Answers:
Did you give him the placement test before choosing the level? Saxon has a placement test that you can download/print from their website to make sure you start at the right place.
If you need more help with the teaching part, there are D.I.V.E. CDs available (not directly from Saxon, but from most homeschool suppliers like Rainbow Resource) that help in this area. Saxon publishes "solutions manuals" for each of their books. These have all the problems completely worked out (not just the answers) and can be very helpful.
If you still don't feel that's enough, you might switch to a program like Teaching Textbooks that is self-taught. You could also look into a co-op class (many use the Saxon curriculum).
Becca and Monica - what teacher's manual? As far as I know, Saxon doesn't have teacher's manuals beyond the 3rd grade level.
We are using Saxon 65, what level Saxon are you using? Did you have your son take the placement test to determine what level he is? You may be starting too high.
I have found Saxon to be an excellent program, and it takes things step by step, breaking concepts up into workable portions. I've personally learned a lot frrom it (and I'm not "bad" at math!). Take it slowly, make sure you are in the right level for your son - regardless of his "grade" and go from there.
Good luck!
Of course it's harder, math skills must progress yearly or else they are just practicing the same skills over and over.
It is very important that you understand the lessons, I know with Algebra last year I spent the weekends reading ahead to and reminding myself of all the stuff I learned twenty years ago ;-)
Parents don't have to appear omniscient either, it's not a bad thing for you to tell your son, "I'm having trouble with this, let's see if we can figure it out together!" Why do adults need to appear all-knowing? LOL!
I also have a 7th grader.it's fun!
Did you buy the solutions manual? I have found (my daughter is entering 10th grade, alg 2 oy vey!) having detailed solutions manuals helps so much because if you can look at a problem and see how it is worked, step by step, you can understand it better.
The Saxon website is also very helpful with various online activities, lesson plans and other helpful information (much nicer than when I started out several years ago)
If you would like additional resources to help you, DIVE offers a CD for Saxon Math: diveintomath.com
another tip, that is especially important if you have a child that is independent, make sure you are reviewing each lesson and understanding it all along the way, from the very beginning.
You'll do just fine if you utilize all the resources available to you.
PS: if you still need help after all that, there are tons of free math tutorial websites out there that explain various concepts in easy to understand steps, especially helpful when you get in to alg. and beyond.
I have been using Saxon Math since Kindergaren, I have tried using other math books but I found that Saxon was my favorite. I suggest the D.I.V.E. cds that you can buy seperate from the books. I have found them very helpful.
Last year I did the Saxon Algebra 1/2 book. I was in 7th grade. I think it was fine. Just get the teacher's guide to go along with the book, and if you have any questions, you could check the answer and try to explain it to him. It's very straight forward and a great course.
Good Luck ;)
I think you should get the teacher's manual if you don't already have it. I'm homeschooled and my mom finds that the teacher's edition works very well with helping her figure out what to do .
I agree with other posts that the DIVE CDs are a great supplement to Saxon Math, especially if you are unsure of your own math abilities at that level. Even though I taught high school math decades ago, I'm having my son use the Algebra 2 DIVE Cds along with Saxon Algebra 2 this year. He enjoys working along with the instructor and it takes me out of it, which is good at this age (16).
Another suggestion is to see if you can put together a small group of other homeschooled students and hire/find a tutor. This year, I'll be meeting weekly for 2 hours with 9 homeschooled students taking Saxon Algebra 2. We'll be meeting at a local library where I'll lecture on 3-4 Saxon lessons each week, we'll work practice problems together, and the students will bring any questions they had from the previous week's assignments. I found these other students through local homeschool groups and email lists. It is a real help for families where parents aren't comfortable teaching that level, and it provides my son a weekly "classroom" experience.
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