Saxon Math

[luvmarypoppins]

Can anyone comment on this program? Easy to understand, teach etc? TIA
It would be K-8.

 

[golfgal]

Our kids had Saxon math and phonics in k-4th grades and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. The lessons are totally scripted so teaching is easy. I know the teachers at the school modified them quite a bit and didn't just read from the script but if you were homeschooling and weren't strong in math, for example, it would be great. There is a lot of repetition with the program which is essential in the early years. There was a homework page daily, did one side in class, one side at home. Having that program taught our kids phenomenal study habits too. To this day they come home from school, get a snack, sit down and do homework. Never have to say a word to them.

The phonics program was amazing. Our oldest did not have this but our twins did. I volunteered to help in the school quite a bit and when they were in 1st grade that was mostly listening to kids read out loud. DS18's class were pretty good readers but there were a handful of kids that still struggled at the end of first grade (they all graduated last year and were all honors students so it wasn't that they had learning issues). In the twins' grade ALL of the kids were reading well by Halloween. The teachers had to revamp their programs because the kids were so much further ahead then in years past. Our twins' grade was the first grade to use Saxon. This was at a highly competitive private school, so no slackers in the classes.

The phonics program works with coding-not quite sure how it all worked but I do know that I could put ANY word in front of our 1st graders, tell them to code it and they could read the word. As they got into the middle school the teachers all were commenting on the quality of the SPELLING of that class (and subsequent classes).

 

[Golf4food]

Saxon Math? Like:

1 dead Dane plus 2 dead Celts = 3 piles of golf for the victorious Saxon warrior?

That would have made math so much more fun when I was growing up...

 

[Momvic5]

I used the homeschool version of Saxon Math with my DS14 for 4yrs(5th-8th grades)....It was a great program for him. We completed through Algebra 1. This year my ds14 wanted to return to our public school, and currently, he is holding a 98 average in his Pre-AP Geometry class. I would say that it worked well for him.

I think it is easy to understand and teach, but it is very dull(everyday is the same set up, black and white print). Each lesson contains a daily quiz and an average of about 30 problems. Everything is laid out for you, but it is a lot of physical work for the student. However, I think that if you do the program as it suggests, it is a very strong program.

I think it starts off very easy...I started using the 1st grade book on my youngest when he was in the 1st grade and decided to skip the 2nd grade book completely and go straight into the 3rd grade book for his 2nd grade year. Currently, he is in the 4th grade and is working in the 5/6 grade book. He is doing very well. Saxon Math is great about being repetitive and keeping past concepts relevant. I really like Saxon Math and would highly recommend it.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Love Saxon Math

Our DS has been using Saxon math for 5 yrs and he loves it, doesn't want any others! DS is gifted with mathematics, calculations, computations, problem solving, etc. He can 'see' numbers & answers before he's taught a technique, which can be frustrating for him at times He's always been extremely advanced, and Saxon works great for him. DS always performs above college level on achievement scores so he needs something that works at his level of understanding, and Saxon fills the bill. In all honesty though, even Saxon can be easy for him at times, for reasons I already mentioned. The constant review of previous lessons is terrific for keeping information fresh at all times. I highly recommend it

 

[hentob]

I really like both Saxon Math and Saxon Phonics.

Saxon Phonics is somewhat freakish, as little first graders can “code” huge words ( adding an amazing amount of diacritical marks) in seconds. They don’t seem to have a problem with it. I find that amazing.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Saxon Math? Like:

1 dead Dane plus 2 dead Celts = 3 piles of golf for the victorious Saxon warrior?

That would have made math so much more fun when I was growing up...

The only thing I can think of that would have been better would have been Zaxxon Math.

...any old coin-op fans out there?

 

[BelleRocks]

My DD used it for 5th grade and she was miserable. It is a lot of work and BORING. She would break down in tears at least twice a week.

The good is that it is extremely effective. When we switched to something else, she was a year ahead. ???

Depends on your kid and your priorities. We would never use it again!

 

[dis-happy]

I use Saxon for homeschooling, both Math and Phonics. It works well for kids that need repetition, as you are always practicing what has been learned. For kids that are naturally very smart with math it might be boring, and Singapore Math is a better choice (so say my homeschool friends with really smart math kids).

As others have stated, students will know their facts really well! Lots of skip counting, daily facts practice, mental math problems, etc.

Another thing I like for Saxon Math is the DIVE cd's you can buy for it starting at the 4/5 level. I use them starting in junior high. A couple of seasons ago Saxon came out with their own version but since I already have the DIVE ones I haven't look at them closely to compare.

For high school geometry we switched over to Teaching Textbooks, another well regarded math program, especially for the higher grades.

 

[dis-happy]

Can anyone comment on this program? Easy to understand, teach etc? TIA
It would be K-8.

As far as easy to teach goes, because it is totally scripted, you can't go wrong. Super easy to teach!!!

 

[rie'smom]

Saxon Math? Like:

1 dead Dane plus 2 dead Celts = 3 piles of golf for the victorious Saxon warrior?

That would have made math so much more fun when I was growing up...

Wonder if there's an Anglo math too!

OP, I've heard good things about Saxon Math. I use Math u See. It's a DVD series with this guy who is super fantastic! Just another option

 

[mom2rb]

My kids preferred Singapore Math.

 

[CruisinEars]

My kids attend a private k-8 and the 8th graders weren't being prepared for high school appropriately. So, the school switched to Saxon Math. I can see that the kids are learning more difficult concepts now, especially my 7th grader. He is doing stuff that I did in high school. (Granted I am a math dummy ) I agree with the others in that it is very repetitious but it does keep concepts fresh. My kids do have math homework everyday, but they are both doing well.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Ohhhh don't get me started on the Math Wars!

We loved Saxon Math - both boys used it K-6th and both tested two years ahead going into Middle School. Unfortunately, that is where it ended. I hate the middle school math not too fond of the HS either.

What is so funny is the district can't figure out why so many of the kids coming from the one elem. that used Saxon (the other 4 use Everyday Math or Investigations - blah!) keep testing higher!

 

[gregokdisney]

As a parent, I love Saxon math and both my kids thrived on it. As a teacher, I found it boring to teach.

 

[hentob]

As a parent, I love Saxon math and both my kids thrived on it. As a teacher, I found it boring to teach.

It is heavily scripted I am almost expecting the manual to say:

"Teacher may breathe. Now turn to page 112. Take another breath."

 

[Pixiedust34]

I've never used it, but have seen the program and couldn't get past the boring factor and the scripted teacher's guide.

Are you asking for homeschooling or because your kids use it at school? We homeschool and through the years have used a variety of math programs. We've used Calvert 1, Horizons K to 5, BJU 6, and Teaching Textbooks 6 to pre-algebra.

Saxon has always been in the running as a potential math program for us to use, but it never got picked for the reasons I stated above. Even the kids said that the textbooks look dry. JOHO. That said, it is a popular program and many families use it for years with success. Sometimes one program is a great fit for one student and not a great fit for another.

 

[sharlon]

I know lots of people who homeschool and use it and LOVE it.

When I pulled my middle DD out of school to homeschool her, we used it to rapidly cover material. Basically we used it as a source for problems and exercises. (She was very far ahead and we needed to make sure she hadn't missed a concept for two, which Saxon was great for)
Then, when we needed it as a daily curriculum, it was a horrible choice for her. DD is several years ahead in math (think MAJOR math geek) and it was very slow and boring for her. She said it was a lot of busy work. I've heard the same from others who have kids who are good math students. So, I guess it depends on what type of math student you have.

 

[cntrygal]

HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE , HATE, HATE, HATE I cant say it enough,our school switch to it and it is terrible.

Luckily i have a bright child who is way ahead, because it doesnt teach kids how to actually do the concepts, and to do math in their head, fith graders should NOT be using scientific calculators

and the fact that they have to send home a guide so parents can help with the home work nope nope

just another prime example of the downturn of the american educational system



ok vent over

 

[hentob]

fith graders should NOT be using scientific calculators

Why? They can do it! Let’s push our students ahead in math!! We want the American Educational system to be on par with other countries.

and the fact that they have to send home a guide so parents can help with the home work nope nope

just another prime example of the downturn of the american educational system

Saxon=Downturn? Why Because they want parents to be involved with the education of their children?

PS-I don't know why that red thumb is "up there". Sorry.