tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post9219021281932110055..comments2024-03-22T06:46:20.694-04:00Comments on Homeschool Math Blog: Saxon Math is not for everyoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-61032705094326512112013-04-13T09:32:04.337-04:002013-04-13T09:32:04.337-04:00I use saxon math at school and I find it hard to l...I use saxon math at school and I find it hard to lean all the concepts. This is because it is always jumping around. I have looked at other textbooks. Saxon math is the only one I know of other than a college algebra textbook that makes you do 30 problems per problem set. I have math class on mondays, tuesdays, thursdays and fridays. I have managed to split up 120 problems a week quite nicely. On mondays I do 20 mon problems, on tuesdays I do 10 mon and 10 tues problems, on wednesday i do 20 tues problems, from thurs to sunday 15 problems per dayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-90173213419383571502012-08-21T23:01:49.677-04:002012-08-21T23:01:49.677-04:00I would like to shout out a big THANK YOU to the p...I would like to shout out a big THANK YOU to the person who posted about Christian Light math. I had never heard of it until stumbling upon this blog, when I was researching comments about Saxon. I visited the CL website, and saw that their Sunlight Math appears to be a perfect fit for my son (going into 4th grade). We have been using A Beka since K4, but when my son took the standardized (ITBS) test this summer, there were a few math problems about concepts he did not learn with A Beka. I learned from perusing the CL website that their curriculum introduces polygons, rays, lines, segments, angles, decimals, and congruency in the younger grades. They also have a free PDF to download of performance testing for grades 1-4. I printed all of it as review/instruction for my son, before jumping into the curriculum. I spoke with a very friendly CL homeschool rep on the phone, who explained that the math program is broken into 10 booklets per grade level, and the first booklet always reviews the concepts taught in the previous grade. I received all of it yesterday, and it looks FABULOUS!!! Clear explanations and instructions encourage independent learning, while the parent/teacher can help using the well-detailed teacher guides. There are speed drills (something we are familiar with from A Beka), some spiraling (to review and apply concepts learned), while also introducing well-rounded new ones. Finally, the price...VERY affordable. I was very suprised at the low cost, considering the quality. In addition to purchasing all 10 student booklets and 2 thick, spiral, teach guides for Grade 4, I also bought the $3 laminated math reference guide. It has on it everything you can imagine, from basic math, to geometry, algebra, and measurement. After looking through all the materials and planning my lessons (there really isn't any planning necessary...I simply wrote the lesson numbers in my plan book), I am convinced I made the right decision to order this curriculum. It was definately a "G-d thing" that I came across this website when I did! Blessings to the gal who posted using CL in her "little private school".Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15885367520745449182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-26088411544929071482012-07-09T23:09:37.665-04:002012-07-09T23:09:37.665-04:00Back when we were homeschooling DS starting in 5th...Back when we were homeschooling DS starting in 5th grade, we started with Lifepac math, but then switched to Saxon 76. I thought Saxon was supposed to be the be-all-end-all of homeschool math. Now I have my own little private school, and 12 years ago discovered Christian Light Education's math. It works on the same principle of incremental development with distributed practice as Saxon does. However, I find the examples and explanations much better than Saxon. I have not found a student yet (in 42 students so far) that CLE math doesn't "work" for. The distributed practice works well for kid with ADD, because you don't do the same procedure 30 times in each lesson, but change tasks every few items. This keeps the concepts fresh. All my students using this have scored at or above grade level on annual achievement tests, even when working "a level below" their grade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-39316180188618453702012-04-12T09:35:33.706-04:002012-04-12T09:35:33.706-04:00I hate Saxon Math! It has been nothing but a sour...I hate Saxon Math! It has been nothing but a sourse of stress and frustration for me and my kids! I am switching and would never recommend it. It is OK in the younger grades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-65800678718621048642012-02-27T18:51:41.135-04:002012-02-27T18:51:41.135-04:00I LOVE Saxon math! I used Excel up through 8th gr...I LOVE Saxon math! I used Excel up through 8th grade, which I really liked (and would DEFINITELY recommend!!!), but I've LOVED Algebra with Saxon. I'm nearly done with Saxon's Algebra 2 now, and can't wait to start Saxon's Advanced Math.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-89236051919850457672012-02-04T01:11:41.343-04:002012-02-04T01:11:41.343-04:00Having used many math curriculums as an elementary...Having used many math curriculums as an elementary school teacher I can tell you the difference between Saxon and everything else. They don't do cutesy names for math concepts, they get right down to the bones of math, and give kids the credit they deserve for being able to understand correct terminology. They "skip" around because children are tested each year on ALL of the concepts they have learned, not just what was taught last week! If you spend two weeks on probability in October and the kids take a state test in May that includes probability, they "probably" won't remember much. Repitition is key for children when learning concepts. Didn't you "memorize" most of the words you now read?The real life integration of concepts in the daily calendar time is extremely effective for all students. This helpsb children understand how to USE math in the real world, not just Freshman calculus. Although they would be better prepared had they used Saxon for their k-12 experience.Sunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03810379804866491086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-8655980241850756762011-04-16T14:15:32.790-04:002011-04-16T14:15:32.790-04:00I am one of those thousands of children that learn...I am one of those thousands of children that learned math as a "collection of techniques". I excel at recognizing and memorizing patterns, so this probably exacerbated the problem. <br /> As a freshman engineering student at Georgia Tech (a top 10 competitive engineering school) I quickly realized that I knew nothing - had nearly no conceptual understanding of anything. I literally had to learn and think during my first two years there. I did recover, but what an effort I had to put forth! <br /> Now I am homeschooling in such a way to promote conceptual understanding at the sacrifice of completing tons of math concepts ie. depth vs. breadth. My first child has a great deal of intuition and number sense, but my second does not. We have been using Horizons with them since I have lots of mathematics "capitol" and can explain the concepts without help. However, I am going to try MM's Add and Subtract 2A as a review for my 2nd child this summer hoping to lead him through what does not appear to be intuitive to him. The poor kid can do a page of problems and get them all correct, but I can tell he really doesn't understand what is going on - change the problem a little and he's lost. He needs practice thinking instead of doing.<br />Thanks Maria for this new curriculum to try. It looks promising so far. I hope it will help him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-88011674567001882752011-04-04T01:42:31.860-04:002011-04-04T01:42:31.860-04:00ShillerMath is a Montessori-based program that is ...ShillerMath is a Montessori-based program that is different from a Montessori classroom in the following ways:<br />1) No Montessori experience or training is required by the parent<br />2) Scope and sequence are provided in the curriculum<br />3) Lessons are scripted (so parents get used to Montessori-type language and philosophy), which also allows students to begin independent study as soon as they can read and are developmentally ready<br />4) Several ShillerMath manipulatives are not found in the typical Montessori classroom; several Montessori manipulatives are not found in ShillerMath (see a complete list at shillermath.com)<br />5) Regular diagnostic and prescriptive tests are included. A note re prescriptive tests: If a student lacks competency or closure, the lessons to support that test question are provided, and an online helper produces customized lesson plans for each student.<br /><br />ShillerMath and Montessori share:<br />1) The desire for each student to reach his or her own individual potential<br />2) Students learn at their own pace (thus it is not fast or slow but just right for each student)<br />3) Both competency and closure are goals of education<br />4) Teachers are really "learning enablers"; children are natural learners<br />5) Mulit-sensorial approach; ShillerMath comes with an audio CD with 25 math songs and many lessons do not involved writing. Visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, and thinking-only lessons are all part of the curriculum<br /><br />Kit I (ages 4-8) and Kit II (ages 9-12) each comes with Lesson Books, Answer Guides, manipulatives, audio CD, and tracking sheets.<br /><br />Free phone (888-556-MATH) and email (support@shillermath.com) support comes with each kit purchase.<br /><br />We have many thousands of customers and many of them write to tell us that ShillerMath has changed their lives (for the better of course!). The program is ideal for parents who do not have Montessori training but want their children to benefit from a Montessori approach.Larry Shillerhttp://www.shillermath.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-43941250281950118962011-03-30T20:02:11.927-04:002011-03-30T20:02:11.927-04:00I know this is an older post, but I just came acro...I know this is an older post, but I just came across it today and was very interested in the indepth information about the Saxon math curriculum. We used Saxon for many years while homeschooling our children. We were mostly pleased with the process and the outcome, but when we got into the high school level math after Algebra 1, all of my children had more trouble than they had had with any of the earlier books. It was like they didn't have the background to understand at that point. The review that you wrote gave me some ideas as to why we had trouble.Best Homeschool Buyshttp://besthomeschoolbuys.com/blog/homeschool-curriculum/mathematics/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-11105910071083747272010-11-23T10:19:43.807-04:002010-11-23T10:19:43.807-04:00Hello. I have four children ages 12,11, 7 and 4.
...Hello. I have four children ages 12,11, 7 and 4. <br />I have used various math curriculum through out the years and especially with math since my girls are each unique individuals. My 12 yr old would do well with something like Math Mammoth. She understands math like this and needs to focus on one topic at a time. Saxon math is not a good fit for her as proof this year attending a private school that uses it. <br /><br />My 2nd daughter needs a program like Saxon math. For a very long time I tried my darnest to stay away from it because math programs like BJU, Singapore, Math Mammoth, Calvert were said to be more 'superior'. With that said all these programs ever did was send my daughter into a fit of tears. Showing her how to find the answer to 2+2 four different ways just sent her over the wall so to speak. It sent her into overload. She never remembered what she learned and we always had to start over again. Which frustrated her even more. This year attending private school she is actually beginning to improve and is doing so much better. Saxon makes sense to her. There are just some children out there that are not ready for higher math learning at such an early age. <br /><br />I know I was one of them growing up as well. Had someone gave my Saxon math I would have understood math and would have done very well. Instead the schools I went to used conceptual based programs and the thing I learned was to Hate math. Now that I am an adult I am beginning to make the connection. But I was NOT ready for it when I was a child. I just don't get it that some people need to realized that not all children are and learn the same way at the same time. Its still putting children into that nice neat box that brick and mortar schools put children in. That everyone learns the same way at the same time. Wrong. That's the beauty with homeschooling is to be able to use what works for your child at that moment in time and being able to switch when need be. <br /><br />As for those you use Saxon and really like working with it being a cult. I find great offense to that. We are not a cult. Just people who are using what works for our children. If it doesn't work for you, fine. But don't compare us to cult members. <br /><br />By the way my 7 and 4 yr old are excelling and doing very well with math. My 7yr old had trouble last year after using the K12 math (conceptual, and is doing better with Saxon. <br />So instead of bashing math programs how about finding some positives about them all.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914318943504945933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-53437284225410112372010-11-23T10:19:17.470-04:002010-11-23T10:19:17.470-04:00Hello. I have four children ages 12,11, 7 and 4.
...Hello. I have four children ages 12,11, 7 and 4. <br />I have used various math curriculum through out the years and especially with math since my girls are each unique individuals. My 12 yr old would do well with something like Math Mammoth. She understands math like this and needs to focus on one topic at a time. Saxon math is not a good fit for her as proof this year attending a private school that uses it. <br /><br />My 2nd daughter needs a program like Saxon math. For a very long time I tried my darnest to stay away from it because math programs like BJU, Singapore, Math Mammoth, Calvert were said to be more 'superior'. With that said all these programs ever did was send my daughter into a fit of tears. Showing her how to find the answer to 2+2 four different ways just sent her over the wall so to speak. It sent her into overload. She never remembered what she learned and we always had to start over again. Which frustrated her even more. This year attending private school she is actually beginning to improve and is doing so much better. Saxon makes sense to her. There are just some children out there that are not ready for higher math learning at such an early age. <br /><br />I know I was one of them growing up as well. Had someone gave my Saxon math I would have understood math and would have done very well. Instead the schools I went to used conceptual based programs and the thing I learned was to Hate math. Now that I am an adult I am beginning to make the connection. But I was NOT ready for it when I was a child. I just don't get it that some people need to realized that not all children are and learn the same way at the same time. Its still putting children into that nice neat box that brick and mortar schools put children in. That everyone learns the same way at the same time. Wrong. That's the beauty with homeschooling is to be able to use what works for your child at that moment in time and being able to switch when need be. <br /><br />As for those you use Saxon and really like working with it being a cult. I find great offense to that. We are not a cult. Just people who are using what works for our children. If it doesn't work for you, fine. But don't compare us to cult members. <br /><br />By the way my 7 and 4 yr old are excelling and doing very well with math. My 7yr old had trouble last year after using the K12 math (conceptual, and is doing better with Saxon. <br />So instead of bashing math programs how about finding some positives about them all.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914318943504945933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-39011696814092201402010-11-13T13:00:48.015-04:002010-11-13T13:00:48.015-04:00I was in public school for grades 1-3 and when sta...I was in public school for grades 1-3 and when standardized testing came out our average was slightly below average so my school switched to Saxon Math and when I was homeschooled I stayed in Saxon. When I went back to public school I was in the top 2% in my class in Math. I continued with Saxon the next year, as we went back to homeschooling, until my grade 12 year when I went back to public school and discovered my grade 12 math to be primarily a review of my grade 11 Saxon math and I was more than prepared for my Calculus class. I am now studying engineering. I found Saxon more than adequately prepared me for university. I am also ADD.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-62977741864958800942010-08-13T18:31:48.995-04:002010-08-13T18:31:48.995-04:00My best friend recommended Saxon when we began hom...My best friend recommended Saxon when we began homeschooling 4 yrs ago. I tried and I didn't like it. But after listening few reviews from well known people recently I wanted to give one more try. We have been using it for the last 4 months now and actually loving it...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-61955698258058026992010-06-16T19:51:13.229-04:002010-06-16T19:51:13.229-04:00As a teacher, I've used the Saxon series for a...As a teacher, I've used the Saxon series for a couple of years. This is the program chosen by my school. Although there are several aspects of Saxon I can appreciate, it is not a series I would recommend. I have to actually stop using the book around January so I can prepare my students for their standardized tests in April. The series is very disjointed and many lessons give less than 5 practice problems for the new material covered in a given lesson. It is heavy on review and word problems. Neither of these things are bad, but it doesn't teach our major math concepts until the end of the book. You can not skip a lesson or any of the practice problems. This means you are stuck following a scripted math program. The new series even tells the teacher what to say in class. Sorry if your student didn't get it or is bored because the lesson is too easy. The program is designed to be rigidly followed. If your student has any type of reading issue or is not at or above grade level in math, your child will struggle with Saxon. Personnally, I'd try a different series.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-87813530830675141502010-06-16T19:43:25.357-04:002010-06-16T19:43:25.357-04:00We started with Saxon Math 5/4 for our first year ...We started with Saxon Math 5/4 for our first year of home school and loved it. I found it extremely easy to teach and my son gained confidence with his math skills upon completion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-11225760790353601492010-05-17T00:03:00.603-04:002010-05-17T00:03:00.603-04:00I personally think that Saxon math is great for Pr...I personally think that Saxon math is great for Pre-Algebra and Algebra. The way it describes concepts is amazing and you need to buck up and admit it. I have used it for math since first grade to 12th and was extremely helpful. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same, considering I'm probably better at math than you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-91912064862945626012010-01-08T12:33:20.928-04:002010-01-08T12:33:20.928-04:00My 3rd grader is currently using saxon math in his...My 3rd grader is currently using saxon math in his private school. I really don't like it. I have read lots of comments about how Saxon is repetative and boring for too much review. They do review the same things over and over. The same 3 things. Other stuff the introduced and then completely ignored. Months ago they introduced borrowing in subtraction. He hasn't seen it since. The curriculum jumps around so irratically that the students never get a chance to really learn the concept before they jump to something else. My vote is that it is terrible!<br />I'm going to have to teach him more math here at home so he doesn't enter 4th grade already behind. In the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division it is way behind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-90727152512220368872009-08-19T00:11:10.399-04:002009-08-19T00:11:10.399-04:00Actually, Dr Wu strongly approved of Saxon K-3, bu...Actually, Dr Wu strongly approved of Saxon K-3, but not 5/4 and up.<br /><br />Here is the conclusion written by Beer and Wu about Saxon K-3.<br />"The Saxon K-3 program is an unconventional yet effective means<br />to meet the state standards for the early grades. There are no<br />textbooks for the program; rather students are supplied<br />individual lesson folders that contain handout sheets devoted to<br />drill problems, guided class practice, and homework, even in<br />the first grade. Occasionally, there will be some special<br />in-class project in the folder. These handouts contain neither<br />explanations nor definitiions; in essence, they are worksheets."<br />"Despite the unusual format which makes it difficult for the<br />Program to explicitly meet some of the content criteria, we are<br />in fact recommending it enthusiastically. This program,<br />thoughtfully written by Nancy Larsen, does an extraordinary job<br />of guiding students, anticipating pitfalls, developing<br />mathematical reasoning appropriate to these grades, and<br />automatizing computational skills. The Program not only gives a<br />balanced treatment of the strands, but frequently covers areas<br />that should have been more explicit in the standards but weren't.<br />The Saxon program somehow succeeds at being minimalist and at the<br />same time humanistic; it has something for visual/kinesthethic<br />learners and is not just mathematics for left-brainers."<br /><br />Please be careful in what you post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-88196354064564522582009-07-20T06:23:36.398-04:002009-07-20T06:23:36.398-04:00Abeka is spiral too in the sense of having a "...Abeka is spiral too in the sense of having a "short spiral". I personally have not looked into it in detail. You can <a href="http://www.homeschoolmath.net/curriculum_reviews/abeka.php" rel="nofollow">read reviews of Abeka math here</a>.Maria Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230743954246449727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-63838794374735686332009-07-20T04:17:50.331-04:002009-07-20T04:17:50.331-04:00do you have a review of the abeka curriculum? also...do you have a review of the abeka curriculum? also, if not can you write a review of abeka when you have time? I would like to read your opinion of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-78919261120488202472009-03-10T17:06:00.000-04:002009-03-10T17:06:00.000-04:00I think Saxon is a good choice for grades K-6 but ...I think Saxon is a good choice for grades K-6 but the model is less than preferable for grades 7-12. <BR/><BR/>The constant review is great at lower grades, but at the higher grades, there is already review incorporated in a <I>natural way</I> in any traditional curriculum. For example, factoring is used from elementary algebra up through Calculus II, as are signed numbers. And Saxon's fragmenting of topics just doesn't serve higher mathematics well. I have written my own extensive review of Saxon, along with our own family's experiences at <A HREF="http://www.schoolinyourhome.com/homeschool/teaching-math/saxon-math-homeschool-math/" REL="nofollow"><BR/>Is Saxon Math The Best Choice?</A>.Michael Sakowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00241702163768894903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-33596708915303093392008-07-10T16:48:00.000-04:002008-07-10T16:48:00.000-04:00Mellisa,I am no expert on ADD or what kind of math...Mellisa,<BR/><BR/>I am no expert on ADD or what kind of math program would be the best for such children. <BR/><BR/>However, in general I feel that kids with ADD and ADHD should still be taught math from a conceptual basis.<BR/><BR/>Similarly for math facts, one would teach them as structures, tying the facts in with concepts. See <A HREF="http://homeschoolmath.blogspot.com/search/label/math%20facts" REL="nofollow">my articles on math facts</A> for this.<BR/><BR/>Additionally there are lots of other ways to help cement the facts. Software and games are the standard approach. Some people toss a ball back and forth while reciting and practicing the facts. Some post large posters on the wall. Some have kids copy them on paper... all kinds of creative ideas.<BR/><BR/>You can subscribe to the <A HREF="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingMathForum/" REL="nofollow">Living Math Forum yahoo group</A> and search their archives for more.Maria Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230743954246449727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-47819944568164240022008-07-10T15:56:00.000-04:002008-07-10T15:56:00.000-04:00Praise God!! Everyone always looks at me like I'm...Praise God!! Everyone always looks at me like I'm a martian when I say I hated Saxon. We used it for first grade, and I spent more time deciding how to tweak it than I did using it because we were sooooo bored! I also think the price is ridiculous! We've been loving Singapore, but if we ever decided to change, I'll definitely check out Math Mammoth. Thank you for articulating the problems with Saxon so well!<BR/><BR/>JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-4578057144288150962008-07-10T14:21:00.000-04:002008-07-10T14:21:00.000-04:00What math program would you suggest for a homescho...What math program would you suggest for a homeschooled child who has ADD or problems remembering math facts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18322056.post-3669166992130722652008-06-22T22:26:00.000-04:002008-06-22T22:26:00.000-04:00I'm not familiar with Mammoth Math (sorry, just fo...I'm not familiar with Mammoth Math (sorry, just found your site), but, in my district we just completed a comprehensive review of algebra and geometry texts. We ended up choosing a big publisher because it was most closely aligned with our state standards. However, if I were homeschooling my child, I would want to use either Singapore Math or Discovering Algebra/Geometry by Key Curriculum Press. They both get students doing real mathematics (conjecture, testing, proof), but also give them adequate practice with algorithms. I thought Saxon was horrible.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14229054922453438248noreply@blogger.com