Build Stronger Math Foundations—One Essential Skill at a Time.
25 Essential Math Skills: Your Foundation for Algebra I Success builds the number sense, reasoning, and fluency students need before Algebra I. Twenty-five chapters, five units, and one clear path from a starting diagnostic to a final post-assessment.
Built for learners getting ready for Algebra I
Written for students in Grades 6–9, homeschool families, microschools, and tutors. Aligned to selected Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, with foundational review and labeled extensions.
Students
Middle and early high school learners who want a solid base in number sense, fractions, ratios, and algebra foundations before they start Algebra I.
Parents and homeschool families
A diagnostic shows where to start, so your learner spends time on the skills that need it and moves quickly through the ones they already own.
Microschools, teachers, and tutors
Every chapter follows the same structure, with Success Checks, retake forms, and a Mastery Tracker you can copy for your own students.
The 25 skills
Each skill gets its own chapter. Units are color-tabbed on the page edge so learners can flip straight to where they're working.
Number Sense and Operations
- 1Place Value with Whole Numbers and Decimals
- 2Rounding and Estimation
- 3Factors, Multiples, GCF, and LCM
- 4Properties and Order of Operations
- 5Integers: Number Line, Absolute Value, and Operations
Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
- 6Understanding Fractions
- 7Equivalent Fractions and Simplifying
- 8Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- 9Multiplying Fractions
- 10Dividing Fractions
- 11Decimal Operations
- 12Percents and Conversions
Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
- 13Ratios
- 14Rates and Unit Rates
- 15Proportions
- 16Percent Increase and Decrease
Algebra Foundations
- 17Exponents and Square Roots
- 18Scientific Notation
- 19Writing and Evaluating Expressions
- 20Simplifying Expressions
- 21One-Step Equations and Inequalities
- 22Two-Step and Multi-Step Equations
Geometry, Graphing, and Functions
- 23Perimeter, Area, and the Pythagorean Theorem
- 24The Coordinate Plane and Graphing
- 25Linear Relationships and Functions
75 items, 3 per skill, with a routing chart that shows whether to skip, skim, or work through each chapter.
Quick Teach with worked examples, guided practice, 25 leveled problems, and a Scholar Strategy.
Eight-item mastery checks after every chapter and a review after every unit.
Two previews of what's next, plus a Final Post-Assessment, glossary, and formula reference.
Try a chapter before you buy
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See how a chapter works
Every chapter opens with clear goals, teaches with worked examples, and ends with a Success Check.
Choose your edition
Buy the digital package here and get the workbook and instructor's key right after payment. Already have the workbook? Get the key on its own. Prefer a printed book? The paperback is on Amazon.
Digital PDF Package
- Workbook PDF in color and black-and-white
- Instructor's key in color and black-and-white
- 368-page workbook, US Letter
- Download link sent after payment
Digital download only. No physical book shipped. Printing costs are the buyer's responsibility.
Buy PDF PackageBlack-and-White Paperback
- 368-page paperback, black-and-white interior
- Sold and shipped by Amazon
- Instructor's key not included. Get it here for $14.99.
Instructor's Key Only
- Answer keys, worked solutions, and Form B retakes
- 104-page key in color and black-and-white
- US Letter PDFs
Digital download only. No physical book shipped. Printing costs are the buyer's responsibility.
Buy Instructor's KeyOne purchase covers one household. Tutors and teachers buy one workbook per student; ask us about group licenses. See the Usage Terms.
The instructor's key
The key gives the adult in the room what they need to check work and decide what comes next. It is included with the Digital PDF Package and sold on its own for $14.99.
- Answers for the Diagnostic, chapter practice, Success Checks, Unit Reviews, and Post-Assessment
- Full worked steps for the Level 3–5 practice problems
- Form B retake versions of the Success Checks
- 104 pages, as PDFs in color and black-and-white
Inspiring Brilliance, One Learner at a Time.
Scholar Metrix EdLearning Solutions provides personalized academic support, math and science tutoring, and test preparation. 25 Essential Math Skills is the first title in The Essential Skills Series, written by founder Lashantah D. Braswell, an educator with more than 20 years in education, academic leadership, and youth development.
Frequently asked questions
What grades is this for?
It is written for Grades 6–9 and covers the skills students need before Algebra I. The Diagnostic shows each learner where to start.
Is this aligned to standards?
The content is aligned to selected Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Grades 6–8, with foundational review of earlier-grade standards and labeled Rigor Extensions that preview selected high school standards. The alignment is the publisher's own; no state, standards body, or testing organization has reviewed or endorsed the book.
Does it cover statistics and probability?
No. It covers number sense, fractions, decimals and percents, ratios, algebra foundations, geometry and measurement, and linear functions.
What's the difference between the digital package and the paperback?
Both have the same 368-page workbook. The digital package, sold here, includes the workbook in color and black-and-white plus the instructor's key in both formats, as files you download and print yourself. The paperback is a black-and-white printed book sold and shipped by Amazon.
Does the Amazon paperback include the instructor's key?
No. The instructor's key is sold only here on scholarmetrix.com, as a $14.99 digital download in color and black-and-white. The digital package already includes the key at no extra cost.
Will a book ship if I buy the PDF?
No. Digital download only. No physical book shipped. Printing costs are the buyer's responsibility.
How do I get my files?
After your payment goes through, you'll get an email with your download link. Download links expire 24 hours after your first download, so save your files once you download them. You do not need to join our newsletter to get your files.
Can I make copies for my students?
A parent may print the workbook for the children in their own home. Tutors and teachers buy one workbook per student and may copy the Mastery Tracker for their own students. Buyers of the instructor's key may copy the Form B retake pages for their own students. Schools, co-ops, and microschools can ask about a group license.
Can I get a refund on a digital purchase?
Digital files can't be returned, so sales are final. We do refund duplicate charges, and files that never arrive or won't open when we can't fix the problem within 3 business days. Email hello@scholarmetrix.com within 14 days of purchase. See the full Digital Purchase & Refund Policy.
Will there be a spiral-bound edition?
Spiral-bound print editions are planned for later. Join the free sample list above to hear when they're available.
Ready to build the foundation?
Download the workbook and instructor's key today, or get the paperback on Amazon.
Choose Your Edition