Using John Saxon's Math Books - How homeschool parents can use them

Both homeschool educators as well as public and private school administrators have asked me “Why do John Saxon's math books require special handling? Another question I am also frequently asked by them is “If John Saxon's math books require special instructions to use them successfully, why would we want to use them”? Before the end of this newsletter, I hope to be able to answer both of these questions to your satisfaction.

There is nothing “magic” about John Saxon's math books. They were published as a series of math textbooks to be taken sequentially. Math 54 followed by Math 65, and then Math 76, followed by either Math 87 or Algebra ½, and then algebra 1, etc. While other publishers were “dumbing-down” the content of their new math books, John Saxon's was publishing his new editions with stronger content. Homeschool families, attempting to save money by buying older used Saxon Math books, were unaware that the older editions were often incompatible with the newer, more challenging editions. The same problem developed in the public and private school sector adding to the confusion about the difficulty of John's math books.

For example, a student using the old second edition of Math 76 would experience difficulty entering the newer second or third editions of Math 87 because the content in the outdated edition of Math 76 was about the same as that of the material covered in the newer edition of Math 65 (the book preceding Math 76). Jumping from the outdated older edition of Math 76 to the newer editions of either Math 87 or algebra ½ would result in frustration or even failure for most of the students who attempted this.

Many homeschool educators and administrators were also unaware that when finishing a Saxon math book, they were not to use the Saxon placement test to determine the student's next book in the Saxon series. The Saxon placement test was designed to assist in initially placing non-Saxon math students into the correct level Saxon math book. The test was not designed to show parents what the student already knew, it was designed to find out what the student did not know. Students taking the placement test, who are already using a Saxon math book, receive unusually high “false” placement test scores. These test results may recommend a book one or even two levels higher than the level book being used by the student (e.g. from their current Math 65 textbook to the Math 87 textbook).

By far, the problems homeschool educators as well as classroom teachers encounter using – or shall I say misusing – John's math books are not all that difficult to correct. However, when these “short-cuts” are taken, the resulting repercussions are not at first easily noticed. Later in the course, when the student begins to encounter difficulty with their daily assignments - in any level of Saxon math books - the parent or teacher assumes that the student is unable to handle the work and determines that either the student is not learning because the book is too difficult for the student.

H ere are some of the most common or misuses I have encountered literally hundreds of times during these past twenty years of teaching and providing curriculum advice to homeschool educators:

• NOT FINISHING THE ENTIRETY OF THE TEXTBOOK: Not requiring the student to finish the entirety of one book before moving on to the next book in the sequence. RATIONALE: The beginning of the new book covers the same material we are skipping in the other book, so why repeat it? FACT: The student encounters some review of this material in the next book, but this review assumes the student has already encountered the simpler version in the previous text. The review concepts in the new book are a bit tougher than the one's they skipped in the previous book. This does not initially appear to create a problem until the student gets to about lesson thirty or so in the book, and by then both the parent and the student have gotten so far into the new book that they do not attribute the student's problem to be the result of not finishing the previous textbook. They start to think the material is too difficult to process correctly and do not see the error of their having skipped the last thirty or so lessons in the previous book. They now fault the excessive difficulty of the current textbook as the reason their child is failing. SOLUTION: Always finish the entirety of every Saxon math textbook. Because all children are not alike, if as you're reading this article you have already encountered this particular phenomenon with your child, there are several steps you can take to satisfactorily solve the problem without harming the child's progress or self-esteem. So that we can find the correct solution, please email me and include your telephone number and I will call you that same day – on my dime!

• MISUSE OF THE SAXON PLACEMENT TEST : Skipping one of the books in the sequence (e.g. going from Math 54 to Math 76) because the Saxon “Placement Test” results clearly showed the student could easily handle Math 76. RATIONALE: “ He even got some of the Math 87 level questions correct. Besides, we had him look at the material in the Math 65 book and he said that he already knew that material, so why bother doing the same concepts again .” FACT : First, the Saxon placement test was designed to place non-Saxon math students into the correct level math book. It was designed to see what the child had not encountered or mastered, not what he already knew. Saxon students who take the Saxon placement test receive unusually high “false” test scores. The only way to determine if the student is ready for the next math book is to evaluate their last four or five tests in their current math book to determine whether or not they have mastered the required concepts to be successful in the next level book. The brain of young students cannot decipher the difference between recognizing something and being able to provide solutions to the problems dealing with those concepts. So when they thumb through a book and say “I know how to do this” what they really mean is “I recognize this .” Recognition of a concept or process does not reflect mastery.

• USING DAILY HOMEWORK TO DETERMINE A STUDENT'S GRADE: Skipping the weekly tests and using the student's daily assignments to determine their grade for the course reflects memory rather than mastery of the material. RATIONALE: I cannot count the number of times I have been told by a parent “He does not test well, so I use the daily grades to determine his course grade. He knows what he is doing because he gets hundreds on his daily work.” FACT: Just like practicing the piano, violin, or soccer, the student is not under the same pressure as when they have to perform for a solo or a big game. The weekly tests determine what a student has mastered through daily practice. The daily homework only reflects what they have temporarily memorized as they have access to information in the book not available on tests. Answers are provided for the odd numbered problems and some students quickly learn to “back-peddle.” This phenomenon occurs when the student looks at a problem and does not have the foggiest idea of how to work the problem. So they go to the answers and after seeing the answer to that particular problem, suddenly recall how to solve the problem. However, later, when they take the test, there are no answers to look up preventing them from “back-peddling” through to the correct solution.

As with anything, there are always exceptions that justify the rule. However, just because one parent says their child did any one or all of the above, and had no trouble with their math, does not mean you should also attempt it with your child. That parent might not have told you that (1) their child encountered extreme difficulty when they reached Saxon algebra 2, and even more difficulty with the Saxon advanced mathematics textbook, or (2) they had switched curriculum after experiencing difficulty in Saxon algebra 1, or (3) their child had to take remedial college algebra when they enrolled at the university, because they received a low score on the university's math entrance exam.

If your child is already experiencing trouble in one of the Saxon series math books, and you need to find a workable solution, please email me at: art.reed@usingsaxon.com .

In next month's issue, I will cover:

• THE EFFECTS OF DOING JUST THE ODD OR EVEN PROBLEMS:
• THE EFFECTS OF DOING MORE THAN ONE LESSON A DAY:
• ENTERING THE SAXON MATH CURRICULUM AFTER MATH 76:

Then in February's newsletter, I will cover:

• ATTEMPTING THE ADVANCED MATH TEXTBOOK IN A SINGLE YEAR:
• IS CALCULUS CRITICAL IN HIGH SCHOOL?
• DO WE NEED A SEPARATE GEOMETRY TEXTBOOK?

Almost forgot, your 2007 - 2008 password to the “USEFUL LINKS” has been extended through 2009.

SAXON MATH – IF USED CORRECTLY – IS STILL THE BEST MATH PROGRAM ON THE MARKET TODAY!

Over The last twenty-some years, I have heard just about every story told by homeschool educators as well as classroom teachers about how difficult John Saxon's math books are. I believe that homeschool educators who speak poorly about the Saxon Homeschool Program are like the classroom teachers I encountered who always blamed the math book for their student's poor showing, never realizing that the way they were misusing the books was the primary contributing factor to the student's difficulty. They never received or asked for any special training on how to correctly use John Saxon's math books. Why should they? After all isn't one math textbook just like another?

I recall more than a decade ago, while briefing the superintendent of a large school district in Colorado about how – from my observations – the district math teachers were not properly using their Saxon math books. I told him and the teachers that, in my opinion this misuse accounted for the district's failing math scores. He stopped me and said, “Mr. Reed what I hear you saying is that we have just purchased a new automobile, and because we all know how to drive, we did not bother to read the operator's manual.” To which I replied “It's worse than that sir. You all know how to drive an automatic transmission. However, John Saxon's math books are not an automatic transmission, they are a stick shift.” To which I added. I am not the owner of the company, but if John Saxon were alive today, standing here addressing you under these circumstances, he would tell you to either use his books correctly or get rid of them, and blame someone else's, textbooks for the failing grades.”

On another occasion while addressing a school district in the state of Missouri, whose math teachers were guilty of the same misuse, I promised their superintendent the same thing I promised the superintendent in Colorado – that if they would make some adjustments and use the books correctly, they would develop a successful math program and their students' math scores would go up. The district decided to implement the changes I had recommended. About eighteen months later, I received a letter from the superintendent. She wrote that their middle school students had scored the highest of any middle school in the state on their end-of-year math exams.

During these past eleven years of advising and assisting homeschool parents about curriculum choices for their children, I noticed many of their calls and email to me were the result of having received inaccurate or inadequate – sometimes downright erroneous – advice. This erroneous advice came from other homeschool parents, discussion groups, well-meaning but uninformed or inexperienced publishing company employees, or from well meaning, but inexperienced employees of homeschool textbook distributors.

With all the new math books and supplemental math products on the market today – and textbook publishers promising every home school parent that if you use their books, your sons and daughters would score well on the ACT or SAT tests, I thought it appropriate to take this opportunity to defend John's math books for the benefit of the homeschool educators and their students. I do not sell Saxon math books – I never have – but I believe that some of these new book fads will leave your child short of mastering the requisite fundamentals of mathematics necessary to succeed in the collegiate realm of engineering, architecture, medicine, et al. Besides, some of them are tremendously more expensive than John's books are – even considering the additional purchase of an auxiliary CD or DVD tutorial when used with one of John's books.

Students fail calculus – not because they do not understand the calculus – but because they never mastered the fundamentals of algebra, and they will fail an Algebra One course because they have not mastered the concepts of decimals, fractions and percents. John Saxon's math books were designed to create mastery of mathematics at all levels, and the infusion of repetition over time (referred to by Dr. Benjamin Bloom as “automaticity”) creates this mastery at every level for every student who uses John Saxon's math books properly.

Parents of homeschool students who have displayed poor progress while using John Saxon's math books, generally have contributed to the student's poor performance by taking shortcuts and preventing the student from receiving the full benefit of John Saxon's methods. Next month's newsletter will go over the most common of these “shortcuts” together with my comments and recommendations on how to correct them and have your child enjoy mathematics and realize mastery of the material using the best mathematics curriculum on the market today – John Saxon's math books!

I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a:

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

“Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics; I can assure you that mine are far greater”

Albert Einstein

DO HOMESCHOOL EDUCATORS NEED THE NEW SAXON MATH TEXTBOOKS?

I have received both telephone calls and emails from homeschool educators wanting to know if they should buy the new “Course 1” or “Course 2” math textbooks. These are the two new sixth and seventh grade textbooks released by Harcourt Achieve just after they had acquired Saxon Publishers. The two textbooks are being offered on the Saxon school website but not on the Saxon Homeschool website. If you go to the Saxon school website and look under “Middle School”, you will notice that the new books are titled Saxon Math™ Course 1“ which has a picture of a soccer ball on the cover, and Saxon Math™ Course 2, which has a picture of a pair of binoculars on the cover.

Aside from changing the cover and title of the books, the content of the inside of the books remain virtually unchanged. The math content of these two math textbooks is identical to the math content of John Saxon's Math 76, 3 rd or 4 th editions (now Course 1) and Math 87, 2 nd or 3 rd editions (now Course 2). One of the highlights of their marketing ad for these new textbooks is proclaiming their “New Look.” That is about all there is to them – a new look! Because state textbook review committees have little time or ability to read or understand every math textbook they are considering for adoption, publishers add internal, highlighted notes and comments so members of these committees can easily see what is in each lesson – which is what has been done to these two textbooks.

Additionally, the publishers added the highlights, notes and other “cosmetic bells and whistles” to these two new textbooks to make it easier for teachers to meet their mandated state reporting requirements. These highlights, notes and other comments, which I refer to as the “cosmetic bells and whistles”, found in both of these two newly titled textbooks, are neither useful nor required by homeschool educators. Stick to the time tested textbooks developed by Saxon Publishers. I listed them in the September Newsletter. They can also be found on page 15 of my book.

On a separate note, in response to your telephone calls and email, I have returned to assisting homeschool students and educators using John Saxon's math books. So long as you are using one of John Saxon's math books, there is no charge for this service. The incoming email so far has already involved math questions ranging from algebra ½ through calculus. I am truly enjoying returning to being involved in helping students – and sometimes parents - in mathematics on a daily basis.

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY

After serving on active duty in the U.S. Army for more than twenty-seven years, I thought my government would be through asking me to serve. However, I had forgotten there are other levels of our government that periodically would do so. Several days ago, I received a summons from the local District Court to report for jury duty next week. There was a place on the form that allowed me to be excused because I am a disabled veteran and over seventy years of age. I chose not to use that excuse as I feel jury duty is one of the responsibilities of every citizen in a democracy and I am more than willing to perform those duties. The reason I am telling you about this event is that jury duty has the potential to slow down my current work on the algebra 2 DVD Teaching Series project. While I am still hopeful we can complete the series by the end of December, it may take a couple weeks longer to complete.

(Now to the more important aspect of the monthly newsletter)

THE NEW CORPORATE OWNERS OF JOHN SAXON'S DREAM

As best I can, I want to explain the current corporate structure in which “Saxon Publishers” exists today under its new owners the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company or HMHCO. I found my information on the internet under Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. For a view of what their organizational structure looks like today, go to http://www.hmhco.com/divisions.html . Once on that site, select “Products” from the bar at the top and you will find they further classify Saxon books as “ Supplemental Learning Materials. ” Strangely, they did not even classify “Saxon” as an Elementary, Middle or High School Educational Product.

As many of you recall, several years ago, Harcourt bought Saxon Publishers from John Saxon's children. Then, earlier this year, Houghton Mifflin bought Harcourt (and thereby Saxon). What you formerly knew as “Saxon Publishers” is now buried (together with three other supplemental educational programs) in one of the eight divisions of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt listed at the same website under the heading “Divisions” at the top of the site. Saxon is listed under the division titled “ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Supplemental Publishers .” This is the name of the publishing company under which the new fourth editions of the Saxon algebra 1 and algebra 2 textbooks were published. The three other entities in this supplemental sub-division are much older supplemental learning programs titled Rigby, Steck-Vaughn and Great Source products. All of these sub-divisions (including the Saxon math books) are further listed on the web site as “ Supplemental Learning Materials for grades pre-K–12 .

There is little doubt in my mind that John Saxon would not like having Saxon math textbooks referred to as “ Supplemental Learning Materials, ” for they still remain the best “Basal” (foundation) math textbooks on the market today! It is interesting that neither of the acquiring corporations retained any experienced executives of Saxon Publishers. Knowledgeable executives who would have assisted in carrying on John's outstanding educational traditions and been able to advise and move the company forward using today's technology - while still retaining John Saxon's methodology. When you think about it though, publishing the Saxon math books as “ Supplemental Learning Materials ” is somewhat of a “left-handed” compliment to John Saxon because, if the other math textbooks published by the parent corporation were as good as the corporation's sales force says they are, then you would not need a supplemental math book to go along with them.

In my professional opinion, if you really wanted to destroy an excellent series of math textbooks, this would not be a bad way to go about it! Publish the textbooks under a Supplemental Publishing Company and it will not be long before the public schools stop using them in their classrooms because many of them cannot teach base subjects such as mathematics for credit using “Supplemental Learning Materials” as their primary textbook.

What really concerns me is that State Departments of Education (SDE's) may use the fact that the Saxon math books are now advertised and published as “ Supplemental Learning Materials ” by HMH Supplemental Publishers, to create problems for homeschool educators who use Saxon math books. Since many state SDE's do not openly welcome homeschool educators, they might be encouraged to deny homeschool educators – who use Saxon math books – earned math credits alleging they are using “Supplemental Learning Materials” rather than a “Basal” or “foundation” textbook.

However, you can look on the bright side! As long as you keep using the Saxon math books currently being sold on the Saxon Homeschool website (as of this date), or those listed in my newsletter last month, this problem cannot occur as these Saxon math textbooks were published as “Basal” or “foundation” textbooks and not as “Supplemental Learning Materials” by a “Supplemental Publisher.” These editions (new or used) will remain outstanding math books for several more decades – or longer!

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The second set of DVD's in the series MASTERING ALGEBRA “John Saxon's Way” is now available. The Algebra 1, 3rd Edition DVD Video Series, containing 120 lessons, has just been released. For more information about the program, Click Here.

September 2008
JOHN WAS RIGHT! - SOME THINGS HAVEN'T CHANGED EVEN AFTER MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS!

Homeschool educators are constantly faced with the dilemma of deciding whether or not their son or daughter needs to take a separate high school geometry course because some academic institution wants to see geometry on the high school transcript. Or, because the publishers offer it as a separate math textbook in their curriculum – implying it is to be taken as a separate course. Remembering, of course, that selling three different math textbooks books brings in thirty-three percent more revenue than selling just two.

John Saxon's unique methodology of combining algebra in the geometric plane and geometry in the algebraic plane all in the same math textbook had solved that dilemma facing home school educators for these past twenty-five years. However, unknown to John, this same problem had been addressed over a hundred years earlier at the University of Chicago.

Knowledge of this information came to me by way of a gift from my wife and her sisters. Since 2003, after their mom and dad had passed away, my wife and her sisters have been going through some fifty years of papers and books accumulated by their parents and stored in the attic and basement of the house they all grew up in. When asked by friends why it was taking them so long, one of the daughters replied “Mom and Dad took more than a half century to fill the house with their memories. It won't hurt to take a couple more years to go through them.”

Among some of the treasures they found in the basement were letters to their great-grandfather written by a fellow soldier while both were on active duty in the Union Army. One of these letters was written to their great-grandfather while his friend was assigned to “Picket Duty” on the “Picket Line.” His fellow Union Soldier and friend was describing to their great-grandfather the dreary rainy day he was experiencing. He wrote that he thought it was much more dangerous being on “Picket Duty” than being on the front lines, as the “Rebels” were always sneaking up and shooting at them from out of nowhere.

The treasure they found for me was an old math book that their father had used while a sophomore in high school in 1917. The book is titled “Geometric Exercises for Algebraic Solution – Second Year Mathematics for Secondary Schools.” It was published by the University of Chicago Press in October of 1907.

The authors of the book were professors of mathematics and astronomy at the University of Chicago, and they addressed the problem facing high school students in their era. Students who had just barely grasped the concepts of the algebra 1 text, only to be thrown into a non-algebraic geometry textbook and then, a year or more later being asked to grasp the more complicated concepts of an algebra 2 textbook. The book they had written contained algebraic concepts combined with geometry. It was designed as a supplement to a geometry textbook so the students would continue to use algebraic concepts and not forget them.

John never mentioned these authors - or the book - so I can only assume that he never knew it existed. For if he had, I feel certain that it would have been one more shining light for him to shine in the faces of the high-minded academicians that he - as did these authors - thought were wreaking havoc with mathematics in the secondary schools. In the preface of their textbook, the professors wrote:

“ The reasons against the plan in common vogue in secondary schools of breaking the continuity of algebra by dropping it for a whole year after barely starting it, are numerous and strong . . . With no other subject of the curriculum does a loss of continuity and connectiveness work so great a havoc as with mathematics . . . To attain high educational results from any body of mathematical truths, once grasped, it is profoundly important that subsequent work be so planned and executed as to lead the learner to see their value and to feel their power through manifold uses.”

So, should you blame the publishers for publishing a separate geometry textbook? Or is it the fault of misguided high-minded academicians who – after more than a hundred years – still demand a separate geometry text from the publishers? I am not sure, but thankfully, this decision need not yet face the homeschool educators using John Saxon's math books for the original homeschool third editions of John Saxon's algebra one and algebra two textbooks still contain geometry as well as algebra – as does the advanced mathematics textbook.

Any homeschool student using John Saxon's homeschool math textbooks who successfully completes algebra one, (2 nd or 3 rd editions), algebra 2, (2 nd or 3 rd editions), and at least the first half of the advanced mathematics (2 nd edition) textbook, has covered the same material found in any high school algebra one, algebra two and geometry math textbook – including two-column formal proofs. Their high school transcripts – as I point out in my book – can accurately reflect completion of an algebra one, algebra two, and a separate geometry course.

When homeschool educators tell me they are confused because the school website offers different materials than what is offered to them on the homeschool website, I remind them that - unless they want to purchase a hardback version of their soft back textbook - they do not need anything being offered on the Saxon school website. In fact, they are getting a better curriculum by staying on the homeschool website. You can still purchase the original versions of John Saxon's math textbooks that he intended be used to develop “mastery” as recommended by the University of Chicago mathematics professors over a hundred years ago.

Because many of you do not have a copy of my book, I have reproduced that list from page 15 of the book so you can see what editions of John Saxon's original math books are still good whether acquired used or new. These editions will remain excellent math textbooks for several more decades.

Math 54, second edition or the new softcover third edition.

Math 65 , second edition or the new softcover third edition.

Math 76, third edition or the new softcover fourth edition.

Math 87 , second edition or the new softcover third edition.

Algebra ½, second or third edition.

Algebra 1, third edition.

Algebra 2, second or third editions (content is identical).

Advanced Mathematics, second edition.

Calculus, first or second edition.

Physics , first edition.

ABOUT THOSE RE-BOUND TEXTBOOKS!

My apologies, but I am still working on completing the algebra one DVD Teaching Series and have not spent much time on the re-binding search. I suspect that my initial disappointment about increased costs and huge minimum fees has led me to assume it will not be a fruitful search. However, I promise to pick up the search again when I have finished production of the algebra one DVD Teaching Series later this month.

August 2008
TUTIORIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOMESCHOOL – AND PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL MATH STUDENTS

Late last month, I released the new algebra ½, 3 rd Edition DVD Teaching Series consisting of one hundred twenty-three lessons and ten supplemental subjects at the back of the book. I have since added a sample DVD lesson for the algebra 1, 3rd Edition textbook as well as one for the algebra 2, 2nd or 3rd Edition books. I plan to have the algebra 1, 3rd Edition DVD Teaching Series ready for release by mid-September. It is my desire to provide homeschool students with the opportunity to see an experienced Saxon math teacher doing math problems on a board, and to place them in an actual classroom with their own mathematics teacher, from pre-algebra through calculus.

While the entire DVD Teaching Series follows the lessons of the appropriate edition of John Saxon's algebra books, they can also be used with any non-Saxon math textbook, whether by a homeschool student or a public or private school student needing additional tutoring. For that reason, I have included a Table of Contents of the DVD lessons for non-Saxon users, for each of the three books mentioned above. The Table of Contents for each of these books (pre-algebra, algebra 1 or algebra 2) can be accessed from the window displaying the sample DVD lesson you want to preview or purchase.

I was recently asked by some homeschool parents if they could purchase just the second half of any of the series. They explained to me that they did not need assistance with the subject material until about half-way through the book, when the book's content became more difficult. That is certainly something I will consider; however, I would prefer to wait until I hear from more homeschool educators about the feasibility of that option for them. While there is an increased cost in double packaging and double mailing fees, if the demand were sufficient, I would certainly be happy to accommodate the homeschool educators.

Homeschool parents who have purchased the DVD Teaching Series have also called or emailed me to take me up on my offer to provide free curriculum advice to better prepare their son or daughter for the appropriate level math course now and in the future. That promise still holds true for any homeschool parent using John Saxon's upper level math books. I believe that my twenty plus years of teaching and providing curriculum advice to homeschool educators using John Saxon's math books, as well as to teachers and administrators in the public and private school systems, have given me the ability to assist both students and parents when their son or daughter encounters difficulties with the content of a particular Saxon math textbook. Please feel free to leave a short message on my voice mail and I will return your call when we have finished our daily recording and review of the individual DVD math lessons.

ONE LAST COMMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE

When John Saxon implemented the Math Help Desk for homeschool students and their parents almost two decades ago, Saxon Publishers was the only publishing company providing that type of support service for homeschool families. John realized at the time he implemented the service that it would be an expensive – but necessary – service to homeschool students using his upper level math books. I am not certain whether or not other publishers have since implemented such a service, but I can assure you that if it is (1) only done on a part time basis, (2) is not properly staffed by a qualified mathematician, or (3) does not provide a timely response, then it is not the quality of service John Saxon intended when Saxon Publishers started this support function in Norman, Oklahoma – which is probably why other publishers do not offer this math service.

I am still hearing from readers that the Math Help Desk continues to be non-responsive to their email. They are apparently responding to homeschool email questions days after the email was sent to them or - in some cases - not responding at all. In my opinion that could be happening for one of several reasons. (1) Either the person working the desk is frequently away on other projects assigned them by the publishing company – and the Math Help Desk is not their primary job – or (2) they have passed the function on to a non-mathematician who cannot assist in answering upper level math questions and they must wait for the mathematician to return to reply to the email or call. I also believe that (3) there may be a possibility the company is trying to find a financial solution by eliminating the expenses involved in the full time staffing of John's age old support function. Instead of paying someone to staff the Math Support Help Desk on a full time basis as John Saxon did, they may be looking to the homeschool families to buy their “Saxon Teacher” series instead of staffing the desk with a qualified, full time mathematician.

As long as I am healthy and able to do so – which should be for several more decades - I will answer email questions from any student using one of John Saxon's books from algebra ½ through calculus so long as they have purchased a copy of the DVD Teaching Series pertaining to the book they are using from my website. Believe me when I say that I am not just trying to sell the DVD's! I firmly believe that using the DVD Teaching Series gives students the benefits of having an experienced Saxon classroom math teacher giving hints and shortcuts not offered in the textbook – a product that will reduce their frustration.

Using the DVD's will drastically reduce if not eliminate the students' need for assistance on a particular type of problem. But if they do still need help – I would gladly assist them by replying by email to any math question the same day I receive it! Having supervised the operations of the Saxon Math Help Desk for almost nine years, I know how important that support is to homeschool students. Students and parents can easily become frustrated when their request for assistance goes unanswered and there is nowhere else to turn for help.

ABOUT THOSE RE-BOUND TEXTBOOKS I MENTIONED LAST MONTH!

A lot has changed since I last used a re-binding facility as a classroom teacher almost a decade ago. I am still researching the subject, but what I have learned so far after contacting about a half-dozen rebinding facilities is they now charge more than twice what I paid, and they now also charge a minimum fee that - in most cases - negates any savings a homeschool organization might acquire in re-binding their lending library textbooks.

If any of the readers have already been down this road and have any good information about rebinding textbooks at a reasonable rate that would benefit homeschool groups, please email me. I will publish their information along with what I find. In between making DVD math lessons every day and then reviewing the recorded DVD math lessons for the series, I shall keep looking.

July 18th, 2008
NEWS RELEASE!!

The first set of DVD's in the series MASTERING ALGEBRA “John Saxon's Way” is now available. The Algebra ½, 3 rd Edition DVD video series, containing 133 lessons, was released for sale yesterday. For more information about the program, Click Here.

July 2008
TIME APPEARS TO BE MY WORST ENEMY!

I thought twenty-seven years in the U.S. Army had prepared me for just about anything, but the modern era of technology does not always allow planned target dates to occur as readily as one would desire.

We have finished all 123 lessons of the algebra ½ video series, and I believe we have now solved all of the technical bugs in the video and DVD production. It appears that mid-July is a very safe date to use. The moment the entire package is ready for mailing, I will post the web site with the news.

In May I spoke to homeschoolers at a convention in North Carolina and in June I spoke at another homeschool convention in Tennessee. Just about every homeschool parent I spoke with was pleased with their selection of John Saxon's math books for their homeschool students. Some told me they had stopped using the Saxon math books because of their children's lack of success with the books. After about ninety minutes of dialog, however, they found it was not John Saxon's math books, but the improper use of them that was creating the problem.

I told the homeschool parents that their difficulties were no different than those experienced by school districts using John Saxon's math books throughout the United States. The analogy I drew was one given by a school district superintendent some years ago. The entire school district was using John Saxon's math books from fourth grade through twelfth grade; however, their annual math test scores were beginning to fall below state standards. The district superintendent had called me and asked me if I thought I could come out and help them correct the problem with an in-service training session before school started back that fall.

I accepted the invitation and asked that all of administrators and math teachers attend or it would be a waste of their time, money and efforts. There were over eighty people in the conference hall that morning. After hearing the replies to a series of questions, I told them what I thought was the problem. Their falling test scores were not the result of John Saxon's math books, but the teachers' incorrect use of the textbooks. “I see what you're saying Art,” the superintendent said “We bought a new car and since we already knew how to drive, we did not read the instructional manual.” “It's worse than that,” I replied. “Your teachers are used to driving cars with an automatic transmission , and John Saxon's math books are stick shift . If they are not used properly, you might as well throw them away and get someone else's math book to blame.”

During the homeschool conventions, I was asked numerous times about materials offered on the school web site that are not available on the homeschool website. As I said in my book, and repeated at hundreds of conferences and conventions over the past ten years, there is nothing on the school website that is needed by homeschool families.

With more than twenty years of experience in teaching and dealing with John Saxon's math books, I can promise you that the current editions of John Saxon's old math books now sold on the Saxon homeschool web site will be good for several more decades. However, if you have a large family and believe that soft bound textbooks will not last through multiple students, then the editions listed on page fifteen of my book are the books to use as they are all hard-bound textbooks and identical to the soft bound books available today.

When I taught, I saved the school money by sending my damaged books to a binder. For about $6.00, I had them rebound rather than buy new ones. I am now doing research into that, and next month's newsletter will hopefully contain some good news on that subject.

HAVE A WONDERFUL, SAFE, AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AS WE CELEBRATE 232 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE. AND MAY GOD CONTUNUE TO BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALL SHE STANDS FOR!

June 2008
THE NEW ALGEBRA 1/2 DVD VIDEO SERIES IS GETTING CLOSER

Perhaps you have noticed the changes to our website? Yes, I finally got the sample lesson done and up for you to look at!

I had originally planned on having the sample mathematics lesson on-line several weeks ago, but the changing seasons took out my voice and I could not speak for more than a week. Actually, I could speak, but I sounded like a wounded duck! Pending any more voice interruptions, the completed series will be ready for release by the end of this month. Hopefully, homeschool parents and students alike will benefit from the teaching as I firmly believe the series will enhance the material covered in John's math books.

I recently spoke to a group of homeschool parents at the North Carolina Homeschool Convention in Winston-Salem, NC and after getting to visit with many of them, I remain firmly convinced that homeschool students are in the most capable of hands. These caring and dedicated parents were eager and anxious to find the best and most effective instructional materials for their sons and daughters.

It was really exciting and encouraging to hear these parents tell me they were looking forward to my new teaching series. I hope it will live up to their expectations.

Remember that students need time away from math just as well as teachers do! Hopefully, we will meet again in late August to start the 2008-2009 school year.

Since most homeschool parents are now purchasing their books and supplies for the next school year, please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions about which editions of John Saxon's books to buy (new or used).

May 2008
A NEW AND EXCITING ALGEBRA 1/2 DVD VIDEO SERIES <

Having spent considerable time reviewing the various CD and DVD products on the market that were developed for homeschool educators using John Saxon's math books, I have decided to make a new and original classroom teaching video series on DVD doing just what I did when I taught John Saxon's math books in a rural high school several years ago. Having twelve years experience teaching with John Saxon's math books from algebra ½ through calculus, I thought this would be a rewarding journey for both me and the homeschool students who have no math teacher. The series will also be a great teaching tool for co-op, charter, private and public classrooms that need a qualified teacher to teach mathematics at this level. The cost will be less than $75.00 for each series with free shipping and handling anywhere in the United States.

Students will actually see an experienced Saxon math teacher on the screen presenting the material on the board, just as I did in the classroom for several decades, rather than just looking at a screen and listening to a distant voice, without the physical presence of a teacher, This is actual classroom instruction which will include recommendations, tips, and some new methods not specifically covered in the lessons. I will present each lesson just as I did throughout my years of teaching John Saxon's math books. This will not be just another “read the book to the student” exercise.

I am starting with the algebra ½, 3d edition textbook – which will be completed in time for the coming school year – and will proceed on through algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus and finally calculus. The specific editions of each textbook are listed at the end of this newsletter. My complete classroom instructional series will cover: algebra ½, 3d edition, algebra 1, 3d edition, algebra 2, 2d or 3d edition (both editions are identical in content except for the lesson reference numbers), geometry and trigonometry, followed by pre-calculus (using the advanced mathematics, 2d edition textbook), and finally calculus 1 st edition (if enough readers tell me they want the newer 2d edition, I will do that edition also).

Shortly, I will have a sample lesson available to preview on-line so you will be able to evaluate the content and quality of the program. Look for it on the web site later this month.

AS A SIDE NOTE, SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HARD-COVER TEXTBOOKS:

If you plan on continuing to use John Saxon's math books for the next five to ten years or more, I recommend you go out this summer to a homeschool convention and buy a new or good used set of hardcover Saxon math books as they will be good textbooks for several more decades to come. It appears the new owners of Saxon Publishers are not going to continue publishing the older “rock solid” textbooks John Saxon created. I have recently learned from several Saxon distributors that the last hardback Math 87 textbook (the 2d Ed) is now out of print and they will not be re-printed. If you want a new copy, I suggest you quickly purchase it from one of the distributors or at a Homeschool Convention this summer. As a reminder, the specific editions which are still good – from Math 54 through calculus – are listed on page 15 of my book.

While the new third edition of Math 87 is identical in content to the second edition hardcover textbook, it has a soft cover and it will not last as long. The solutions manual from the third edition is however, compatible with the hardcover second edition textbook. So if you need a solutions manual, you need only purchase the softcover third edition solutions manual for your hardcover second edition Math 87 textbook.

Saxon Publishers originally created the soft cover books for the new editions so they could include a solutions manual without raising the price of the homeschool kit. However, several years ago, I was told by a senior vice president at Harcourt that they could easily print hardcover Saxon Math textbooks cheaper than John Saxon could print the soft-back textbooks because John was using a small local Oklahoma printer while Harcourt owned their own printing plant.

Don't expect those profitable homeschool soft-cover editions to switch back to hardcover textbooks any time soon!

IN MY OPINION, THE NEW SAXON ALGEBRA 2 CD SERIES IS LITTLE MORE THAN A HIGH-PRICED “TALKING” SOLUTIONS MANUAL

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I have completed my review of the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 CD series just released by Saxon Homeschool, the DIVE algebra 2 CD, and the DVDs published by Teaching Tape Technology.

I believe that if you want to spend a hundred dollars (includes shipping and handling costs) for someone to work every problem out for the student – not explaining every step - and then have the presenter provide little if any math instruction for the functions covered in each lesson, then you should buy the Saxon Teacher algebra 2 CD series on-line from Saxon Homeschool. However, for half the cost - just fifty dollars - you can acquire the DIVE CD which contains instruction superior to the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 CDs. The DIVE CD also has a writing board area almost twice the area of that used in the “Saxon Teacher” program.

The other product I reviewed, produced by “Teaching Tape Technology,” is also superior to the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 CDs. It does, however, cost considerably more, but it is the only product that will work on both a television and computer DVD player, making it a good choice for use when viewed by multiple students. While the DIVE CD for Saxon algebra 2 advertises that the CD can be used for either the 2d or 3d editions of the book, the “Saxon Teacher” introduction mentions only that their product was designed for their newest 3d edition textbook. The Teaching Tape Technology series that I reviewed was created in 2004 and also mentions it is only for the second edition of John Saxon's algebra 2 textbook.

THE “SAXON TEACHER” ALGEBRA 2 CD SERIES: Having taught using John Saxon's algebra 2 textbook in a rural high school for more than a dozen years, I was really excited when I learned the product was being developed by the new Saxon textbook owners. I thought it would be a great teaching aid for Homeschool educators. I also saw the tremendous potential for this product being used in high schools for makeup instruction, or used by substitute teachers when the qualified math teacher was absent. But sadly, having reviewed the product, I do not believe this product as currently presented will ever accomplish that.

Dealing with the mechanics of the series, I first noticed that the writing portion of the board was about half the size of the computer screen. When I clicked on the “enlarge screen” icon the overall screen enlarged to the full screen, but the writing portion of the board remained the same small size. It appeared to me that the Saxon Homeschool marketing staff was more concerned with displaying the company's name and corporate logo on the writing portion of the board than on giving the Saxon presenter more writing space to allow for a more detailed explanation to benefit the students.

After reviewing more of the lessons, one could easily get the impression that the problem with this new product is that it was produced in a hurry and on a low budget. When the presenter refers to numbers, variables, or functions, there is no electronic pointer to show the student what specific number, variable or function is being referred to. It would be a tremendous aid to the students if the presenter had a computer generated pointer arrow to use when referring to these specific numbers, variables or functions to avoid confusing or losing the student. I cannot understand how a large multi-million dollar publishing corporation like the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (which now owns Saxon) could allow the release of such a poor quality product, under the Saxon logo, for homeschool educators!

I mentioned in last month's newsletter that I thought the presenter was not an experienced Saxon high school math teacher as she used middle school terms, as well as unorthodox explanations, for numerous mathematical terms. For example, she uses the term “absolute value bars.” Since the middle of John Saxon's original algebra ½ textbook, the term describing an absolute value sign has always been described as just that – “absolute value signs," – which were described as being comprised of two vertical lines – never as “absolute value bars.” In all the years that I have been involved in mathematics (both as a student and as a teacher) I have never heard absolute value signs referred to as “bars.” And experienced mathematicians substitute “values” for “variables, they do not say “substitute in” or refer to the plots on a grid as “little dots.

Nor does an experienced high school advanced algebra teacher fail to mention to the students that in graphing experimental data, the student is seeking the line best representing the correlation between the dependent data (the y axis) and independent data (the x axis) being gathered and plotted by the researcher. Neither would any experienced mathematician ever say “The quadratic formula is ‘kind of' another alternative to factoring” – as the Saxon presenter does.

In another of the lessons I reviewed, the presenter tells the students that “T here is a lot of information in this particular lesson so make sure you read the textbook.” She then fails to discuss all of the material covered in that lesson. In lesson 59, dealing with “Experimental Data,” an experienced high school mathematician would never say “ We have 'little dots' given and there's a line drawn in there that is trying to create a line for the dots. ” I have no idea of what she is trying to tell the students. If John Saxon had ever heard a high school math teacher misuse his book as much as this instructor does, he would have taken his books back and refunded the school their money so that the failing students' situation would not be blamed upon his books, but rather upon the unqualified math teacher.

In still another lesson, when attempting to explain the concept of “Deductive Reasoning,” the presenter does not draw a visual concept of the “group” (usually done by drawing a circle on the board) to make sure the student understands what occurs when something is either “in” or “out” of the stated group (the circle). She never tells the student – as any professional high school math teacher would do – that the concept of a valid or invalid conclusion does not mean the specific conclusion is either “true” or “false,” but rather is determined to be “valid” or “invalid” based upon the original stated premise.

As I mentioned in my initial review last month, checking the sound on three different computers, I found the presenter's voice to be shrill, and more often than not, throughout the lessons, the presenter speaks with a dry monotone voice. On more than one occasion, the tone of the presenter gives the listener the impression that she is bored with what she is saying to the students. Lastly, in several of the lessons, the presenter “mumbles” about what is being written down or explained on the board. In another lesson, she sounds like she is eating something while talking.

Using the simplest form of quality control – review – it would not have taken more than fifteen to twenty minutes to redo these lessons to correct these errors. Whenever I heard the presenter refer to a calculator it was always a graphing calculator. I heard no mention of the use of an inexpensive scientific calculator. An inexpensive scientific calculator is all that is needed for algebra 2, and the presenter should consider that not all home school families can afford the more expensive graphing calculators.

In my opinion, because the “Saxon Teacher” is primarily presented as an oral solution manual, the program would be dangerous in the hands of many homeschool students who have not yet mastered the required material. Since the bulk of the CDs consist mainly of solutions to all their daily work, they might easily get the idea that watching each and every problem being worked out in front of them would be “learning” – a formula for failure not only in algebra 2, but in the courses to follow as well!

The student would easily slide into going back to the CDs to verify the steps for every problem he cannot do - believing that seeing how the problem is worked equates to learning how to solve the problem without first trying, and the number of missed problems will most assuredly increase as the student progresses through the book. One teacher referred to the Saxon algebra 2 series as an “expensive cheat-sheet” that would most certainly inhibit learning!

This program might appear to some to be an essential tool for homeschool educators who desire to grade the student's daily work, but are not familiar with this level of mathematics, and feel they are therefore unable to do so. However, John Saxon recommended that good Saxon math teachers “NEVER GRADE” the student's daily work. He strongly advocated that qualified Saxon math teachers grade only the weekly tests! As a seasoned math instructor, John continuously emphasized those weekly test results were what reflected the student's level of mastery, not the daily practice work. And he was correct!

In a three to four year time frame, the rural high school where I taught “John Saxon's” mathematics had their high school math ACT scores climb from 13.4 to 21.9 (above the national average of 20.2) – and that was over fourteen years ago! I can assure you that I never graded a single high school math homework paper. I graded only the students' weekly tests. These were the only management tool needed to evaluate their level of mastery – and assist those students who were falling behind.

I would wager that the new corporate marketing experts do not have a clue as to how John Saxon's math books are to be used. No other math textbook utilizes the weekly tests as John Saxon's math books do. The algebra 2 Homeschool Kits all have an inexpensive, printed test solutions manual so that parents can accurately grade these weekly tests. They also contain an equally inexpensive, printed solution manual to allow parents the opportunity to assist students with problems encountered in their daily work as well.

Why would anyone want to spend a hundred dollars to have someone read the solutions to the student? Even if this product were professionally done (which in my professional opinion – it is not), it is my opinion that the corporation should have put their emphasis for their algebra 2 “Saxon Teacher” CDs on teaching math concepts to the students, rather than creating an oral solutions manual for them.

The Saxon Teacher algebra 2 CD series is designed solely for computer use. The product, as is advertised, will not function on a television DVD system.

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The DIVE CD: The instructor had an excellent introduction to the course. He told students the materials they will need for the class along with a recommendation to use a calculator sparingly – something John Saxon emphasized! Whenever calculators were being used in the instruction, the instructor gave directions to the student for both the scientific as well as the graphing calculators. This is a great idea considering not all students can afford the expensive graphing calculator. The area of the writing board is almost twice as large as the area of the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 writing board. When you click on the “enlarge screen” icon, the area of this writing board fills the entire computer screen.

As with the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 program, the DIVE instructor also does not use a computer pointer either. However, he does use colored dots and arrows to highlight specific numbers, variables or functions he is referring to. Since I am one of the “ one in twelve ” males who is color deficient, my recommendation would be that the instructor use some color other than the red now being used because most color deficient students cannot see the color red on dark blue. Perhaps a bright yellow color would provide a better contrast. The response time to the student's selection of lessons is much faster than that of the Saxon DVD. This instructor speaks clearly and in a pleasant tone of voice, unlike the shrill monotone – sometimes apparently bored – voice of the Saxon presenter.

The DIVE instructor used professional math terms throughout his presentations. He did not use middle or elementary school terms when explaining materials in the lessons. While the instruction still does not follow John Saxon's instructional methodology, it is a much, much better presentation than what is presented in the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 program – and for half the price! I did notice that the lectures of several of the lessons I reviewed seemed a bit long for the subject material being presented.

While the DIVE CDs are instructional in nature, they do not solve every problem as the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 CDs do – which I believe is not necessary. I also liked the way the instructor associated situations in the scientific community to explain the rationale for many of the math functions being presented. As I said in my book, I do not believe one should pay to have someone read the lesson to the student, but if the student needs a professional oral explanation of what he just read to re-enforce the material, then spending fifty dollars for the DIVE DVD is a much better offer than paying one hundred dollars (including shipping and handling) for the “Saxon Teacher” algebra 2 product which I believe is not as good as the DIVE CDs.

The DIVE CD will only function when used on a computer CD player. The product is not designed to function on a television DVD system.

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TEACHING TAPE TECHNOLOGY DVD SERIES: Of the three products I reviewed, these DVDs appear to be the best presentation for a homeschool student group. When used on a computer, the program fills the entire computer screen if you select the enlarge screen icon. While the instructor does not claim to be an experienced Saxon mathematics teacher, the product does present the instructor as a certified teacher, and her presentations support this claim.

The introduction was very straight forward and most informative. She encouraged students to organize their work and gave instructions to them for using both a scientific and graphing calculator. Her introduction was very encouraging to the students and she correctly informed them that diligence would benefit their efforts. However, she only “recommended” students do all thirty problems each day – giving them the option of doing less should they choose to – something John Saxon would never allow – and for good reason! Also, in one lesson, she said that completion of the algebra 2 textbook would give the student an additional full credit for a geometry course – which is not correct.

Only the first semester of a regular geometry course can be awarded upon successful completion of the entire Saxon algebra 2 textbook (2d or 3d Editions). The second semester of a high school geometry course is earned when the student successfully completes the first half of the Saxon advanced mathematics textbook (2d Ed).

The instructor does an excellent job of teaching the concepts of each of the lessons I reviewed, proceeding then to work the practice problems for the students. The instructor is positive and encouraging, and she speaks very clearly and in a pleasant tone of voice.

Although these DVD's are a bit more costly than either the Saxon or DIVE products, it may be worth the money to buy them anyway since the product will work on both a computer and a television DVD player – a great feature if you are conducting a small math co-op class for several students.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If your homeschool math student needs additional instruction for algebra 2, (either the 2d or 3d Ed), and your budget allows – or – if you belong to a co-op or homeschool lending library, I would use the Teaching Tape Technology products. If you're on a limited budget, I would recommend using the DIVE DVD's. If you're a parent who needs solutions to the student's daily work, I would purchase the inexpensive printed solutions manual rather than spend one hundred dollars (which includes shipping and handling) on an oral solutions manual. I personally would not spend another dime on the “Saxon Teacher” series unless the company does a complete makeover of the existing algebra 2 “Saxon Teacher” CD product as well as their forthcoming “Saxon Teacher” products – should they follow the same pattern for algebra 1 and advanced mathematics.

ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC

I have just received sample copies of the new fourth editions of the HMH algebra 1 and algebra 2 books. Geometry has been removed from them and I understand that a new geometry textbook is currently being published. As with most other math textbooks on the market today, and as Harcourt did with their Course 1 and Course 2 math books, the marketing people – not the mathematicians – seem to be the driving force. The new confusing “look like every other math textbook” layout of the individual lessons in the textbooks tells me that “THE SIMPLICITY OF JOHN SAXON'S MATH BOOKS IS DISAPPEARING!”

I strongly recommend home school educators immediately go out and purchase the necessary copies of John Saxon's older math books and homeschool support materials (new or used in good condition) that I listed on page 15 of my book. I assure you these books will more than adequately prepare your child for any level of high school and first year collegiate mathematics for the next ten or more years.

After reviewing that section of my book, if you still have any questions about what editions to purchase for the future, please feel free to call me for any clarification you need. For example, if you had a good used Saxon algebra 2, 2d Ed textbook, but want solutions to the practice problems (not printed in the older 2d Ed solutions manual), you could buy a new 3d Ed solution manual. And if you also wanted to have lesson reference numbers for the test questions, so the student could look up the referenced lesson that problem came from, you could buy a copy of the 3d Ed test booklet. Both booklets are compatible with the older 2d Ed algebra 2 textbook.

I AM DISAPPONTED IN THE NEW SAXON DVD SERIES ON ALGEBRA 2

I have just received a copy of the new Saxon DVD series titled “Saxon Teacher” from Saxon at Harcourt (now HMH). While I have only conducted a brief review of several of the lessons, I am truly disappointed in the professional quality of the product including the presentation as well as the mechanics of the DVD.

The voice of the presenter is somewhat shrill and more often than not, throughout the lessons, the presenter speaks with a monotone voice. I turned the “bass” control on my speakers to maximum but the presenter's voice was still “shrill.” Overall, the sound quality is not that good either. I have a brand new 19” Optiquest monitor with stereo speakers embedded in the monitor. After setting both the computer volume controls and the speaker volume controls to maximum, I still could barely hear the presenter giving the introduction to the series. I took the DVD home and got the same results on a different computer.

In the introduction to the DVD, the presenter makes a point of telling the reader that they need the new third edition of algebra 2 to use the DVD. I can, however, assure the reader that the older second edition of algebra 2 will also work just as well. The major differences between them are the page numbers. The new third edition uses different sized graphic designs and page margins creating a book of 538 instructional pages in the third edition as opposed to 518 instructional pages in the older – but identical - second edition.

While their marketing ads emphasized that this series was done by experienced qualified high school Saxon math teachers, this presenter used elementary and middle school terminology in describing some of the high school algebra 2 content. Something a quality experienced Saxon high school math teacher would never do. In the few lessons I had a chance to review, there was little if any actual “instruction” going on. For example, in lesson 30, the presenter just tells the student there is a lot of information in this lesson and they should make sure they read the textbook.

When then explaining the concept of “Deductive Reasoning,” the presenter does not draw a visual concept of the “group” (usually done by drawing a circle) to make sure the student understands what occurs when something is either “in” or “out” of the stated group (the circle). The presenter never tells the student – as any professional high school math teacher would do – that the concept of a valid or invalid conclusion does not mean the specific conclusion is either “true” or “false,” but “valid” or “invalid” based upon the stated original premise.

As the reader watches the board, it is difficult to follow the presenter when they are talking and referring to specific terms and variables already written on the board. It would help tremendously if the presenter had a computer generated pointer arrow to use when referring to specific terms already on the white board, to avoid losing the student.

You can review the Saxon Homeschool on-line demo by clicking on the link below:

http://saxonhomeschool.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/saxonteacher_demo

While I had purchased a copy from the homeschool division of HMH, I want to withhold final judgment on the product as the copy I have been sent by them from their warehouse may be an advance copy and contain irregularities they have since corrected. I called the major Saxon book distributor that I had also placed an order with, and they notified me they had not yet received any of the “Saxon Teacher” DVD's from HMH. They were told by HMH not to expect them until early or mid-March – so there is a possibility that the problems I encountered will not show up in the later versions.

What I am going to do is compare this Saxon algebra 2 DVD series to another current DVD math series already on the market. It has been almost a decade since I last reviewed that particular product, so I have ordered a new version of several levels to include algebra 2. I will compare them with the quality of the HMH series I just received. I should complete the entire review and be able to publish detailed specifics in the April newsletter.

Meanwhile, I would strongly recommend that readers withhold purchasing the “Saxon Teacher” DVD series for algebra 2 until I have had a chance to complete that review and publish my findings next month. It may save you money buying the other DVD math product for Saxon math books already on the market. If, after the review, you do elect to use the “Saxon Teacher” series, there will still be sufficient time to purchase the DVD series before starting the new school year should these initial findings prove premature.

I just received an email from the Director for Sales and Marketing of the Saxon Homeschool Division (Martha Nolley). She stated that the Algebra 2 Saxon Teacher DVD program will now be released in late February as opposed to their original release date of January 25 th . Again, I recommend readers not purchase that program until I have received my copy and had the opportunity to give you a professional Saxon Math teacher's review. If they release the program as late as March, it can still be reviewed in time to purchase the program before starting the 2008 school year this fall.

This new DVD series may be no more than a more expensive version of less expensive CD's already on the market that do little more than read the book to the students. Or, it may actually teach the concepts as John Saxon intended them to be taught making it a tremendous asset for struggling Saxon homeschool math students.

The Director for Sales and Marketing offered to provide me with a free review copy of the program to save me the $106.00, but I declined for two reasons. First , I will get mine when others receive theirs which means they have finally released the program. Second, I wanted to be free to either recommend or not recommend that readers purchase the product based upon its professional content using John Saxon's teaching methodology – rather than feeling obligated to anyone at Saxon Homeschool.

The trade journals recently announced that the Saxon Homeschool Division is now officially part of the newly created Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Publishing Company. That puts the Saxon Homeschool Division among the other HMH textbook divisions of Holt Rinehart & Winston, McDougal Littell, Rigby and Steck-Vaughn to name a few.

Regardless of how deeply the Saxon Homeschool division is buried inside HMH, the editions of Saxon that I referenced in my book will still be good math textbooks for another decade or two. Finding inexpensive used books remains a viable option to paying top dollar to HMH for a book created by marketing people, not Saxon mathematicians. These new editions of algebra - and now geometry - only list “Saxon” as the author and I cannot get anyone at Saxon to tell me the names of the authors. Like other textbook companies' math textbooks, this may mean these new Saxon editions were created by “contract” and they may not follow John Saxon's methodology as the older ones do.

As soon as these new textbooks are released, I will review them and provide you with that review.

Last month, I mentioned to the readers that the Saxon Homeschool website had announced a new CD math product to be released early next year. The CD is titled the Saxon Teacher. They indicated it would sell for about $89.99. The product is now listed on their website for purchase; however, a few days after I ordered the product from their website, I received a “Back-Order” notice that the product would not be ready for release until January 25 th or later. Readers might also be aware that – including shipping and handling – the cost rose to $106.50.

As soon as I receive the product and get a chance to review it, I will post that review on the newsletter. Which I would assume will be in February or March depending on when they actually release the product. Until then, I would again remind readers that they might want to wait until they read my review before spending more than one hundred dollars on the product. If you have not already read the December notes, you might want take a look at them now before buying an algebra 2 textbook.

In mid-December of 2007, just after I had released my December notes, Houghton Mifflin announced finalization of their acquisition of Harcourt (and therefore Saxon Publishers). Their annual sales meetings usually occur in early January, so I do not expect any more information regarding the staffing of Saxon Publishers until later this month or early February at the soonest. Again, the uniqueness and effectiveness of Saxon math textbooks should be sufficient to keep the name and textbooks around regardless of who owns them. I will keep you posted!

I wish everyone a blessed and Happy New Year!!!

Several months ago, the Saxon Homeschool website announced a new CD math product to be released early next year. The CD is titled the Saxon Teacher. T hey indicated it would sell for about $90.00. The Saxon Homeschool website announcement stated that the product was designed to complement the most recent edition of the Saxon Homeschool Algebra 2 (which is the third edition), to be followed later in by a CD for Algebra 1 , 3d Ed and Advanced Mathematics, 2d Ed.

I have not yet had an opportunity to review this new CD product, but as I stated on pp 94 - 95 in my book, there are no differences between the content of the second and third editions of Algebra 2 – and there is no need to buy the newer third edition textbook if you already have the second edition. While the major difference between the two editions was the addition of the lesson reference numbers in the newer third edition, you can save money by buying the new third edition Homeschool Testing Booklet which contains the lesson reference numbers for each test question.

Just as the new third edition test booklet is compatible with the second edition textbook, the new third edition solutions manual will also work with the older second edition of the Algebra 2 textbook. Unlike the older second edition solutions manual, the new third edition solutions manual has added solutions for the daily practice problems which were not included in the older second edition solutions manual.

As soon as the Saxon Teacher is released, I will acquire a copy and provide readers with a professional review of the product. Until then, my recommendation is to wait until I have had a chance to review it before you spend $90.00 for the product.

November 2007
Your current password will still be good through 2008!

To ensure those of you who have already purchased my book can continue to benefit from the related links and the news items, I have made a decision to extend your 2007 password through the entirety of 2008.

As of this date, I have received no new information regarding the recent acquisition of Harcourt (and therefore Saxon as well) by the Riverdeep - Houghton Mifflin Group. I do not expect any changes or announcements until late this year or sometime in late January of 2008. As I wrote earlier, when Harcourt acquired Saxon Publishers from John Saxon's children, I could not conceive that any company acquiring Saxon Publishers and their outstanding math series would eliminate a successful textbook. I wrote then that it seemed to me like making hamburger meat of a blue ribbon bull! Until I hear or see otherwise, I believe the new publishers will not destroy the stellar reputation of an outstanding math series either.

But then I have already heard from replies received via the Saxon Helpline that they intend to discontinue publication of the Algebra ½ textbook (an outstanding pre-algebra book). Perhaps more such decisions may soon be on the horizon; However, do not be alarmed! If you have children in the lower elementary grades, and you plan to continue using the Saxon math series books, you would not be making a mistake if you acquired the entire Saxon math series through calculus - now - as the current editions will still be excellent math books for several decades to come.

Before you buy any Saxon textbooks, to ensure you get the correct editions (used or new), please feel free to email me and I will assist and advise you to ensure you get the right books whether you purchase them as used or new textbooks.

You can acquire the entire series, through the twelfth grade, in used hardback textbooks if that is what you want to do. (art.reed@homeschoolwithsaxon.com)

October 2007
Algebra ½, 3d Ed may soon be discontinued !

If the former Saxon Publishing Company in Norman, OK were still a viable family corporation this would not be a topic of discussion, as the current Algebra ½, 3d Ed (or the previous 2d Ed ) is still an excellent pre-algebra book. However, several homeschool parents have emailed me that they were advised by someone at Harcourt (parent company of Saxon) that Harcourt (e.g. Saxon) is discontinuing future publication of the Algebra ½ book.

I would assume that Harcourt intends either to try and sell their new Course 2 books to homeschool families, or they will attempt to market their Math 87, 4 th Ed textbook as a viable replacement for Algebra ½. As I said in my book, the new Course 1, and Course 2 textbooks should not be used by homeschool educators and their students. They are loaded with confusing “bells and whistles” designed to support teacher reporting requirements in the public school system. They have no new or revised math material in them that warrants using them in a homeschool environment.

If you have a child who will be in need of a pre-algebra textbook within the next four to five years, buy a copy the Algebra ½, either the 2d or new 3d Ed, now! That textbook will still be an excellent pre-algebra textbook five to ten years from now.

September 2007
compare your child to National & International Standards in five areas!

We have added a new link that will allow homeschool educators to compare their 4 th or 9 th grade students to both National and International students in Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and Civics. The test site allows the parent to select a specified number of questions in each of the individual areas and then compare their student's answer to the average of both the national and international student population in more than thirty different countries.

The questions were taken from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) , the Civic Education Study (CivEd) and the National Assessment of Education Progress.

To access this particular test web site, click here or go to our web links located on this web site and select the link titled “comparing students.”

August 2007
What Are Your comments/recommendations?

I would like to hear from those of you who have already purchased and read the book. Did it help you? Should the next edition add any information? Does any information in the book require clarification? Please email your comments and recommendations to me at: art.reed@homeschoolwithsaxon.com .

To my knowledge, other than the pending geometry textbook being developed to bolster school sales that I discussed earlier in June, there are no new Saxon textbook editions planned from Math 54 through Calculus and Physics – and none are needed!

Also, if you find any errors in either the textbook, answer key, or test materials, not already reflected on our link of known errors, please email them to us and we will add them to the list for others to be aware of.

July 2007
Some new links and information

The Saxon Homeschool web page lists recent math errors they have noted in the latest editions of Math 54 (3d Ed), Math 65 (3d Ed), Math 76 (4 th Ed) and Math 87 (3d Ed).

Additional listings of all known errors in these and other math books can be found on this web site under “Useful Links.” Click here for the Saxon corrections on their site.

Another excellent link is that of upcoming Homeschool Conferences (compliments of HSLDA ):

Telephone support is still not available from Saxon for homeschool students; however, they – and their parents - can still email math questions to the Saxon Help Desk using mathhelp@saxonhomeschool.com . To speed up a reply to your question, make sure the subject line of your email contains the book, edition, and the lesson and problem number.

(E.g. Algebra 1, 2d Ed, Lesson 118, Problem 13)

Homeschool parents who have already purchased the book “Using John Saxon's Math Books” can still call the book's author with questions requiring clarification of a specific issue or for clarification regarding curriculum choices or decisions not specifically addressed in the book. Call before 8:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. (CST) and leave a message and he will return your call at his expense.

Is There A Need For A Separate Geometry Textbook?
Over the years, many schools as well as some homeschool educators have asked why John Saxon never wrote an individual Geometry textbook. More recently, rumors have abounded that Saxon (under Harcourt) may soon publish an individual geometry textbook. I would caution the readers that while this may appear to be a good idea, placing a geometry textbook in-between one of John Saxon's Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 , or Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics textbooks, unless that book contained the necessary algebra content, would result in academic disaster for most students whether they were in the classroom under a secondary math teacher or at home in a homeschool environment. Placing any geometry textbook in-between algebra one and algebra two or algebra two and a pre-calculus textbook, results in the student not reviewing the necessary algebraic functions for a full year plus two summers – a total of fifteen months! The student is then expected to resume with the next algebra or pre-calculus textbook without having worked with the requisite algebra functions for these past fifteen months - a sure way to encourage frustration and academic disaster for the vast majority of students! Saxon Algebra 2 and the Saxon Advanced Mathematics textbook contain all the necessary high school geometry for the student to be successful in either the ACT or SAT testing. This particular solution is discussed in more detail in the book.

I want to tell you about two new series of textbooks that I just found out about. The books are being published by two well known Saxon® authors, Stephen Hake and Nancy Larson.

NANCY LARSON'S NEW SCIENCE SERIES FOR GRADES 1 – 3

Nancy Larson, the author of the Saxon Math K–4 , has written a science series for grades 1–3. The materials are designed for classroom use but can be easily adapted for homeschool users. Like Saxon Math, this science program was developed with the cooperation of working classroom teachers, and Nancy Larson Science has been field tested in more than 270 classrooms in 17 states. The program is grade-level appropriate, but challenging, and uses a step-by-step approach that allows all teachers to teach science with confidence. Nancy Larson Science 1–3 will be available for purchase by homeschool users in December 2007. The materials will include the two-volume Teacher's Manual from the classroom kit, a set of consumable student materials, and a homeschool Tool Kit. For more information about the program, visit the company web site at www.NancyLarsonPublishers.com

STEPHEN HAKE'S NEW GRAMMAR & WRITING BOOKS:

Many of you are currently using one or more of John Saxon's math textbooks from Math 54 through Math 87. The author of these four books is Stephen Hake. A few years ago, Stephen commissioned a team to create a comprehensive language arts program for middle-school students. The books were built on the effective instructional practices of incremental development and continual review used in John Saxon's math books. The new books are being published by Hake Publishers and not by Harcourt.

I spoke to Stephen recently and asked him why he had decided to publish Grammar and Writing. Stephen said “I greatly benefited from an excellent language arts program in middle school, as did our five children. I know from personal experience the advantages strong grammar and writing skills provide. I have also witnessed the handicaps people with weak language skills experience. With increased emphasis on grammar and writing on college boards and in job requirements, the need for a solid developmental course in grammar and writing is clear. Learning a foreign language is also much easier when the student has a strong grammar background.”

Currently Grammar and Writing is available to the home-school community only through the website www.studygrammar.com. I am confident you will find the program a delight to use and a valuable contribution to your child's education.”

April 2007

Many of you remember that in the summer of 2004, the Saxon family sold Saxon Publishers to Harcourt Achieve. Just to put everything in perspective, Harcourt Achieve, Inc. is currently owned by Harcourt Corp. which in turn is owned by the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Reed-Elsevier. A recent financial publication just announced that Reed-Elsevier is planning to sell Harcourt, Inc.

Not to worry! As I said when Harcourt acquired John Saxon's publishing company in 2004, the sale should not affect the quality of John's books. Why would anyone buy someone's prize-winning “Blue Ribbon Bull” to make hamburger with? I do not believe that this new sale should change John's books much either. If these changes become more than just cosmetic, I will certainly keep the readers informed.

I am aware that a company in the UK named Riverdeep may be interested in buying Harcourt and Saxon, and I will keep the readers and users of John Saxon's books abreast of any changes.