Customer Reviews

Algebra 1 : An Incremental Development

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I used the Saxon books through all of my High school math courses, and think they are *the* best way to learn algebra. The key to the success is really twofold. 1) New types of problems are introduced with every lesson - but these are not drilled into the student by giving them 20 or more "practice problems" to do. Instead, only about 5 of the "new" problems are given for practice - letting the new ideas "sink in" over a period of days. 2) Constant review. Because the student is not burdened with lots of new ideas every lesson, the remaining homework problems are review of everything the student has done to date. This ensures that the student doesn't forget how to do the math, and makes reviewing for a test almost obsolete. I am now in graduate school, soon to get my PhD in theoretical biophysics. Learning Algebra so well in high school put me far ahead in college. I now tutor out of the Saxon books (and others, depending on which schools the kids go to), and the Saxon kids are far ahead of the others in terms of retention and understanding. 'nuff said.

Gee. I didn't realize a doctorate was even offered in "theoretical" biophysics. Oh well, I may be losing contact with the avant garde of my field, but I have been homeschooling two bright kids for...lessee, my son will be 14 in May, my daughter 11 in August, so quite a long time. "Saxon Math" has been and continues to be the cornerstone, both pedagogically and pragmatically, of math education in our household. I think the "incremental" philosophy of John Saxon is unassailable, this last view offered in the face of evidence from my own experience as well as from dozens of other committed homeschoolers of my acquaintance. The results speak for themselves: both of my children routinely score in the math 99 %tile on national achievement tests.(Sometimes I subject the kids to BOTH the "Iowa" AND the CAT. Pretty mean, huh?) I have heard of similar results from many others. Get Saxon, stick with the program, and math success is guaranteed, whether you are a math savant or, like me and mine, just hard working.

I am a 12 year old that is in algebra math. He describes and teaches well in his text, which makes you not even need a teacher. I learned algebra without anybody helping me, and I passed the SAT test with flying colors. Thanks Saxon!!

Contrary to the first reviewer, we have seen students understand math for the first time and thus enjoy it using Saxon math, going on to utilize it successfully in applied sciences. Math is not Disneyland; it is a discipline. A math text should not be judged by its entertainment value. If their education has not taught them to think, has instead taught them to expect to be entertained, it is no wonder students complain and become bored when faced with a text of substance. Our son was home schooled on the Saxon series, which are *excellent.* He is oriented toward engineering and has a 4.0 in his college work. I could repeat similar stories concerning myriad Saxon students. Success speaks for itself.

I needed some extra preparation for calculus. After consulting several sources I setteled on Saxons Algebra I through Advanced math. They really work. With Saxon math it is true that what you put in is what you get out of it. If you follow the instructions Saxon will make anyone a master at Algebra, but at a cost, effort. It is NOT hard, but it takes work, the more you put in the better you get, with the Saxon approach. It does break things down pretty simple though. This is great if you have problems with math, but for those who are better at it it teaches mastery. I would just suggest taking their placement test so you don't waste your time. The courses do take some time to complete. I homeschooled my daughter last year with their second grade and I am now using it to prepare for college, it does work!

Thanks so much for getting this book here so quickly. Since our school doesn't provide math books it was critical that we get it in a timely manner - and we did!

We homeschooled our kids over a period of years, and Saxon Math, including Algebra 1, 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.

Many students meet their mathematical Waterloo in Algebra 1, but it doesn't have to be this way. I've worked with a number of students in Algebra 1 who, in spite of past failure and fear, have succeeded with Saxon Algebra 1. The key is to labor diligently every day: do every problem, check the answers every day, and rework any questions that are missed.

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 is no exception to the rule that Saxon Math texts help students learn math well. After Algebra 1, all of my kids who have taken it were definitely ready to move on to the next level.

In general, Saxon Math, including Algebra, is highly recommended. It's especially ideal for homeschooling families.

This is a good Algebra book.The solutions manual is absolutely necessary.Almost every lesson is essential and should be carefully studied as they build on each other.

The Saxon math series is very popular among administrators desparate for high standardized test scores and lazy teachers whose teaching interest or ability ends with the last page of the solutions manual.

The Saxon books are better described as computation test-prep workbooks rather than as mathematics textbooks. They kill students' interest in real mathematics by drowning them in extremely tedious and needlessly complex arithmetic exercises. The author claims that fostering "automaticity" (sic) in students makes them better able to deal with mathematical concepts. In my experience, it just makes kids hate math. The books fail to develop algebraic concepts with any rigour, leaving students bored and unprepared for the more difficult concepts found in higher mathematics.