Pre-Algebra Skill Building Workbook

The Pre-Algebra Skill Building Workbook from ClayMaze is a 180-page paperback that walks students through the skills they need before a first algebra course. Written by Stacy and Frank Otillio and published by ClayMaze LLC (ISBN 978-1947508125), it is sold on Amazon for about $13 and is aimed at grades 6 to 8, though a strong fifth grader or a high schooler who needs review could use it too.

Each section opens with a plain-language explanation of the topic followed by step-by-step worked examples, then moves into practice worksheets that match the lesson. Topics include order of operations, negative numbers, fractions and decimals, percents, scientific notation and exponents, variables and algebraic expressions, solving one-step and two-step equations, and graphing. The full answer key is at the back of the book, so a parent can check work without preparing anything in advance.

The format suits independent study. Because the explanation, examples and practice sit together on the page, a student can work through a topic alone and come back to the example when stuck. ClayMaze describes its workbooks as clutter-free, with room on the page to show working, which matters for pre-algebra where students need to write out each step of an equation.

ClayMaze is a small publisher of math, writing and early-STEM workbooks, and its website offers free printable worksheets by grade (kindergarten through fifth grade) and by category, including a pre-algebra section, which can supplement the book with extra practice on a weak spot.

This is a workbook, not a complete curriculum: there are no videos, no tests and no teacher guide beyond the answer key. It works best as the practice spine for a homeschool pre-algebra year, as summer bridging work before Algebra 1, or as targeted review alongside another program. Sample pages are available on the ClayMaze product page before buying.