| | |  | Books | Home » » Algebra 2: Homeschool Kit (Saxon Algebra) | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | Algebra 2 covers all topics that are traditionally covered in second-year algebra, as well as a considerable amount of geometry. In fact, students completing Algebra 2 will have studied the equivalent | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Saxon Publications | | Publisher:
| Steck-Vaughn Company | | Publication Date:
| September 01, 2006 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 1600320163 | | Package Length:
| 11.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 8.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 7 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Can't argue with 'results'Jul 25, 2010
By A. Dent
"Aragorn"
CONTEXT AND EVALUATION
Saxon's 'Algebra 2' is the second in an integrated three books or three courses series comprised of 'Algebra 1', 'Algebra 2' and 'Advanced Mathematics' designed to prepare students for calculus. The 'Algebra 2' set covers topics that advanced math students are expected to master in 9th grade. While called a 'homeschool kit' it can be used quite effectively by parents 'after school' to supplement or enhance a child's math proficiency which is how we have been using Saxon (me and my 2 boys) ever since 4th grade.
Like previous courses in the Saxon's series, Algebra 2 is an effective tool for teaching children math without being intimidating or boring. After more than 7 years of teaching my own kids math after school I can testify that it works. Both my kids are now in advanced math classes and the top of their class.
Given the results, this Saxon set earns its five stars for being effective, thorough and both parent and child-friendly - to the extent that MATH courseware can be that way :)
THE SAXON METHOD
Each lesson begins by explaining and illustrating or or more new topics. That is followed by a small number of practice exercises that are directly related to the new topics. Finally, there is a '30-questions' problem set 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.
What makes Saxon's method effective is that, once a particular topic is introduced, 'questions' related to that topic or where understanding that topic would be required to answer the question may pop up in any future problem set. For example, once trigonometry concepts are introduced at about the one-third mark in the book, trigonometry-related questions will appear in every problem set thereafter. This ensures that students become increasingly comfortable with the new concepts and they can see how the various 'parts' of math relate to each other and, when solving 'word' problems, how math relates to the real world.
After every 4 lessons, starting after Lesson 6 there is a 20-question test that covers topics up to 4 lessons prior to the test - in other words, the test administered after Lesson 10 will cover topics up to and including Lesson 6.
The problem sets 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 2 Third Edition" student's textbook that includes the 129 lessons, 2 introductory or review lessons, Glossary, Index and answers to the odd-numbered questions.
- The "Homeschool Testing Book" that include the 32 tests, reproducible test answer sheets and the answers together with the 'step-by-step' on how to get there.
- The "Answer Key" booklet that has the answers to all the practice and problem sets but ONLY 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 but these are NOT part of this kit. I have no personal experience with these items because I never ordered them.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
'The Home Study Kit' should be sufficient for teaching math. Please be aware that you will not be able to teach effectively unless you have all 3 items above. If in doubt about the actual contents, contact the seller before placing your order and make sure that this is what you get, ESPECIALLY if you are ordering a used item.
If you have more than one student - I have 2 - it would make sense to order a separate copy of the student's book. There is no need for separate copies of the testing book because the tests are meant to be photocopied and because the Answer Key is only needed by the teacher.
I found the "DIVE Into Math CD for Saxon Algebra 2, 2nd and 3d Edition" to be a very useful addition to the kit. In fact this is what I used am using this year. We used the Algebra 1 version of the DIVE last year and we've been very happy with it. If ordering the DIVE CD, be aware that 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 one 'kit' and one CD for the class and additional student books as needed. I did not see that edition at Amazon. Dive Into Math CD for Saxon Algebra 2, 2nd Edition seems to be an older release and I do not know if it's compatible with the 3d edition content. It should not be that hard to find the correct version of DIVE but you may have to go outside Amazon for that.
A PERSONAL NOTE
I should say that, to us, the effectiveness of Saxon's method is no longer a matter or doubt or debate. My senior kid was awarded the 'Highest Average in Math' at his campus upon completing his 8th grade and I have little doubt that our math home study is/was a contributing factor to his being awarded the "President's Education Award" and his bing on the Honor Roll on all 4 quarters of his 8th grade. His younger brother is also a 'straight A math student (typical math grade average is 97-99 each term) and a Honor roll/Principal's List most of the time. I mention this because both of them used to be quite 'in the middle' as in 'mediocre' when we started with Saxon (that's what prompted me to 'take action'). Us practicing math after school clearly developed their study skills and, since math is so 'hard', it helped them master most of the other topics taught in school with ease.
And, finally, and this might have fit under 'practical advice' as well, I'd like to note that doing this is NOT easy. Covering 129 lessons ad giving 32 tests calls for a VERY SIGNIFICANT investment of time and effort from both parent and children. I estimate we spent anything from 90 minutes to 2 hours per lesson and we usually 'do math' 5 to 6 days per week with a typical math study year beginning at the end of August and ending sometime early or mid-May.
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>> Brush your teeth, it's the law! <<
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Outstanding Approach to MathMay 14, 2010
By D. Skinner
"whitewater rafter"
I think the Saxon approach is excellent. We used this to home school both our kids and they both now have Doctorates. One in Electrical Engineering. The difference in Saxon's approach is that material is presented in bite size pieces. One concept or even just part of a concept in each lesson. The problems will review this concept to insure it is understood and then --this is the key difference-- in future problem sets there will be problems reviewing past concepts so that what was originally learned is cemented in memory. The end result is very powerful.
Saxon's Algebra homeschool kitJun 12, 2011
By andre
This is a very good math book, subject are well presented and repeated for several chapters along with new material.
The book its self only has answers to every other question, the kit has the answer key and a test book with answers.
I'm a college graduate of the Survey Technician program, I only need some calculus courses to complete my Civil Tech diploma.
This program really hammers in the material with it repetition, it also helps to gradually reduce errors.
I think this book is good for any age, if the time and commitment are given, this book will give you great results. If I had used this book before college I would have graduated both programs with ease. I'll be buying the Advanced Mathematics soon.
I hope this review was helpful.
The best math curriculumFeb 28, 2011
By reviewer4
Over the years we have used a few math programs, always researching to try to find the best. There have always been some 'holes' in the program. The programs that people rave about that are so easy, are usually not covering the correct grade level work and are usually at least a year behind where they should be. We previously had a program from another country because the students from that country were rated the best in the world. However, the major downfall with the program was insufficient review of material. There were only about 8 reviews in the year. When our oldest child did the ACT test, his score was not great. We are now on lesson 9 in this book. It is tough going because each lesson has about 30 problems, but the problems are from all the lessons already done. The problems get progressively more difficult. Each lesson is very short and it is necessary to do all the problems for each lesson to get the desired results. At first, he was getting many wrong (mostly due to being careless and falling into all the traps). He is now doing very much better. The third edition of Saxon books have the lesson number written below each problem, so that it is very easy to go back to the lesson where the material was learnt if you are having trouble with a problem. We probably should have started with Algebra 1, but don't have the luxury of time, so because Saxon reviews so much and does not assume much and because the solutions manual shows step by step, we are managing very well. One major reason we changed to use Saxon is due to others who have done so well on standardized tests when they have used Saxon the way it is supposed to be used. (Do every problem from every lesson). Already we are seeing that it is like exercising. At first it is difficult, but when one starts getting fit, it becomes easier. 30 problems takes a long time at first, but my student is definitely understanding the work and retaining it and gaining speed and accuracy. I only wish we had changed to Saxon sooner. For my 7th grader, changing to Math 8/7 is a much easier transition. Another thing I like about Algebra 2, is that it covers geometry and some trigonometry as well. Friends I know that have used it have scored very well on standardized tests. I was afraid that it would be too difficult, but find that with short lessons and then problems that use the small piece of new information, we are managing well. It is definitely hard work, but worth the effort. I am reading the lesson myself, understanding it and then teaching it. If you have been through this in your years of schooling, it comes back quickly. Friends say of the CD's and DVD's that teach this program, that the voice is monotonous, one program only covers the practice problems. If you learn step by step ahead of your student, you will be able to help them when they have a problem. If you choose the programs that teach Saxon math to the student with CD or DVD, choose carefully to get a good program. Also, one of the programs states that you cannot resell the CD's.
Transitions Perfectly from Algebra 1 and helps you conquer Algebra!Feb 21, 2011
By Fr. Charles Erlandson
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. Currently, I'm teaching using Saxon Algebra 2 (2 of my own kids are in the class). 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.
Algebra 2 mercifully begins with 20 lessons or so reviewing things that should have been learned in 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. At times, it seems like the book is just covering the same topics over and over again, but usually there is some new twist on the problem. Also, it's good to have days when the new material isn't difficult, so students who need to can catch up.
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 2 is no exception to the rule that Saxon Math texts help students learn math well.
In general, Saxon Math, including Algebra 2, is highly recommended. It is especially ideal for homeschooling families, although Algebra 2 is the first book in the series that homeschooling parents may not be able to offer enough help with. Also, students should be prepared to spend more time during their Homework lessons in Algebra 2 than in Algebra 1.
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