Did you know that it’s possible to close your eyes and actually feel algebraic expressions with your fingers? Algebra for Breakfast is a video-based Math Enrichment program that teaches conceptual understanding through multiple forms of sensory input. We recently had the opportunity to try out and review the Grades 5/6 level of this program.
The set up of this program is simple:
- Watch a video, following along with Bob Hazen as he teaches the concepts. You’ll want to get out your math manipulatives at this point
- Work through the carefully crafted worksheets.
Each video is under 15 minutes and most lessons have taken us less than 30 minutes to complete. Not every lesson has a video and some have multiple videos or an additional short video aimed at parents to direct your attention towards potential issues or other important points.
Topics Covered
There are two levels: Grades 3/4 and Grades 5/6.
Content delivery
The online interface is easy to use.
Once you log in, you’ll see tabs on the left for accessing the content.
When you are ready, open the worksheets in a separate tab (or download them) and print them out.
Many of the worksheets are hands-on activities that may or may not require writing from your kiddos. Sometimes they will build, say, or show you something with blocks and you will need to verify or correct each problem before they move on.
Bob often refers to the principle of “SWYS, WWYS”: Say What You See, Write What You Say!
The use of multiple modes of sensory input is excellent for cementing concepts and demonstrating true understanding---this is the strength of Algebra for Breakfast.
I’ve been using the Grades 5/6 level with my 11-year-old as a math supplement 3 times a week. My 13-year-old has been joining us, as math is an area that she sometimes struggles in. Sometimes we literally do Algebra for Breakfast while eating breakfast.
What do we think of Algebra for Breakfast?
Bob Hazen understands that sometimes kids need to actually experience math, see it, and touch it, in order to get it. His goal is to get them to explore and discover patterns, develop a strong number sense, and create mental pictures of the concepts. Algebra for Breakfast excels in doing this.
To that end, most of the lessons involve what is essentially guided play with math blocks, which makes it seems “easy” in the sense that you aren’t tackling a page of dull math problems.
If you have a child who is “allergic” to manipulatives (my 13-year-old is), this may not be a welcome addition to your math regimen, but I think most kids can benefit from this approach. They love some of the card games (including Integer War) and they thought factoring polynomials with blocks was kinda fun---I have Algebra for Breakfast to thank for that.
After years of teaching math to my kids, I can see where he’s going with each lesson and how it fits into the whole. I like what I see.
So, playing with blocks, strong conceptual understanding, fun with polynomials…what’s not to like?
My kids grumble a lot over the videos. I don’t normally pay much attention to grumbling over math, but I would love to see updated or edited teaching videos. The video and sound quality interfere with the delivery of the content.
I would recommend using videos to train yourself and then doing the activities with your children. Mine have just found the difficulty reading the whiteboard and the loud background noises to be too distracting, so doing the teaching myself may prove less frustrating overall, but it does add a layer of teacher prep for me. I would much prefer to watch and learn alongside my children.
Overall, I think the content is good and worthwhile, I’m just iffy on the delivery.
Visit Algebra for Breakfast for more information, or visit the Crew blog for more reviews of Grades 3/4 and Grades 5/6.
good
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