saxon math Saxon Math Homework (5/4 and up) -To Correct or Not to Correct?

[Sleep-Deprived]

I've been using Saxon Math with my kids from the beginning. I recently read Art Reed's book on using Saxon Math. He says that the homework shouldn't be graded, because the curriculum was written to catch problem areas on the tests. He says the longest a child would go with an undiscovered problem would be five days, since the tests follow every five lessons.

 

I would like to know if anyone else does this? I know that the Saxon books themselves suggest that the student check their homework, but I tried that and it was just too overwhelming for my oldest son (he is fabulous about doing his work on his own). I now have one son in 7/6 and one in 5/4. I do spend a ridiculous amount of time checking their homework, however I LIKE that it gives me a very clear indication of where they just aren't "getting" something. I also have them go back over their corrected assignments once a week, reworking problems that are recurring issues. While I would LOVE to stop checking their homework (especially considering I have four kiddos), but I'm a little wary of NOT reviewing all their work.

 

So my question is: Does anyone have any experience NOT checking the homework, and strictly grading the tests? And if you do, how has it worked for you and how long have you been doing this?

 

Thanks!

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I have ds check his work with the answer key and not the solution manual. I think this is important since he is in Algebra 1 in school and we work ahead. This way I know he understands. It takes him about 10 to 15 minutes to check his answers and correct. He does circle his answer so that it is easy to see when checking answers.

[Brenda in FL]

I no longer check the one that is in Alg. 1. He checks his own answers and lets me know if there are some that he still needs help on. (In Alg. 1 and I assume Alg 1/2 - there is an answer key and a solutions manual.) He uses the answer key to check his work and rework problems that he got wrong. I grade his tests.

 

I'm sticking to checking the assignments for the middle grades myself. Especially since I don't usually teach the lesson. Then it gives me a chance to make sure they understand it.

[Nscribe]

I don't think Mr. Reed means you should not check over the homework, and if he does I am not sure I agree. I still check Dd's in high school. It is better if we catch a misunderstanding right away. Now, I don't grade it ....in the sense of issuing a grade....but I do call her attention to an error to see if she recognizes it on a second glance and if it is a need to correct fundamental understanding we address it.

 

Dd's schedule is very busy, thus I check it most of the time (about 1 out of every 4 lessons she will check). But, before she starts the next lesson we look at anything we may need to from the previous one.

[Murrayshire]

Most days we check it right after while we are in math mode. DD12 uses 8/7 with Art Reed, too. DD9 uses 5/4.......It does help to check right after so that I don't put it off till goodness knows when! Plus, it does reassure me of what my kids "get" and "don't get" so we know what needs practice.

[Sleep-Deprived]

Thank you all for your input, I really appreciate you taking time to answer. Very helpful :)

[FriedClams]

I'm going to throw out a crazy idea....

 

I do my kid's math lessons every day. We have our own notebooks and we work each problem alone. If a kid needs help - I've done that problem and can walk through it with them. For Algebra 1/2 I watch the DVD lesson (we use Mr Reed) and then we do our work. My younger finished this year's math so we're enjoying some Fred for fun - so we just read it together.

 

The kids love it, it makes me SEE the curriculum, and I can help on the spot. I now look at is my daily suduko - a little mind gymnastics for me. I really love it and hate when I have to miss a day.

 

ETA - because I do it this way and we check every problem, every day we skip all the odd tests. I found the tests were wasting our time so this technique has saved me 15 lessons a book, too. :-)

[KarenNC]

We're in Alg 1/2. I had started initially grading homework as well as tests but stopped grading the homework after speaking with Mr. Reed. It made a huge difference in attitude in my daughter. We do check homework daily as part of math, but no grade assigned to it. Just marking which ones are wrong and having her re-do those problems. Typically, I find that she gets it correct on the re-do without any additional help from me, but, if not, I have her step me through it to find the issue. I do grade very strictly on the tests.

[mschickie]

I check dd's math work every day and then she goes back and corrects it. I do not assign a grade. Most times she figures out the problem (usually a careless mistake) if not she will ask for help. When it comes to her tests I grade them and then let her go back and do corrections for 1/2 credit. I had a teacher do this in school and found that it was a great way to see where I made mistakes. The most that dd normally gets wrong are 3 questions so it is not that big of a deal.

[AK_Mom4]

Yes. I do not grade the homework either. We correct the work daily so we catch the errors, but I only track grades on the tests. Not entering grades for homework gives DD some leeway if she misses a series of problems - she can correct her mistakes and learn how to work these correctly before the test.

 

When DS was doing Alg 1/2 and Alg 1, he would correct his own daily work with and we would just go over the problems he missed. Dd likes more immediate feedback, so I keep the answer key and she tells me her answer after each problem.