Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by Suzq.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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February 22, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Brandie
Participant
I am thinking of changing my math curriculum from singapore math to saxon math and really don’t know what to order. My daughter is just not doing well with the singapore math, she doesn’t seem to be retaining things well, and i think this has to do with the fact that singapore math does not review.I have looked into ordering saxon math but really don’t know what to do, I have given my daughter the Saxon placement test and know what grade to order, but do i just need to order the homeschool kit, does it come with a teachers manual, or not. I am a little confused as to what i need. I would greatly appreciate some help with this. Thanks
February 22, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Scherger5
Participant
What age is she? Did she take the placement test? It is usually pretty accurate.
Oh, and yes, the homeschool kit is all you would need.
Not to send you on a rabbit trail, but we too like a traditional math program at our house. While I have used Saxon, I prefer Rod and Staff for grades 1-7 or 8.
Blessings,
Heather
February 22, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Rachel White
Participant
Brandie,
If the main problem seems to be not enough review (which I know Singapore is weak in that area), then I don’t know that Saxon would be any better. It’s a spiral program, not a mastery based one; so she won’t “master” a concept before moving on to the next one. For some children that works-those that are naturally math-inclined; however, it’s not so good for others who aren’t so inclined.
I suggest Math Mammoth; the instructions are very clear and it, thoroughly covers a topic before moving on in a style that is very colorful, allowing for an artistic or a visual type learner. It promotes independant learning, too. I know Saxon can be very textbookish and CMer’s, as a whole, don’t find it to be a very good fit.
MM is also very reasonable, price-wise. It goes to 6th, with Pre-alg and Alg. in process.
Sorry, I know I didn’t really answer your question; but I thought it important for you to have that info. about spiral v/s mastery before you spend the money.
Rachel
February 22, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Suzq
Participant
We use Saxon math. I think if you order the homeschool kit you would get all that you needed. I bought mine used. What year are you needing? We may have it. I think you need a student text, solutions manual, the facts practice worksheets and tests.

Suzq
February 22, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Brandie
Participant
My daughter is 11, and we did take the placement test and she tested at the 7/6 level, so that is what i was thinking of ordering. I have used Rod and Staff language, but I have never used the math, I will look into it though, i am still not entirely sure what to do. She gets overwhelmed easily and likes things to be straight forward and easily explained, I would like for her to have a math that is a little more self-taught than what i have been using. She doesn’t do well with change and so whatever i go with i want to be able to stay with for the next few years, Also math is not the easiest thing for me to teach, I had a hard time with math myself growing up and so i need something to help me be able to explain it to her, does that make any sense… i hadn’t even heard of Math Mammoth before, so I think I’ll look it up too. brandie
February 22, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Suzq
Participant
We have the 7/6 third edition. There may be a newer edition out now. You are welcome to have it if you want to pay to have it shipped to your place. It is a hardcover text. The first 4 tests have been filled in by previous owners. The worksheets are there but you need to make copies of them. I think they sell workbooks now with all the worksheets all printed so no need to copy anymore. I also have an answer book for tests, worksheets, and problems in the text but this is different than the solutions manual. The Solutions manual show how they worked the problem to arrive at the answer. That can be very helpful. These books are worn( covers coming off the softcover books) but still able to be used. the hardcover text is in pretty good condition yet.
I want you to know that we have used Saxon but we also use the DIVE CD by David Shoreman. The boys put the CD in th computer and Dr. Shorman teaches them the lesson. This has worked beautifully for us. Unfortunately we are not allowed to even give away the DIVE CD in their copyright rules. Also as my older son has moved on(Algebra 2) we purchased the Saxon Teacher CD as well. This teacher works out every problem. So if we can’t figure it out we can put that CD in and see it worked out. It does get to be quite expensive buying both DIVE and Saxon Teacher, but Saxon Teacher does not teach as well as Dr. Shoreman and Dr. Shorman only teaches the lesson and does a couple of practice problems. He does not work each and every problem in the book. So I forked over the money in order to have that crutch. We have only used the Saxon Teacher for Alg. 1 and 2 and then only about 5-6 times a year. Boy after typing that, I wonder if it is worth it. LOL
You can pm me if you would like me to ship it to you.

Suzq