Algebra 1: An Incremental Development - Test Forms, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

John H. Saxon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1565771397 | ISBN-13: 978-1565771390 | Publication Date: January 1, 1998 | Edition: 3rd

Homeschooling Algebra 1, test forms only. 30 test forms Grade Level 9.

Product Details

• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: Steck-Vaughn Company; 3rd edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565771397
• ISBN-13: 978-1565771390
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It is generally not needed - please read the warning, September 11, 2009

By 

A. Dent "Aragorn" (Minas Anor, GD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Algebra 1: An Incremental Development - Test Forms, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

WARNING - Saxon's Algebra is a great course but this is not 'it' - please read below.

All you get is the Test forms in a booklet that is ALWAYS included in the Home Study Kit.

The HOME STUDY KIT is made up of:

1 - The Algebra 1 student's textbook that includes the 120 lessons, the extra topics, index, glossary and an answer key to the odd-numbered problems.
2 - Test forms that include the 31 tests plus reproducible test answer sheets.
3 - Answers and tests solutions booklet that is just that. It only includes the answers not the ways to get there.

You only get #2 if you order this item, meaning that you will NOT be able to teach your students Algebra. Moreover, there is no value in purchasing this booklet as it is always included with the Home Study Kit so, to the extent that you get a textbook, you the tests booklet should be included. Also, keep in mind that the 32 pages can be easily copied and, in fact, the last 2 pages are test forms that are meant to be reproduced.

I love Saxon and I've been using Saxon courses for many years with my children but you should look for the Home Study Kit or any other offer that includes the 3 items I listed above.

I am including my review of the Home Study Kit as a way to help those interested with purchases what is actually needed to successfully teach Algebra 1.

_____________________________________________

BRIEF EVALUATION OF THE COMPLETE STUDY KIT

Like previous courses in the Saxon's series, Algebra 1 is a most effective tool for teaching children math without intimidating them and without boring them. After more than 6 years of teaching my own kids math after school I can testify that it works. Both my kids are now in advanced math classes, their math grades always A's and, as I explain below, we just skipped Algebra 1/2 as not necessary.



ALGEBRA 1/2 vs. ALGEBRA 1

I found Algebra 1 to be the logical 'next' for my kids who successfully covered Saxon's Math 8/7 the year before. We decided to skip Algebra 1/2 because it was more or less a re-review of the material in 8/7, presumably to ensure a solid math foundation prior to moving into the more abstract 'true' algebra covered by this text.

I would suggest taking Algebra 1 ans skipping Algebra 1/2 if your students have mastered Math 8/7. Otherwise, go with Algebra 1.



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 is comprised of 120 lessons, 31 tests, one extra topic on real number, Glossary, Index and answers to the odd-numbered questions. 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 - rarely one, usually two or three, sometimes more. 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 acquired in more than one lesson.



THE KIT's CONTENTS

A complete, usable kit should include the following:

- The Algebra 1 student's textbook that includes the 120 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.

If you are not comfortable with the topic, you MAY want to order the optional 'Solutions manual' and, perhaps the Teacher's manual. I have no experience with these items.



PRACTICAL ADVICE

You should be very careful on what you get in your order. The 3 items above are what is usually called 'The Home Study Kit'. This is sufficient for teaching math. Please be aware that you will not be able to teach math effectively unless you have all 3 times above. Before you actually place your order, you should contact the seller and make sure that this is what you get.

I found the DIVE into Math CD for Saxon Algebra 1, 3rd edition to be a very useful addition. In fact this is what I am using this year and both the kids and myself are happier for it. You may be able to find kits that sell the CD separately or as part of a bundle. You will not be able to teach with the CD alone because you will be missing the practice problems and the tests so consider buying the CD by itself if you already have the 'study kit' or look for some bundle that has both the study kit and the CD. One CD for your 'class' should be sufficient so, if you have more than one student, buy as many kits as you need for the students and only one CD for teaching.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saxon Tests, October 13, 2008

By 

Theresa Schultz "Former teacher" (Sinclair, WY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Algebra 1: An Incremental Development - Test Forms, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Saxon's math tests are both fair and an accurate picture of what the student should know. Nothing is given in a test that has not been thoroughly reviewed in the textbook first, so students have an opportunity to score well if they have been doing and understanding their homework. We have also found that using Saxon math, as intended, increases scores on standardized testing, because students retain more.

5.0 out of 5 stars Saxon Alg 1 Test Masters, October 3, 2011

By 

Amay - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Algebra 1: An Incremental Development - Test Forms, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

This was what I was needing for my Algebra class. It doesn't have the form A & B that I'm used to, but that's okay. We just do the test review from one of the lessons and then test.