Algebra Textbooks Evaluation

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Algebra: Tools for a Changing World

Available Charts:   Typical Sightings
Summary of Instructional Analysis Ratings
     
Authors:   Allan Bellman, Sadie Chavis Bragg, Suzanne H. Chapin, Theodore J. Gardella, Bettye C. Hall, William G. Handlin, Sr., Edward Manfre
     
Publisher:   Prentice Hall, Inc.
     
Edition:   1998
     
Subject Area:   Algebra
     
Grade Level/ Format:   This textbook is appropriate for grades 8-12. The text consists of 11 chapters.
     
Activities:   In a typical chapter, students begin by reading about
how an aspect of algebra relates to the real world.
Students are given an overview of the chapter
project. In each lesson, students (1) are told what
they will learn and why; (2) participate in
group activities and group discussions of the lessons, both of which may include commentary, demonstrations, and/or examples; (3) practice the concepts/skills of the lesson, including some problems from previous lessons that may be relevant to understanding the current math ideas and some challenge questions that prepare students for the next lesson. The chapter ends with students finishing the chapter project, reviewing terms and procedures, doing problems related to the math in each lesson and problems that prepare them for the next chapter, and completing an assessment section and a preparation section for standardized testing.
     
Assessment:   Assessments include several resources found in the student edition, teacher's edition, and the teaching resources. There are chapter projects, sets of discussion questions in the Think and Discuss section, and Try This practice exercises. There are alternative assessments, which are self-assessment writing assignments such as journals and portfolios, assigned problems and chapter assessments, which consist of multiple choice, free response, and open-ended questions; and writing exercises. There are lesson quizzes, a selection of questions for the preparation of standardized testing, and cumulative assessments to assess student learning over several chapters. Other assessment items include the Interactive Student Tutorial CD-ROM of self-tests and a Computer Item Generator that allows teachers to customize tests for individual needs of students.
     
Web Site(s):   http://www.phschool.com


Continued: Concepts in Algebra