The unique approach of these high school homeschool lessons and teacher books has helped make Saxon Calculus a best seller.
Click here to see sample pages. With trigonometry and analytic geometry, Saxon Math Calculus treats all the topics normally covered in an Advanced Placement AB-level calculus program, as well as many of the topics required for a BC-level program. The text begins with a thorough review of those mathematical concepts and skills required for calculus. Use of this text has allowed students to take the Advanced Placement examination and score well. (117 lessons.) 1997.
In the early problem sets, students practice "setting up" word problems they will later encounter as calculus problems. The problem sets contain multiple choice and conceptually-oriented problems similar to those found on the Advanced Placement exam. Whenever possible, students are provided an intuitive introduction to concepts prior to a rigorous examination of them. Proofs are provided for all important theorems. For example, three proofs, one intuitive and two rigorous, are given for the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Also, numerous applications to physics, chemistry, engineering, and business are treated in both the lessons and the problem sets.
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Saxon Math Teaching Philosophy:
Learning need not be difficult, but neither does it happen quickly. Time is the elixir that turns things new into things familiar. Therefore, the most effective way for students to learn is through gentle development of concepts and the practice of those concepts extended over a considerable period of time. John Saxon called these methods incremental development and continual review and he applied them to mathematics and the fundamental skills of reading.
At its simplest, incremental development is the introduction of topics in easily understandable pieces (increments), permitting the assimilation of one facet of a concept before the next facet is introduced. Both facets are then practiced together until another is introduced.
The incrementalization of topics is combined with continual review, wherein all previously learned material is reviewed in every lesson for the entire year. Topics are never dropped but are instead increased in complexity and practiced every day, providing the time required for concepts to become totally familiar.
As Saxon math concepts become familiar and the requisite skills become automated, learning becomes a game at which students can succeed and through which they find satisfaction and self-worth. More importantly, the automation of fundamental skills frees students' minds to consider the Saxon math concepts on a more abstract level.
Genuine learning is demonstrated not only through the understanding of a concept, but also through the ability to apply that concept to new situations. Saxon math students do both with ease and confidence.
John Saxon - Founder of Saxon Publishers |
