The most unique algebra material I have found is from a project called CIMM. The author is linked to ASU and their Modeling Physics program. Much like Modeling, the CIMM program prefers to release their materials to teachers only after they have participated in their workshop. There are some materials that are viewable on their website. The author might be willing to be generous under unique situations. Don't know.
If nothing else, it is an interesting look. I think this approach has a lot of merit as more places are REQUIRING algebra for 8th graders. Many of the folks on this list might have been ready for a traditional algebra course in 8th grade. However, the kids in middle and slightly below, might be in trouble with a traditional course.
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Steve Highland
Sent: Wed 7/8/2009 5:48 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] Seeking sources of good algebra materials
This is somewhat off topic for this list, but I'm hoping some folks will
steer me in the right direction ...
This morning I visited a high school Algebra I class here in Duluth and I
found a batch of students who seem to dislike what they are doing and a
teacher who told me she thinks she doesn't know enough to help them.
I noticed she was giving them sets of problems to work on from a test manual
that came with the text, but she said the students come from such a wide
range of preparation backgrounds that she can't fit their needs.
There has to be something better out there than batches of 100 problems all
of the sort that ask you to simplify something like the square root of
50y^3.
Where does one find problems that the students would find more educational
than this stuff?