Algebra: Common Core Curriculum

Gr 8–10—Intended as a review source or brief introduction, this five-disc set presents step-by-step instructions to solving algebra problems. While an inner pamphlet listing the content on each disc would have been helpful, the DVDs are divided into a series of chapters from which viewers can select a given topic. Each segment lasts less than 10 minutes, during which teacher Leonard Morochnick briefly summarizes a concept and solves several problems on a whiteboard. The calculations are also provided in a pop-up window in the corner of the screen. Morochnick cautions against taking shortcuts in favor of showing all the work; provides tips on what to commit to memory; and offers catchy ways of remembering concepts, such as thinking of functions as buttons on a soda machine, each producing a different drink. Animated color graphics further depict number lines and graphs and explain how to input data into graphing calculators. The chapters are fast paced, which will be helpful to those in need of a quick refresher, but they may have newcomers reaching for the remote to pause or rewind. Viewers are frequently reminded to contact the company for online tutoring if additional assistance is needed.