McDougal Littell Algebra 1: Concepts and Skills (Algebra 1: Concepts & Skills)

As a parent from a public-school background making the transition to homeschool my teenager, I have found this book and the teacher's edition to be just what I needed. I chose this over both Saxon and Abeka, which are popular courses used in private schools. Ron Larson and his team have done a wonderful job clearly explaining the concepts, having plenty of practice problems, and what is more, giving practical application examples and keeping the interest of the students. Also the flow of the concepts is easy to follow. I have not had to deal with the "Why do I have to learn this?" question kids so often bring up. We made it through the first semester without the teacher's edition, but since it contains the test question answers I would recommend to purchase it as well. Both books were very reasonably priced as used books - please note the new book prices are extremely inflated. This book is useful for self-study as well. I had not studied algebra since 1985, and I had no problem re-learning everything I needed to teach my daughter.

The Algebra 1 book by Larson (et alia) is outstanding. Please note: The book on this Amazon page is Algebra 1, Volume 1. You also need to buy Volume 2 ( Algebra 1; Concepts and Skills, Volume 2 ), if you want the whole course. As an alternative, you can buy the combined course in one book ( McDougal Littell Algebra 1: Applications, Equations, Graphs ).This book is very easy to read and understand. I would guess that it is written at the fifth grade level.It is obvious to me that the designers of this textbook employed a systems approach to (1) meticulously identify all of the knowledge and skills required in an Algebra 1 course; (2) translate these into learning objectives for the course; (3) systematically identify course prerequisites (the starting point for the course); (4) specify final course outcome (the end point for the course); (5) sequence and repeat training to optimize learning and retention; and (6) design evaluation measures to ensure that each student has met the course objectives. In addition to systematically developing math skills, the book also ensures mastery of associated vocabulary terms (Key Words), as well as skills in the use of graphs and calculators.Algebra 1 is a very challenging course to teach. I think every school district in America requires Algebra 1 for graduation. There is a huge, huge diversity among the students taking this course. Some might take this course in the sixth grade, while others might take it in the tenth grade. Some students will start this course entirely prepared, while others students might not even know how to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. Some students might eventually go on to obtain advanced degrees in (math-heavy) science or engineering, while others might work at a trade, while still others will never use any part of this course (ever) in their lives. How can one teacher with one textbook hope to effectively teach such a diverse population? Well, this textbook goes a long way toward specifying the contents of such a course and providing step-wise instruction that will allow most students to meet the course's objectives.Math experts often find it difficult (or impossible) to teach math to beginners, because they have forgotten all the little steps required to gain mastery of the subject matter. This textbook brilliantly breaks the subject matter down into to small "chunks" (small enough to grasp in a few minutes at a time) then optimally sequences and integrates those "chunks" for effective learning. All along the way, student mastery of prerequisite learning is reviewed, retested, and systematically integrated with new learning. The book identifies prerequisite learning for the course in the form of a Pre-Course Test at the front of the book and a Skills Review at the back of the book.Although not the focus of the book, students are systematically exposed to the types of problems that one might find on a standardized test (identified by Standardized Test Practice in the right margin). I think this is extremely important for this target population. I like the way the textbook includes calculator operations, without abandoning the need to perform calculations by hand or in the head. Some school districts seem to have adopted the philosophy that all calculations must be performed with a calculator (a very bad philosophy). I like how this book guides students to make "approximate" calculations - this is an excellent technique to possibly identify an error in a calculated outcome. The book is very effective in getting students to think about problems visually, including the creation and use of graphs and problem diagrams. I like how it gets students used to the idea of creating graphs similar to those one can produce in a spreadsheet program. There is an excellent Glossary in the back of the book, as well as an English-to-Spanish Glossary.The examples and problems in the book are very good. Examples and problems systematically build from simple, short problems that ensure basic skills have been acquired to more difficult problems that integrate prior learning and apply multiple skills. The application problems are pretty good - - - many of them do a good job of steering the math from the abstract to the concrete. However, I would like to see the textbook designers bring in more "real world" algebra problems from craft disciplines (such as used by carpenters, electricians, electronics technicians, mechanics, sheet metal workers, pipe fitters, riggers, etc.).The textbook is one of the very best I have ever seen at presenting information in a way that maximizes attention, memory, and understanding (the presentation reminds me of InfoMapping®). Information is presented in small, organized batches - - - small enough that the average student can keep focused on the specific topic under discussion (most folks can only keep five to seven objects in mind at any one time). Such a batch is clearly delimited (grouped under a colored header or inside of an example box or with a right-margin annotation), and never splits across a page. I appreciate how the book frequently and systematically reminds students of previous training via Study Tips, Skills Review, Mixed Review, and Maintaining Skills segments. The book has very smartly included Checkpoint problems that the student should complete prior to moving on to the next topic.Although this textbook stands alone quite nicely, there are (naturally) many additional, supporting resources available for sale from the publisher (McDougalLittel, or search for Holt McDougal math algebra geometry).The book includes (in the back) answers to only selected problems. I wish this book provided the answers to all of the problems, or (as is done customarily) all of the odd numbered problems. There is a Worked-Out Solution Key for this book (listed on the publisher's website); I do not have this book, so I do not know whether or not it provides answers to all of the questions in the book.

I am trying to review my basic algebra skills and bought this textbook. I am glad that I was able to find it used. It has some pretty good explanations. My only criticism is that most of the problems are not very challenging. I see that this book is used in some charter schools and I am a little concerned that the students are working on problems that are at most mildly challenging.I have two other algebra 1 books and those have more challenging problems which allow you to apply concepts learned and go to the next level.

Unfortunately, there are answers to every 5 problems.... that’s a problem 🤣

An answer book would have been nice as the book itself only shows the odds answers and not even all of them. No idea if I’m doing it right or not

We are a big fan of Boswell, Kanold, and Stiff as math book authors. Since we were about to complete Algebra 1: Concepts and Skills, I went to Amazon.com to find the Geometry book for follow on.Lo and behold, all these reviewers indicated that this book is not the COMPLETE Algebra 1 curriculum. I needed Algebra 1:Concepts and Skills Volume 2  Algebra 1; Concepts and Skills, Volume 2 , they said. Who knew? I couldn't "Look Inside the Book" on the Volume 2 page making it impossible to tell, so I ordered Volume 2. It seemed to me that if the book was split in two volumes, wouldn't this one say "Volume ONE?"Anyway, long story short, Volume 2 is a repeat of the last five chapters of the book I have. THIS book on THIS page is the book I have and it includes all 12 chapters needed for a full year of Algebra 1. If you buy the Volume 1 version, it only contains chapters 1-6. Volume 2 contains chapters 7-12. My advice, since you can't see the Table of Contents on either of these, is to assume if you pay near $70 for it and it's close to 900 pages long, you've got the whole year in one book.

Love this Great Book! So helpful in a better understanding Algebra! Thanks!

Best book, it is quick and easy to study.