Algebra 2: An Incremental Development (Saxon Algebra)

One of the key distinguishing features of Saxon is the continuous review. As in traditional texts, each day's lesson presents one to two new concepts, but most texts then have the student do 30 of that type of problem only. Saxon will give several practice problems then the student will have 25 to 30 problems of mixed type, a few of which will be the new topic the rest are problems from previous lessons. This continuity of practice allows students to develop long-term memory of procedures as well as make connections between different math concepts and strategies. In many of the levels, each problem references what lesson the concept was taught in so students can easily look back if he has trouble. Unfortunately, Algebra II (second Edition) does not have this feature. I anticipate that future editions will remedy this however.

As far as the Saxon series in general, student test results are an easy benchmark to go by. Standardized test results have not arrived yet for current exams but two year old test results (equivalent to the Saxon 7/6 text) show the following for the Stanford 9 exam for 7th grade:
Poblem Solving 75th percentile
Procedures 58th percentile.
Specifics of subtest results: Above average in measurement, estimation, number relationships, number systems, probability, and geometry; Average in Problem solving strategies, patterns and functions, algebra; below average in statistics. I anticipate the next exam results (Algebra II) to show an even greater percentile rank.


Best math book.....EVER!   June 1, 2008
PinkLillies
Let me be perfectly honest; I used to loathe mathematics with my entire being, that was before I began using the Saxon texts. Now I am confident in my study of algebra II and I really wish that each student would use this book!!! The examples are informative, precise, yet altogether interesting! Mr. Saxon leaves nothing to befuddle the student, and his approach reinforces the students confidence and their ability to do more advanced types of problems.

God bless Mr. Saxon, -his knowledge has brought joy and understanding to so many students- may he rest in heavenly peace! :)


Excellence in Mathematics   March 4, 2006
L. Strube
7 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have been using Saxon mathematics for 15 years, first as a 5th-12th grade student and more recently as a tutor. This program is excellent and like one of the other reviewers I can agree that even my "average" Saxon students have significantly better mathematics skills that those students using other programs.

I began using Saxon math in 5th grade. Prior to that I used a typical "learn and drill" method. A new concept was taught and drilled for 20+ problems and then the instruction moved on to another topic. By the time I reached an end of unit exam I had forgotten the early material.

Then in 5th grade we changed curriculums. I didn't become a "math lover" overnight. In fact, although my math skills improved, I adamently hated math all the way through junior high. Then I began algebra. By the end of Saxon's algebra 2 textbook I loved algebra and was making high A's in my homework.

A couple of years after highschool I was invited to begin tutoring math at a private school. At this point I reviewed my Saxon Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 eventually going on to study Advanced Mathematics for the fun of it. I would spend 2-3 hours a day studying math and loving every minute of it.

This independant study was 2 1/2 years ago. I recently decided to attend college as a math major. Last semester I passed Calculus I near or at the top of all the Cal I classes combined. My Saxon skills gave me the tools I needed to study well and grasp rather abstract concepts.

The one area that has concerned me is trigonometry. The Advanced Mathematics covered the topic quite thoroughly, however Calculus requires a lot of trig and it has been so long since I studied Advanced Math I've been afraid my professors will "spring" something on me I don't remember.

Yesterday my fears were alleviated. The math department held an extra credit exam for the Cal 2 students. The exam was a trig placement exam they would like to implement in the future. Because of my other classes I didn't have time to study so I decided to "wing" it and hope my studies 2 1/2 years ago would award me at least partial credit.

I'm quite pleased to say that thanks to Saxon I knew how to work every single problem on the test even though it has been 2 1/2 years since I studied trigonometry and I have not had any trig students since that time. Saxon works... Excellently.

If you are considering the Saxon texts let me encourage you to read the introductions to the texts. They are quite inspiring, imparting the vision Saxon had for math.

In addition students must work every problem. This is the whole reason Saxon works -- lots and lots of review. What most people fail to realize is that mathematics is like music; practice creates excellence.

Finally for those concerned about Saxon's lack of a dedicated geometry text, after having tutored math for 5 years I am convinced that Saxon's integrated approach is far more effective than traditional methods. Saxon teaches geometry concepts throughout the junior high and high school grades allowing for mastery of the ideas long before the formal proofs are introduced in Advanced Mathematics. This is excellent as I believe that older students have a greater capacity to grasp the rather abstract skills required for geometric proofs.

I'm very thankful for the curriculum switch in 5th grade. Because of Saxon I have transformed from a math-hating elementary student to a very succesful math major.


Well Written without the Fancy Ruffles   November 3, 2003
Barbara Thomas (DUNCANVILLE, TX United States)
6 out of 10 found this review helpful

Before my sophomore year in high school I went through the beggining of this well written mathematics textbook. It was enough to clarify all the points on Algebra II, and cleared up any confusion from previous years. With a well structured answer to problems, a predictable pattern, and no smiling faces or unnecessary colors trying to make out that math was fun, the book focused on the basics neccessary to understand advanced math, which started me off way ahead of the game. I would reccommend this book to already imaginitive homeschoolers and such students who want the clear and consice knowlege without having to sort through large quanties of extraneous information.


Saxon math is REAL math   June 7, 2007
surfin' ma (Smalltown ID, USA)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

What else can I say but WOW---Saxon is incredible math---without the fluff, without with bright colors, without the extraneous topics thrown in to "new" math books today! Back to basics is what Saxon is all about. I can see why Saxon would not appeal to some----it is very, very traditional in that it focuses on gradual mastery through continual review of current and previous topics until you "get" it---but you work for it! 30 problems a day! There are plenty of "new" math books out there, plenty that have dumbed down for the NCTM standards, plenty that are easier, more colorful with more "tricks"---but it just depends on what you want---to really LEARN math---or just PASS it!!!