No-Nonsense Algebra, 2nd Edition: Part of the Mastering Essential Math Skills Series (Stepping Stones to Proficiency in Algebra)

This was God-sent! We had completed Spectrum Algebra in homeschool and were in December before my child was to transition to 9th grade honors classes at a competitive high school. Administering a summer review packet before entering 9th grade Honors Geometry I found she was not ready. From January through mid-July she worked through this book and came out wonderfully prepared. It was suitable for independent learning with my occasional support. The first 5-8 lessons I read the lesson paragraph with her, adding my 2 cents a bit. I covered the lower part of the examples and asked her to solve them with me, to really engage her thinking. In the last 1-2 examples I had her solve most of the problem, demonstrating understanding. Highly recommend having the student solve 2-4 of the main problem set and calling you to check things are correct so they don't complete a page incorrectly. Soon, she was reading the explanatory lesson (2x!) and using a notecard to work through examples herself. We did a lesson a day, including her self-checking with the answers (rarely there was a mistake in the answer key). I love this workbook which contains explanations, examples, problems, and answers all in one. We did end up using an additional math notebook (graph paper) for lessons requiring longer written solutions than the problem page offered- no problem. Still better than confronting the student with "2 pages of problems" which can feel like too much. Having homeschooled 5 kids, I value that this format keeps things simple, organized, and easy to manage. The level of problems moved up to become significantly more advanced and complex, which was what we needed to fully prepare! Thank you, Fisher! (Tip: I also tested her multiplication tables, recorded any she was slow or counting on, and had her write and repeat just those facts until she knew them. Quick multiplication really supports kids going into higher level math. Kids can sneak by, but that extra effort makes everything so much easier later.) Things I love about this book: • Each lesson is 1 open double-page in the workbook. Not overwhelming for strugglers. • Each lesson begins with a *brief* lesson and 2-4 examples. Not overwhelming. • Not too many problems per lesson. You can get that page done in 1-1.5 hours max. • Problems were complex enough to prepare for high school rigor. It's useless to work easy problems, then fail in school. • Answers in back. It's vital that the student check answers before that lesson is deemed complete. • All in one format. 1 Workbook = Math is infinitely better than chasing textbook, workbook, answer key. This was exactly what we needed!

I was searching for an algebra book for my homeschooled 8th grader, which simply does algebra without all sorts of nonsense on the side. Plus, I wanted video support for those days, where time is short on my side (so she can watch them herself) or simply as another way to explain things, since sometimes, a different point of view works better. This book is exactly what I hoped for. The chapters are well laid out. Each lesson starts with a short, clear explanation before diving into the examples and problems. It starts out simple and builds in difficulty, making my daughter think beyond the simple limits. The answers are at the back of the book, and there are short quizzes for each chapter as well as a general test at the end. I did pick up the fitting workbook for those times when she needs to practice a concept a little more before moving on. It's a great series to simply learn Algebra.

It was a clear an concise math book. And the labels fit the product

I am homeschooling my 8th grade daughter, and math is my enemy! Haha! So believe me, if I can figure this book out, so can you! I had the hardest time finding a workbook that actually had an explanation of how to do the math problems, and then pages of practice problems in it as well. This book has all of it. I am able to teach the lesson to myself, and then turn right around and teach it to her. As far as the videos go.... I will be 100% honest. The guy that teaches them seems nice and everything, however, he speaks way to fast, doesn't go into enough detail with his explanations, and doesn't cover all of the material that needs to be covered. The good news is the book explains the math so well, that I usually don't need a video for help. If I do, I just look up others online that are a bit more helpful. All in all it's a wonderful book, I would recommend it to anyone homeschooling, or needing to brush up for GED stuff etc. I also have his pre algebra book, and that is wonderful as well. Much better than others we have tried! Again, great explanations. Take care!!!

We have used this series with my son for 3 yrs (homeschooling family) and it works well with his style of learning - stripped down, no fuss, no cartoons, no endless pages of text. My son appreciates the brief video that accompanies each lesson. After YEARS of trying different math programs, THIS is the series that causes no complaints and is showing real results. My son plans on either entering the Navy or a skilled trade after graduation and this book is providing him solid enough computational skills to test well on both the ASVAB and trade school entry tests. To make the book a bit easier to use for us, I removed the text from its spine and put it in a 3-Ring binder. I laminated the reference pages (which are tremendously helpful pages!). Lastly, I integrated the practice book into the binder and removed the answer section for just the practice book. This allows my son to have the answers while he works the problems in the main book and then I grade the "practice" pages. Using a binder also allows my son to keep his worked out problems with lessons so that he can reference his own work when needed. I offer this information to those who buy this book and then realize that the book doesn't have perforated pages (which would be my only recommended improvement) and doesn't lay flat for easy use. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, and this series!

This book series is excellent! I have been stuck in a rut with algebra for a few years, avoiding it really, because I simply could not grasp the concepts as presented in other books. I am in college right now and just need an algebra class to graduate. When I have a problem area, I go to this book and look up the video lesson. I watch the lesson and DO THE WORK WITH THE VIDEO! (You have to write it out). Then, go do the exercises in the book! Once I understand the principle of how to do the particular problem, I go to the book and do the practice exercises. Then go back to my college class! This book will help you if you are willing to write out the problems as you go through them in the videos, and then do all of the practice problems. My advice, if you are having problems, get this book and give it a try. I simply don't understand the one star reviews??? If you don't do the work, you won't understand it no matter what book you use! Good luck and don't let math keep you from graduating college!!!

I bought this to help my homeschooled son learn algebra. This isn't a book that he can pick up and do alone, even after taking pre-algebra at school. Thankfully, I did well in math and have been able to watch the videos with him as a refresher (and sometimes resort to googling things we are stuck on) to guide him. The book/videos don't always cover everything that's needed to answer the question in the workbook. I can usually fill in the blanks, but my son usually has no idea what to do in those cases. Overall, it is a pretty simple system and we will continue to use it for the remainder of this year.

This is a great algebra teaching tool. I bought it for my 10th grader who is struggling with algebra, and my 7th grader is sitting in and learning it too. I sit with them each day and watch the online teaching session which is excellent. We work a few problems together, then I send them off to work on the accompanying workbook that you should also get if your purchase this. So far, we haven’t had any problems, although we’ve come across one answer that is definitely wrong. We checked with a math expert and he agreed. No big deal, that happens. I just wish there was a geometry book like this. I hope the maker of this book would consider that. And if so, I hope the teacher online is the same person. He is very thorough, and makes algebra easy and pleasant.