ALGEBRA I MATH-U-SEE IS A YEAR-LONG COURSE FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS.

Algebra I is a critical course in secondary mathematics which provides the foundation for future success in critical thinking and problem solving. Math-U-See Algebra I is offered as an alternative course for those students who would benefit from a visual, conceptual approach. This course will incorporate the use of manipulatives to represent abstract concepts of Algebra 1 thus transforming the abstract concept to the concrete and physical. Major concepts that will be studied are graphing, describing linear equations and inequalities, solving systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and elimination, exponents, and solving basic quadratic equations with factoring. The course will also include applying properties of arithmetic functions to algebra, polynomials, significant digits, scientific notation, and graphing conic sections.

The Veritas Approach to Math

Unlike some classical educators, we believe math is a crucial subject. It’s necessary for a well-rounded, rigorous classical education. In the grammar years, math provides content for developing memorization tools. In the dialectic years, subjects like Algebra I and Geometry develop students’ reasoning skills. In the rhetoric years, Pre-calculus, Calculus, Statistics, and Business Math lead students to value math in real-world applications.

At Veritas, we’re convinced that math has been dumbed down in America.١ Most students are more capable than we think. Our mission is to help make sure your children don’t become a dismal math statistic. For more than 25 years, we’ve been proving that our math standards shouldn’t come from what we were raised with. After all, if the education we ourselves received was as education should be, why would we be doing something different for our children? A study of historical٢ and international math standards helps us see this clearly.

Maybe the best way to understand our approach is to mark some milestones.

Veritas recommends Saxon Math for K–6th, Jacobs for Algebra I and Geometry, Foerster for Algebra II and Pre-Calculus, and Larson for Calculus.

Saxon, with its incremental advances and continual review, works best with the grammar stage. Thankfully, Harold Jacobs understands the dialectic student and has written a superb curriculum for them with Algebra I and Geometry. One of his former students, Paul Foerster, writes where Jacobs left off, providing us our favorite texts for Algebra II and Pre-Calculus. Finally, Larson, a most prolific producer of Calculus texts, provides the capstone to our math curriculum.

Some prefer to stick with Saxon into the secondary school years. We are fine with that—even offering live class options using Saxon—but prefer texts written with more of a classical pedagogical approach.

Today, all math education needs to address the use of technology. At Veritas, it’s simple: use technology as a tool, not a crutch. Learning to work a two-variable algebraic equation is important. When mastered, however, why waste time plugging and chugging the numbers to develop a graphing solution? Let a machine do the number crunching. Students simply need to know how to do it.

Math is crucial to classical education. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

١Americans are lagging in math: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/

٢A Brief History of American K-12 Mathematics Education: https://www.csun.edu/~vcmth00m/AHistory.html

٣Is Calculus necessary? http://www.math.harvard.edu/~knill/pedagogy/use/index.html

Live Online

Algebra I is a critical course in secondary mathematics which provides the foundation for future success in critical thinking and problem solving. Math-U-See Algebra I is offered as an alternative course for those students who would benefit from a visual, conceptual approach. This course will incorporate the use of manipulatives to represent abstract concepts of Algebra 1 thus transforming the abstract concept to the concrete and physical. Major concepts that will be studied are graphing, describing linear equations and inequalities, solving systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and elimination, exponents, and solving basic quadratic equations with factoring. The course will also include applying properties of arithmetic functions to algebra, polynomials, significant digits, scientific notation, and graphing conic sections.

Live Online – The Veritas Approach

Veritas has been offering live online classes since 2006. Here are some reasons why you should consider our live courses:

• Classes meet twice weekly for 75–90 minutes.
• Synchronous interactions use audio and video.
• Engage with material throughout the week, per assignments.
• Interaction with peers from across the globe. It's not uncommon to have students from five or six different countries in one classroom.
• 20:1 student:teacher ratio, with an emphasis on individualized attention.
• World-class teachers, more than two-thirds have advanced degrees.
• Veritas Scholars Academy is accredited by Middle States Association

You Teach

You Teach is our term for those who take our curriculum and teach it themselves, whether at home or at school.

Math is a crucial component of a well-rounded, rigorous classical education—for students of any age. In the dialectic years, subjects like Algebra 1 and Geometry develop students' reasoning skills, and Math-U-See's hands-on approach is an especially good option for learners who struggle with abstract concepts. Math-U-See is a sytematic, cumulative approach to teaching math that helps students master material using a definite, logical sequence of concept instruction.

Studying algebra is an ideal venue for developing your student's abilities in problem-solving, reasoning, and logic. Major concepts and skills include graphing linear equations and inequalities; describing linear equations in slope-intercept and standard form; solving systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and elimination; expanding understanding of exponents; solving basic quadratic equations with factoring; and using unit multipliers to convert between units of measure. Some other topics your student will explore include adding, multiplying, and dividing polynomials and applying significant digits to computations with scientific notation.

The Math-U-See system is structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, practicing, and mastering concepts. Each lesson teaches using multisensory tools such as videos, manipulatives, and other resources, all designed to appeal to any type of learner. With all these resources, you can adapt the program to your student's homeschool style.

Course Kits are offered as a discounted package. However, you may only need some of the books. Select the ones you need below for easy ordering.