The 1998 Middle School Math book, Course 1 just tries too hard, and ends up being a big mish mash of confusion.I believe the authors tried so hard to make the math program relevant and interesting that they forgot their audience: children who don't know what the authors are talking about! The authors give detailed and confusing examples about basic math concepts without first clearly and SIMPLY explaining the concepts themselves.
Instead of presenting a concept and gradually working up to more complex problems, the authors present a concept, and then jump about 12 steps ahead and give confusing problems right off the bat. Perhaps the authors think this approach encourages thinking and excitement on the part of the student. From what I have seen, instead, the students end up confused and discouraged.
The basic structure of the book is great (i.e. chapter headings, and general flow), but the content is overwhelming, too detailed and confounding.
Simplify your terms if you expect the children to actually learn anything!
And do we really need pages about web sites and blood types in the middle of a confusing math book?
Jessica
