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bloomingrose
Mar 14, 2012 @ 12:07 pm | delete
- Wow - your kids are super lucky! Algebra is pivotal, many kids start failing school because they can't get past this. Angel Blessed for making this interesting!
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Words-of-Encouragement
Mar 14, 2012 @ 12:04 pm | delete
- Wonderful! I had a difficult time teaching algebra to my kids, but the second time around increased my level of understanding! Wish I'd had these tools!
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Blessedmombygrace
Feb 27, 2012 @ 8:46 pm | delete
- I didn't like Algebra when I had to do it, but now I am teaching it to my homeschooler I find I love it!
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vallain Feb 24, 2012 @ 4:20 pm | delete
- I actually liked algebra when I was in school. Not sure I would want to try teaching it to someone else. Homeschool parents are brave people.
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traveller27
Feb 24, 2012 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- Excellent! Blessed by a travelling angel.
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About the Algebra Teacher
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