Science Mom

Math Dad Algebra 1 Semester 2

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Science Mom Algebra 1 Semester 2 continues the semester 1 structure, wrapping up Algebra I topics with video lessons, Desmos interactives, quizzes, and concept checks. Parents love the continuity and how students can become mathematically independent without adult oversight. Unique for retaining the instructional style and delivery of Semester 1, it offers flexible pacing allowing students to finish a full Algebra I year without being tied to live classes.

Recommended Ages

9th Grade

Style
Video-BasedOnlineTeensSelf-Paced

Science Mom uses a learner-centered, inquiry-based approach that makes science fun, accessible, and effective. Their courses combine engaging video lessons with fill-in-the-blank doodle notes, interactive questions, and real-time polls to keep students actively involved. Lessons are designed to be open-and-go with minimal prep, making them easy for families to use. The curriculum includes hands-on projects and game-like quiz reviews to reinforce learning and support a variety of learning styles. This approach helps students build deep understanding by connecting scientific concepts to real-world experiences in a creative and memorable way.

Self-Direction
E means highly structured. A is basically unschooled, completely self-guided.
How much can students guide their own learning in this course?
A
B
C
D
E
Regular price $190.00 USD
Math Dad Algebra 1 Semester 2
$190.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn

Our mission

The mission of Science Mom is to make science and math learning engaging, accessible, and inspiring for families everywhere. Through self-paced, secular, and visually rich video courses paired with interactive doodle notes, polls, quizzes, and hands-on projects, they aim to empower learners to explore core concepts with confidence and curiosity. By keeping prep minimal and content lively, their goal is to support diverse learning styles and bring joyful, real-world education into homes and classrooms, fostering a lifelong love of discovery.

Our story

Science Mom (Jenny Ballif) and Math Dad (Serge Ballif) began their journey when Jenny, a plant science expert, started bringing weekly science demos to her son’s second-grade class in 2013, where she earned the nickname “Science Mom.” Wanting to make science fun and accessible for more families, she teamed up with Serge, a math Ph.D. and former college instructor, to create engaging, educational YouTube videos. Their channel grew quickly, especially during the pandemic, leading to the development of full self-paced, secular courses in biology, chemistry, and math. These courses blend entertaining video lessons with doodle notes, quizzes, polls, and hands-on projects, all designed to require minimal prep while deeply engaging learners. What started as classroom demos evolved into a global resource for joyful, real-world science and math learning at home.

Modulo's Interview with Science Mom and Math Dad

Meet the creators of Science Mom and Math Dad

FAQ: Additional Details about Math Dad Algebra 1 Semester 2

Science Mom & Math Dad lessons typically begin with a video that introduces a big idea in math or science through stories, visuals, or real-life connections. After watching together, families dive into hands-on experiments, printable challenges, or interactive tools like Desmos or card games, applying what they’ve learned in a way that’s engaging and often collaborative. Whether it’s solving an equation, testing the pH of common liquids, or building a model, each activity reinforces core concepts while sparking curiosity and critical thinking.

Algebra 1 Semester 2 is a self-paced, video-guided course structured by modules. Each module typically includes a teaching video, an interactive or digital activity (often via Desmos or similar), guided practice problems, and application or extension assignments. The topics cover quadratics (parabolas, vertex forms, factoring), exponents and exponent rules, polynomial operations, functions (including domain and range), and connecting algebraic and graphical representations. In a homeschool schedule, you might allocate 45–60 minutes per lesson: start by watching the instructional video, proceed to the interactive or worksheet practice, then tackle the application or deeper reasoning problems. Periodic quizzes or assessments check understanding across modules. No lesson planning is required—everything is prepared and sequenced. As a parent or mentor, your role is to monitor progress, help clarify or revisit tricky parts, ask extension or reflection questions, and decide when to pause or proceed based on mastery. If your student hits difficulty, you can slow the pace, have them redo prior modules, or use additional worked examples before continuing.

Algebra 1 Semester 2 is ideal for students who have successfully completed (or feel confident with) the first semester and want to continue progressing through algebraic concepts such as quadratic relationships, exponents, factoring, and functions. It’s well suited for learners who enjoy problem solving, connecting algebra to real situations, and working through multi-step reasoning with visual and interactive support.

This course is not a good fit for students who have not fully grasped the Semester 1 topics—like linear equations, slope, and systems—or who still struggle heavily with algebraic manipulation. It may also feel too fast or complex for students who prefer highly guided, incremental instruction with many scaffolds. Advanced students already comfortable with quadratics and polynomials might find parts repetitive.

The course uses a combination of video lessons, interactive activities, guided practice, and project or reflection tasks to support multiple learning modalities. Students with ADHD or on the autism spectrum can benefit from predictable structure, interactive elements, and the ability to pause and replay lessons. Dyslexic learners will find that explanations are grounded in visual models and verbal walkthroughs rather than text-only exposition. Learners with dyscalculia can leverage the visual scaffolding and repeated conceptual reinforcement that gradually builds towards abstraction. Gifted or twice-exceptional learners can accelerate through familiar topics and spend extra time exploring deeper connections or extension problems. Because the curriculum is self-paced, pacing, review, and scaffolding decisions remain under the control of the parent or tutor.

Science Mom and Math Dad very well for gifted and 2e learners, offering engaging, rigorous science exploration with flexibility to differentiate. For profoundly gifted kids, it’s a strong starter—pair with deeper extracurricular projects or independent research to meet their advanced needs.

Gifted learners appreciate the in-depth explanations and real-world science, which are great for skill-building like note-taking even when content isn’t fully new.

Twice-exceptional (2e) or accelerated students can still benefit, especially when pairing familiar topics with scaffolded academic techniques.

Profoundly gifted students seeking autonomy and depth will find the self-paced, inquiry-driven structure supportive; however, they may need more complexity or opportunities for independent extension beyond the provided material.

If you have completed Pre-Algebra or Grade 8 Math, and Algebra 1 semester 1, you're ready for Algebra 2

If the course isn't a good fit, just email us for a refund. The most important outcome is a positive learning experience.

Contact form

Meet Jenny and Serge

Science Mom has an M.S. in Plant Science from Utah State University. Math Dad has a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University. We run the Science Mom YouTube channel where we create educational content for kids.

Science Mom and Math Dad teach self-paced courses using a secular curriculum. Each course uses an open-and-go design that requires minimal preparation and supervision. In our science courses, each lesson has follow-along notes, interactive comprehension questions, and quizzes. Students can participate in polls while watching the recorded lessons. There are science and art projects for deeper dives. Our math courses use the interactive Desmos curriculum. Each video lesson has an exploratory activity and practice material to complete after the lesson.

Modulo's thoughts

Our learning specialists give their honest evaluation
ManishaCEO and Founder of Modulo

Science Mom and Math Dad is hands-down the most beloved science program for middle schoolers. Jenny and Serge are highly engaging teachers that share concepts in a compelling and engaging way.