4Real Forums: How do you decide *which* math program?

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Living and Loving Numbers
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Topic: How do you decide *which* math program?

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ALmom
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Posted: Dec 24 2009 at 2:20am \| IP Logged

I've used everything under the sun - and honestly, I think that Saxon is easiest for me to use. I know how to explain concepts, am not a big fan of bogging down on how to use a graphing calculator as part of math, don't really want to have to dig up more practice problems ....

I have one son who really hates Saxon and so for Alg I, he has used Jacob's. I often use Jacobs to introduce a concept or two in Algebra that I think Saxon truncates into too many small parts for the kids to get a good big picture.

I'm not fond of overkill in the repetiveness - so I circle in pencil those problems that I think my child needs.

The bottom line, is that with math, the student needs regular feedback quickly so that any misunderstandings or missing pieces are quickly discovered and addressed. I am most familiar with Saxon and thus do a better job staying up with my part of the deal.

I will supplement with other things from what I have on hand - which includes Developmental math (mostly for younger or middle school), MUS, Jacob's, my old high school and college texts, several texts that the local schools use (some of which I have TM for and some for which I do not), Foerester's (actually my least favorite),

If I have an opportunity for a co-op or group learning situation, I might utilize it in part for some of mine - but with math I really like going at a very individual pace.

I have finally concluded that it really doesn't matter what math text you use, as long as you teach the material and work closely with your child. If they don't understand something, don't move on until they do - and just pick up whatever helps at that point then go back to whatever is most efficient for you to use.

Each program has its strengths and weaknesses. A lot depends on what your child needs, what you are comfortable filling in for in terms of the gaps in the material. Foeresters is very, very systematic - but extremely wordy and gives my children a sense of being rushed (not the program just the learning style). Foerester's also got my children lost and frustrated with learning the graphing calculator - something none of the ones who have done Alg. II will ever need anyways. Saxon uses math vocabulary (but isn't quite as verbose as Foeresters so a lot will depend on whether or not you child learns best with words or numbers :) in examples), repeats a lot and breaks the problems down into the smallest step. If a child or you are able to get the big picture, Saxon is wonderful. If they lose sight of the big picture with all the detail, you will have to find a way to make sure that happens. MUS, at least the version we have, uses almost no math vocabulary at all, so that should be included. It makes some wonderful hands on connections and my children often benefit from a good introduction with this - but practice with Saxon.

Janet

Tina P.
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Posted: Jan 22 2010 at 12:42pm \| IP Logged

LLMom wrote:

Teaching textbooks because I can't teach higher math (no time) and we don't have co-ops or tutors available.

TT because the authors think the way I think about math. It's sometimes hard to teach a concept one way when you've understood it another. Besides this, as Laura mentioned, someone else teaches and reviews the math. I just get hit up when the kids get stuck.

ETA: My son is concurrently completing Algebra 1 and Geometry. I would not attempt this with any other program.

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Mary's Muse

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