The Algebra I lessons in the Home Study Companion series are based on Paul A. Foerster's Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications. This textbook is available as part of Prentice Hall's Classics series, or in older editions through various used book sources (e.g. try Amazon.com). The text is a true classic!

Paul A. Foerster has taught mathematics at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas since 1961. In that same year he received his teaching certificate from Texas A&M University. His B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and M.A. degree in Mathematics are from the University of Texas. Among many honors, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 1983. He brings to his teaching and textbook writing the insights from his engineering background. His textbooks contain some of the best collections of real-world applications to be found in any algebra textbook.

Anyone studying mathematics at home (whether home schoolers or adults seeking to brush up or extend their mathematics skills) will recognize early on that they miss the guidance of an experienced teacher. Each lesson brings with it new techniques, new insights, and new ways of thinking. A great textbook is a wonderful resource, but a good teacher can model the thought processes and help "lift the material off the page."

These lessons in this 3-CD set are based on "screen-capture video" technology. To the user they appear as "whiteboard lectures" (see screenshot below). They provide the missing "classroom presentation" part of the course for anyone studying mathematics at home.

You will need to separately purchase a copy of Foerster's Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications. The lessons are based on the Prentice Hall Classics version, but there are only minor differences between this and earlier versions. These may be obtained from Pearson-Prentice Hall, Amazon.com, or elsewhere.