Are you considering Math-U-See Algebra 2 program for your high school student? When we were first looking for a high school math curriculum, we thought Math-U-See would provide the most natural follow up to Singapore Math that we used up until 8th grade. Our 9th grade found us studying geometry with Math-U-See and we enjoyed it so much that we decided to continue with Algebra 2 in grade 10.
What Grade Are You Supposed to Take Algebra 2?
In general, Algebra 2 is scheduled for 11th grade. However, if your student followed a more rigorous math curriculum in their previous years, they will be ready for Algebra 2 in 10th or even 9th grade. If you need help deciding which Math-U-See curriculum to use for your student, they offer placement tests for schools as well as a homeschool placement tool to assist you in this matter.
Is Math-U-See Algebra 2 Hard?
You may have heard that Math-U-See is considered a very easy curriculum. I believe the people who claim that really mean, “It’s easy to understand.” Just like other Math-U-See curricula, Algebra 2 comes with instruction DVDs, which make the lessons easier to follow and comprehend. However, there is still work to be done. The students are capable of completing their lessons independently; however, we found that Algebra 2 is a more rigorous course than Geometry and requires a bit more of the teacher’s involvement.
How Is Math-U-See Algebra 2 Structured?
The complete curriculum (Algebra 2 Universal Set) includes:
- Instruction Manual with complete solutions
- Instruction DVD set (2 DVDs)
- Student Workbook
- Test Booklet
- Lifetime access to an Algebra 2 Digital Pack
The program is combined into 31 lessons which can be completed in about a week each. The students achieve mastery of the topic before they can move on to the next one. The workbook includes excellent reviews for all previously studied concepts throughout the entire school year.
How Long Does a Math-U-See Lesson Take?
Each lesson takes about 45 minutes to complete. However, some of the lessons require lots of calculations, which can extend the work time to about 60 minutes.
What Did We Enjoy about Math-U-See Algebra 2?
Math-U-See Algebra 2 has certainly been one of our favorite subjects in 10th grade. There are several things that we considered superb:
- The instruction videos make a clear presentation of the concepts.
- The instruction manual provides more information in case the student missed something in the video. It also provides complete solutions not only to the sample problems but to the workbook problems as well.
- The honor lessons are fun and practical.
If we were to choose high school math curriculum again, we would still opt for Math-U-See. No matter which angle we look at the program, we are yet to find any negatives. It provides enough challenge for the student but is easy to understand and follow. We can highly recommend it.
Note: If you determine that you don’t feel confident teaching your student Algebra 2, Math-U-See provides online classes through their partners Bridgeway Academy and Veritas Press.
