Basic Mathematics 1, first edition [seventh grade]

A Beka Book

This worktext follows A Beka Book’s traditional approach like the books for younger levels. You need to buy the student worktext and the teacher edition. The teacher edition has reprinted student pages with answers. You might want the solution key which shows how to work out selected problems.

The methodology is similar to that of younger levels with introduction of new concepts using explanation, examples, and practice followed by review of previously learned material. There are more word and application problems in this text than in those for younger grades, but the format is not as colorful and print is small.

Topics include review of previous math concepts, metric measurements and conversions, consumer math topics such as checkbook maintenance and computation of interest, a significant amount of both plane and solid geometry, an introduction to trigonometry plus assorted topics such as recording bowling scores and meter reading and analysis.

This text is unusual in that it covers consumer math and practical topics that are often neglected in basic texts (unless students cover them in high school consumer math courses). I really think it helps broaden understanding of real life math applications. It also goes far beyond typical seventh grade level with the geometry and trigonometry. Choose which topics to cover according to each child’s needs.

A Test and Quiz Book and companion answer key are also available. For students who need to speed up computation skills, A Beka offers Rapid Calculation Drills (for grades 4-8 [$10].