Algebra (Power Basics)

Walch Publishing

Algebra from Walch's Power Basics line provides a simpler, easier-to-read option for Algebra 1 than standard courses. While it covers the major concepts of a first year algebra course, it is not as comprehensive as most. For example, students do minimal work on square roots and on solving for more than one variable in equations. Also, time/rate/distance problems are not as complex as you find in most courses. You might use this as an introductory course for a junior high student or a remedial or simpler course for high school.

The components you need are a student book, student book teacher's guide, workbook, workbook answer key, and test pack. The student book is a 6" x 9", 300-page, consumable worktext. Students work some problems directly in the book, although the bulk of their practice is done in the workbook. Print size in the student book is larger than usual, so there is actually far less information per page than in other texts. The reading level is also slightly below level. Nevertheless, the both the text and workbook include some practical application and word problems so students can grasp when they might use algebra in real life.

Even though the student book teacher's guide has some instructional information, the course is really set up so that students can work independently for the most part, with parents/teachers correcting work and administering tests. The teacher's guide serves as the answer key to the student text. The test pack includes its own answer key. There is a separate key for the workbook. The "single pack" with all five items is sold by the publisher for $59.99. Walch Publishing also has similar courses for Basic Math, Consumer Math and Geometry.