WHAT LESSON IS YOUR STUDENT CURRENTLY ON?
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Struggling in Saxon Algebra 1: See Struggling Student Below
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Student is on Lesson 81 or Higher: CLICK HERE
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Student is on Lesson 1-80: See Article Below
STRUGGLING STUDENTS OR STUDENT HAS NOT COMPLETED LESSON 61 OR HIGHER
As long as your student is Ready for Algebra 1, Dr. Shormann recommends switching to Shormann Algebra 1 now. Shormann Algebra 1 teaches more geometry and lays a better foundation for learning the new PSAT & SAT concepts in Shormann Algebra 2. It is also easier and more efficient for students to learn math. How Does Shormann make learning math faster and easier?
Can my student skip some lessons in Shormann Algebra 1?
No. While there may be some review, Shormann Algebra 1 teaches many concepts not taught in Saxon Algebra 1. For example, Shormann includes 1/2 credit of geometry while Saxon only has 1/3 credit. Shormann also teaches computer math, technology applications (ie: Geometer's Sketchpad, Graphing app, spreadsheets, etc), and Algebra 1 level PSAT, SAT, and ACT, CLEP College Math, and CLEP College Algebra concepts not covered in Saxon Algebra 1.
However, because Shormann Math only has 100 lessons and teaches more geometry, starting with lesson 1 in Shormann Math will take the same amount of time, or less, than if you continue with Saxon Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Math.
Also, Shormann Math has many tools, like Help Links above each question, automatic feedback, auto-grading, video solutions that can only be seen after completing the assignment, make learning more efficient. Keep in mind, even if the student starts with Lesson 1, he will still have fewer lessons to complete than if he continued with Saxon Algebra 1, 2, and the first 40 lessons of Saxon Advanced Math (this earns the remaining 1/3 Geometry credit).
For example, if your student is on lesson 80 in Saxon Algebra 1 he would have to complete 80 lessons of Algebra 1, 128 lessons of Algebra 2, and 40 lessons in Advanced Math to earn one credit of Algebra 1, one credit of Algebra 2, and one credit of Geometry. That's a total of 233 lessons.
If the same student, who successfully completed pre-algebra or Saxon87) switches to Shormann Math now and starts with Lesson 1, he would only have to complete 200 lessons (100 lessons in Shormann Algebra 1 and 100 lessons in Shormann Algebra 2) to earn those same credits. So starting with Lesson 1 in Shormann Math is not going to take any longer than if the student continues with Saxon Math. While Saxon has 30 problems per lesson, Shormann only has 20 problems each. Also, the Shormann eLearning course, featuring instant feedback, automated grading, and video solutions, make learning math faster and easier.
My student is struggling in Saxon. How do I know he won't struggle in Shormann Algebra 1?
Most students who struggle in Algebra 1 lack fluency in reducing and converting fractions, decimals, and percents. Similar to memorizing multiplication facts to learn long-division and fractions, memorizing specific fraction, decimal, and percent conversions make learning algebra much easier. Unfortunately, most pre-algebra* and algebra curricula do not teach this. Therefore, Shormann Algebra 1 includes 10 five-minute drill worksheets to develop fluency in these essential skills. This is another way Shormann Math makes achieving higher levels of learning faster and easier!
*Our pre-algebra course, DIVE/Saxon Math 8/7, does an excellent job of developing fluency in these skills and is recommended for all pre-algebra students.
Will Shormann Math be too hard for my student?
While it does teach to an advanced level, Shormann Math teaches in short "bite-sized" lessons that slowly build on each other to develop complex concepts that are easy to understand. Also, the intensity of the course is easily modified by limiting the amount of time the student spends on math each day. We call this the timed method. Basically, students work on math a minimum of 4 to 5 days per week for 1 - 1.5 hours. At the end of this time, regardless of how much of the lesson is completed, have the students stop and pick up where they left off the next day. This ensures the student has the extra time, when needed, to slow down and grasp a concept. In our experience, using the timed method removes the drudgery of "math is going to take forever", allowing the student to focus on learning math, building retention and fluency, which in turn makes learning math faster and easier. Keep in mind, Shormann Algebra 1 earns 3 semesters of credits (1 credit of Algebra 1 and 1 credit of Geometry), it's okay to take three semesters to complete the course.
Shormann Interactive Math
Published by Dr. Shormann, author of the award-winning DIVE video lectures for Saxon Math, and based on John Saxon’s original teaching methods of incremental development, continual review, and integrated algebra and geometry, Shormann Math is a 21st Century curriculum that teaches all the concepts required to excel on the newly redesigned PSAT and SAT as well as the ACT, CLEP, and AP exams. It includes concepts like technology applications, computer math, real-world word problems, and non-standard solutions not found in Saxon Math or most other math curricula.
Shormann Interactive Math teaches math as the language of science. With an emphasis on math history, students get a clearer picture of the "why" behind math and learn how to use math as a tool to explore their world and enhance their own God-given creativity.
Key Features
- Expert video instruction for every lesson
- Interactive homework with automated grading and grade recording
- Embedded help links to quickly re-learn forgotten concepts
- Video solutions for every homework question
- Q&A email support with Dr. Shormann
- Weekly quizzes and quarterly exams with solutions
- Over 200 practice problems for the ACT redesigned PSAT and SAT
- 3-6 week prep course for CLEP and AP exams earn up to 14 college credits
- Hosted in a state-of-the-art eLearning system similar to college math courses
- Self-paced Course with 24 month subscription period; offline access is provided
- Parents retain control of grading- change grades and reset assignments as needed
- Based on a biblical and historical foundation that inspires students to excel
- Not Common Core aligned
Shormann Math Articles
Why Use Shormann Interactive Math Instead of Saxon?
Shormann Interactive Math FAQs
Recommended DIVE Interactive Science Sequence
Need Help? Contact a Placement Specialist