OT: Saxon Math Home School

[nuzmom]

Please bear with my off-topic post. I'm just not sure what to do.

My son has completed Saxon Math 76. There seems to be a lot of repeat in Saxon 87 and several of my homeschooling friends highly recommend moving him into Saxon Algebra 1/2. My DS routinely scores 90% with nothing lower than 80% and a couple 100% thrown in. He also scored perfect on his standardized test last year. He seems to grasp "difficult" math concepts quickly.

I'm a stickler for doing each lesson in it's entirety. A few mom's told me that they're going to have their kids "skip ahead" in Saxon 87 (and these are not "math oriented" kids). They're going to let them take the tests and when they score less than 80%, that's the lesson they'll start with. My question would be - what do you do if your child doesn't score less than 80%? Then you have this brand new curriculum that won't be used. Also, what happens if he "skips ahead" to the second half of the book? Do you only do that 1/2 of the book for the year? I'm just not comfortable with those choices.

Oh, almost forgot. When I have him take the placement test, he tests into Algebra 1/2. The thing that has me puzzled there is that the website says "for students not yet taking Saxon Math".

So, have any of your children skipped Saxon 87 or Saxon Algebra 1/2? Any recommendations?

Thanks for any help!

 

[mlraabe]

I do not homeschool however, my two oldest are in the enrichment program at our school and they used to use Saxon (we have now switched to a Math more suited to the state standards). DS13 did not have either 76 or 87. He went right from the 5th grade to the algebra 1/2 book with no problems. He only completed the lessons in there that his pretests showed he did not know. And even then he only did the problems that he needed not all of the extra ones. This year he did Algebra I in a different series - one I like a lot better. The only trouble he had was switching the series since Saxon is kind of its own math and he had been used to it since Kind. He did fine with everything else. Saxon is a spiraling curriculum. So if you didn't get it the first time the book always comes around to it again. Learning support teachers like it for this reason. Many Gifted teachers dislike it for the same reason. It is so repetitive that you should be able to skip over 1/2 the book and still be sure that he learned everything he needs.

 

[nuzmom]

mlraabe - thanks so much for your reply. You've made me feel more comfortable with skipping ahead.

 

[packofjedis]

I am in the exact same boat. My son just finished 7/6 with great scores. We did not skip any of the book, either. I did purchase 8/7 for him, though. I decided based on this from Saxon's website:

What do you recommend for students after they have completed Math 7/6?
The recommended path after finishing Math 7/6 is to take Math 8/7. If your child finishes Math 8/7 with at least 80% mastery, skip ahead to Algebra 1. In previous editions, many people skipped Math 8/7 because they found it to be a weaker text than Algebra ½. In the newer third edition, pre-algebra has been added to Math 8/7, making it a much stronger book.


So because pre-algebra has been added, I'll be skipping 1/2 and going straight to Algebra 1.

Who knows if it's the right decision, but in the end he'll be fine. It's so repetitive that he'll get it all in the end. I think my son did test up to Algebra but I decided to give him this book to make sure he has it all first.

Hope this helps somehow!

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

My DS skipped 76 and went into 87 last year. He will be in Saxon Algebra 1/2 this year. For us, I'm glad we did the 87....it leads right into Algebra 1/2.

Our DS is a highly gifted math student....he does math at a college level and he's 12. He can do it all in his head, we used 87 to help him understand how to come to an answer and the steps involved, not just give an answer. He does very difficult math in his head and is always right, he can see the answers, he's just not always able to explain how he did it, and that is the part of Algebra that he needs to do.

Last year our DS tested on the Saxon tests and it told us to go into Algebra 1, but we didn't

Even though there is SOME pre-alg in the 87, there is not enough to justify skipping alg 1/2 and going into Algebra 1, but that is JMO
Each child is different, discuss it with your DH and you'll make the right decision for your DS

 

[kjetjl]

I had my son skip 8/7 and went right into Algebra 1/2 after completing 7/6.

I was a high school math teacher before I home schooled and I love Saxon.

I say go with your gut; skip 8/7 if you think your child will be ok. I must add, it did take my son a little longer to finish Algebra 1/2 but he was challenged and didn't get the "I'm bored... blues" that I was afraid was going to happen with 8/7.

I do not think I will skip 8/7 for my daughter. Although, I won't make that decision until she finishes 7/6.

I would rather have the kids skip 8/7 than Algebra 1/2 but I hadn't read what the above poster wrote from the Saxon website about the new 8/7, interesting.

Good luck!

 

[dis-happy]

I've used Saxon for several years (old version and the newest version now out). In your shoes I'd go on to Alg. 1/2 and leave enough time in the schedule to take it a bit more slowly if necessary. I'm also a huge fan of the DIVE dvd's, it takes the student through each lesson step by step (in case you're not familiar with it). Well worth the money IMO.

Did you know that you can also call Saxon and talk to a rep who can help you decide?

 

[nuzmom]

Thanks for all of the help. I am leaning towards having him go onto Algebra 1/2. If Saxon had not come out with a newer version of 87, it would be an easy choice - I would have him skip 87. The only reason I'm even considering staying with 87 is that Saxon is saying that it's stronger in pre-algebra than in past years.

I want him to be in the position to definitely take Algebra 1 next year. He's a year ahead in the Apologia curriculum, so taking Algebra next year will better prepare him for Chemistry and Physics.

So, it really does come down to what covers more "new" ground. Sounds to me that 87 is a LOT of repeat of previous concepts, even if they have added a bit of pre-algebra to it.

dis-happy: I called Saxon. The lady I spoke to said "I'm not a teacher. I can't help you with choosing a curriculum." It was actually NOT a good conversation at all. I called 1-800-416-8171. I just requested a "representative". Do you know a different way to request their help in selecting curriculum?