What's the Difference between Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics and Algebra 1: Legacy?
In this Article:
What’s the Difference between Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics and Algebra 1: LegacyEdition?
Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics was developed using educational best practices of learning and covers nationally expected topics in alignment with state standards. This program incorporates multiple modalities of presenting and learning the materials. It provides a rigorous course designed to keep pace with changing educational expectations and prepares students for higher-level learning in mathematics.
Algebra 1: Legacy Edition covers the basics of algebra in a format familiar to longtime Math-U-See users. Deciding which level is right for you and your student will depend on your student’s educational goals, learning preferences, and commitment to complete independent instruction.
We’ve put together this chart highlighting the key features of both Algebra 1 courses for a side-by-side comparison of some the their features.
LegacyEdition
Principles of Secondary Mathematics
LESSON STRUCTURE
35 lessons and videos with a recognizable, familiar structure from lower level math.
Lesson video
Practice pages A–E
Systematic Review embedded in Practice pages C–E
Lesson Test
30 lessons, each with Part A and Part B
Warm-Up Sessions(A and B): Start each lesson with stimulating activities to activate thinking and prepare for new concepts.
Explore (A and B): Dive into topic videos, guided notes, and practical examples. Strengthen your grasp with Checkpoints Practice 1 (A and B) to monitor progress.
Mastery Check (A and B): Assess understanding with in-depth evaluations for both Part A and Part B.
Custom Practice: Access additional Practice 2 sessions as needed to reinforce learning and address any challenging areas.
Lesson Test: Evaluate overall mastery of the lesson content with thorough testing.
Targeted Review: Benefit from focused review resources tailored to your student’s specific needs for improved retention and comprehension.
More to Explore: Extend your student’s learning with optional resources designed to deepen your understanding and curiosity.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
One video per lesson that covers all topics in the lesson
Familiar teacher from lower level math
Familiar style of teaching from lower level math (white board with instructor on camera, live audience)
Video script plus additional content not covered in videos provided in Instructor Manual
Segmented Videos: Enjoy multiple videos per lesson, each focused on specific topics to make complex concepts easier to grasp.
Dynamic Animations: Benefit from animated clips integrated into the videos, bringing abstract ideas to life and aiding visual understanding.
Fresh Teaching Perspective: Learn from a new, engaging teacher who introduces novel techniques and perspectives.
Interactive Instruction: Follow along with an off-screen teacher who completes digitized Student Worktext pages, guiding your student through the content step-by-step.
Active Note-Taking: Enhance learning by filling in guided notes and examples in the Student Worktext as your student follows video instructions, reinforcing key concepts and skills.
NOTE TAKING
Student determines if they take notes while watching the video
Student can use the Instructor Manual for a study guide
Guided Notes and Examples: Complete detailed guided notes and examples directly in the Student Worktext as your student watches the videos, ensuring your student captures essential information.
Comprehensive Study Guide: Build a thorough study guide with your notes, making review and revision more effective and organized.
Note-Taking Skills: Learn and practice effective note-taking techniques that enhance your student’s understanding and retention of the material.
PRACTICE
Practice pages A–E, plus H (6 total)
Systematic Review on pages C–E
No Worksheet Generator
Practice philosophy:
Students work through worksheets until mastery is observed by the instructor
Instructors must use their own judgment to determine when mastery is achieved. They can encourage students to rewatch videos, correct practice problems, teach back, and then proceed to the next worksheet for more practice.
Repeat the process as necessary
Focused Practice Pages: Work through two targeted practice pages for each lesson—Part A and Part B—totaling four pages that cover essential concepts in depth.
Mastery Checks: Complete detailed Mastery Checks with a rubric for both Part A and Part B, providing clear criteria to gauge your student’s understanding.
Targeted Review: Access specific review materials linked to the lesson of origin, ensuring you revisit and reinforce concepts where needed.
Practice philosophy:
Initial Practice: Begin with Practice 1 to build foundational skills.
Assess Mastery: Use the Mastery Check to determine if your student has achieved the desired level of understanding.
Refinement and Reinforcement: If mastery is not yet reached, engage in additional activities:
Re-work, review, discuss, and teach back problems from Practice 1.
Complete Practice 2 for further reinforcement.
Revisit and analyze problems from Practice 2.
Review guided notes, examples, and videos to solidify comprehension.
TESTS
Tests provided in Tests book with Answer Keys provided in Instructor Manual
Lesson Tests:
Multiple choice
Covers content from previous lessons
Unit Tests:
Not multiple choice
Covers Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Convenient Test Access: Tests and answer keys are provided in the Tests book, with individual tests distributed to students as they progress.
Lesson Tests:
Focused Assessments: Each Lesson Test is designed to assess only the content covered in that specific lesson, ensuring a precise evaluation of understanding.
Non-Multiple Choice: Tests are crafted to provide a deeper assessment beyond multiple-choice questions.
Unit Tests:
Varied Question Types: Includes a mix of multiple-choice questions with distractor rationale detailed in the Instructor Handbook, along with other question formats to comprehensively test your student’s knowledge.
Broad Coverage: Evaluates content from several lessons to assess cumulative understanding.
Midterm Exam: Assesses knowledge and skills acquired up to the mid-point of the course, providing a comprehensive review of your student’s progress.
Final Exam: Concludes your student’s learning journey with a thorough assessment of all covered material, ensuring readiness for future challenges.
Comprehensive Coverage: PSM addresses all nationally expected topics for Algebra 1, providing a thorough foundation in the subject.
Standards-Based Approach: Aligned with current educational standards, PSM ensures that your student is learning content that meets national benchmarks and prepares them for future academic challenges.
Detailed Comparison: For a clear understanding of how PSM differs from the Legacy Edition, explore our detailed content comparison here: PSM/Legacy Content Comparison Chart
INSTRUCTOR HANDBOOK
Instructor Manual provides content in paragraph form, not all of which is covered in lesson videos
Students need content found in Instructor Manual
Worked solutions for the Student Handbook provided in the back of the Instructor Manual
Integrated Teaching Resource: The Instructor Handbook mirrors the Student Worktext, offering a cohesive teaching tool that includes solutions, teaching notes, and additional questions and answers to assist in addressing student challenges effectively.
Focused Content: The Instructor Handbook provides all necessary teaching aids and solutions, so students don’t need to refer to it for content outside their Student Worktext.
Online Solutions: Access worked solutions online, ensuring you have up-to-date and easy-to-find resources to support instruction.
RESOURCES
Recommend that students do not use calculators
Integer Block Kit or virtual manipulatives required
Calculator Use: Students are encouraged to use calculators where appropriate to support learning and problem-solving.
Online Tools: Access convenient links to online graphing tools, making complex concepts easier to visualize and understand.
Virtual Manipulatives: While the Integer Block Kit is not required, virtual manipulatives are recommended to enhance hands-on learning and concept mastery.
Things to keep in mind as you decide which Algebra 1 would work best for you:
Math is best learned sequentially. Therefore, there are some concepts that your student should master prior to entering into any algebra course.
Algebra is often the level that exposes gaps in mastery. These should be addressed to avoid frustration for both students and instructors.
Students have had success with Algebra 1: LegacyEdition and Algebra 1: Principles of Secondary Mathematics. Both algebra options incorporate the principles of Math-U-See that instructors and students have appreciated for years.
We assure you that you do not need to be an algebra expert in order for you and your student to find success.
How to Choose the Best Fit
To help guide you in your decision, here are some suggested actions:
Look at the key differences comparison chart above.
Review the sample materials on each product page linked below.
Review the scope and sequence on each product page linked below.
