Math-U-See Algebra 2: Legacy Tips for Success

Algebra 2 can be a tough subject for students, but with the right strategies, you can set them up for success. This article provides helpful tips and tricks to guide you and your students through the Math-U-See Legacy Algebra 2 course. From utilizing review pages to showing their work, these suggestions will help your student grasp concepts, avoid errors, and build a solid foundation for future math studies. Let’s dive in!

How Should We Start Each New Lesson?

On Day 1 of each new lesson, encourage your student to watch the video and also read the written lesson summary in the Instruction Manual. These two resources together are necessary for complete instruction for your student.

Why are Notes Important and How Should My Student Take Them?

If your student is not already doing so, now is the time to encourage them to start taking notes. Have them make notes of new vocabulary words, rules, formulas, procedures, etc.. Index cards work great: suggest your student write one note per card in their own hand and their own words so that it makes sense to them. Encourage your student to show examples to help them recall it later. Have them make note of the lesson where it was taught. Then have them hole punch a corner and collect them on a jump ring to create a reference resource that they can add to for years.

There is a Glossary and a Symbols & Tables page in the back of the student’s books with formulas, conversions, etc.. These are helpful resources to read, but having the student write them out themselves will make it “stick” better.

What If My Student Is Confused by a Concept?

If your student understands the lesson, have them work through the Practice Problems in the Instruction Manual for each session. However, if your student is confused by any of the concepts, suggest they put the work aside for the day. On Day 2, have your student re-watch the video, this time breaking it up according to how the sections are divided in the Instruction Manual. There are also Practice Problems in the Manual for each section. Emphasize that they should not skip these! They will prepare your student for the workbook problems. They may need to work on one section at a time over more than a day. Re-watching each video section will reinforce what your student previously understood and clarify anything they may have missed the first day.

How Should My Student Approach Workbook Problems?

When the material from that lesson makes sense, have your student complete Lesson Practice A in the workbook, referring back to the written lesson and their notes as needed.

(Note: One page per day is recommended. If it takes more than 20-30 minutes to complete a page, suggest they take a break and do other things for a couple of hours before returning to math work. It will give their brain a chance to rest before working at it again.)

Tip: Check each day’s work right away to correct any errors immediately. This will help prevent errors from being reinforced.

Why is it Important to Verbalize the Problem-Solving Process?

When your student has completed both Lesson Practice pages (A-B), and before starting the Systematic Review pages (C-E) of each lesson, have them pull one or two problems from the practice pages and work them out loud, narrating each step to you. If your student is not sure how to do this, you can model it for them first. This “teach back” is important for your student’s understanding and long-term retention. It will also demonstrate their understanding to you and signal that they’re ready to start the review pages.

Are There Additional Practice Resources?

If your student needs more practice with the concept before moving into the review pages, there is one extra practice page per lesson available in the Algebra 2 Online Instruction Resources tab below the video screen in the Digital Toolbox.

Why is Showing Work So Critical?

Encourage your student to show ALL OF THEIR WORK while solving the problems. It may take them more time, but each problem has multiple operations, and it’s easy for them to miss something. Showing their work helps prevent careless errors. It also saves time when correcting errors, as it makes it easier to retrace steps. That’s how your student can turn mistakes into “aha moments”!

What Should We Do When a Student Is Truly Stuck?

If your student is really stuck on a concept or problem, you can allow them to look at the solution and try to work it backwards. And don’t forget that you may also reach out to AdvancedSupport@demmelearning.com for help! 

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