[ High School and Self-Education Board ]
Posted by Jann in TX on 14:52 May 2
In Reply to: Another WWYD: Saxon Math and Lials question posted by Gamom3
I ask this question because he is going to need a firm foundation if he is planning on going on to Calc.
Lesson 95 is 15 lessons past the 'Geometry' cut off so he has earned his full credit in Geometry.
I have used/taught Saxon from K up through Advanced Math--and Advanced Math is my LEAST favorite text--followed by Algebra 1/2.
Most students do well in elementary with Saxon, Some studnets need to switch when the get to Algebra 1 and Many do much better in a traditional Pre-Calc course--because college Calc is going to be taught different than Saxon--even the terminology will differ. I've only had a few students go on to Saxon Calc--these were natural math students--but they ALL re-took Calc 1 in college to get used to the new routine.
If your son is getting bogged down as bad as you described--he may start feeling like he is a failure--when it really may be the program is not what your son needs at this level.
I just purchased a used Lial Pre-Calc for my 'collection' (it took 5 days to get here and cost $15 with shipping). Your son would most likely be able to move QUICKLY through the text. Because the lessons are taught in 'units' he would have the benifit of seeing the 'bigger picture' instead of 'snapshots' like he is getting with Saxon.
The danger here is that your son would start feeling like a failure--sometimes just putting it down for a while helps!