tammieb Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I saw something awhile back about how Saxon Math approaches algebra. I thought I had read somewhere that 8/7 and Algebra 1/2 cover mostly the same material. Anyone have any insight on this?? I'm trying to get my ducks in a row for starting high school math (this all seems WAAAAYYYY too soon :crying:!!). I don't want to duplicate, but I also do not want to skip pertinent information either. Any input would be great! Thanks so much :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbelle Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 We did 8/7 last year and as DD doesn't love math we are doing Saxon 1/2 this year. I think she likes 1/2 much better. It moves along a bit quicker after the first few chapters. I can't put my finger on it, but it does seem to suit us better. DS is going much faster at math, so he will start 8/7 in Jan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norah Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 We're planning on going from 7/6 to algebra 1/2. My son excels in math though. If your child is struggling, I'd consider 8/7. Otherwise I'd probably jump ahead. Worst case you can always drop back to 8/7 if you need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammieb Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thanks for the tips! She FLIES through her math textbooks, and she LOVES Saxon! I was leaning more toward going the Algebra 1/2 route. That helped me have a little more confidence with my decision :) Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 My son hates math so we went from Saxon 87 to Saxon 1/2. My daughter who loves math went from 87 to algebra 1. Saxon 1/2 is like a repeat of 87. I think we may use it for 1/2 year and then attempt algebra 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonflyAcademy Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Our DVD says that 8/7 and Alg 1/2 are paths to the same end.. Algebra 1.. but that 1/2 moves a lot faster in the start..we chose 8/7 for the added review.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 With current editions, a child who completes Math 76 with at least an 80% average goes to Math 87, then Alg. 1. If he has less than an 80%, he does Alg. 1/2, then Algebra 1. With older editions it was the opposite. I'm not sure when that changed, but you should be able to find out from the publisher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaOz Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Art Reed (who worked with John Saxon and promotes his books) says that if the student get 80% or above on the final 5 or 6 tests, then he can go straight to Algebra 1/2. The content of 87 and 1/2 is very similar but 1/2 moves more quickly and doesn't spend as much time on revision as 87 does. 87 still prepares the student for Algebra 1 but just does it a little more gently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 DD is good at math, although she doesn't love it, but her scores from 7/6 were consistently good. We skipped 8/7 and went right to Algebra 1/2. So far she's 16 lessons into Alg. 1/2 and has yet to see anything new. (She's only done 16 lessons because we're doing Algebra 1/2 over two years and are supplementing a few days a week with worksheets on other topics, like Venn diagrams and probability, as well as word problems.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 From what I understood, I thought 8/7 was recommended (3rd edition) and then if the child did well, they could go straight to algebra. If they don't score "x" amount on the last 5 tests, then they would follow 8/7 with 1/2. This is what we are doing. I figure it gives me an extra year before algebra if my dd needs it, though I doubt she will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleep-Deprived Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I have the same understanding as Linda. I also have both curricula on hand (8/7 homeschool Third edition and Algebra 1/2 Third edition). 8/7 continues to drill basic math facts and has daily mental math, whereas those are dropped from Algebra 1/2. My oldest son is in 6th grade and went from 7/6 last year to Algebra 1/2 this year - he is very math-minded. My second son, who is not as math-minded will probably do 8/7 instead of Algebra 1/2, because I imagine he will need the continued practice with drills and mental math that my oldest does not require. The 8/7 book has the same layout and feel as the 5/4- 7/6 texts but it is huge- probably 1/3 bulkier. It is also labeled as "8/7 with Prealgebra." Algebra 1/2 is more like the texts I remember from high school algebra. The text font is much smaller in 1/2 and the instructions seem to be written to a more mature student. The book is hardcover and about 1/3 the size of the 8/7 softcover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Here is a link to Saxon's FAQ page where they address what to take after math 7/6. I still think either 8/7 or 1/2 could be used, though, depending in the child. http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com/en/homeschool_faq.htm#recommend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I have the same understanding as Linda. I also have both curricula on hand (8/7 homeschool Third edition and Algebra 1/2 Third edition). 8/7 continues to drill basic math facts and has daily mental math, whereas those are dropped from Algebra 1/2. My oldest son is in 6th grade and went from 7/6 last year to Algebra 1/2 this year - he is very math-minded. My second son, who is not as math-minded will probably do 8/7 instead of Algebra 1/2, because I imagine he will need the continued practice with drills and mental math that my oldest does not require. The 8/7 book has the same layout and feel as the 5/4- 7/6 texts but it is huge- probably 1/3 bulkier. It is also labeled as "8/7 with Prealgebra." Algebra 1/2 is more like the texts I remember from high school algebra. The text font is much smaller in 1/2 and the instructions seem to be written to a more mature student. The book is hardcover and about 1/3 the size of the 8/7 softcover. 8/7 is definitely bulky. My dd was just mentioning the other day that it has 900 pages, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammieb Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks so much for all of your help :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.