Customer Reviews

Algebra 1/2: An Incremental Development Homeschool Kit(Homeschool Algebra)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BRIEF EVALUATION

I found Algebra 1/2 to cover with only small additions and enhancements the topics that Saxon's Math 8/7 covered already. While it should be very good for students who feel the need to consolidate the material studied during the previous year, my own children felt that there was little new here and they asked me to skip the Algebra Half and go to the full Algebra One, which is what we are about to do.

We had a very good experience with this set but, thanks to my kids being such godd students, we've decided to skip it.

Even though we had to abandon this course after the first half-dozen lessons convinced us that we didn't need it, I will grant the package 5 stars for Saxon's proven effectiveness but be aware that this should be skipped by the more advanced students.



THE SAXON METHOD

We've been using Saxon's books to teach our kids math starting with Math 3/2 and we've been very happy.

Algebra 1/2 (it means ALGEBRA HALF not "Algebra One and Two" is comprised of 123 lessons, 31 tests and a number of Topics labeled from A to J. Unlike the previous Math courses, there are no 'Investigations' and the lessons no longer begin with drills and warmup activities. Also, unlike prior math cycles up to Math 8/7, tests are administered after every four lesson rather than after every five.

Each lesson begins by explaining and illustrating a number of new topics - one, two or sometimes three. That is followed by a small number of practice exercises that are related to the new topics. Finally, there is a 30-item problem set (what the prior volumes were calling 'mixed practice') that asks students to answer/solve 30 questions that could be on EVERYTHING covered by Saxon up to that point. Each individual question has references to the lesson(s) which the students may want to review if they are having trouble with the answer/solution.

After every 4 lessons there is a 20-question test.

The problem set and the multi-topic lessons are what makes the Saxon method so effective as new concepts are introduced incrementally and each problem set keeps revisiting prior topics and many of the problems require the student to combine skills and knowledge aquired in more than one lesson.



THE KIT's CONTENTS

A complete kit should include the following:

- The Algebra 1/2 textbook that includes the 123 lessons, the extra topics, index, glossary and an answer key to the odd-numbered problems.
- Test forms that include the 31 tests plus reproducible test answer sheets.
- Answers and tests solutions booklet that is just that. It only includes the answers not the ways to get there - for that an optional 'Solutions manual' can be obtained separately.

We homeschooled our kids over a period of years, and Saxon Math, including Algebra 1/2, was always our choice for math texts. I also teach in a classical Christian school where we use Saxon Math as well. I find that for most students, if they will take the time to read the lesson well, do all of the problems, and then rework any problems they miss then they will achieve a high degree of mastery of the material at hand.

This book will adequately prepare math students for Algebra 1, which has proven to be the mathematical Waterloo of many a student. With adequate preparation, it doesn't have to be. Advanced students may be able to move from Math 76 directly to Algebra 1, especially if it seems (as it has to some) that this book moves to slowly or contains too much review.

The greatest advantage of Saxon Math is that each lesson provides practice not only for the new problems but also built-in review for every kind of problem the student has previously encountered. Algebra 1/2 is no exception to the rule that Saxon Math texts help students learn math well. After Algebra 1/2, all of my kids who have taken it were definitely ready to move on to the next level.

In general, Saxon Math, including Algebra 1/2, is highly recommended. It is especially ideal for homeschooling families.