While I have taught and tutored students in most of the major math curriculums, I find the clear explanations, ability to adequately practice a concept over a period of time, and the incremental review found in the Saxon Math curriculum the very best method for teaching math to many different types of learners. In addition, it is supremely suited to homeschooling since the text book is divided into daily lessons that ensure all concepts will be covered if the book is completely finished.

 

 

Saxon Math begins in kindergarten and goes through Calculus.   The sooner students experience the success that this incremental development and spiral teaching offers, the better!  In my experience, many students do fine in math until the middle school years when math transitions to a more abstract subject.  To me, this is where Saxon Math shines.  Basic concepts, along with practice of application problems, are reinforced over time in such a way that it is difficult for students to forget concepts.  

 

 

In addition to the Zoom App on a reliable device, the correct edition of the Saxon Math textbook, all students need notebook paper or spiral theme book, graph paper, and pencils.  ONLY Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus students may use a calculator.

All parents must grade their student’s homework and will need either the Teacher’s Edition or the Solution Manual in order to successfully do this.  It is highly suggested that Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus parents acquire the Solution Manual that shows all steps in solving a problem.

 

 

Since I have tutored students from elementary through high school and beyond who are enrolled in most math curriculums on the market, I am comfortable helping all students through Pre-Calculus.  However, in my classroom teaching I prefer Saxon math because of its successful track record, attention to basic concepts, and rigorous and integrated practice.  

 

 

 

 

I strongly believe that familiarity with math facts, an ease of computation with fractions and decimals, and an ability to solve arithmetic with pencil and paper increases understanding and speed that will be utilized within higher levels of math.  I have found that dependency upon calculators causes students to doubt not only their computational skills but their math knowledge overall.  Math confidence equals math competency!

 

 

Basic math skills have not and will not change.  Problem-solving is an extremely useful higher cognitive level of math knowledge, and when students have mastered basic math, it is a normal and useful application.  Some students today are being forced to “discover” math concepts that are beyond their comprehension.  That is why I stress basic skills with students until they can handle the next level in cognitive thinking and apply their knowledge.  

 

 

 

 

I have both been a classroom teacher and tutor for students elementary through high school and beyond.  Each age brings its own requirements and offers its own rewards.  Most of my students reach out to me sometime in middle school when math makes a transition from the concrete to the abstract and some students cannot handle that transition.  That is one of my favorite things to help students do!  Sometimes students come to me for ACT/SAT prep.  With those students, I am able to pinpoint areas of weakness from their high school math career and help them gain the speed and confidence to raise their ACT/SAT math score.  Some students come to me at various levels asking for me to supplement their school math curriculum.  These students are driven to excel and we can cover topics that aren’t in their textbooks and that the students in their class at school aren’t ready to tackle.