Homeschooling question

[mamacita]

I ordered the saxon homeschool edition books that are new and do come with a Dive CD. I hope that will be better than the hardbound books.

When we spoke w/ Ken Clark (Mary Kay Clark’s son) at the conf. in our city, he turned us away from the homeschool kit. He kept telling me that it’s filled w/ ‘busy work’ and was designed for a public school classroom where they need much repetition to keep the kids working. That’s what he told us. So…after much convincing from him we ended up going w/ the hardbound because in his words “it is geared more towards a homeschooled child.” --whatever that meant. However I was sorta upset w/ the fact that he told me I’d have time to think about it between the time my kids take the placement test to the time we have the books shipped and that I could let them know. Well let’s just say I mailed the placement tests back to Seton on a Friday, and that following Wednesday I got the whole curriculum on my doorstep w/out a phone call like I was promised at the conference (because we weren’t sure if we wanted my DS in all 6th or some 5th as well). We were told that they’d call us so that we could discuss what subjects for what grade level for him. No phone call came and the books were at our house in less than a week from when I sent the tests back. That was kind of a turn off in a way as I was not sure I wanted the hardbound or homeschool kit yet. I’m still curious as to why he kept telling us and another woman at the Seton table that ‘we don’t need the homeschool kit.’
Nana, now you have me thinking I should call them and demand the homeschool kit since the Dive cds are included. The hardbound Saxon you have to pay an extra $50 for the cds.

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

hmm

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saxon is saxon, there’s some differences between the hardbound and soft bound, but not enough to make me feel either are superior to the other. the DIVE cds are a total waste of money and so boring it gave me a headache to concentrate on it.

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there is a lot of busy work in saxon , but there pretty much has to be in any sprial program to insure enough repeation of previous materials. and because it’s a spiral program it’s very hard to just say “do the odd problems” because you want to be sure they review their weak areas.

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but the biggest problem for me with saxon is the spiral method of introducing math. I prefer a mastery program.

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as for not buying the kit and only getting the hardbound book…

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the kit has 3 books, text, solution manual (more than just an answer key - it actually shows how the problem is worked out - which I personal think is a must for math) and a 3rd book that has all the drills, tests, and worksheets neccessary. I suppose the solution manual could be done without, but having a key makes it much easier/quicker to grade and that’s well worth it when you are grading 6 students’ math. I could see ditching the worksheet book. You’d be missing a few things that you coudl probably skip in the text. Ditch the drills and just do the flashcards…

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Seems easier to just not buy Saxon, imho.

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[mamacita]

**Robs Wife, I completely agree that a solutions manual is a good thing, esp. when the child gets in the upper grades…now I’m really sorta ticked that he kept stearing another lady and I away from wanting ‘the kit’. Still a little agravated that they sent the books w/ out even calling me like he promised at the conference. I REALLY should have called and told them I didn’t want the hardbound (nor did I want all grade 6 materials for my son who would normally be in 5th). But now I’m sure it’s too late and we’re stuck. Maybe I could sell my hardbound and buy the kit online…
Wonder if they don't make as much off of the kit as they do the hardbound or something like that.....:confused:**

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

Robs Wife, I completely agree that a solutions manual is a good thing, esp. when the child gets in the upper grades…now I’m really sorta ticked that he kept stearing another lady and I away from wanting ‘the kit’. Still a little agravated that they sent the books w/ out even calling me like he promised at the conference. I REALLY should have called and told them I didn’t want the hardbound (nor did I want all grade 6 materials for my son who would normally be in 5th). But now I’m sure it’s too late and we’re stuck. Maybe I could sell my hardbound and buy the kit online…

Wonder if they don’t make as much off of the kit as they do the hardbound or something like that…

***no no no! ***

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it’s not too late!

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I’d call and tell them your concerns, they will likely work with you.

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The hardback might have answers only or even solutions in the back, but even if it does - it’ll only be for the odd problems only I think…

 

[mamacita]

**Just looked in the hardbound, no answers or solutions, only have the Seton answer key that’s in the lesson plan.

At the conference I told Ken that I was highly considering going w/ Math U See or Teaching Textbooks for math for my son. He said I could and still be enrolled w/ Seton, and he said that my DS would just take Seton’s quarterly math tests so that he could get math credits. My only issue w/ that was what if the material being covered is not the same each quarter for Seton’s math and the other math that my son is doing? (do you know what I mean or did I confuse you? lol)**

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

**Just looked in the hardbound, no answers or solutions, only have the Seton answer key that’s in the lesson plan. **

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ick.it is cheaper, but not preferred, imho. most probably don’t care though, so that’s probably why that’s the standard at Seton (and to be fair, most other places too).

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At the conference I told Ken that I was highly considering going w/ Math U See or Teaching Textbooks for math for my son. He said I could and still be enrolled w/ Seton, and he said that my DS would just take Seton’s quarterly math tests so that he could get math credits. My only issue w/ that was what if the material being covered is not the same each quarter for Seton’s math and the other math that my son is doing? (do you know what I mean or did I confuse you? lol)

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No, not confused.

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You have a couple of options.

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You can request independent study for a math of your choice or you can just ignore whatever Seton sends and do your own thing. Under independent study, YOU are entirely responsible for the grading and send in the grade to Seton. I think - I’d have to ask to be sure, but I do think they will log the grade you give. Or you can just use whatever you want and take the Seton exam to have Seton give the grade. Which one you prefer is personal preferance.

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What grade level are we talking about? Algebra for example is algebra. However, some programs might teach multiplication fact heavily by 3rd grade while others are only introducing it in that grade.

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Personally, if I were using very different materials, I’d just wait until the end of the year to do the exams (maybe 1 per day for the last week) that way I wouldn’t have to worry (much) about the order or depth the concept is taught from week to week, just that the matieral was covered that year.

 

[mamacita]

Yes, he said we could do a different math program and take Seton’s quarterly tests. I think your suggestion is a great one–about taking all the tests at the end of year. My son is entering 6th grade but should be going into 5th, which is why I think this math might be a little hard for him (but Seton I guess thinks he’s ready for it, altho I guess the parent would know best, right?). I got some thinking and praying to do before we begin this year, I just took another good look at the Saxon book we have here and am thinking a BIG ‘no’. Looks to be very boring, not enough explanations in it imho.