You Can Teach Algebra I to Your High Schooler

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Math one area in our homeschool that I don't have to think about which curriculum we'll use. If you've homeschooled for any length of time, you already know that choosing a curriculum is half the battle when preparing to Algebra I or any other math course to your home educated teen. We've used BJU Press for our math needs since my older daughter was in sixth grade. BJU Press math remains a staple in our homeschool because of its clear, concise writing in the student textbooks and the well-thought-out examples that can be beneficial for the teacher-parent. Once you've decided on a curriculum for teaching Algebra I, you'll need a plan to keep you and your teen accountable. 

Three Best Practices for Teaching Algebra I at Home

Set intentional times to teach Algebra 1 to your teen

The best time to teach your child Algebra I is when you both are alert, focused, and ready to do the work.

We are relaxed homeschoolers, so our school day ebbs and flows based on interest and individual needs. The downfall of a relaxed homeschool is that tasks that we prefer not to complete can fall to the wayside. We keep our math lessons a priority by intentionally setting aside time to teach Algebra I to my daughter. We are reinforcing that Algebra is just as important as her interests at the moment, by prioritizing time for me to directly teach my daughter new concepts or review previously taught concepts. We usually work on Algebra I around 10 am. It's not too early, so we don't have to combat grogginess, and it's not too late, so we don't have to fight the desire to check out like we do when we reach the end of the day.

Practice problems on your own before teaching the lesson

Many homeschool moms have confessed that teaching math, particularly high school math, is not something they feel equipped to do. I am here to tell you that you do not have to be a math genius to teach your child high school math. However, you do need to be comfortable learning new information, and you should be willing to do math homework on your own before walking through the concept with your child. Before we start working on a new concept, I take time to review the topic. When I look over topics, I take time to work through practice problems on my own. I also try solving the problems in different ways by applying what I already know about math. If you aren't well-versed in math concepts, I suggest purchasing additional resource books like Painless Algebra and the Big Fat Math Notebook. These resource books break topics down in a simple way. You can then take what you've gained in knowledge from the books and apply it to the curriculum you're using to teach your child Algebra I. You can also use other resources like videos from YouTube. You will be able to guide your child better if she or he gets stuck because you will recognize the error and possible gap in knowledge.

The best way to teach Algebra I to your child is to make sure you understand the topic you are teaching. To understand the topics you've forgotten or haven't learned means you will have to do homework before introducing new topics.

Be willing to teach the concept more than once

Slow and steady wins the race all the time. I know the goal may be to complete an Algebra program in one school year because you have to keep moving forward, especially if your child plans to go to college. I use our privilege to homeschool to its absolute fullest. We do not rush through concepts. We will continue to learn Algebra I concepts throughout my daughters' high school career. We aren't always able to move swiftly through every topic that is part of the Algebra I curriculum. Some topics my daughter will get right away, while others we need to take time to "play around" with the concept until she finds a method that she understands and works for her. 

It's true that most math curriculum programs only have so much review. BJU Press Algebra I lessons have many problems to work through for each lesson, along with cumulative review problems. If that isn't enough, you can also purchase the student activities set, which allows learners to review concepts by completing different types of math activities. 

The best methods to use when teaching Algebra I are the ones that work for your child. To know what works, you will need to be willing to go over a concept more than once. If you give your child the time needed to learn a topic, it means you could be working through a concept for several weeks versus over one or two days. 

A homeschool parent-teacher can teach their child Algebra I. It may take more time, and you may need to enlist help to strengthen your understanding, but it is possible to your child's primary high school math teacher. 

Do you handle teaching math to your child? If not, at what age did you outsource teaching math in your homeschool?