................... Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 My dd used HOrizons from 1st - 6th grade and we had no real issues till the end of 6th grade. At that point we had problems with the amount of problems, and the confusion about writing in the book--there isn't enough space and she therefore didn't learn to properly "set up" her work... My dd is visual spatial and also has focus issues. She is a Sociable Sue and very active. She looked intently at Horizons and Saxon Algebra 1/2 and definitely ruled out Horizons Pre-Algebra. The explanations in the Pre-Alg are even more confusing and sparse than the ones in the previous books, and she just really felt she had enough of the issues with layout and lack of explanation (DOn't get me wrong we love Horizons but I think 6th grade is where the love ended) So, she looked at Saxon and felt like the explanations were clear. She really liked that aspect. BUT I know my dd. She does NOT have a good attention span and the long lessons, lack of color (she is using an overlay), and overall bland boring nature of the book may not work with her. We will be attempting it in August. We have used Derek Owens Pre-Alg for a little while and she did OK with it, but the mastery method did leave her forgetting old material, and I didn't see where review was really included, which gave me concerns. Any other thoughts, or any thoughts of something even to try first? The reason I like Saxon is that it is so fool-proof for a non-math mom and there are so many help vidoes. But I'm not really sure it really is the best thing for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Are you looking for another Pre-A course or for Algebra 1? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted July 15, 2016 Author Share Posted July 15, 2016 Pre Alg :o) But, it should go through Basic Math quickly before moving on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 (edited) Maybe Dolciani Pre-A : An Accelerated Course? My visual-spatial son with major attention issues is doing very well with it. He is using the 80's version because many newer math books are just too crazy in layout. Too many sidebars, too many fonts, just sooo much to wade through. The older Dolciani's have a much cleaner design. ETA: here's a link to the TM, which is reasonable in price right now... Edited July 15, 2016 by Zoo Keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewBlackwood Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 (edited) You can "adapt" Saxon by not doing all the questions if your daughter is understanding the material. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk Edited July 15, 2016 by matthewblckwd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 The lessons are short. The practice is too much, but like the previous poster said you can just not do them all. You can usually cut them in half right off the bat because often there are 2 of each type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 I have the Dolciani book and honestly I do not get the allure. It doesn't strike me as radically different than Saxon. There is tons of practice. The layout is similarly dry. Nothing special. I definitely would not choose that one if Saxon isn't working out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted July 15, 2016 Author Share Posted July 15, 2016 You know what, I found one! The McDougall Littell that the Math Mammoth Lady recommends, is written by Larson. It has the topics she needs, and the layout has splashes of color and it's super organized. I bought the TM on Amazon, so I would have the answers. My dd looked at samples of different books and she wants a text that has some color and some mastery with review. She liked the Bob Jones Pre-Alg but the topics it the Larson Pre-ALg made more sense, so we went with that. I decided that since Pre-Alg is a re-cap, with algebra topics mixed in, there is really no real reason to have to choose a book series that we can use through high school. I had the Dolciani too. It wouldn't really solve any problems for my dd, but I do get the allure. The book itself is small, unintimidating and inviting. It's not cluttered but the print and layout is visually calm, and the topics are pretty logical. It has some really advanced word problems and topics mixed in, so I think that's why people like it...it's just a good solid, advanced math book for the age. But not what my dd needed. Math Mammoth would have been great, for a VS, add learner too but it was too advanced. My dd needed more review of last year's topics. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 My daughter struggled a bit last year using BJU math 6. I'm planning on having her go through math u see zeta and prealgebra in 7th grade, just to make sure she has a solid math course. It's only going to be about two pages a day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanHomeEd Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 I just want to say I so love these user names "Calming Tea" and "peaceful isle" :laugh: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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