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Chalk Dust Math Courses (sixth grade through college)

Publisher: Chalk Dust
Review last updated: 2009

This series is one of my 100 Top Picks!

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Chalk Dust Math Courses

See the complete review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.

I've written up an eight-page review of Chalk Dust in 100 Top Picks, so I will provide only a very abbreviated version here.

Chalk Dust offers courses for sixth grade level through college. They are:

Basic Math
Prealgebra
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
College Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Precalculus
SAT Math Review

(Chalk Dust also has courses for grades 3-5 that are completely different than those described here. Check their website for information.)

All courses consists of a set of DVDs plus a textbook and solution guide. Master teacher Dana Mosely teaches each course on the DVDs. Mosely does not parrot textbook material in his presentations but teaches very effectively using examples and pointing out pitfalls as he works on a chalk board. Textbooks (Houghton Mifflin texts that are commonly used in government schools) are used primarily as the source for practice problems and tests. This combination of great teaching, textbooks (that can also be used to supplement DVD instruction if needed), and solution manuals, make these courses particularly good for homeschoolers since students can work independently aside from checking answers.

Basic Math is more of a review course for students in sixth or seventh grade who might have a "rocky" foundation in arithmetic basics. It reviews basic operation with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, plus it also covers ratios, proportions, percents graphis, statistics, probability, and units of measurement (including metric system).

Prealgebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 cover typical course content. I might add that the Algebra 2 course is one of the few courses that actually work well for homeschoolers at that level. College Algebra actually reviews much of the same material as in Algebra 2 (as occurs in most College Algebra courses), although it takes concepts to a deeper level. Bright students might skip Algebra 2 and go directly into College Algebra. (Highschoolers who complete this course might be able to test out of College Algebra when they go to college.)

I particularly like the text for the Geometry course. There are lots of constructions (with straight edge and compass) and inductive learning activities in the text that are not incorporated into the DVD presentation. The weakness of the text is that instruction in the text is sometimes too brief. The combination of the DVDs and text is great, but I would encourage parents to have students do more of the text activities than is required by the Chalk Dust course.

Trigonometry covers both trigonometry and some analytic geometry. Precalculus covers the content of both College Algebra and Trigonometry plus some additional material. Bright students might skip directly to Precalculus, while others might benefit from the slower pace of the separate Trig and College Algebra courses.

The SAT Math Review is a briefer "course" that helps students practice and review concepts covered on the SAT test as well as learn test-taking strategies. The Official SAT® Study Guide is the book that comes with the DVDs.

If you've got a high-speed internet connection, you can view a free demo from the website. If not, Chalk Dust will send you a free DVD sampler.

Prices for complete courses range from $354 to $534. SAT Math Review is only $140-$155. Each course also includes the availability of personal help from the instructor via phone or email!

Note: most of the original courses were first presented on VHS tapes. All but College Algebra are now available on DVD. Some courses remain available on VHS, but check the website for current availability.

Pricing

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Instant Key

  • Suitable for: mostly independent work
    Audience:     grades 6-12 plus college
    Need for parent/teacher instruction:     none other than checking answers
    Prep time needed:     none
    Need for Teacher's Manual: solution manuals come with most courses
    Educational Philosophy: traditional Religious perspective: secular

Publisher's Info

  • Chalk Dust Company

    11 Sterling Court
    Sugar Land, TX 77479

    (800) 588-7564
    email: sales@chalkdust.com
    www.chalkdust.com