UKC

1 of 2 is in year 10 and flapping a bit about her understanding of sciences and maths. In order to help her through and offer her an alternative perspective on some of the subjects she covers in class but doesn't quite 'click' with, I'd like to get some GCSE text books in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

I'll get her Letts revision booklets next year, nearer to her exams, but for now I'd like to get her full subject text books. There seem to be quite a few on Amazon to choose from. Anyone have any particular recommendations of which ones to get? I'd like something with clear, simple explanations of methods, some worked examples and sample questions, so that I can get up to speed on subjects I've long since forgotten in order to help her understand key concepts.

In reply to teflonpete: First you need to know which boards she is sitting the exams with. Then you can look around for textbooks with the right material.

In reply to Totally-Normal:

Yes, some exam boards produce their own textbooks tailored specifically for the course they offer. I found these often to be the best, especially as many of the ones I had included 'examiner hints' sections as well as many past paper questions.

In reply to teflonpete:

Cheers guys, looking at the school website, it appears that all of the subjects I listed above follow the AQA syllabus. AQA syllabus were some of the text book options available on Amazon.

In reply to teflonpete:

Won't these be the books she will have access to at school?

In reply to andic:

I'll check with her before ordering them but I think whilst she may have 'access' to them at school, she might not be able to bring them home for a bit of extra tuition. I don't mind, for all the books I need for her it comes to less than £100, a worthwhile investment if it gives her a sound grounding and good exam results in the subjects she needs.

In reply to teflonpete: When I were a lad, it was a case of popping into WHSmiths and finding the book that floated my boat. Do bookshops exist near where you are and is popping in an option. Online book shops are all good and well, but the ability to browse can really make the difference in these sort of circumstances. And it is the book that suites her that is the one to buy.

In reply to teflonpete:

Has she looked at bbc bitesize? http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/

It breaks down subjects in to bite size chunks (No sh**) and even has online tests. Might be better than reading from a book just keep her off of facebook.

In reply to teflonpete:

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/

These were easily the best books going when I did my GCSE's and A Levels.

In reply to SteveoS:

They use that and Mymaths. I think a book might be better at keeping her off facebook as she can't just switch between tabs. Also means that it will be easier for her to do her work at the kitchen table where she can have a textbook and paper and I can be on hand to talk to her about stuff. The problem with her using her laptop is that she can work sitting on her bed up in her room and then there are too many potential distractions. She won't be doing her exams on a laptop sat on her bed either, so it will be good to get her used to doing things on paper ready for her exam. Computer literacy and touch typing are no problem for her.

In reply to sharpie530:

Cheers for that. They do an AQA specific maths higher gcse text book.

In reply to teflonpete: Just be aware that just because some text books have some accreditation by an exam board, it does not mean that they necessarily cover the entire syllabus or deal with each topic in the right proportion. Something may be better than nothing but text books are another money making venture by the boards and they don't even always do what they say on the cover!

In reply to teflonpete: For science I recommend the longman textbooks http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Secondary/Science/14-16forAQA/...

I use them with my GCSE classes and they are really designed with high attainment in mind. Lots of questions, including exam questions, and sample answers with in depth analysis of how marks are gained/dropped.

In reply to teflonpete: I'm a big fan of key maths, http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Maths-Higher-Students-Book/dp/074876206X they have yellow boxes with the important bits to revise and lots of examples and questions.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GCSE-Maths-Higher-Students-Book/dp/074876206X

Mymaths is brilliant, it has lessons as well as questions. Manga high is another website to try.

In reply to marsbar: Nearer the time print off past papers.

In reply to teflonpete: Just double check that they don't have access to the textbooks they use on the school VLE, the school I teach in have them available. I would also try and make sure you get an exam board specific book as there is a huge variation between the different syllabi.

In reply to teflonpete:

I'd definitely say that CGP where the textbooks I found best a few years ago when I did my GCSE (and the CGP books for A-level were pretty good too, actually!)