No-Nonsense Algebra REVIEW

It seems you can never get too much help in the math department so when I had the chance to review No-Nonsense Algebra from Math Essentials, I jumped at the chance.  My 8th grader is set to start Algebra this fall.  I took Algebra when I was in 8th grade and it dawned on me that this is a year ahead of time!  Oh no, I thought I messed up but his current math program covers pre-algebra for his 7th grade math so we should be okay.  Also, now that I know we have this book available to us we will be just fine. The author, Richard W. Fisher is an award-winning math teacher with a proven system that produces fantastic results.
The current math program we are using has short videos as the lesson and No-Nonsense Algebra is much the same.  It is basically a textbook (not a workbook) that has 10 chapters of lessons that include:

• Necessary Tools for Algebra
• Solving Equations
• Graphing and Analyzing Linear Equations
• Solving and Graphing Inequalities
• Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
• Polynomials
• Rational Expressions (Algebraic Fractions)
• Radical Expressions and Geometry
• Quadratic Equations
• Algebra Word Problems

The lessons begin with an introduction that includes helpful hints on the subject followed by examples and then some practice problems. Each chapter ends with a review section to help solidify what was learned.  Almost every topic has a corresponding video lesson to also teach the concept (there is supposed to be a video for every lesson but we found a few to be missing). The FREE videos are accessed online with an access code that is given to you when you purchase the book.  There is a final review (comprehensive test) at the end of the book as well as answers to all the problems, a glossary, important formulas, important symbols, and various other helps (multiplication table, commonly used prime numbers, squared and square roots, and fraction/decimal equivalents).


Math Essentials Final Cut from Richard Fisher on Vimeo.

The approach taken is a systematic approach that allows the teaching to flow from one concept to the next in a very logical sequence. This book can be used in various ways.  It can be your sole stand alone program or you can use it as a supplement to a program you are already using or even as a review text to be sure that your student has mastered all of the algebra concepts.

Since we have a current program that works well with my son we chose to use this as a supplement and a review for concepts he has already learned in pre-algebra.  Our current homeschool schedule for summer is 3 days a week and this has worked well in working through this text.  He likes that the video lessons are fairly short (approximately 10 min each - some a little shorter some a minute or two longer) and that the lessons include helpful hints.  I was even able to use some of the helpful hint concepts with a 7th grader I homeschool and they were helpful for her.  The entire first chapter is dedicated to reviewing pre-algebra concepts so it has been a good review for my son.

Sample snip from a video lesson

We plan to continue using this as a supplemental text as he moves on to Algebra in a few weeks.  I would definitely recommend this book for anyone needing a quick review of pre-algebra concepts, needing to solidify their Algebra or even just needing a full Algebra curriculum.  This text can rise to the task and you will not be disappointed in the results it can bring.  I have learned from experience with my son that curriculum that is bogged down with endless lessons and practice questions does not make for a better source of teaching.  Short, concise and to the point gets it done with less pain to the student and I think they learn and retain the material much better.




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