Saxon Math 1

[leigleigh_bird]

My kindergartener has been working on Saxon Math 1 this year, but it's going reeaally slowly. I finally started doing two lessons a day, ignoring much of the busywork. He gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you! I like math now!"

 

Does anyone have a suggestion for curriculum that moves a little more quickly? Does Saxon pick up speed later on? Also, I would like him to learn Algebra and Geometry before high school - are there any curricula structured like that?

[EKS]

In my opinion, Saxon is generally not a good choice for a gifted math student. All the review and the incremental (slow trickle) pace can be torture. When you start modifying it by taking away lots of problems or skipping lessons, it loses the very thing that is its strength, namely the incremental and repetitious approach that really does get the information into long term memory.

 

But many gifted math students don't need the repetition and can't stand being taught in increments. A good program for this type of student is Singapore because there is a coherence to the topics and the output requirement can be tailored to the student's needs. If he needs more practice, there are the Extra Practice workbooks. If he needs more challenge there are the Intensive Practice and Challenging Word Problems books. And the program is fairly inexpensive.

 

There are also students who are accelerated in math but are not particularly gifted in mathematics. My younger son seems to be this way. He is 6, and is working on Saxon Math 3. He did Singapore 1B and 2A last year and did fine but he seemed to need a gentler approach with more review. He tested into Saxon 3 and is doing great with it. We are omitting the meeting and only doing one side of the worksheet. I don't follow the script for the most part. I intend to go back to Singapore after we've finished with Math 3.

 

You can get through geometry and algebra before high school by simply being accelerated by one grade level in most math programs. Where your child is now will have him finishing 8/7 in 6th grade ready to start algebra in 7th. If you mean to get through Algebra I and II as well as geometry by the end of 8th grade, then being accelerated two levels will do it. If you think he could handle Saxon 2 (have you given him the placement test?) then there is your acceleration.

 

Keep in mind that sometimes children will speed through the early math and then hit a wall with some of the more difficult, abstract concepts. Be prepared to slow down and take your child's lead if he needs more time with a concept even if it means that down the road geometry won't be finished by the end of 8th grade.

[Donna]

My oldest is 7th grade age and doing Algebra 2/College Algebra having already completed Alg 1 and Geometry.

 

We simply moved more quickly...skipped review lessons (generally the first 30 or so in each new book because they consider kids who have the summer off every year) and limited the number of review problems each day.

 

With my youngest, we skipped a lot and only did one side of the page and worked through Saxon 1, 2, and almost half of 3 in what would have been her Kindergarten year.

 

I haven't found a program that my kids like better...tried Singapore, Miquon, and MUS. I think the choice of math program would depend on the child and how they learn.

[leigleigh_bird]

He was able to CLEP most of his early college math classes before he started college at age 14. He loved it. I was also homeschooled, but we used BJU math. I hated it, but went on to be a math minor in college, so I guess it was at least adequate.

Thanks for your advice. I think I'll look over other curricula this summer, but use Saxon 1 and 2 this year. Ds IS enjoying it!