Saxon & Teaching Textbooks ? for Alg 1

[abunchofus]

I was looking at Alg 1 with both Saxon and Teaching Textbooks.

 

I do not like the DIVE Cd's with Saxon - at least the one lesson I looked at for the Alg 1/2 they didn't even show all the examples in the book - it only went over one example. The book was much more helpful than the dive cd was :(

 

I was contemplating going with Teaching Textbooks this year but after reading some reviews on it - it seems that it is at a lower level, especially in the 4-7 grades I had read quite a few reviews and comments here and misc. other sites when I googled reviews that said that TT for grades 4-7 is at least a year behind. Not as bad once they reach the pre-alg stage but TT still was not quite as thorough as Saxon. However, I didn't want to end up with a curric that I can't help my oldest with if they have a problem they don't understand.

 

last night when I was browsing I came across this

 

http://www.christianbook.com/saxon-teacher-algebra-third-edition-rom/9781602773653/pd/773653?event=1016SAX|744489|59987

 

it's breaking the above link for some reason so maybe try this one

http://tinyurl.com/3xctdad

 

 

these say they cover absolutely everything! and if ordered through CBD they're $58.49 and the Saxon kit is $43.49 and the solutions manual $23.69 (which I don't guess you'd have to have since the solutions are on the CD but i think it'd be easier to flip in a book most of the time for me to check work rather than the computer - only wanting the CD's for in case neither Adam nor I understand something) so a total of $125.67 which is less than the TT. - wish there was a way to see an example of the Saxon teacher CDs.

 

from the saxon site

 

Contains over 130 hours of Algebra 1 content, including instruction for every part of every lesson, as well as complete solutions for every example problem, practice problem, problem set, and test problem.

The user-friendly CD format offers students helpful navigation tools within a customized player and is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Disc 1: Lessons 1-24

Disc 2: Lessons 25-48

Disc 3: Lessons 49-72

Disc 4: Lessons 73-96

Disc 5: Lessons 97-124

Disc 6: Test Solutions

 

http://www.mcdougallittell.com/store/ProductCatalogController;jsessionid=LnY8mrpW9SyxBJSJbb9TWQPyDt94SShZ4d6L13QLzS4RB1hC1SbQ!-902906941?cmd=ProductDetail&recordReference=1270925&nextPage=McDougal%2FProduct.jsp&division=M01&frontOrBack=F&sortEntriesBy=SEQ_NAME&sortProductsBy=SEQ_TITLE&hierarchyID=1007500000075605

 

here is one review I found on teaching textbooks

Algebra 1seems to have more review of basic operations and pre-algebra concepts at the beginning than do some other texts, and the quadratic formula is not introduced until the second year. This is consistent with the approach and rate of progression found in Pre-Algebra. Overall, topic coverage is similar to that of other first year algebra courses, but with more thorough explanation.

 

Algebra 2 also reflects typical second year algebra course content. It gets into functions at the end of the book, but matrices and determinants aren't covered. More advanced programs include all these topics. While Teaching Textbooks algebra courses are not as advanced as some, they do include practical applications in areas such as banking and physics that make them more practical than others. Word problems in all lessons also help students grasp how they might actually use algebra in real life. [Note that advanced topics such as matrices and determinants are covered in Teaching Textbook's Pre-calculus course. The publisher also tells me: "For students who want to cover those extra topics (e.g. matrices, determinants) without going to the next book, we plan to post lessons and problem sets covering those topics on our website. That way a student can access them without charge as a supplement to the TT course he is currently using."]

http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/math/teaching-textbooks.htm

 

so from that review - on the Alg 1 - I'm kind of confused - it says

Algebra 1seems to have more review of basic operations and pre-algebra concepts at the beginning than do some other texts, and the quadratic formula is not introduced until the second year.

so what I'm getting from this is that it is at a slower pace and that they don't introduce the quadratic formula in Alg 1 - TT does that in Alg 2. Is that right?

 

but then they say it's more thorough than other courses

Overall, topic coverage is similar to that of other first year algebra courses, but with more thorough explanation.

 

so I'm a bit confused on that particular review of TT Alg 1.

 

 

so . . . . . has anyone seen the Saxon Teacher CD's? can you offer any input? like them? didn't like them? why/why not?

 

My oldest has said that they'd like to try the TT but after reading some of the reviews I'm hesitant.

 

Which math do you prefer for the Alg 1, Alg 2, Geometry, Calculus course levels?

[Twingles]

This link to Rainbow Resource will show you a sample.

 

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Algebra+1+Saxon+Home+Study+Kit+%2B+Saxon+Teacher+CD-ROM/SXA1TC/1273948386-1211340

 

We switched to TT after trying Abeka & Chalkdust. For us TT works. The fighting is gone, ds is learning and we are all happy.

 

I saw the Saxon CD's at MASSHOPE and think they are good but we had already started TT. I also think my kids would prefer the voice of the person on TT over Saxon. To me the best program is the one that they learn from and ds is learning. I will be putting my younger two into TT this fall.

[MIch elle]

I've watched over half of the lectures and really like them.

 

That's correct you would have to do TT A1 and half of TTA2 to cover what's in Saxon A1.

[mjbucks1]

My son just finished Saxon Algebra I using the Saxon Teacher CDs. They are wonderful. Saxon Tecaher "teaches' every lesson. It also works out EVERY problem in the book and on the tests. My son did very well with Algebra I and we will now be moving on to Algebra II.

[Brindee]

but then they say it's more thorough than other courses

 

 

so I'm a bit confused on that particular review of TT Alg 1.

 

 

I think it's not saying that TT is more thorough over all, it's saying TT has more thorough explanations. Some texts assume certain prior knowledge so don't explain things thoroughly, leaving you hanging if you don't remember or understand. TT explains in detail. It's good for someone who is unsure of their abilities, or needs the explanations/reinforcement. With the complete step-by-step answers to every problem it's a big help with my dd. She can't stand Saxon, but likes TT, it just works better for her.

 

I like that they'll be having those extra problems available on their site! We're still going to go through TT Albra 1, ALgebra 2 and Pre-Calc, which we'll count as Algebra 1&2, then we'll move on from there.

Edited May 16, 2010 by Brindee

[KinderSafari]

We are trying these next year.

Read through the difference between these and the DIVE CDs at Rainbow Resources.

 

These teach EVERY problem.

This is exactly what I need for one of my students. I'm guessing she'll just be able to zip through and find the answers for her specific problems.

 

The DIVE cds work great for my other learners who just need a brief lesson in the new ideas presented. They are able to figure out the rest.

 

I also think the Saxon Teacher will be great as my son is now heading into Algebra 2 and Calculus (which I never took) - so I'm grateful to have that available!!

[atozmom]

You can buy Saxon Algebra 1 with the Teachers Cd's and everything you need for cheaper than $125. Here is all you need at CBD for $98. You can also see the demo at CBD, here. (2nd paragraph.) We are using the teacher cd's with 8/7 and dd really likes them. I am very happy with her progress, understanding and retention.

[Guest mykidsteacher]

So, does anyone know why the calc dvd's are over $200 compared to the other levels that are less than $100?

 

And it says that they are to be used with the first edition, but that one is out of print now. Can it be used with the second? How out of sync do you think it would be?