Saxon Algebra: continue or change?

[Maryam]

My dd is doing very well so far with Saxon 87 due to the incremental method & ongoing review. She uses Saxon Teacher CD. There are mixed reviews about Saxon Algebra 1 & 2 and Geometry- especially the new editions. And I'd like to be consistent with Algebra 1 onwards (high school).Should we switch after 87? Does anything in Saxon change with Algebra 1? Any experiences with those who did well until 87? How was Algebra in comparison?

Edited October 21, 2016 by Maryam

[Tenaj]

I've only had one child (19yods) who went through Saxon 8/7 and then into Saxon 1/2 and then Algebra 1.  He didn't have any trouble at all.  He used Saxon through Algebra II and Advanced Math and then went into MUS to review Pre-calculus and then do Calculus just because I didn't have time to help him with my group of youngers.

 

 

 

[Reefgazer]

My DD used Saxon from 6/5 onwards through 8/7, and then jumped to Algebra I seamlessly; she did very well with 8/7 and Algebra I.  We are currently in Algebra II and things are going well after a rocky first start (geometry is piled on high and deep in the first few lessons of Algebra II).  But we are using the older 3rd editions where geometry is integrated into the Algebra; I would avoid the 4th editions because they are newer and not written the Saxon way because they do not integrate the geometry .  If your DD is doing well with the Saxon way (incremental lessons, integrated geometry, ongoing review), then I wouldn't change it up.  The only difference I see after 8/7 is that the facts practice review and mental math review is gone, but other than that, it's the same style as 8/7.

My dd is doing very well so far with Saxon 87 due to the incremental method & ongoing review. She uses Saxon Teacher CD. There are mixed reviews about Saxon Algebra 1 & 2 and Geometry- especially the new editions. And I'd like to be consistent with Algebra 1 onwards (high school).Should we switch after 87? Does anything in Saxon change with Algebra 1? Any experiences with those who did well until 87? How was Algebra in comparison?

 

Edited October 21, 2016 by reefgazer

[Maryam]

Thanks for the input. And would you list Integrated Geometry on the transcript with Algebra 1 and 2? And if we do the integrated geometry we would have to finish their Advanced Math (vs another Precalculus course) right?

[Vida Winter]

I'm not sure how I will list the integrated geometry on the transcript. It is not a complete geometry credit until approx. lesson 30 of Advanced Math, so I will probably list it at the same time she earns that credit, in other words:

 

Geometry - 1 credit

Precalculus - 1 credit

[Junie]

This blog post by Art Reed should help.

[freesia]

My dd did 87 last year and is doing Algebra 1 using the 4th edition. It is going really well.

[Ellie]

My dd is doing very well so far with Saxon 87 due to the incremental method & ongoing review. She uses Saxon Teacher CD. There are mixed reviews about Saxon Algebra 1 & 2 and Geometry- especially the new editions. And I'd like to be consistent with Algebra 1 onwards (high school).Should we switch after 87? Does anything in Saxon change with Algebra 1? Any experiences with those who did well until 87? How was Algebra in comparison?

 

If she is doing well with Saxon, I see no reason to change. Remember that Saxon has now over 30 years of a proven track record. Some people will like it, some won't, which is the case with every product. But if you are happy with Saxon now, then don't rock the boat.