Power Algebra seems good From: Redyarrow Date sent: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 10:44:49 EST To: education-consumers@tricon.net Subject: interesting article on new math textbook Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Subj: Math textbook Date: 97-12-21 17:17:56 EST From: nathanc@ncfweb.net (Nathan Crow) Reply-to: nathanc@ncfweb.net (nathanc@ncfweb.net) To: SClistserv@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu (Precision Teaching List Serv (E- mail)), effschprac@OREGON.UOREGON.EDU ('effschprac@oregon.uoregon.edu') This math textbook seems to have the right approach. Nathan from the homepage of the author & publisher: Education--Math Curriculum: POWER ALGEBRA I Automaticity Dear Student & Teacher: The Required Practice sections in this book are the most important sections and should be completed daily. The reason is found in one word-- automaticity. Automaticity is what the pianist has as his/her fingers flow from one key to the next. Automaticity is what the basketball player has as she/he leaves the floor off the proper foot with the proper fluid motion as the ball just flows into the hoop time after time. No conscious thought is required from the pianist, gymnist or balerina. If he/she has to think about what is next, it is too late--the fine tuning is not there. If the basketball player has to think about what foot to come off of, it is too late--the lay-up becomes awkward and clumsy. Think about the answer to the question "2 + 2". The word "four" just pops into your head. You no longer have to think about "2 ducks and 2 ducks give me ........one.......two.......three......four ducks"! This skill is automated. Our goal is to automate algebraic skills. Adding like terms, working with exponents, knowing when to isolate x, etc. are skills that need to be automated and mastered by all algebra students, not just the math-inclined students. The continual review in the Required Practice problems facilitates long term learning. As authors we have taught algebra out of two different styles of textbooks. The traditional style of one chapter at a time (learn/forget, learn/forget,...) has many drawbacks, expecially for the student who doesn't make the time to study (practice) enough. The style of textbook where there is continual review throughout each lesson and throughout the whole book also has many drawbacks such as monotony, control of the teacher's curriculum, scheduling hassles for drop students, etc. We have put together a book that is more than just a "happy medium". We strongly believe this is the best possible way to teach algebra to our students and we honestly believe this is the best book in the nation to teach from, but there is some " danger " here. The danger comes when a student does not put forth a daily conscientious effort on their homework. The skills build and keep coming at the student. The hard-working student has success, whereas; even the brightest math students will stumble at some point if they are not diligent with their work. DO THE 15 REQUIRED PRACTICE PROBLEMS DAILY! We have both successfully coached many sports in the past. We both coached football at separate schools and we both had linemen that knew how to block, yet we had them practice blocking everyday. Why? Because a skill is learned through practice. Because a skill is maintained through practice. And because a skill is fine-tuned through practice. Some students don't like seeing the same type of problem repeatedly just like most linemen loathe those dreary blocking drills near the end of the season. But, when the championship is won, all the pain of the practice is long forgotten. If a student gets tired of review problems ("yek!, another perimeter problem with fractions"), have that student work on speed and accuracy. Let the problems flow like the pianist lets his/her fingers flow. Do the problem faster and make sure it is just as accurate. Benjamin Bloom has a beautiful article on automaticity in Principal magazine (March 1988). All educators should read this! We believe this book has many advantages over other algebra textbooks, some of which are listed on another page . We wish you success in mastering the most important foundational course in mathematics--Algebra I. Onward! Marshall Falgout & Gary Cavender SPECIFIC INFORMATION PAGES! 1. What led to the writing of Power Algebra I & The Advantages! 2. THE APPROACH! 3. The Table of Contents! 4. Testamonials! 5. The authors and the future of Power Algebra! 6. Weaknesses! 7. Classroom Pilot Program! 8. ORDERING INFORMATION! POWER ALGEBRA: GATEWAY TO THE HIGHER MATHS & SCIENCES! Return to Power Algebra homepage. (http://www.zapcom.net/~gary/index.html) This page is maintained by Gary Cavender, gary@zapcom.net . EDUCATION CONSUMERS CLEARINGHOUSE