I know I should not do this, but I am felling kinda saucy this morning. It might be the late night run to Taco Bell or maybe it is just a flare up of heartburn....it could even be my corns, tetters, and warts (thank the Lord for Blue Star ointment). But I feel light starting a little debate. It is like when you are at your grandmother's for Christmas and you know there is tension between two people and you so nonchalantly say, "So, I hear Uncle Bob thinks you should _____." That is all it takes to start a little rumble (This is all hypothetically speaking of course.)
Well ladies and gentlemen, I feel like a little rumble this morning. I little debate from my homeschool (or anyone) buddies peeps, jaimes. As we all know I might, possibly, perhaps, could, kinda, sorta, be maybe considering homeschooling. I have been in the bowels (that word always makes me giggle) of research on curriculum, statistics, scores, data, data, data...
I am stuck. Math curriculum. Go ahead, put the gloves on. Saxon. Tell me your stories. Bring me your weak and broken hearted. I have taught this series along with a few other in public schools. I would like to know more about the high school level books. I know Geometry is included in Algebra II. Has anyone used these throughout their child's educational career? Do you feel they are college ready? Anyone? Anyone?
I am ready for the debate. Ding, Ding, Ding....
4 comments:
I have never used it. Of all the reviews I have heard from other HS'ers about 80% of them are favorable. One of the major things that was disliked was how repetitive it was.
I use Math-U-See. I like it.
I am not exactly qualified to debate this since I do not have a child in school yet. But I figured I throw in my thoughts. We start this fall and here is my plan. I am going to use 2 math books. Saxon definitley has its good points. That's what I used in high school. There is a ton of review each lesson. I got very good grades in Algebra, Adv. Math and Calc. BUT... I feel that I did not really learn math. I learned how to plug in formulas. But I did not really know what I was doing. For that reason I plan on using 2 diff books for my kids. The other is called MathUSee. It not only teaches the how but the why of math. You can go to their website and order a free dvd and learn all about it. It teaches math from a different perspective.
I don't feel comfortable using just one curriculum when it comes to math. And I have been in touch with other homeschoolers that feel the same way. Using different books will make a child really think rather than just plug in a formula. Also, it may help to break up the monotony of early math. :)
I debate with you if I knew anything, LOL! I chose RightStart Math because I thought my son needed more interaction/variety/hands-on/conceptual stuff.
My niece really struggled with math (including Saxon) and she is sooo much like my son. I wanted him to have a better experience than that. She is doing better with Teaching Textbooks. I've heard really great things about Teaching Textbooks, but I don't know how rigorous it is.
So, at this point, we are going with RightStart and then moving on to Teaching Textbooks, but I might change my mind if I have a son that shows a real interest/gift for math.
Math curriculum was one of my toughest decisions. Both my husband and I were decent in math, and I want a solid foundation for my boys, but it is so *uninspiring* to me, LOL. I would rather pour over literature and history resources. :)
See how much help I am *not.* Best of luck to you!
I also use RightStart. I even sell it for them at the homeschool convention for merchandise in return. As far as a debate on Math, hmmm ,yawn, wink, I guess I'm just not studious enough for that one :) Did I spell studious right???
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