two years of Algebra I?

[orangearrow]

My dd (currently in 6th grade) wants to use TT for pre-algebra (which she's about to begin), but I am considering using Saxon pre-algebra with her instead (maybe skipping any sections she fully "gets"), and moving her to TT Algebra I for 7th grade. Then moving over to Saxon Algebra I for 8th grade. It's sounding like a great idea... but am I overlooking anything obvious? I intend for her to use Saxon in high school (it's been a good fit for us in the past and for my older child currently). But, I don't really want her to begin Saxon Alg 1 in 7th grade, either. . . I'm pretty sure she would burn out quickly. :001_smile:

 

So has anyone done two years of algebra using two different texts?

 

(Wasn't sure where to post this, but figured many here are already past Algebra, so would have more insight, having BTDT... :001_smile:

Edited February 9, 2012 by orangearrow
edited for clarity. Finger-typing on a tiny touch screen originally was not a good idea, ha-ha! :)

[tex-mex]

Having used both TT Pre-Algebra and Algebra I -- and Saxon -- I think you are comparing apples to oranges. Both different beasts.

 

I would not use TT and then jump over to Saxon. There are incremental steps in Saxon that lead up to Algebra I that are fundamental. If you are going to do Saxon -- then do the 1/2 book in its entirety. Then go onto Algebra I.

 

When I taught with Saxon both in the classroom and with my son in homeschool, I would only assign odd/even problems as homework. However, with the higher maths, more practice with all of the problems are better than using my tactic. If I saw some struggles with hw or tests, then we would revisit the chapters and do a review. There are some great supplemental tools out there like Life of Fred, Purple Math, Khan Academy, etc to help.

[dereksurfs]

I haven't done it yet, but plan to do the same. I know many on the board have. Algebra is so fundamental to everything else which follows including the sciences that I think it is worthy of extra time, especially when needed.

 

Some use gentler Algebra 1 programs as bridges to secondary math such as TT or MUS, then follow with more challenging curriclum such as Foerster, Dolciani, AoPS, etc... I'm not sure where Saxon fits on the scale of challenge/difficulty/rigor. However many have found what works great with one child is not the best approach for all. So I recommend being willing to at least consider others options besides Saxon. One friend of ours gave her daughter several different curricula to review and sample. She just so happened to pick Saxon. But her mother *never* would have selected Saxon for her.

[8filltheheart]

My 5 oldest kids have all done 2 yrs of alg 1 using different textbooks.... MUS's alg followed by a yr of Foerster's alg 1.

[Sweetpeach]

Thrilled to be reading this thread . . . seeing that I got it backwards and did AoPS first and now heading into Round 2 of Alg 1 with different material.

Deep Exhale. This is why we tell our first-born kid we'll pay for any and all therapy he may need as a result of being parented and educated by us. :)

 

T

[orangearrow]

Having used both TT Pre-Algebra and Algebra I -- and Saxon -- I think you are comparing apples to oranges. Both different beasts.

 

If you are going to do Saxon -- then do the 1/2 book in its entirety. Then go onto Algebra I.

There are some great supplemental tools out there like Life of Fred, Purple Math, Khan Academy, etc to help.

 

She would complete most of the Saxon 1/2 book between now and end of summer, so that would leave us in limbo for next year. Not wanting to begin Saxon Algebra I... but not wanting to do another year of pre-algebra either. (I didn't state that clearly at all in my OP - was finger-typing on a tiny little screen... lol)

 

 

.. I'm not sure where Saxon fits on the scale of challenge/difficulty/rigor. However many have found what works great with one child is not the best approach for all. So I recommend being willing to at least consider others options besides Saxon. One friend of ours gave her daughter several different curricula to review and sample. She just so happened to pick Saxon. But her mother *never* would have selected Saxon for her.

 

I'm not sure where Saxon is on the rigor scale, either. But, it seems solid. I've looked at so many math programs over the years, I'm just ready for "solid." Neither of my older kids balk at the spiral approach and they are both pretty "solid" on their math facts and real-life applications.

 

We used Lial's earlier this year for my oldest, but I started looking ahead at what to use for geometry, and finding options for video/online classes/etc and my head just started spinning. So, we talked and she went back to Saxon midway through this year and is going great so we bought the whole curriculum to take her through her senior year and I have that monkey off my back.

 

If little sis flails around with Saxon, we'll look at other options again. But, for now, Saxon-through-to-the-end is the plan. :D Nothing exciting, but solid (I like this word! :)). As long as the kids aren't balking at the spiral approach & can apply what they've learned in real life situations... I'm going to stay put. :)

Edited February 8, 2012 by orangearrow

[Nscribe]

I am one of those moms who would not have chosen Saxon but given the choice, my daughter did. I am growing to appreciate it more and more all the time.

 

We did Saxon Algebra 1/2 for 6th and 7th grade (looking back I am thrilled we did). Along the way I bought and strongly considered/evaluated other options (Jacob's, LOF, traditional school texts...). I sampled areas from them with her along the way and the whole process was great for building confidence for both of us in the road ahead.

 

Algebra 1 Saxon in 8th has gone very well too.

 

We like the Art Reed DVD's and have chosen not to go with the "newer" Saxon products. We purchased the texts, tests and solutions manuals to go thru Calculus.

 

From time to time I will buy one of the others on Ebay or at our local homeschool book shop, when a great deal presents (example $10 for Forester Alg/Trig including a solutions manual) and continue to compare.

 

Spending two years in Alg 1/2 built a very strong foundation and gave time to dwell here and there as we found interesting or necessary. I see the pay off with this year in Algebra 1. Practice seems to build confidence and confidence encourages exploration. As I watch her confidently approach the problem solving for Chemistry and basic Physics, I have to give the program due regard for helping create it.

 

It wasn't my choice, but I am happy with the results so far.

[Teachin'Mine]

There's nothing wrong with doing two years of algebra 1 if the student needs the extra time with it, but for those who get it easily, it might be frustrating. I wouldn't worry about her being too young to start algebra. It will actually be quite a benefit down the road as she'll have more options regarding science courses. I guess I'm saying that while I wouldn't push a student into algebra who isn't ready, I wouldn't hold back one who is. I would finish algebra 1/2 entirely before beginning algebra, and I would strongly recommend doing all the problems - no skipping. :)

[Night Elf]

My dd13 did Algebra 1 with MUS, and now she's taking it again with Keystone High School (traditional textbook method). I do not regret my decision to have her repeat the course as a 9th grader. While she did very well in MUS, she believes she is learning more this 2nd time around.

[Catwoman]

Spam reported.

[Lizzie in Ma]

I have not as yet, but would have no problem doing so if need be.

Our goal is for the girls to learn a subject thoroughly and well, as opposed to get through a book a year. Whatever it takes. Go for it!

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Why not do Saxon for 7th?

 

ETA: What I meant was why are you thinking of using the TT bridge for algebra? Would you be better off just putting her into Saxon (either 1/2 or 1, depending on the placement test) and then moving slowly with some time to explain concepts or find supplemental explanations if necessary?

Edited February 9, 2012 by Sebastian (a lady)

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

I would be concerned about repeating the material twice becoming too mind numbing. Of course this is entirely dependent on the child's personality.

 

I'd choose a pre-algebra and then algebra 1 or take a more difficult algebra text and spread it over 2 years. I would strongly consider using the same publisher for both. Sometimes switching gets confusing. Again-depends on child.

 

Next year I plan for my 7th grader to do AoPS Pre-Algebra followed by AoPS Algebra 1 in 8th. If the AoPS style is a total bust we'll go back to Saxon with 1/2 and algebra 1.

[bkpan]

This is what we did for my freshman ds. He took TT Algebra I in a tutorial and received a C. We wanted him to have a firmer foundation, so then we tried Lials Alg. I, but he could not handle the # of problems. He then chose Saxon and it has been a good fit. HTH!

[Kareni]

There's nothing wrong with doing two years of algebra 1 if the student needs the extra time with it' date=' but for those who get it easily, it might be frustrating. [/quote']

 

I'd be inclined to agree with this. I'd start Algebra 1 when she's ready and go from there. Add in a day weekly for games or additional math subjects of interest.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[orangearrow]

Why not do Saxon for 7th?

 

ETA: What I meant was why are you thinking of using the TT bridge for algebra? Would you be better off just putting her into Saxon (either 1/2 or 1, depending on the placement test) and then moving slowly with some time to explain concepts or find supplemental explanations if necessary?

 

*she* wants to do TT. :) She loves the computer aspect of it, loves the little buddies.... and she LOVES the instant feedback. She would happily go through TT forever (at least those that have the instant grading), but I'm just not 100% sold on it (but, I'm not 100% sold on any math program, really).

 

She's used TT and Saxon in the past.

 

She's my "zoom" child. She wants to inhale information as quickly as possible, file it away, and move to the next page in the book. The spiral approach is a good one, though, because it forces to her remember that information frequently.

 

I suggested using Saxon Alg I and adding Life of Fred in with it and taking a year or 18 months to go through it, and she went all goggly-eyed on me. So, not a fan of the "spread it out" idea. She'll DO it if it's what I decide, but I'd prefer to do something she's excited about so she will continue to LIKE math...

 

So, thought if we do TT Algebra, then move to Saxon Algebra, she wouldn't feel like she's doing the same thing for 2 years... she'd feel like she finished one text and is moving on to the next.

 

I was just thinking that, since we aren't in a "hurry" to get her to Algebra I through Saxon, maybe TT would be a great way to get started in Algebra... a friendlier approach. She would get the cute, friendly computer program for one year before I move her to stodgy old black & white Saxon. ;)

 

We're going to use the Art Reed videos, but... well ... he's no cartoon owl or cow or penguin... :) She likes the guy's voice on the TT lessons, too.

 

I wish I had more confidence in TT long-term. I have the pre-algebra book and just don't think it has as much info crammed into it as the Saxon. But, she wants to do math first thing in the morning with TT... it's why she started to love math.

 

She is beginning Pre-Algebra *now.* I have the TT and Saxon and we're intending to use the Saxon. But, she's hoping to get to use TT again after the Saxon pre-algebra.

 

:confused: :bigear:

[Teachin'Mine]

Can she start off her day just watching the TT video and then do the Saxon lesson? I know the topics won't line up, but it would give her the fun visuals she enjoys and the math which is at her level. Enjoying a subject is important, but not to the detriment of learning IMO. And I'm not at all saying that TT is detrimental to learning, it's just that she's doing Saxon pre-algebra which as you have said is more comprehensive than the TT pre-algebra, so likely some of the TT algebra would be repeating what she's already learned in 8/7 or Algebra 1/2. Kwim? :)

 

My dd was and is very visual and was used to very colorful math workbooks before we began Saxon. I worried that she wouldn't like it due to the lack of color and visual stimulation, but on the contrary she really enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised. She liked being able to read the lessons on her own and the variety of problems she was solving each day. She's never had to study for a Saxon math test as everything is reviewed in each of the lessons. :)

[Addicted2Coffee]

From your last post I would just keep up with TT. I just switched DD9 to TT5 this year and she loves it, we intend to use it through highschool. You could supplement it with LoF if you want too. My sisters kids used it and two are in college now both did well on their ACT's and are doing well one is even becoming a math teacher.