Algebra really is cool.

Or is that algebra is really cool?

Unfortunately the way we teach it makes it seem hard, and confusing and stupid. Here you see algebra teaching the DBoyz math. And by Math I mean addition and multiplication and you can see it's not scary but fun.

This is often where a student will receive their first devastating failing grade: their first “F” and from here many students see a cascade effect where suddenly ALL the grades begin to suffer. Let us endeavor to avoid this by using base ten blocks to make algebra easy to understand and maybe even fun.

As i traveled around the United States i found this to be a recurring theme, one of many. People often times women, but not always, would come up to me after a seminar or class or during a break and tell me that could point to the beginning of the end of their good grades or sometimes their academic career. That "F" in algebra, for me it didn't come until i hit calculus.  But i know what it is like to not get it.

This page should help you understand and be able to use algebra to teach math. Start easy with square numbers. 

Square Numbers

Playing with base ten blocks makes concepts like square numbers and radicals visually obvious. This exercise give the students a chance to build something cool and practice multiplication and addition.

Building a pyramid is fun and when it comes time to use radicals they are already familiar with squares and counting the sides. Looking at the symbols it is not obvious which ones are square. 

When students come to me for help, often times i find we need to back up. If the student can't add and subtract numbers without the aide of their fingers, cannot answer times tables drills quickly and easily and/or have basic misconceptions about fractions...these must be addressed along with the algebra, and as you will see BY the algebra. Happily we can do all of this simultaneously, since math is a language we can use algebra to teach the all basic operations: addition and subtraction as well as multiplication and division.  Use math to teach math.

Further the use of manipulatives can completely eviscerate some misconceptions about math instantly. Combining like terms for example becomes completely obvious as does factoring trinomials and solving equations using "hero zero" and "no fun get back to one". Click the problem solving tab for a video about this.

This page basically is just a "jump off" page--this is a very broad topic and I have MANY pages and vids covering it.  

See Also:  Module Three. 

The good news is it's actually easy. i know you may not think so now...but i assure you my students ASK for it by name. Whether it's factoring polynomials,  playing what's under the cup, fooling around with trig and triangles or what have you. It's actually FUN if you do it right. 

Although you need a password, this page on math enrichment should not be skipped. Be sure to follow the links. Yet another example of using math to teach math in this case algebra. The winter training and the hurricane training delve further into this concept. 

This is my favorite subject to teach by far, because it can make the biggest difference, fastest.

Base ten blocks demystify these concepts almost instantly--the "ohs" and "ah-has" you'll get are quite common.  Checkout module one, particularly The Series A Manuals.

Once the student understands the concepts a test is easy because there only so many variations on the theme that can be asked. And because they now have cut it up into such tiny segments in an effort to make it understandable tests are often very narrow in scope indeed, so ace-ing them becomes child's play. What ends up happening when it is cut up into such tiny segments is the exact opposite of understanding: math becomes a “meaningless dance” because the segments are never put back together to form a cohesive whole. Often times I hear “just let me memorize how to do it so I can take the test” (and then forget it). When I get them to understand the concepts and visualize what they are doing... “F” to “A” is as natural as day following night.

It would be nice to avoid the problems in the first place, tho.

Make Algebra Child's Play!

The child in the video is six. i can train you you so that you can use algebra to teach basic operations to very young children too.  Check out module two for more. 

Here is a great free lesson for you: Completing The Square 

Building rectangles. should build confidence and make math fun and easy. What happens in classrooms across the country is the exact opposite.

Go to my BLOG and you will see that I like to use algebra to teach counting, addition and simple multiplication and division concepts. My blog has lots of posts now showing how tis mathod makes math easy, IF it's presented correctly. Check out the post called 4 year old math enrichment. The blog is chock full of info you can use to instantly help you understand key concepts and erase common misconceptions.

Go here to see Math Enrichment in action, where little kids do algebra and think nothing of it--they actually have FUN. 

You can also go HERE, to a page I built for a brief look at how to use it to teach basics like counting, adding, multiplication and more--all you need is chalk & a sidewalk. 

Dig around a little and check out Youtube I have lots of videos there now (over 850) that show how to cross teach and compound teach many subjects at once using base ten blocks to present it. 

Lots of people ask how to do negative expressions like

x² - 3x + 2, or x² - 9, or x² - x - 6.

These can all be found in the videos and screencasts on the advanced algebra page. (Mod IV)

You need a password to get in and passwords cost very little for what you get now. People are starting to buy lifetime passwords because they see how much gets added each year. And doing a little math, renewing each year adds up...

Also just do a search for Crewton Ramone Algebra and see all the stuff that comes back...

My website has information and lessons you won't find anywhere else and sometimes because the information is behind paywalls search engines won't show you them to you.

More Information and Free Lessons. 

Excellent FREE lesson for beginners:

Basic Completing the Square

Get this Polynomial PDF to help you keep track of what you're doing, it shows you how to use algebra, polynomials to teach addends and multiplication. The algebra is just along for the ride.

Polynomial Practice PDF 

Here are a BUNCH of pages from my blog covering algebra.  Many of those posts have free instructional videos on them.

Like this one for example:

HELP UNDERSTANDING THE QUADRATIC FORMULA.

What about problems like

x⁴ + 7x³ + 18x² + 20x + 8

x³ + 6x² + 11x + 6

This page should help you find the lessons you are looking for click the links watch a vid or two have fun playing math. Just explore and discover...

Lifetime Passwords are just that...you get a pass for a lifetime. Pay once and you are good, forever. Come back as often as you like. Watch vids, download PDFs. You get all my passwords to get through all my pay walls all for one low price...currently 4 passwords open almost all of my pages.. When you purchase the LIFETIME PASSPORT you get them all for one low price: $999.00...if you want the Algebra course it is $600.00 by itself but only $250.00 with a lifetime Passport.  Teacher training is $400.00 but you can break it up into 12 easy installments of 37.00 Or get all four passwords for a few dollars more but 24 months. 

Or you can purchase individual modules, & get a lifetime of access. Hit the Contact Us tab for the PayPal link or use the handy buttons provided. 

***Unlimited Lifetime Access:


M0AR Training
M0AR Training $100.00    
You are guided through two--one hour Introductions, one for "students" and one for "teachers", The Crash Course, Hurricane and Winter training.  You can take the cost of is training off any other password or the passport.

Passport 4 Passwords + AC = All four passwords plus the Algebra Course.  Basically all of my passwords for a one time fee of $1249.00.  You will also get M0AR Training: the crash course and Hurricane Training + Winter Training and all of my books.

Passport 4 Passwords $999.00 = All four passwords. You will also get the crash course and Hurricane Training and all of my books. But no Algebra Course. You can always buy it separately for $250.00 if you buy all four passwords. 

MOD 1: Series A+ Easy PZ + PDFs 
PDF Only (MOD I) $100.00 = Module One. PDFs and Books and more PDFs. You get the series A manuals, my books and the EZ PZ Overview. You will also get the Crash Course and Hurricane Training. This module has all ten Series A Manuals online plus my books and workbooks, as well as worksheets for learning how to write numbers, pdfs explaining the method and make it EZ PZ, pdfs for practicing concepts.  A plethora of PDFs all in on place. Most of them have explanatory videos to go along with them so you get best use out of them.  It will take you quite a while to download and print it all.  This has an entry page. 

MOD 2: Parent Teacher Training + M0AR Training 
Training (MOD II) $400.00 = Module Two. Training you won't get anywhere else. You will also get the Crash Course, Hurricane Training, and Winter Training, plus all of my books. Module one and two are a great combination. You will learn how to teach math using base ten blocks whether you are planning to homeschool or a side hustle, this Module will put you well ahead of any competition. Best of all the videos are fun...they may not be exactly entertaining, but they certainly are engaging. i get great results so you will get great results because i teach you how and the theory behind it, in other words how and WHY.  This page has an entry page. 

MOD 3 : Sitewide + PDFs 
SiteWide (MOD III) $250.00 = Module Three is the most bang for your buck. It isn't so much a module with an entry page as a collection of pages. When in doubt try the Mod III password. Coupled with Module One, you basically get my website from years ago before i added all the parent/teacher training and the so called "advanced" pages.  Spend time on these pages and training will be a breeze. Module Three puts theory into practice. Example IS the lesson. Module Two gives you theory and some practice, this module is all theory IN practice right in front of your eyes, you see and hear the children learning in real time. You can hear the ah-ha moments...the lessons are unrehearsed with real students. They are fun because learning is fun and watching others learn is fun too. This is in and of itself is priceless training. 

MOD 4: "Advanced Pages" + SSDSS Facebook Math Group 
"Advanced" (Module IV) $250.00 = i say "advanced" because Module Four is higher level math, but really you are still just creatively applying the five basic concepts. It has however come to my attention that other curriculums are not using the blocks to teach upper level algebra, and resort to symbols only in their books. i put the pictures back in and show you what the symbols mean and what the problems look like. This greatly enhances speed and efficiency of learning as well as making abstract concepts accessible to kinesthetic learners who can build the problems from the drawings. Visual learners love this method because they can see the symbols and operations, which makes it fun. 

i have lots of explanatory videos to make and add. i also have several entry or landing pages to build. When the dust settles it should be much easier to navigate, to get started, & to know what to do next.

Algebra Course 
$600.00.  $250.00 with $999.00 PassPort.
Prerequisites: The ability to count to nine. Identify if something is same or different or not. Be able to identify a rectangle or square.

i use base ten blocks to teach ALL topics. i don' resort to symbol only lessons until AFTER we have played with blocks. Get your blocks paper and pencil and play along, my success rate with people who have failed algebra or struggled in college is 100%. If you require more explanation or assistance email me, this password comes with tech support, we will set up 1 hour video chat. i usually clear up any confusion in under 15 minutes.

Course covers:

Pre Algebra:
Integers
Number line

Algebra:
Factoring polynomials. 
Completing the square.
Square numbers. 
Radicals. 
Graphing y = mx+b
Graphing polynomials.
Vertex Form.
Basic Trig Functions.
Problem solving.
System of equations.
Derivation Of The Quadratic Equation. 
+ more. 

Lessons last about 1 hour to 90 minutes (max) each.  These are recordings of actual tutoring sessions that cost the parent $250.00 per 5 lessons or over $1500.00 (not all the lessons got recorded and put here). You can watch them for $25 per lesson (half off) or get the whole course for a one time payment of $600.00 Here is more than 30 hours of Algebra instruction using base ten blocks you won't get anywhere else. 

As it turns out people who i thought were using base ten blocks to teach algebra AREN'T. 
https://www.crewtonramoneshouseofmath.com/Algebra-with-base-10-blocks.html

Go HOME from this page.

Module One
Module Three.
Algebra Online Course

Here are a couple of blog pages you might miss:

ALGEBRA
Algebra For Addends and Multiplication. 
Algebra teaches addition and multiplication facts.

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"The human mind has never invented a labor-saving machine equal to algebra." ~Author Unknown

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Problem Solving EZ

Super short sample lesson. Algebra is easy when you can see it. The concept of "hero zero" and "no fun get back to one" demonstrated in less than THREE minutes. i didn't tell a story. Make one up...

5x + 3 = 3x + 15

Bonus! Vintage Video:
Jerry Mortensen Factoring Polynomials