The Saxon Advanced Mathematics course is designed to follow the Saxon Algebra 2 course for the advanced 11th grade student or the average 12th grade student. In the traditional Saxon program, Advanced Math followed Algebra 2, but now Saxon offers a Geometry course which could be included between the Algebra 2 and Advanced Math courses.
Strengths:
Our family has followed the Saxon math courses to educate our children for many years. Saxon did not previously offer a separate Geometry course. Saxon publishers designed the combination of Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Math courses to adequately cover all the topics normally included in a traditional Geometry course. Saxon Advanced Math also introduces concepts from algebra, trigonometry, and math analysis. This course follows the pattern of other Saxon math courses as it introduces small increments of new information at each lesson and emphasizes review of earlier concepts. The course begins with an extensive review of geometry topics, including a review of the Pythagorean Theorem and geometric constructions. Students also study logic, as well as deductive and inductive reasoning, formulas, functions, and proofs. Trigonometric equations and logarithmic functions are studied, as well as matrices, rational numbers, and use of a graphing calculator. The Saxon philosophy is that a student who is able to comprehend the skills necessary for higher level mathematics can perform the necessary processes in a nearly automatic fashion because of the rigorous attention to review and comprehension of the material. The student who attends carefully to studying the Saxon mathematical courses will achieve a deeper level of understanding mathematical concepts than peers who studied other curricula.
Weaknesses:
Some students dislike the rigor of the Saxon math program. However, as a student obtains the level of study required for the Advanced Math course, it is likely that he has realized that any math program at this levels requires a significant amount of effort and attention. Like other Saxon courses, Advanced Math focuses on review and introducing an incremental new lesson daily. One of the complaints I have heard from other home school parents about the Saxon program is that it is labor intensive, meaning it requires the parent to spend time understanding and instructing the student in each day’s lesson. This is an important component of any successful math program, especially at more advanced levels. If math is challenging for the parent/teacher, Saxon provides an optional solutions manual which provides a detailed explanation of each problem. I found the solutions manual invaluable as it provided a more in-depth explanation of how to solve each problem set.
Recommendations:
Saxon Advanced Math will help prepare your student for calculus, as well as popular college preparatory exams. Following the Saxon math program from Algebra1, through Algebra 2, and onto Advanced Math provides thorough instruction in Geometry and Trigonometry, as well. The Saxon Advanced Math course is designed to span three to four semesters of study, depending on the student’s level of understanding. If your student completes Saxon Algebra 2 in ninth grade, then he can spend three semesters completing the Saxon Advanced Math course and begin to study Saxon Calculus in the second semester of eleventh grade.
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