3 comments about Holt Environmental Science.

1. The book I received was in excellent condition. Was pleased to find it for a reasonable price.



2. I am a high school teacher who has used this text for six years, teaching a junior/senior elective to average students. It has a nice coverage, including both Earth Science and Environmental Science topics. But I feel that in the process of trying to explain complex issues for lower level students, the author has left out too much--I find that my students read the chapters and then need me to fill in a lot of information so that the summary-style information presented here actually makes sense to them. Over the years I have come to rely on this text less and less, and would select another one if I could.



3. How do I go about getting the latest 2007 edition and RETURN the 2000 copyright edition that you sent? This is not what I ordered.
   Thank you,
   KM

5 comments about The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math: Internet Referenced (Illustrated Dictionaries).

1. I purchased this book while studying to be a math teacher. To my surprise I accidentally purchased 2. I gave one to a fellow classmate who in turn shared the book with others in another class. By the end of the semester every student and the teacher had purchased one. The illustrations are outstanding and the definitions are well written. I highly recommend this book.



2. This book can serve as a quality resource for the basic definitions of mathematics; the illustrations are extremely valuable in reinforcing the textual explanations. It is split into the basic sections:
   
   *) Numbers
   *) Shape, space and measures
   *) Algebra
   *) Handling data
   
   The sequence of presentation is not alphabetic but topical, starting with the most fundamental description of numbers and then working upward through the more difficult topics. This is very logical as it allows the reader to start at the beginning and move through, using it as a learning tool. Since it is indexed, the lack of alphabetical order poses no problem. I recommend this book to be included in the set of reference works in academic libraries at all levels.



3. This is a must for all high school students who are serious about math and would like a reference book that has it "all".



4. I was just glancing through this book today and found an error that stuck out. Watch out on page 58; "volume of a triangular prism" (1/2 x 3x2)x5 answer should be 15cm3, not 5cm3.
   
   I have not double checked the whole book yet, just letting you know to watch out, there might be more typos.
   
   Love the book otherwise, beautiful colors and nice graphics. GJ.



5. This book has saved my life on many occassions! I have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader. I am very happy with this book. I'm sure it will save me a lot of aggravation in the future. A "must have" book!

3 comments about Prentice Hall Mathematics: Course 3.

1. My experience turned out very well!! The book was in excellent condition and arrived within a couple days of placing my order. I would order from Amazon again. Thank you.



2. Book was in very poor condition and not as specified at the time of purchase.



3. This used book was received in exactly the condition described on the website, and is a perfect duplicate book for my middle school child to keep at home so that the school's book does not have to be carried back and forth each day. The book is heavy, and this was an economical solution!

1 comments about Biology: Laboratory Manual A.

1. The Prentice Hall Biology course is a very good one - generally scientifically rigorous and fairly thorough. I'm currently doing the labs for my own son as well as a couple of other homeschooling teens, and it's worked out nicely. I ordered this extra lab manual for when my younger son needs it in a few years when I'll run this lab course with him. I would not try to run this lab, however, without the Teacher's Edition, which gives many tips on preparing the lab.

5 comments about First Steps for Math Olympians: Using the American Mathematics Competitions (Problem Books) (MAA Problem Book Series).

1. I bought this book after I read reviews here.
   It was OK.
   No doubt, it provides a short, sweet review of major topics in algebra, trigonometry, probability, and combinatorics. Yet I felt that the book could be better. For example, it would be nice to make it thicker, fill it with more puzzles, and add challenging problems. In present condition, it glides over the surface without intention to dive deeper. It should be recommended to middle school students.
   
   But, I can be wrong. You see, I am a college student who decided to review high school material to prepare for Math Olympics. Honestly, Barron's SAT review books helped me to accomplish this task much better than First Steps for Math Olympians. It might help you, too.
   
   Get it anyway if money is not an issue. This book is an easy read. It might give you a different perspective on familiar topics.



2. For two years, I was the primary organizer of having the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) exams on campus and found the students taking the tests to be enthusiastic and eager to do well. Mathematics is like any other human skill in that it can and must be practiced if you expect to succeed. The mathematical background used to create the AMC tests is well known and Faires has a great deal of experience with the testing structure.
   This book contains a series of chapters of background material for the AMC exams. Each chapter has a brief introduction to a topic with explanations of the basic definitions, theorems and their consequences. This is followed by a small set of worked examples and then exercises with solutions. These exercises are presented in the format of the AMC questions and most of them are from earlier exams.
   The chapter topics are:
   
   *) Arithmetic ratios
   *) Polynomials and their zeros
   *) Exponentials and radicals
   *) Defined functions and operations
   *) Triangle geometry
   *) Circle geometry
   *) Polygons
   *) Counting
   *) Probability
   *) Prime decomposition
   *) Number theory
   *) Sequences and series
   *) Statistics
   *) Trigonometry
   *) Three-dimensional geometry
   *) Functions
   *) Logarithms
   *) Complex numbers
   
   With material taken directly from years of AMC exams, this book is the best place for team coaches to extract study material for their team.



3. This is a good source to start a serious training for mathematical competitions, but as it says, it gives you the first step. Should be enough for those who just look to improve their AMC scores significantly, but not so useful for those thinking or wanting to participate on IMO, APMO or similar competition.
   
   For the level it has, I feel it is somewhat overpriced, but besides that, it's a good book.



4. Fancy being a math olympian? This book could serve as your very entrance leading to your success. Just read it page after page and you'll not regret buying it, or being bought by some uncles or aunties. After all, Thanksgiving Day's coming. Who wouldn't buy their little ones some meaningful gift?



5. This book is a great book. This book starts at the beginning (in this case proportions) in very easy format to follow and easy to understand. As they come with practice AMC 10 and 12 problems they will hone your understanding of the material. This book is great for beginners a great companionship for those who have Art of Problem Solving by Richard Ruscyzk.
   
   top marks!

2 comments about Holt Algebra 2 (Holt Mathematics).

1. ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS MANUAL
   
   The 'Solutions manual' can be a useful reference to anyone not fully comfortable with the topic and I didn't think I needed one until we did 'Algebra 1' last year. For 'Algebra 2' I felt that I HAD to have it. The manual is needed because the 'normal' kit would only have 'full solutions' for the tests but the problem Answer Key book only has the correct answers for the practice and the problem sets but it does NOT show not the step-by-step.
   
   For the THIRD Edition what you get is 370 pages showing the steps you take to solve every single practice and problem set question with the cautionary note from the authors what there is often more than one way to get to the right answer. However, the Solutions Manual tries to stay as close as possible to the methods and procedures as presented in the textbook. The early solutions to a particular type of problem show every single step while later solutions omit the simple steps.
   
   I am very happy for ordering the Solutions Manual. Even though I don't expect to use it very often, it's reassuring to have it handy, just in case. This book, while not a 'must have' component of an 'Algebra 2 kit' gets 5-stars for thoroughness and for 'being there when I need it'.
   
   
   NOTES OF CAUTION
   
   There are TWO main things you must check and make sure that are right before you order:
   
   - Make sure that the EDITION for this book matches your student's manual. The current is the THIRD edition but SECOND edition courseware is still available from vendors.
   - Be aware that this is NOT an essential component of an 'Algebra 2 Kit' even though it may help.
   - You will only need ONE copy, no matter how many students you may have. This should be mostly for teacher use.
   
   What you MUST have in order to be able to teach Algebra 2 is (for the Third Edition):
   
   - The "Algebra 2 Third Edition" student's textbook [this one] that includes the 129 lessons, 2 introductory or review lessons, Glossary, Index and answers to the odd-numbered questions.
   - The "Homeschool Testing Book" that include the 32 tests, reproducible test answer sheets and the answers together with the 'step-by-step' on how to get there.
   - The "Answer Key" booklet that has the answers to all the practice and problem sets but ONLY the answers, not the ways to get there.
   
   
   _____________________________________________
   
   NOTES:
   
   The Dive Supplement
   -------------------
   I found the DIVE Math Instructional CD for Saxon Algebra 2 3rd ed. to be a very useful addition to the kit. In fact I am using it this year after using the 'Algebra 1' edition last year. Like it's the case with the Solutions Manual, you will only need one DIVE CD even if you have more than one student.
   
   It's worth noting that DIVE is NOT a Saxon product. This is a separate product that closely follows the Saxon course and you should make sure that you match the Saxon edition with the correct version of the DIVE CD.
   
   
   A Personal Note
   ---------------
   
   I should say that, to us, the effectiveness of Saxon's method is no longer a matter or doubt or debate. My senior kid was awarded the 'Highest Average in Math' at his campus upon completing his 8th grade and I have little doubt that our math home study is/was a contributing factor to his being awarded the "President's Education Award" and his bing on the Honor Roll on all 4 quarters of his 8th grade. His younger brother is also a 'straight A math student (typical math grade average is 97-99 each term) and a Honor roll/Principal's List most of the time. I mention this because both of them used to be quite 'in the middle' as in 'mediocre' when we started with Saxon (that's what prompted me to 'take action'). Us practicing math after school clearly developed their study skills and, since math is so 'hard', it helped them master most of the other topics taught in school with ease.
   
   And, finally, and this might have fit under 'practical advice' as well, I'd like to note that doing this is NOT easy. Covering 129 lessons ad giving 32 tests calls for a VERY SIGNIFICANT investment of time and effort from both parent and children. I estimate we spent anything from 90 minutes to 2 hours per lesson and we usually 'do math' 5 to 6 days per week with a typical math study year beginning at the end of August and ending sometime early or mid-May.
   
   ---
   >> Brush your teeth, it's the law! <<



2. Be certain that this is the book you need...this is not the textbook. It is a solution manual.

3 comments about Life Science (Glencoe Science).

1. My son's backpacks were being torn apart by the weight of his textbooks that he had to bring home everyday, so I buying his textbooks has saved us money! Now he no longer has to drag those heavy books home because he has a set here.
   
   Thanks.



2. Just wanted to agree wholeheartedly with the other one star review for this book. Book is comprehensive in scope but is REALLY difficult to read and comprehend! Not written at all at the level it is designed to educate.



3. After carefully reviewing this book and actually using it, I can not believe that the reading level for it is 7th grade. Although visually appealing, the text itself is difficult for many college educated adults to understand. Pronunciations for scientific terms are not indicated in the context of the text and definitions are vague, they are not explained (?) in terms that the average middle school student is able to understand. It will certainly turn off the average and reluctant readers at the middle school level. Certainly there is something out there that is at a more appropriate level for middle schoolers and will not discourage them from reading their textbook. It does not hold the readers attention. School districts need to look carefully when considering the purchasing of this book in an era when budgets are constricted. Signed, a certified librarian, parent and taxpayer.

1 comments about Geometry.

1. After buying this textbook, I was shocked to see how fast it came and the amazing conditional the book was in. It was actually brand new like the seller said it was. I will definietly buy from Amazon again.

3 comments about Holt California Geometry.

1. This supplier is fantastic. They went out of their way to provide great customer service. I will use them again in the future.
   
   thank you!



2. The book came in the allotted time period. I was very pleased with the product and definitely order again from this seller.



3. The book was delivered quickly and in good condition. Would use this website again to purchase text books.

4 comments about Janice VanCleave's Biology For Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work (Science for Every Kid Series).

1. I have been using this book to teach a science class in a co-op this year. Many of the experiments are interesting and simple, but I had trouble getting several of the experiments to work. I definitely think you could find some useful experiments, but make sure you try them before they are presented, or you could be disappointed. Just a little hint- youtube has some wonderful science videos with amazing experiments to do, and it's free if you have the internet!



2. As an experienced public-school science teacher, I find this book invaluable. Its contents range from simple, few-second demonstrations all the way to many-week experiments. Some of the experiments, such as the study of osmosis through use of salty water-soaked potato or cucumber slices, are commonly found in science books. Others, such as the spray painting and study of spider webs, and the counting of rings on fish scales to determine the age of the fish, are quite unique to this book.
   
   Students can learn the parts of the bean seed, and how to grow yeast and bacteria. The book is profusely indexed. All experiments are each concisely listed on two facing pages. This makes it very convenient to photocopy and hand out to students--as when making suggestions for science projects.



3. You will not be disappointed with this book! Janice VanCleave's Biology For Every Kid is divided into these categories: plants, zoology, and the human body with tons of simple hands-on experiments that you can do for each. I use these experiments all the time in my 7th grade classroom and the kids love them. Learning is so much better when it's hands-on! I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school science teachers.



4. I reviewed this book in The Home School Manual ================

   Projects and activities to teach concepts, terminology, and (according to the author, Janice VanCleave) laboratory methods. This book and the others in the series each describe 101 experiments. For biology they are classified under plants, animals, and humans. Each is presented in a two-page spread with an illustration on the right. The order is logical. By working through the book doing some experiments and reading about the others, one would form significant concepts. An explanation is given for each activity. Growing carrots from carrot tops demonstrates that a plant can grow if it has portions of base, stem, and root, and if it receives food and water.

   The explanations are oversimplified in some cases (for "finger monocle" for example). Younger students need simpler explanations, but I believe the scientific principles could be stated more accurately. Also, some of the illustrations could be improved, but basically the book is good.

   For a total science program I would recommend a textbook or a number of broad topic books. Individual experiments miss some of the overall themes and some concepts are hard to demonstrate.

   I have not seen evolutionary concepts in the book. It and others in the series seem best for about grades 3 through 5. Younger kids could profit from most of the activities. The explanations don't bring out the scientific principles clearly enough for older ones.

   Part of a series from John Wiley & Sons.