Math-Saxon users

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Math-Saxon users

by kindergarten teacher

Jul 23, 2009

Our school just switched math programs and will begin using Saxon math this school year. I have been reviewing the teachers manual and wonder...with a script why did I spend oodles of money on a masters degree a monkey can read the script...so what is it like teachers? Do you like it? Do you follow the script? The representative told our principal that it is important to do just as the manual says to do and our students will be successful. So if I don't use the script my students will...what? not learn? Needless to say I am apprehensive and feel that my students were successful previously and I don't necessarily have issue with using a new program and being open to it, I am just a little skeptical. Would love to hear how those in the trenches really feel about it.

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certifiedteach I can't say anything about the script, but I used Saxon for 4 years while I homeschooled my own children before returning to teaching in a school, and Saxon is by far the best math curriculum I used. Of course, since then, one of the major publishers purchased Saxon, and now I am not sure if or how they may have changed the curriculum. I now teach ...See More

Jul 24, 2009

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Cathy I'm currently using Saxon math and I've used it in the past. The fifth grade has changed dramatically. There is a homework set every night with 30 problems and a practice set. The good news is that several of the problems from the homework set are review for classtime.

The bad news is that all the grades below fifth have a very long introd...See MoreI'm currently using Saxon math and I've used it in the past. The fifth grade has changed dramatically. There is a homework set every night with 30 problems and a practice set. The good news is that several of the problems from the homework set are review for classtime.

The bad news is that all the grades below fifth have a very long introduction time that takes up a great deal of time.

On 7/24/09, certifiedteach wrote: > I can't say anything about the script, but I used Saxon for 4 > years while I homeschooled my own children before returning to > teaching in a school, and Saxon is by far the best math > curriculum I used. Of course, since then, one of the major > publishers purchased Saxon, and now I am not sure if or how > they may have changed the curriculum. I now teach sixth grade > using Glencoe mathematics, and that curriculum also uses a > spiral approach, which is exactly what made Saxon so great and > effective. > In terms of teaching, I would just look over the script to be > sure you are touching on the important concepts, etc that are > in the script, and then paraphrase and add your own methods, > etc. I certainly am much more knowledgeable about how to keep > my class motivated, attentive and interested, and a script > followed too closely would not allow for the "special touch" I > add to lessons. I am sure you will be very successful with Saxon! > > > > > > > > On 7/23/09, kindergarten teacher wrote: >> Our school just switched math programs and will begin using >> Saxon math this school year. I have been reviewing the >> teachers manual and wonder...with a script why did I spend >> oodles of money on a masters degree a monkey can read the >> script...so what is it like teachers? Do you like it? Do >> you follow the script? The representative told our >> principal that it is important to do just as the manual >> says to do and our students will be successful. So if I >> don't use the script my students will...what? not learn? >> Needless to say I am apprehensive and feel that my students >> were successful previously and I don't necessarily have >> issue with using a new program and being open to it, I am >> just a little skeptical. Would love to hear how those in >> the trenches really feel about it.

Jul 24, 2009

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Debbie/CA I love math-saxon. I have used it for 4 years. The thing I like about SAX is that each lesson is short and leads to more diffiult concepts. At my grade level (4 & 5) the homework is an accumulated review, which most other math books do not do.

In traditional books, if you are learning adding, then the entire chapter is on adding. Then...See MoreI love math-saxon. I have used it for 4 years. The thing I like about SAX is that each lesson is short and leads to more diffiult concepts. At my grade level (4 & 5) the homework is an accumulated review, which most other math books do not do.

In traditional books, if you are learning adding, then the entire chapter is on adding. Then when you do subtraction, the book only teaches subtraction and does not review prior knowledge. As the students get older the review is so important. Not to sure what would be in the Kinder program, but the script is not so important. Just as the prior poster said, review what the author wants you to say and then put it in your own words. That is what I do and my students actually like coming to math. Even those who struggle. I use a timer and make a lot of games out of the facts they need to know.

Also, the tests in math-saxon are done after every 5th lesson. I like this, but again, not sure in Kinder how you test, or if there are tests...at least for the first 6 months.

Have fun with it!

On 7/24/09, certifiedteach wrote: > I can't say anything about the script, but I used Saxon for 4 > years while I homeschooled my own children before returning to > teaching in a school, and Saxon is by far the best math > curriculum I used. Of course, since then, one of the major > publishers purchased Saxon, and now I am not sure if or how > they may have changed the curriculum. I now teach sixth grade > using Glencoe mathematics, and that curriculum also uses a > spiral approach, which is exactly what made Saxon so great and > effective. > In terms of teaching, I would just look over the script to be > sure you are touching on the important concepts, etc that are > in the script, and then paraphrase and add your own methods, > etc. I certainly am much more knowledgeable about how to keep > my class motivated, attentive and interested, and a script > followed too closely would not allow for the "special touch" I > add to lessons. I am sure you will be very successful with Saxon! > > > > > > > > On 7/23/09, kindergarten teacher wrote: >> Our school just switched math programs and will begin using >> Saxon math this school year. I have been reviewing the >> teachers manual and wonder...with a script why did I spend >> oodles of money on a masters degree a monkey can read the >> script...so what is it like teachers? Do you like it? Do >> you follow the script? The representative told our >> principal that it is important to do just as the manual >> says to do and our students will be successful. So if I >> don't use the script my students will...what? not learn? >> Needless to say I am apprehensive and feel that my students >> were successful previously and I don't necessarily have >> issue with using a new program and being open to it, I am >> just a little skeptical. Would love to hear how those in >> the trenches really feel about it.

Jul 25, 2009

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1stGradeTeach I love Saxon Math, especially for the lower grades. My school uses Saxon through grade 3, then switches to another curriculum. Just as previous posts have said, the review in saxon is everything. Constant review is so important for the young ones, I've found that it helps my students to retain the information better. As far the script goes, I don't...See More

Jul 28, 2009

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mch/teacher/2 After 7 years we are switching from Saxon to a new math program. I liked it a lot at first for my 2nd graders, but have found it to be too repetative in many areas. It was good for a small minority of my students that did not have good basic math skills, but for most of my students it was too slow and did not allow enough challenge. I had to supple...See More

Aug 10, 2009

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