Teaching Textbooks

A TT is a lot more flexible than a live tutor. You can use a TT in the comfort of your home on your schedule. Most tutors require that you travel to a tutoring center. Also, to hire a live tutor to walk you through 4,000 problems step-by-step would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. A TT costs just a small fraction of that. And you can't fast-forward and rewind a live tutor either.

[If you have cable or DSL, click here to see a video about why a Teaching Textbook is better than a traditional teacher or tutor.]

Q2. Why choose the Teaching Textbook™ series over another homeschool math program?
A. There are lots of reasons, but here are the top 3.

First, because Teaching Textbooks™ were designed specifically for independent learners, they simply have more teaching/explanation than any other product on the market. We realized that independent learners needed a product that contains the maximum amount of teaching, so a Teaching Textbook™, with its approximately 700 pages of text and 120 - 160 hours of teacher instruction on CD-ROM, is both a teacher and a textbook combined into one. And the CD-ROM teaching isn’t just abstract lectures either. There are also down-to-earth, audiovisual step-by-step explanations for every single one of the almost 3,500 problems in the book. Using a Teaching Textbook™ is like having a friendly tutor available at the push of a button, but for only a fraction of the cost! Other products claim that they can be used without the assistance of a teacher, and this may or may not be true. But shouldn’t a truly ideal product for independent learners contain step-by-step teacher explanations for all those times when you might get stumped? We think so.

Second, given the amount of teaching that the series offers and the importance of junior high and high school math in college courses and on the job, our program represents an incredible value. For example, the Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry Teaching Textbooks™ contain at least 3 to 8 times the amount of multimedia teaching as the nearest competitors’ products.

Third, because the Teaching Textbook™ series was designed for independent learners, it introduces proper terminology only after first presenting the underlying concept in plain language. Of course, the series includes all the terms that students need to know for important standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, but our textbooks do not bog the reader down in highly technical language until students are ready to digest it.

[If you have cable or DSL, click here to see more about the right way to teach terminology.]

Q3. How much does a Teaching Textbook™ cost?
A. Here are our pricing options.

ALGEBRA 1
The Student Text plus Ans. Key/Test Bank (no CDs): $79.95 (free s&h).

The CD Combo, which includes the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $114.95 (free s&h).
(You cannot purchase the CDs unless you already own the text.)

The Complete Set, which includes the Student Text, the Ans. Key/Test Bank, the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $184.90 (free s&h).

ALGEBRA 2
The Student Text plus Ans. Key/Test Bank (no CDs): $79.95 (free s&h).

The CD Combo, which includes the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $114.95 (free s&h).
(You cannot purchase the CDs unless you already own the text.)

The Complete Set, which includes the Student Text, the Ans. Key/Test Bank, the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $184.90 (free s&h).

GEOMETRY
The Student Text plus Ans. Key/Test Bank (no CDs): $79.95 (free s&h).

The CD Combo, which includes the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $114.95 (free s&h).
(You cannot purchase the CDs unless you already own the text.)

The Complete Set, which includes the Student Text, the Ans. Key/Test Bank, the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $184.90 (free s&h).

PRE-ALGEBRA
The Student Text plus Ans. Key/Test Bank (no CDs): $79.95 (free s&h).

The CD Combo, which includes the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $114.95 (free s&h).
(You cannot purchase the CDs unless you already own the text.)

The Complete Set, which includes the Student Text, the Ans. Key/Test Bank, the Lecture & Practice CDs, the Homework Solutions CDs, and the Test Solutions CD: $184.90 (free s&h).

NOTE: If you live in Oklahoma, call us toll-free at 1-866-867-6284 to ask about additional sales tax.

Q4. If I’m not satisfied can I get my money back?
A. Absolutely. Simply return the products you ordered in resalable condition within 30 days of your purchase and we will fully refund your purchase price no questions asked.

Q5. Do Teaching Textbooks™ cover everything algebra or geometry books are supposed to?
A. Absolutely. Each Teaching Textbook™ is between 650-750 pages long and contains about 130 lessons, and each covers all of the standard topics.

Q6. Do you use the review method?
A. Yes we do. This is a proven method for building skill and long-term retention, so each Teaching Textbook™ uses the review method on every homework assignment. However, one important difference between our approach to the review method and that of other math programs is that our review is less tied to memorization. Instead of mindlessly reviewing rote procedures that have lost their connection to concepts, Teaching Textbooks™ review concepts as well as rote techniques. This builds skill while reinforcing the meaning of the material to the student. At the end of the course, the student will have problem-solving abilities as well as understanding.

Another difference between our approach to review and that of other math programs is that our assignments are not overly long, which means that slow students won’t get “bogged down” and bright student won't get bored.

Q7. Can students work through the program completely on their own with no help from Mom or Dad?
A. Of course! That’s the whole idea behind the Teaching Textbook™. Other companies claim that their products can be used without the aid of a teacher or parent, but since those products are usually meant to be sold only to public or private schools, they simply aren’t allowed to have too much teaching. If they did, the textbooks would be viewed as taking over the role of the teacher. By contrast, Teaching Textbooks™ were designed specifically for independent learners, so we’ve done everything we can to ensure that kids can learn even if moms and dads don’t always have the time or knowledge to teach them.

Q8. Do you offer toll-free telephone support?
A. Yes. The purpose of the Teaching Textbook™ is to provide students a way to learn math without an on-site teacher. This means that if the Solutions CDs don’t answer all your questions, we’ll have tutors available over the phone as a final backstop.

Q9. Will Teaching Textbooks be coming out any elementary aged products?

A. Yes, we will be coming out with a Math 7 (7th grade) Teaching Textbook, which is one level below Pre-Algebra in August 2006. It includes basic arithmetic, geometry, statistics and probability, simple graphing concepts, and several chapters of real-world applications. We will be posting lesson samples and CD demos in early May, and we will begin accepting pre-orders in mid-May.

Q10. How do I know if my child is ready for Pre-Algebra?
A. The best way to tell is to take our Pre-Algebra placement test. If your child is unable to take the placement test at this time, then you should know that if a student has had some exposure to basic math and can handle the concept of using a letter (usually an x) to represent a missing number in an equation, then he or she is probably ready for Pre-Algebra.

The TT Pre-Algebra program includes a complete review of basic math (whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, units of measurement, etc.), but it explains things more conceptually than books for younger students. This approach teaches students why the techniques they've been using for years really work. Knowing the whys is necessary preparation for Algebra 1 and other higher math courses. TT Pre-Algebra also contains about 55 lessons of beginning algebra that gradually introduces some of the early algebraic concepts in an unintimidating way.

Q11. How do I know if my child is ready for Algebra 1?
A. The best way to tell is to take our Algebra 1 placement test. If you don't have time for this, then you should know that if a child is 13 or older and knows basic math fairly well, he is probably ready for Algebra 1. To be more specific, if the student can easily add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers and has made average grades on assignments involving fractions, decimals, and percents, it’s time to move to our Algebra 1 program (especially since the book starts by assuming that the student has no knowledge of algebra). If the student is 12 or younger or still needs work on basic math, then he or she should probably start with the Pre-Algebra Teaching Textbook™ (Pre-Algebra placement test).

Q12. How do I know if my child is ready for Algebra 2?
A. The best way to tell is to take our Algebra 2 placement test.

Q13. How do the practice problems work?
A. First of all, practice problems are not a part of the homework assignment. They are additional examples to help the student with the problems in each assignment. Here’s how they work. Each of the 5 practice problems is labeled with a letter (a, b, c, d, or e). These problems are very similar to the problems in the problem set that are labeled with those same letters. So if a student is having trouble with number 16, and it is labeled b, he or she can see how a very similar problem was solved by referring back to practice problem b. Usually, the hardest problems have a practice problem to match them. So this system gives students a hint for the toughest problems in each problem set.

Q14. What is the very best way to use the program?
A. The short answer to this question is that you should adapt this powerful and versatile product to your specific needs. However, here’s how some families have used the complete product (text plus both sets of CDs) for maximum results.

1) Read the printed lesson in your book.

2) Watch the lecture on CD.

3) Work any of the five practice problems that seem difficult.

4) Watch the CD lectures that explain those practice problems. These are on the Lecture & Practice CDs.

5) Work all of the problems in the problem set.

6) Grade the assignment.

7) Watch the step-by-step solutions for any problems that were missed. These are on the step-by-step Solutions CDs.

Q15. Do Teaching Textbooks™ have a lot of real-world applications in them?
A. Yes, Teaching Textbooks™ present the subject matter within the context of real-world problems. Specially, they contain entire lessons on topics such as how to calculate the profits and losses of a business, the Universal Law of Gravitation, linear programming, the Ideal Gas Law from chemistry, how to figure out which job offer to accept, etc. In each of these lessons, the student learns how to apply algebra in the context of that important topic.

[If you have cable or DSL, click here to see more about Teaching Textbooks and real world applications.]

Q16. I'm no computer whiz, are the Teaching Textbook™ CDs easy to use?
A. Yes. The engineers who created our software made it as easy-to-use as a videotape. That means when you stick the disc in, it will just pop up and play. The product is so intuitive it doesn't even come with instructions. There's no downloading or passwords or any of that stuff. Most important you won't have to worry about sitting on the line for hours with tech support.

[If you have cable or DSL, click here to see a product demonstration.]

Q17. The program does not automatically appear on the screen after I insert the CD. What should I do?
A. For Windows users, please go to "My Computer", double-click on the CD-ROM drive, and double-click on the file that has the ".exe" extension or icon that looks like this:

For Mac users, please double-click on the icon that looks like the above.

Q18. Are Teaching Textbooks™ MAC-compatible?
A. All the product except Math5, Math6 and Math7 are MAC-compatible, however if you use Windows on your MAC they can be run on a MAC as well.

Q19. What are the system requirements for the CDs?
A.
For Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry:

The system requirements for PCs are

A CPU of 133 MHz or faster
A Windows 98 or later operating system
A 4x CD-ROM drive
Speakers

The system requirements for MAC are

A CPU of 211 MHz or faster
A MAC OS 9.0 or later
A 4x CD-ROM drive
Speakers

For Math 5, Math 6, and Math 7 (only Windows compatible):

A CPU of 133 MHz or faster
A Windows 2000 or later operating system
A 4x CD-ROM drive
Speakers

Q20. What if I lose a CD or damage one. Can I get a replacement?
A. Yes, just tell us which disc you lost or damaged, and we’ll gladly replace it. The cost for replacement is $15 per disc and this includes the cost of shipping.

Q21. Is it best to take Geometry or Algebra 2 after
Algebra 1?
A. Well, opinions on this differ. One risk of taking Geometry in between the two algebras is that the student might forget a lot of the Algebra 1 he learned during the year he spends on geometry. Also, if a student has done well with Algebra 1, why break the positive momentum?

On the other hand, since the PSAT has geometry on it, students who take Algebra 1 in the 9th grade may want to take Geometry in the 10th if they plan to take the PSAT in the 11th grade. You should know, however, that the purpose of the PSAT is to provide a warm-up to the SAT and to identify potential National Merit Finalists. Since there are other ways to prepare for the SAT (such as checking out a library book that contains several practice SATs), and since very few students ever become National Merit Finalists (about 2 or 3 in each large high school), the argument for taking Geometry before Algebra 2 is not overwhelming.

Q22. You say that your Geometry has SAT and ACT prep built in. What exactly does this mean?
A. In addition to covering all the standard school geometry topics, the book puts great emphasis on problems found on the SAT and ACT. In fact, nearly every problem set includes several problems that were modeled after those found on actual SAT and ACT exams. And since all Teaching Textbooks use the review method, students become better and better at solving these important problem types each day.

Q23. What’s the purpose of highlighting the text in the textbook?
A. The highlighting is meant to emphasize the most important points in a lesson. It tends to increase student reading comprehension and make it easier to go back and review material that has already been covered. That can be particularly helpful with the Teaching Textbook program, since every problem set uses the review method. Also, some students just want to watch the lectures on CD (instead of reading the lessons in the book) and then only read the highlighted text as a reinforcement.

Q24. I’m considering taking a homeschool co-op class for algebra or geometry. How might a Teaching Textbook™ compare to that as an option?
A. Co-op classes can be great; however, the best ones are often expensive. Plus, since co-ops usually meet only one day a week (or at best two), you get far less teaching from a co-op than from a Teaching Textbook™. Also, remember that in a classroom setting, your student has to share the teacher with quite a few other students. This leaves little time for individual instruction. By contrast, a Teaching Textbook™ contains 120 - 160 hours of teacher instruction available at the touch of a button. And unlike a co-op teacher, a Teaching Textbook™ can be rewound as many times as necessary! The other advantage of the Teaching Textbook™ is that it delivers explanations to you in the comfort of your home, day or night.

[If you have cable or DSL, click here to see a video about why a Teaching Textbook is better than a traditional teacher or tutor.]

Q25. Do I really need the CDs or are the book, answer key, and tests alone enough?
A. The CDs are such a good value (120-160 hours of teaching at less than $1 per hour) that we think anyone who can afford them should definitely make the investment. Also, we've found time and again that students who use the CDs generally learn more and enjoy the program more than ones who don't.

Q26. Why are Teaching Textbooks™ slightly thicker than other math texts?
A. Our books have bigger type than other texts because that makes them easier to read and less intimidating to students. Our books also have more explanation than others, yet still cover the same number of topics. These factors cause them to be a little longer than average.

Q27. Can I resell all my Teaching Textbooks?
A. Yes, you most definitely can. And there is absolutely no limit to the number of times our products can be resold. Just remember that if a Math 5, 6, or 7 product has already been used on more than two computers, the buyer will need to call our offices so we can quickly give him/her a new installation code.

Q28. How do I install my math program with parental controls (limited or standard account)?
A. You need to first set up the user account as a computer administrator, then you can install the program under that user name and activate it. Next, just change the account back to the standard or limited account.

Q29. Can I use a purchase order (P.O.) through my school to order Teaching Textbooks?

A. Yes, you can. But bear in mind that with purchase orders we do charge an additional $10.00 per item on complete sets and $5.00 on CD-only sets. These charges will appear under “shipping and handling” on your invoice, even though they are meant to cover administrative costs, such as billing.