There's so much truth in this statement, "The problem with teenagers is that you have to match their learning style AND their preferences." My math resistant teen didn't like the typeset of a popular curriculum, so we switched to something more visually appealing to her. And that's all it took to eliminate her resistance!

Hello,

My son took Saxon Alg 1 in his Freshman year, Saxon Alg 2 in his Sophomore year. I am not sure if I should have him take Saxon Advanced math or a stand alone geometry course. I want him to be prepared for the ACT and SAT. He is doing a prep class, and I hope it helps fill in any gaps. Any feedback will be much appreciated.
P.S.
Did you say if you took advanced math that it would or would not have enough geometry to count on their transcript?

You said to include the algebra done before highschool on their highschool transcript. How would that look? Do they receive regular highschool credit for it as well?

I wanted to let you know something about Saxon Geometry that I did not catch in the teacher's guide until several months into school. UNLIKE the other Saxon books, which are one-lesson-per-day, Saxon allows one lesson per two days. Odd then even, or half and half, however you work it out. Any faster and the child can get boggled. It is because, as mentioned above, there are a lot of review questions including algebra.

Dear Karen,

It's good to hear from you!

"If a homeschooler has done both Saxon Alg 1 and 2 and no other geometry, can they give a credit for Geometry? I was thinking 1/2 credit but wanted to get your opinion."
According to the Saxon website, you have to finish Advanced Math to get 1 credit of geometry. (http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com/en/products/default.htm?level2Code=M0006&level3Code=M31082&level4Code=&level5Code=). That is the problem with the Saxon books - you don't get geometry until the end. In general, if you have no other geometry, I would NOT list geometry on the transcript.

"And am I interpreting this post correctly that this would not be enough to do well on the SAT?"
It is still possible to score well on the SAT without geometry, it's just not possible to score great, or PERFECT, without knowing some geometry. There are geometry questions on the SAT test, but it's not ALL geometry. It's more important to understand the level of math they are currently in, rather than pushing them into something they aren't ready for.

"Is there another option for a non-mathy student to get the geometry they will need for the SAT?"
Non-mathy kids might like some hands-on learning. You can look at math games in Family Math for Middle School (https://www.amazon.com/dp/091251129X?tag=thehom-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=091251129X&adid=11ADEQY0NMATDR2VS6MD&) or Patty Paper Geometry (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1559530723?tag=thehom-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1559530723&adid=1PYQPCWD89XBXZM38AFN&f). You can also study for the SAT to see what geometry skills you need, and then fill in the information as necessary.

Sounds like you have a lot of math questions! You might like my article For the Love of Math (http://www.thehomescholar.com/love-of-math.php)

Blessings,
Lee

Lee, if a homeschooler has done both Saxon Alg 1 and 2 and no other geometry, can they give a credit for Geometry? I was thinking 1/2 credit but wanted to get your opinion. And am I interpreting this post correctly that this would not be enough to do well on the SAT? Is there another option for a non-mathy student to get the geometry they will need for the SAT?

Okay - three questions in one comment is excessive. You can pick just one to answer!

My daughter hates Saxon. Right now I am making my own curriculum using Khan Academy for pre-algebra and using Pro-one's pre-algebra software. We have used MUS< teaching Textbooks. The problem is she is a right-brained learner that has APD. None of them are a perfect fit, so creating my own curriculum is what has worked so far. My son will be doing Thinkwell Math. I am not a Saxon fan at all.

About 107 years ago, four math and science professors at the University of Chicago bemoaned the fact that educators were mistakenly placing a geometry course in between basic and advanced algebra (what is now algebra 1 and algebra 2).

John never saw this book or I would have heard him speak about it, but he did know that problem still existed when he created his upper level math series.

The Saxon algebra one book contains an introduction to high school geometry. The algebra 2 book contains the equivalent of the first semester of a regular high school geometry course and the first 60 lessons of the advanced math book contains the equivalent of the second semester of a regular high school geometry course while both continue with the algebra concept as well.

For more information on this go to http://www.usingsaxon.com.

Art reed