saxon

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Home : 2003 : February : 26

saxon
By sandyH

I teach 4th graders and this is my first year with Saxon, after 8 years of teaching with a variety of sources. I had mixed feelings when we decided to adopt the series and still do, but for somewhat different reasons. I
was really concerned about my students' ability to handle the work. All of the copying from the book to the paper had always been a stumbling block before. This year, it's been wonderful. They just know that's what they're supposed to do and they do it. I also was concerned about the spiraling and frequency of testing, but I really see my kids' progress this way. My main concern was

the lack of stimulation and creativity. The way Saxon presents a lesson (DRY!!) is not the way I usually teach. And you know what, it's still not! I do use the "fast facts" drills, the mental math, and the practice and problem sets. For the bulk of the lesson, however, I just make sure I'm using the vocab. and key points addressed in the book and I teach it. I've never let the book "teach" for me and I'm not about to start now. The kids still love math and I have very little problem with late or incomplete assignments. They like feeling as successful and Saxon allows them to be. The routine makes a big difference. Many parents rave about how much they love the book, too. They can use the reference #s to go back to previous lessons to help if needed. At my school, the teachers that go into Saxon with the idea that it is no good or boring quickly convey this to their students and they feel the same way. I have made a real effort to keep my opinions about the lack of pizazz in the program to myself. The kids don't seem to notice the difference nearly as much as the adults.