Print this page | Close Window


https://n2v.paloaltoonline.com/square/print/2011/10/05/middle-school-math-textbooks--tutoring

Town Square

Middle school math textbooks & tutoring

Original post made by Parent of middle schooler, Midtown, on Oct 5, 2011

When my child was in 6th grade last year another student had pointed out to my child that there is a website available for students and parents from the textbook publisher, Holt McDougal.

There are three textbooks on the site:

A) The blue Holt California Mathematics Course 1 which my student used in 6th grade math.

B) The green Holt California Mathematics Course 2 which my 7th grader is now using in Pre-Algebra Advanced.

C) The red Holt California Algebra 1 text.

TWO QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS OF 8TH GRADERS:

1) Does PAUSD stay with the Holt McDougal line for 8th grade? Do 8th grade Algebra 1A students use the red Holt California Algebra 1 text?

My math is rusty and the farther along the advanced math lane my student goes, I fear the less I can assist with math homework. I'd like to start studying a bit ahead of this child so that I can refresh those algebra skills and it makes sense to me to utilize the book that this kids will actually use next year. Is the red Holt California Algebra 1 text the right one?

2) How does one find a good math tutor for the advanced math track? Any recommendations?

I stopped at basic not-for-science-majors calculus in college, and, believe me, I don't remember anything except the word "derivative". How/who should we find to help us at the 8th grade and high school levels?


Comments

Posted by Parent
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Oct 5, 2011 at 9:22 am

Thank you for letting us know that there is a Holt website. We have been happy with the books - they are old-fashioned, straightforward books like the ones we grew up with, rather than the other funky, reinvent-the-wheel-and-make-it-worse math programs that are out there.

I don't know the answer to your question, but the math department head of your school should know.

In our family, I field the English, social studies, and creative problems and my M.D. husband fields the math/science questions. My son is in honors math at Paly but would probably not be there if I had to field the math questions. This town is full of intellectuals so many people have the advantage of parental help (life isn't fair).

Paly has a list of tutors in their ARC section (scroll down to the bottom for the list): Web Link However, it's difficult to know which tutors are good, because based upon the Paly tutor list, there are some retired teachers who weren't so popular at Paly. However, we found some good tutors off their list.

Gunn directs students to a tutoring website: Web Link

I would advise against Sylvan tutors, as I know someone who worked their and did not have kinds feedback.

Other than that, it's word-of-mouth, and many people don't want to share their secrets.

Email Town Square Moderator      


Posted by Parent of middle schooler
a resident of Midtown
on Oct 6, 2011 at 9:54 pm

Thanks for your reply.

Can anyone else confirm that the red Holt California Algebra 1 text is the right one for 8th grade Algebra 1A?

Yes, I could contact math head at the school, but I won't have an answer until they have a chance to reply. Someone on this board may know and can confirm more quickly.

I will check out the tutoring sources you mentioned above.

Thanks.

Email Town Square Moderator      


Posted by Incoming Paly Parent
a resident of Community Center
on Jul 26, 2014 at 5:21 pm

Can anyone tell me what textbook Paly uses for Spanish 3H? I could not find the answer on the school or PAUSD website.

Email Town Square Moderator