Chalkdust and Saxon

[Country Girl]

I don't have kiddos anywhere near high school age. However, I do have an advanced math student and am already thinking about how I will line him up for the higher maths. Since you all are actually dealing with higher math, I figured I'd ask here. Plus, I've seen several of you on this board who seem to know what you are doing in math:D.

I was planning on going into Chalkdust, and actually just purchased Basic Math used. I'm not quite sure if my son will be ready for this next year or if he will need to wait a year but figured I'd need it either way and it would be easier to tell if he was ready if I had it in hand. However, while I love the reviews that I have read about Chalkdust and think the sample videos do an awesome job of explaining concepts, my son thought the video was too long. Like I said, he is young so I can understand that sitting through the entire video could be a bit much.

So, I've been thinking about my other options. My dh used Saxon in high school and has mentioned it several times (he really does trust me to pick and it isn't a big deal that I'm not using Saxon but I do trust his opinion). So I decided to check it out a bit more since I've heard of the DIVE cd's. I've also seen that there is a newer Saxon Teacher program as well. I was wondering if anyone can compare the Saxon options with Chalkdust. I'm interested in a comparison of the level/quality of the math of both programs as well as the actual dvd/cd teaching programs.

Thanks!

[Laurie4b]

One difference is that Chalkdust follows a traditional math sequence. You get Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalc, Calc, etc. Saxon integrates their math so that geometry is interspersed with algebra 1 and 2.
Though Saxon wasn't a consideration for us, I did think about continuing with Singapore into high school, but decided against using an integrated math course because I wanted to leave the option of public school open for ds's. Around here, the math is sequenced traditionally. That may or may not be a consideration for you.

[Peggy in Va]

One difference is that Chalkdust follows a traditional math sequence. You get Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalc, Calc, etc. Saxon integrates their math so that geometry is interspersed with algebra 1 and 2.
Though Saxon wasn't a consideration for us, I did think about continuing with Singapore into high school, but decided against using an integrated math course because I wanted to leave the option of public school open for ds's. Around here, the math is sequenced traditionally. That may or may not be a consideration for you.

I just want to add, that while one does have the option of using the integrated Saxon books, Saxon now has a separate Geometry book. I suppose they came out with it so that more ps would use their high school level courses. You can see a sample of it here: http://www.rainbowresource.com/pictures/000957/1241449749-1070018

The other difference is in the videos. Chalkdust has a live, breathing, human being instructing the course. The Saxon Teacher and/or the Dive CD is only a voice and a white board with numbers magically appearing.
If you haven't seen them, you can view Chalkdust videos on their website and the Saxon Teacher (the DIVE CD is very similar) at Rainbow Resources http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Saxon+Teacher+for+Algebra+1+%283rd+Edition%29+CD-ROM+set/042940/1241449749-1070018.

Also, if you're considering Saxon, the other difference in the DIVE CD and the Saxon Teacher is that the Dive uses similar problems for it's examples and the Saxon Teacher uses the examples that are in the book.

HTH

[Country Girl]

Thank you both for the replies. I was concerned about the integrated Geometry, but like Peggy mentioned, I see they now have a separate level for Geometry (or I figured I could do CD for geometry).

Peggy,
Thanks for telling me a little about the difference between the DIVE cd's and the Saxon Teacher. I've seen samples for the DIVE program but I hadn't seen the ones for Saxon Teacher, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction for that.

Thanks!