Saxon math: Difference between revisions
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MisterPook (talk | contribs) Revised one-sided presentation that appeared to be merely a sales pitch. Removed irrelevant detailed description of the company's phonics and spelling curriculum. Removed an anecdotal paragraph about a single district choosing this curriculum many years ago [2006]. Added balance by presenting some opposing sources while still citing this curriculum's popularity. |
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{{More footnotes|article|date=September 2011}} |
{{More footnotes|article|date=September 2011}} |
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'''Saxon math''', developed by [[John Saxon (educator)|John Saxon]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-state-standards/recognizing-an-american-hero-john-saxon/|title=Recognizing an American Hero: John Saxon {{!}} Truth in American Education|date=2014-07-24|work=Truth in American Education|access-date=2018-05-19|language=en-US}}</ref> is a teaching method for incremental learning of mathematics. It involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day and constantly reviewing old concepts. Early editions were deprecated for providing very few opportunities to practice the new material before plunging into a review of all previous material. Newer editions typically split the day's work evenly between practicing the new material and reviewing old material. Its primary strength is in a steady review of all previous material,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thefederalist.com/2016/08/15/how-a-war-hero-launched-a-war-on-bad-math-instruction/|title=How A War Hero Launched A War On Bad Math Instruction|last=Hayes|first=Nakonia|date=15 August 2016|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=|access-date=2016-08-24}}</ref> which is especially important to students who struggle with retaining the math they previously learned. |
'''Saxon math''', developed by [[John Saxon (educator)|John Saxon]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://truthinamericaneducation.com/common-core-state-standards/recognizing-an-american-hero-john-saxon/|title=Recognizing an American Hero: John Saxon {{!}} Truth in American Education|date=2014-07-24|work=Truth in American Education|access-date=2018-05-19|language=en-US}}</ref> is a teaching method for incremental learning of mathematics. It involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day and constantly reviewing old concepts. Early editions were deprecated for providing very few opportunities to practice the new material before plunging into a review of all previous material. Newer editions typically split the day's work evenly between practicing the new material and reviewing old material. Its primary strength is in a steady review of all previous material,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thefederalist.com/2016/08/15/how-a-war-hero-launched-a-war-on-bad-math-instruction/|title=How A War Hero Launched A War On Bad Math Instruction|last=Hayes|first=Nakonia|date=15 August 2016|website=thefederalist.com|publisher=|access-date=2016-08-24}}</ref> which is especially important to students who struggle with retaining the math they previously learned. However, it has sometimes been criticized for its overemphasis on rote rather than conceptual learning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.homeschoolmath.net/curriculum_reviews/saxon.php|title=Saxon math user reviews|website=www.homeschoolmath.net|access-date=2020-08-04}}</ref> |
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The Saxon Math 1 to Algebra 1/2 (the equivalent of a Pre-Algebra book) curriculum<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/math/saxon-math/saxon-algebra-12|title=Saxon Algebra 1/2 Math Curriculum - Christianbook.com|website=www.christianbook.com|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref> is designed so that students complete assorted mental math problems, learn a new mathematical concept, practice problems relating to that lesson, and solve a variety of problems. Daily practice problems include relevant questions from the current day's lesson as well as cumulative problems. This daily cycle is interrupted for tests and additional topics. From Algebra 1/2 on, the higher level books remove the mental math problems and incorporate testing more frequently. |
The Saxon Math 1 to Algebra 1/2 (the equivalent of a Pre-Algebra book) curriculum<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianbook.com/page/homeschool/math/saxon-math/saxon-algebra-12|title=Saxon Algebra 1/2 Math Curriculum - Christianbook.com|website=www.christianbook.com|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref> is designed so that students complete assorted mental math problems, learn a new mathematical concept, practice problems relating to that lesson, and solve a variety of problems. Daily practice problems include relevant questions from the current day's lesson as well as cumulative problems. This daily cycle is interrupted for tests and additional topics. From Algebra 1/2 on, the higher level books remove the mental math problems and incorporate testing more frequently. |
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| ⚫ | The Saxon math program |
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| ⚫ | The Saxon math program has a specific set of products to support [[homeschool]]ers, including solution keys and ready-made tests, which makes it popular among some homeschool families. It has also been adopted as an alternative to [[reform mathematics]] programs in public and private schools. Saxon teaches memorization of algorithms, unlike many reform texts. |
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== Replacing standards-based texts == |
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By the mid-2000s, many school districts were considering abandoning experiments with reform approaches which had not produced acceptable test scores. For example, school board member Debbie Winskill in [[Tacoma, Washington]] said that the non-traditional [[Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP)]] "has been a dismal failure." Speaking to the board, [[Mount Tahoma High School]] teacher Clifford Harris noted that he taught sophomores in another district Saxon Math, and their [[Washington Assessment of Student Learning]] scores have continually climbed. Unlike IMP, Saxon program gives students plenty of chances to review material, so they retain their skills, he said.<ref name=Abe>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6051712p-5310251c.html |title=Back to basics on kids' math: Alarmed by low scores, Tacoma school officials OK added Saxon textbook |last=Abe |first=Debby |newspaper=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, WA |date=August 25, 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025081451/http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/6051712p-5310251c.html |archivedate=2006-10-25 }}</ref> In September 2006, Tacoma Public Schools introduced the Saxon books district-wide and rejected the previous IMP textbooks.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003674945_sundaymath22.html New-age math doesn't add up]. Bruce Ramsey; ''Seattle Times'' (Seattle WA) April 22, 2006</ref> |
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== Relation to Common Core == |
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| ⚫ | Saxon Publishers has also published phonics and spelling curriculum. This curriculum, authored by Lorna Simmons and first published in 2005, follows the same incremental principles as the Saxon Math curriculum. |
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In some reviews, such as ones performed by the prominent nonprofit curriculum rating site EdReports.org<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edreports.org/reports/overview/saxon-math-2008|title=Saxon Math review|website=www.edreports.org|access-date=2020-08-04}}</ref>, Saxon Math is ranked poorly because it is not aligned with the [[Common Core State Standards Initiative]]. That initiative, which has been adopted by most U.S. states, is an important factor in determining which curricula are used in public schools in those states. However, Saxon Math continues to be popular among private schools and homeschoolers, many of whom favor its more traditional approach to teaching math. |
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Currently, the Saxon Phonics and Spelling curriculum published provides four different levels of materials. The first three levels, starting in Kindergarten and progressing through second grade, offers daily lessons consisting of three main parts: lesson warm-up, new increment, and application and continual review.<ref>[http://www.fcrr.org/FCRRReports/PDF/SaxonPhonicsSpelling.pdf Florida Center for Reading Research: Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005305/http://www.fcrr.org/FCRRReports/PDF/SaxonPhonicsSpelling.pdf |date=2012-04-26 }}. Mary VanSciver, M.S.; FCRR (Tallahassee, FL) April 2003</ref> An assessment tool is included with the teaching materials to show teachers where students may be struggling, and it also provides remediation methods to reiterate the failing concepts. The fourth level of curriculum is intended for the third grade and allows for further advancement in spelling skills.<ref name="Saxon Phonics K, 1, & 2"/> Each level consists of various teaching materials to support the daily lesson plans and remediation factors known of Saxon curriculum. Specifically, the Saxon Phonics and Spelling curricula is "beneficial for struggling readers because of the structure and repetitive characteristics associated with Saxon Publisher's curriculum." <ref>Cheryl Hargett; Homeschool mother for the past 24 years (Fredericksburg, VA) November 2011</ref> |
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Research shows that students using the Saxon Phonics and Spelling program showed improvement over a school year in phonics, reading, and spelling.<ref name="rigby.hmhco.com">[http://rigby.hmhco.com/HA/correlations/pdf/s/SaxonPhonicsEvalFinalReport11_6_07.pdf Saxon Phonics and Spelling Randomized Control Trial]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005305/http://rigby.hmhco.com/HA/correlations/pdf/s/SaxonPhonicsEvalFinalReport11_6_07.pdf |date=April 26, 2012 }} Miriam Resendez, M.A. & Mariam Azin, Ph.D.; '''Planning, Research & Evaluation Services Associates, Inc.''' (Jackson, WY) October 2007</ref> Research has also shown that this program works just as well with males as with females and with special education and non-special education students.<ref name="rigby.hmhco.com"/> |
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Saxon curriculum remains popular among homeschooling families but is also starting to be incorporated into public schools as well. The repetitive curriculum design provides students with constant reinforcements of previously learned concepts. This routine practice reinforces important topics into the student long-term memory. School districts find this especially beneficial when they need to raise their testing scores in math, phonics, and spelling. |
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== In popular culture == |
== In popular culture == |
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Revision as of 10:59, 4 August 2020
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2011) |
Saxon math, developed by John Saxon,[1] is a teaching method for incremental learning of mathematics. It involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day and constantly reviewing old concepts. Early editions were deprecated for providing very few opportunities to practice the new material before plunging into a review of all previous material. Newer editions typically split the day's work evenly between practicing the new material and reviewing old material. Its primary strength is in a steady review of all previous material,[2] which is especially important to students who struggle with retaining the math they previously learned. However, it has sometimes been criticized for its overemphasis on rote rather than conceptual learning.[3]
The Saxon Math 1 to Algebra 1/2 (the equivalent of a Pre-Algebra book) curriculum[4] is designed so that students complete assorted mental math problems, learn a new mathematical concept, practice problems relating to that lesson, and solve a variety of problems. Daily practice problems include relevant questions from the current day's lesson as well as cumulative problems. This daily cycle is interrupted for tests and additional topics. From Algebra 1/2 on, the higher level books remove the mental math problems and incorporate testing more frequently.
Saxon Publishers has also published a phonics and spelling curriculum. This curriculum, authored by Lorna Simmons and first published in 2005, follows the same incremental principles as the Saxon Math curriculum.
The Saxon math program has a specific set of products to support homeschoolers, including solution keys and ready-made tests, which makes it popular among some homeschool families. It has also been adopted as an alternative to reform mathematics programs in public and private schools. Saxon teaches memorization of algorithms, unlike many reform texts.
Relation to Common Core
In some reviews, such as ones performed by the prominent nonprofit curriculum rating site EdReports.org[5], Saxon Math is ranked poorly because it is not aligned with the Common Core State Standards Initiative. That initiative, which has been adopted by most U.S. states, is an important factor in determining which curricula are used in public schools in those states. However, Saxon Math continues to be popular among private schools and homeschoolers, many of whom favor its more traditional approach to teaching math.
In popular culture
Saxon math textbooks are visible on a table in the film Last Action Hero.
References
- ^ "Recognizing an American Hero: John Saxon | Truth in American Education". Truth in American Education. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
- ^ Hayes, Nakonia (15 August 2016). "How A War Hero Launched A War On Bad Math Instruction". thefederalist.com. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
- ^ "Saxon math user reviews". www.homeschoolmath.net. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ "Saxon Algebra 1/2 Math Curriculum - Christianbook.com". www.christianbook.com. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
- ^ "Saxon Math review". www.edreports.org. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
External links
- Saxon teaching materials, distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt