Saxon Alg. 1/2 questions-skipping 7/6 need advice

[homeschoolally]

Hello!
I have learned SO much reading these boards the past few days. Thanks to everyone who shares this great info.
I wasn't able to find an answer to this specific question--
Saxon users--what are the most important skills to have nailed down before moving into Algebra 1/2?
We are only 1/3 through 7/6, but based on EOG results and the recommendation of the tutor we want to use, ds (11) is moving up to 1/2 this year.
I only have 2 weeks until then and I'd like to narrow down our focus because it would be impossible to get through the book.
From what I've read online, I'm thinking I should focus on fractions, decimals and %'s. I'd love to hear more input from some other Saxon users.
Thanks in advance!!!!:001_smile:

[Donna]

My oldest son skipped 76 but did 87 prior to doing Algebra 1. He did Algebra 1 at 10-11yo. He did not do Algebra 1/2. My son also tested out of 76 which is why we skipped it. The material he learned in 87 was not completely necessary for Algebra 1, per se, but was useful for general math and problem solving, practice in manipulating equations, etc... I have heard that 87 and Algebra 1/2 have a lot of the same material and that it depends on the version you are using.

You could have your son just do the tests through 76 and go over any material he has difficulty with. I have done that with my children when starting new books because of all the review in the beginning of the books.

[Karin]

If you're going to skip 76, do Saxon 87. If you do 76 and all those skills are strong, do Algebra 1/2. But I wouldn't skip 76 and go to Algebra 1/2 unless he's done that type of work with another math program. My eldest, who clung to Saxon for 3 years (not my favourite) ended up finishing 76 by doing the tests and only those lessons where she got something wrong on the test. That happened because it was something new.

[babysparkler]

You could have your son just do the tests through 76 and go over any material he has difficulty with. I have done that with my children when starting new books because of all the review in the beginning of the books.

This is what we did, and now we plan to skip right to Algebra 1 (Harold Jacobs). Saxon was really holding him back, hence, the skip ;).

[homeschoolally]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions--greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!