Hands-On Algebraic Concept Instruction

    I was so excited to be able to receive and review another product from Aims Education Services. Earlier this year we were able to use and review one of the science activity books from Aims.  Now we are using one of their math activity books.  We have been using activities from the Looking at Lines activity book.  Used by students in grades 6-9, this book gives hands-on exercises to reinforce algebraic concepts. 

     This is a non-consumable activity book with easy-to-follow parent/teacher instructions and worksheets / manipulatives to copy for student use.  The consumable pages can be printed from the companion c.d. which is included in the back of the book. 

     I really like the layout of the Aims Education Services books.  The parent/teacher instructions are very thorough.  The student pages at the grades 6-9 level are designed so activities can be done independently, for the most part.  We are enjoying the Looking at Lines book as enrichment / enhancement in preparation for pre-algebra.  My daughter is in the sixth grade and loves math.  She completed a math class at our local co-op last year that she loved.  It was hands-on and she really retained the concepts in the class.  The activities in Looking at Lines accomplish this, too.  It seems that algebraic concepts seem much less complex when they are able to be touched and manipulated instead of just being worked with pencil and paper. 

     She is getting experience using graphs, charts, lines, even a balance scale.  These activities take math concepts and apply them to real life situations.  I like the activities because they give a practicality to math studies.  She likes them because they are fun!

     I think Looking at Lines would be wonderful for any student needing reinforcement of math concepts.  It can also serve well as an introduction to algebraic concepts.  Some of the concepts covered in this activity book are:  proportional relationships, non-proportional relationships with positive slopes, and non-proportional relationships with negative slopes.  There are 32 activities included and over 200 pages of information and activities.  Looking at Lines will enhance any classroom, whether traditional classroom with many students or a homeschool setting.

     Looking at Lines is available on the Aims Education Services as either a print book or a downloadable book for $24.95.  To purchase, visit their website, here. 

     My TOS Homeschool Review crewmates have been reviewing this as well as other great products from Aims Education Services.  To read their reviews, visit the main crew blog page. 

**Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.**