Saxon Geometry users...

[Cathy in SoCal]

I am planning to use this with my ds next year and want to hear how different it is (text) than the homeschool editions that I'm familiar with. It looks like they haven't developed this Geometry yet in a hmschool edition yet. Am I correct? Has it been easy to teach still?

And....what do I need to buy? (I haven't seen a DIVE CD on it yet, so I'm guessing that isn't available....)

But what would be most helpful to buy?

I'd appreciate any insights!

Thanks

[Cathy in SoCal]

I just found out there is a homeschooling edition coming out this month or next. I just ordered the hmsch kit from Rainbow.

I have corresponded with a salesperson at DIVE about any plans for an upcoming DIVE for this course. She said there aren't any for now, but encouraged me to email Dr. Shormann at diveintomath@sbcglobal.net

If any of you would like to email him as well to encourage him to create a DIVE for the new Saxon Geometry, I think he would be very receptive. The salesperson said he loves to hear from people.

[Mama Bear]

Will this then mean that Saxon is having Alg I, Geometry, Alg II, and Pre-calc? Is this replacing the past structure or just an addition to their line?

(Breathing deeply -- I've just today laid out in my head how this whole durned thing was going to work for HS. Ack!)

[Cathy in SoCal]

Alg 1
Geometry
Alg 2
Advanced Mathmatics
Calc

is their sequence

[Jann in TX]

by a major public school publisher..

The new publisher dedided to remove the integrated Geometry and make it into a separate course to satisfy the needs of more schools. This ='s more money for them... not sure what it will do for the program...

[4wildberrys]

How annoying and confusing that they are separating it out!!! I agree with Jann---it is all about the $$$$$. Why do you think they recommend using the Homeschool Saxon 8/7 and skipping Alg 1/2---it is cheap and consumable, so more $$ for them as people have to keep rebuying because the paperback book is so cheap.........:glare:

[Jann in TX]

Algebra 1/2 is a little too 'abstract' for most Pre-Algebra students. I rather see a student work 8/7 and then work Algebra 1/2 ONLY if they need another year/semester before moving on to Algebra 1. Both prepare students for Algebra...I just like a more 'gentle' approach!

[Hillary in KS]

OK, I'm a little nervous now. We're using Algebra 1 and 2, but have yet to buy Advanced Mathematics. The three books together have geometry woven through them.

But are you saying they're re-designing the books? Does that mean when ds gets to Advanced Mathematics the geometry component won't be there?

[yslek]

OK, I'm a little nervous now. We're using Algebra 1 and 2, but have yet to buy Advanced Mathematics. The three books together have geometry woven through them.

But are you saying they're re-designing the books? Does that mean when ds gets to Advanced Mathematics the geometry component won't be there?

Even if that will be the case, you can always look for older editions on the used curriculum market.

[Cathy in SoCal]

For years the state of CA (and I don't know if any others too) would not approve Saxon as an option for their schools b/c of no separate Geometry text in the series. And colleges did not consider it rigorous enough, so that was another negative. So most hmslers I know out here have supplemented another Geometry course in the midst of the series so that their dcs would be sure to be prepared for SATs and so colleges would approve.

CA is a huge market, of course, so I'm sure the Saxon marketing/sales dept is cheering.

[4wildberrys]

I called the number on the Saxon Homeschool site that says "call with questions"---and I got the "I only work here, so I don't know anything about Saxon" operator!! :glare:I decided to call instead of email to get quicker info....Anyways---by looking at the Saxon site, the homeschool line up of books still looks the same. The Saxon products for regular schools are definitely different and it totally makes sense that they would want to line up with CA standards to be able to be used in the public schools ;) I have a feeling that homeschool moms would complain SO loudly about changing regular old Saxon---I don't think we have anything to worry about.

[jellogirl]

The incorporated geometry has been one of my favorite things about Saxon. I can understand adding a separate geometry text, but not taking the geometry out of their other books.

I used TT Geometry to cement the subject and get a separate geometry credit. That worked out nicely; since TT is lighter, it worked alongside and simultaneously with Algebra 2, giving more practice in proofs and making geometry fun.

[Cathy in SoCal]

Depending on which link path I went, I got different information on Saxon's site. Then when I saw that Christian Book Distributor's and Rainbow Resources were offering the Homeschool Kit for Saxon Geometry and the standard Homeschooling Solutions Manual, I realized they really are coming out with the homeschooling version.

[jjsm99]

My son is on Chapter 100 out of 120 in the new Saxon Geometry book. I love the Saxon series, but he hates it, so we'll be trying something different next year for Algebra II. His main complaint with the program is how long it takes to do a Saxon problem set.
The course is very thorough and we didn't seem to have a problem with it until he reached trigonometric identities. Then he got frustrated in how long it took me to figure out the problem and then explain it to him.
There are no videos, but luckily we're in CA working through a charter school so we have access to a highly qualified teacher. Now he works through his problem sets during the week and once a week meets with a teacher that explains the problems he didn't understand. This seems to be easing the frustration for him.
I just looked at TT to compare what they have in their Geometry course, and the Saxon course seems much more comprehensive. This has me somewhat worried about using their Algebra II course. Any recommendations?

Susan

[Jann in TX]

TT's Algebra 2 will be almost a total repeat of Saxon's Algebra 1..

Other programs to consider that will transition better after Saxon's Algebra 1 are:

Chalkdust (using the Larson text)

Foerster (Math Without Borders makes video lessons)

Lial (optional video lessons--also program is inexpensive and has excellent examples/teaching)--this is what my dds use

[anissarobert]

OK, I'm a little nervous now. We're using Algebra 1 and 2, but have yet to buy Advanced Mathematics. The three books together have geometry woven through them.

But are you saying they're re-designing the books? Does that mean when ds gets to Advanced Mathematics the geometry component won't be there?

I also already have all the books except Advanced Mathmatics and Calc. You can be these are on my list to look for at the used sales this summer!

[LoriM]

How annoying and confusing that they are separating it out!!! I agree with Jann---it is all about the $$$$$. Why do you think they recommend using the Homeschool Saxon 8/7 and skipping Alg 1/2---it is cheap and consumable, so more $$ for them as people have to keep rebuying because the paperback book is so cheap.........:glare:

They are recommending 8/7 instead of Algebra 1/2 because 8/7 has been updated by Stephen Hake, and is an awesome textbook. :) It's far superior to the problems and lay-out in the old Algebra 1/2 book, and fully prepares a student for Algebra 1.

I'm teaching from the new Algebra 1 this year, as well as the new middle school texts "Course 1" - "Course 3"...all of which are OUTSTANDING.

HTH,

Lori

[LoriM]

My son is on Chapter 100 out of 120 in the new Saxon Geometry book. I love the Saxon series, but he hates it, so we'll be trying something different next year for Algebra II. His main complaint with the program is how long it takes to do a Saxon problem set.
The course is very thorough and we didn't seem to have a problem with it until he reached trigonometric identities. Then he got frustrated in how long it took me to figure out the problem and then explain it to him.
There are no videos, but luckily we're in CA working through a charter school so we have access to a highly qualified teacher. Now he works through his problem sets during the week and once a week meets with a teacher that explains the problems he didn't understand. This seems to be easing the frustration for him.
I just looked at TT to compare what they have in their Geometry course, and the Saxon course seems much more comprehensive. This has me somewhat worried about using their Algebra II course. Any recommendations?

Susan

If the problem sets are taking more than 90 minutes, then break them into two days. Most of the teaching takes place within the problem sets, so don't skip any...but it's perfectly acceptable to do #1-15 one day, and #16-30 the next. If you do that diligently four days per week (and occasionally finish all 30), you will still finish enough of the book to call it a year. If you are in Lesson 100, you have really finished all the "new" material of the book that he's expected to master. Everything after Lesson 95 or so is considered "introductory" material, and will be retaught in the next book as if he's never heard of it.

So, you've got a kid who's finished his math book for the year two months early. You certainly can afford to slow down next year. (Or go ahead and start the next book soon!)

You won't be able to move to TT after Saxon. It will be far behind where he is now. You might consider Foerester's Algebra and Trigonometry as a next course. (But I highly recommend you stick with Saxon with adaptations for pacing that might help him with the time burden.)

LoriM

[4wildberrys]

They are recommending 8/7 instead of Algebra 1/2 because 8/7 has been updated by Stephen Hake, and is an awesome textbook. :) It's far superior to the problems and lay-out in the old Algebra 1/2 book, and fully prepares a student for Algebra 1.



Lori

Well, we used the new 8/7 for a bit, and I do like the mental math and facts practice at the beginning of each lesson. But as far as better problems and fully preparing for Algebra 1----that is what I read for years about 1/2 and why it was so superior. Also---I thought that the abstract nature of the concepts presented in Algebra 1/2 were more complex than 8/7-even the new one?

Anyways, marketing by all these companies makes my head spin:willy_nilly: There are just WAY too many choices for "new and improved" these days................

[LoriM]

Well, we used the new 8/7 for a bit, and I do like the mental math and facts practice at the beginning of each lesson. But as far as better problems and fully preparing for Algebra 1----that is what I read for years about 1/2 and why it was so superior. Also---I thought that the abstract nature of the concepts presented in Algebra 1/2 were more complex than 8/7-even the new one?

Anyways, marketing by all these companies makes my head spin:willy_nilly: There are just WAY too many choices for "new and improved" these days................

They have not updated 1/2 in years. I'm teaching from Algebra 1/2 right now, and also teaching from Course 2. The Course 2 textbook is far superior, not only in presentation but in abstraction of the problems. The kids think more deeply and have many more challenge problems, but at a reasonable level for their skills. And I can't wait for Course 3 next year...it's full of statistics and probablility!

[Ann in SC]

I talked with the Homeschool Advisor, who has a doctorate in math, and he advised the following...

If the student is college bound continue with the original sequence (no separate Geometry course...Alg 1, 2, Adv Math). As long as you finish with Advance Math book, you will cover all the same Geometry as the separate book. (30% in Algebra I, 30% in Algebra II and 40% in Advanced Math) He recommended listing the Advanced math as "Geometry/Trigonometry" on the transcripts to satisfy the admissions counselors.

If not college bound (such as Tech school), then he advised taking this separate Geometry course.

He said the only reason this course was added was to appease the school teachers.

Please feel free to call the 800 number to Saxon and ask for the "Homeschool Advisor". They were extremely nice and helpful

[jellogirl]

I saw somewhere credible (but I don't remember where) that Saxon has no intention of removing the geometry portion from their current texts.