Chalk Dust Math

Chalk Dust is another math curriculum that I'm seriously considering for Pre-Algebra and above. Chalk Dust, along with Video Text and Math U See, come highly recommended to me by a trusted friend and fellow Christian homeschooler.

Since I'm also seriously considering Video Text, I got pretty excited when I found the following information on the Chalk Dust website. (Chalk Dust FAQ). 

"Is your program best for my child?
Perhaps; the "best" program for your child is the one that matches the learning style of your child with the teaching style (and learning support) provided by whatever program you use.

Please compare Video Text with Chalk Dust Prealgebra.
"Video Text has B/W module booklets that are not detailed enough, no application word problems, and usually less than 30 problems per lesson."

S. Ackerman (former Video Text Prealgebra customer and current Chalk Dust customer)

Also, in our opinion, Video Text Algebra 2 is not nearly as comprehensive as Chalk Dust Algebra 2.

Chalk Dust Company has accredited Houghton Mifflin (now Cengage Learning) derived color textbooks, step-by-step solutions guides (Basic Math, Prealgebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Precalculus, and Calculus I), numerous application problems, and more than 100 problems per section (ie lesson) on average from which to choose. Chalk Dust uses one professional on-camera math instructor (Dana Mosely) who provides high-quality technical support directly to your student. The comprehensive DVDs correlate to each textbook and focus upon teaching concepts with numerous sample problems.

How do your math programs compare to Saxon, or ABeka, or Math-U-See?
      Chalk Dust textbooks are in color and are derived from Houghton Mifflin (now Cengage Learning) textbooks which meet math standards in all states, and are used in colleges. The chapters are divided into sections that include numerous problems (often 75-150) many of which are "real-life applications" that are scarce in other programs. Tests are built into every text (Basic Math through Calculus I).
      Solution Guides are very detailed whereby a textbook problem is repeated and a step-by-step solution is given. In general, we feel that a student should work about 25 problems at the end of each section, but the exact number of problems that are worked is per the discretion of the parent. It's not about memorizing problems but it is about understanding concepts.
      Chalk Dust makes no attempt to train the parent to become a teacher. Our goal is to connect the learning style of your child with the teaching style of Dana Mosely and to support that directly."

   When your child gets "stuck", or experiences learning difficulty, technical support directly from Dana Mosely is available.

Video Text Math Courses

I was first told about Video Text Interactive Mathematics from a trusted friend, and fellow Christian homeschooler. She shared with me that Dr. Jay Wile, author of Apologia Science curriculum, recommends Video Text. Then, I started hearing more people talk about what a great curriculum Video Text is. I'm seriously considering Video Text for Pre-Algebra and above. First let me share a little about Video Text, and then I'll share Dr. Jay Wile's review.

What is VideoText Interactive?

     VideoText Interactive is an innovative company that is blazing new trails in math education. Our programs, "Algebra: A Complete Course," and "Geometry: A Complete Course" use new, interactive, video-based strategies to teach Algebra and Geometry from start to finish.  Students love the brief lessons, and the clear explanations of the concepts.
 
      The main components are the “videotext” (the video lessons), and a WorkText.  However, unlike textbooks that may use a video supplement, in this case, the video lessons ARE the textbook!  With computer-generated graphics, animation, and color-sequencing, the student will actually enjoy watching the mathematics concepts develop right on the screen.

       And that's not all!  With each Module of the course, you receive much more than just the video lessons!  Also included are Course Notes, WorkText, Solutions Manual, Progress Tests, & an Instructor's Guide with Detailed Solutions to all Quiz and Test Problems.

ALGEBRA Review by Dr. Jay Wile,
Author of Apologia Science Curriculum

     "The quality of mathematics is extremely important to me, as math and science go hand-in-hand. There are many students who cannot handle my chemistry course, for example, because they have not had a good algebra course. That is why I strongly encourage you to look at Videotext Interactive's algebra course. It is, truly, the best that I have seen.

     The course teaches real mathematics. It does not use tricks or shortcuts. Instead, it teaches the student to think mathematically. That's what is missing from many algebra courses! The use of animation and graphics is excellent. They do not detract from the learning, as is the case with some video courses I have seen. Instead, they enhance the student's ability to understand what is happening in each and every step along the way. 

 

     If you want your student to really learn algebra, then you should use this course. In short, this course is a scientist's dream come true!   Every science-oriented student should use it."