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I'm going to be doing several different courses this year: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. Algebra 1 is the introduction to hard-core algebra. By using everyday operations (addition, division, multiplication, and subtraction), I have to solve equations that include variables. Several examples of the type of equations I must solve in this course are exponents, fractions, polynomials, and transformations. My course also includes a brief introduction of topics that will be learned in Algebra 2 such as the Pythagorean Theorem and Trigonometry. I also must do assessments at the end of almost every lesson and unit. The lesson assessments are primarily 5-6 difficult problems that will test what I learned for that lesson. The unit assessments are a set of at least 30 problems that goes over everything that I learned for that unit. The problems are a mix of equations, multiple choice questions, and word problems.
Algebra 2 and Geometry are done on the Aleks software. Aleks gives you the freedom of choosing what lesson you want to do when, and they provide constant tests to make sure you know the material. Lessons generally last 5 questions, but it can go for longer if you keep making mistakes. Assessments have generally 24 questions, all covering items you have recently studied and sometimes some new types of problems you haven't done before. Aleks Algebra 2 and Geometry cover a wide variety of topics, from basic polynomials to matrices to ratios and proportions to trigonometry. To supplement this course, I use Math U See Geometry and a series of Geometry lectures developed by The Teaching Company. The lectures provide a new point of view explained by a qualified college professor, while Math U See is kind of a back-to-basics program that breaks everything down so it is easy to understand.
I recommend Aleks, Math U See, and The Teaching Company to any homeschooler. These are three great learning tools that have helped me immensely.