{"id":1618,"date":"2012-02-28T00:19:51","date_gmt":"2012-02-28T00:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borenson.com\/?p=1618"},"modified":"2023-04-21T11:50:03","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T11:50:03","slug":"homeschoolmath-net-review-maria-miller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borenson.com\/homeschoolmath-net-review-maria-miller\/","title":{"rendered":"HomeschoolMath.net Review – Maria Miller"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” css=”.vc_custom_1676934379329{margin-top: 3% !important;margin-bottom: 5% !important;}”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”1619″ image_size=”portfolio-thumb_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Review of Hands-On Equations” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23078363″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInUp”][vc_column_text]\n

February 28, 2012\u00a0\u00a0Review by Maria Miller, M.Sc., author of HomeschoolMath.net\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hands-On Equations<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a><\/span>is a supplementary program that teaches students to solve linear equations using a\u00a0balance scale<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0and physical\u00a0\u201cpawns\u201d and number cubes.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0It is basically a program using a physical manipulative for modeling and solving linear equations\u2014great for kinesthetic and visual learners.<\/p>\n

Before this review, I had heard about it, and I knew it involved solving equations with a balance, as if \u201cplaying.\u201d However, once I saw the complete program, I was impressed\u2014because the system of Hands-On Equations includes not only simple equations, but also the usage of\u00a0distributive property<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0(level I),\u00a0negative unknowns<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>(level II),\u00a0negative numbers<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0(level III), AND even word problems similar to typical word problems in pre-algebra or algebra 1.<\/p>\n

So it is much more than just a system of modeling the simplest equations. In the end of level III, students are solving equations such as 2(\u2212x + 6) \u2212 (\u22122) = 3x + 1! However, the system is beneficial EVEN if your child\/student gets to only do level I, which consists of only 7 lessons, because in the end of Level I, students already solve equations such as 2(x + 1) + 5 = 3x + 6.<\/p>\n

Basically, the program starts out with the simplest of linear equations, such as 2x = 6 or x + 5 = 10. Students use a blue\u00a0pawn for the unknown<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>(for the \u2018x\u2019) and\u00a0number cubes for the constants<\/strong><\/span>. From level II on, they use a white pawn for (-x), also called a \u201cstar\u201d, and denoted with x. The equations are modeled on the balance so that the left side of the equation goes on the left side of the balance, and similarly for the right side.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” css=”.vc_custom_1676938402064{margin-top: 3% !important;}”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”897″ image_size=”portfolio-thumb” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30px”][vc_column_text]\n

Students are instructed about \u201clegal moves\u201d with which to \u201cplay\u201d with theequations until they arrive to the solution. The legal moves of course correspond to the regular principles used in algebra. For example:<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all” css=”.vc_custom_1676938426825{margin-right: 20% !important;margin-left: 20% !important;}”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]

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