jpklehm Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 My ds is going into grade 8. He did Saxon 8/7 last year, which now I see may have been a mistake. I just read in TWTM that he should have taken Saxon 1/2 so he can take Saxon Algebra 1 in grade 8, this year. I don't know enough about Saxon to know if it's possible to take him into Alg 1 or not. What is Saxon 1/2...pre-algebra? When I went to the hs convention in Cincinnati in 2010, I spoke with a rep from Saxon who, after listening to what I was looking for, suggested 8/7, so that's what I did. Any Saxon experts out there who can make some suggestions? Thank you! Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 From what I have heard a strong student does not need to do both 8/7 and algebra 1/2. I think before 1/2 was written, students went from 8/7 to Algebra 1. Then when 1/2 was written I think that if a student was only going to do one or the other 1/2 was the suggested choice. Gifted students do Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Average college prep students do Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Many students are not ready for Algebra 1 till 10th or 11th grade. Don't rush your student through math, especially with Saxon. Saxon is meant to be easy, because so much of lessons is review. It is TORTURE to place a student too high in Saxon. If all those topics are not rapid review, it's just too hard to work at mastering or introducing so many topics at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Are you using the current edition of Saxon 87? Did he do well on the tests? If so - he is ready for Algebra 1. Pre-algebra was included in 87. Here's a link and excerpt to the FAQ at the saxon homechool website: What do you recommend for students after they have completed Math 7/6? The recommended path after finishing Math 7/6 is to take Math 8/7. If your child finishes Math 8/7 with at least 80% mastery, skip ahead to Algebra 1. In previous editions, many people skipped Math 8/7 because they found it to be a weaker text than Algebra ½. In newer editions, pre-algebra content has been added to Math 8/7, making it a much stronger program. back to top FAQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpklehm Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 From what I have heard a strong student does not need to do both 8/7 and algebra 1/2. I think before 1/2 was written, students went from 8/7 to Algebra 1. Then when 1/2 was written I think that if a student was only going to do one or the other 1/2 was the suggested choice. Gifted students do Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Average college prep students do Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Many students are not ready for Algebra 1 till 10th or 11th grade. Don't rush your student through math, especially with Saxon. Saxon is meant to be easy, because so much of lessons is review. It is TORTURE to place a student too high in Saxon. If all those topics are not rapid review, it's just too hard to work at mastering or introducing so many topics at once. So good to know...thank you! I panicked because I read in TWTM that my ds won't be ready for the PSAT in 11th grade by following this sequence. I'm a little annoyed, too, because 8/7 isn't pre-algebra, like I was led to believe. So his progression can be: Grade 7: 8/7 (finished) Grade 8: 1/2 (Pre-Algebra) Grade 9: Algebra 1 Grade 10: Algebra 2 Grade 11: Advanced Mathematics (too late to prepare him for the PSAT) Grade 12: Pre-Calc or Calculus OR Grade 8: Algebra 1 (I question whether he's ready...) Grade 9: Algebra 2 Grade 10: Advanced Mathematics Grade 11: Pre-Calc or Calculus Grade 12: Calculus or Elective Any advice? Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpklehm Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Are you using the current edition of Saxon 87? Did he do well on the tests? If so - he is ready for Algebra 1. Pre-algebra was included in 87. Here's a link and excerpt to the FAQ at the saxon homechool website: What do you recommend for students after they have completed Math 7/6? The recommended path after finishing Math 7/6 is to take Math 8/7. If your child finishes Math 8/7 with at least 80% mastery, skip ahead to Algebra 1. In previous editions, many people skipped Math 8/7 because they found it to be a weaker text than Algebra ½. In newer editions, pre-algebra content has been added to Math 8/7, making it a much stronger program. back to top FAQ Ok, good to know. We did use the current edition of 8/7, and he did pretty well on the material. See, the thing is, he rushes through it because he doesn't like math. He has shown me that when he has takes his time, however, he does much better. We're reviewing this summer, so in a few weeks, I'll have my answer. I'm happy with Saxon, overall, though. It works well for my sons. Thank you for the information! Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 So good to know...thank you! I panicked because I read in TWTM that my ds won't be ready for the PSAT in 11th grade by following this sequence. I'm a little annoyed, too, because 8/7 isn't pre-algebra, like I was led to believe. <snip> OR Grade 8: Algebra 1 (I question whether he's ready...) Grade 9: Algebra 2 Grade 10: Advanced Mathematics Grade 11: Pre-Calc or Calculus Grade 12: Calculus or Elective Any advice? Pam According to Saxon, 87 is pre-algebra. It says "with pre-algebra" on the spine. From the Saxon website: What do you recommend for students after they have completed Math 7/6?The recommended path after finishing Math 7/6 is to take Math 8/7. If your child finishes Math 8/7 with at least 80% mastery, skip ahead to Algebra 1. In previous editions, many people skipped Math 8/7 because they found it to be a weaker text than Algebra ½. In newer editions, pre-algebra content has been added to Math 8/7, making it a much stronger program. http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com/en/homeschool_faq.htm#recommend So the second option is probably the way to go depending on the test scores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 The next text is Algebra 1, whether he did Math 87 or Alg. ½. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpklehm Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Fantastic...thanks, everyone! I feel much more confident now. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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