Saxon Math 8/7 Kit & DIVE CD-Rom, 3rd Edition

Description

Why Saxon Math 8/7 Works for Homeschooling Families

Saxon Math 8/7 employs a proven spiral approach that sets it apart from traditional math curricula. Rather than teaching concepts in isolated units, each lesson incrementally introduces new material while continuously reviewing previously learned concepts. This distributed practice method has been research-proven to increase long-term retention and mathematical fluency, making it particularly effective for students who struggle with math anxiety or need repeated exposure to master concepts.

For homeschooling parents, this approach offers flexibility and confidence. The continuous review means students won’t lose previously mastered skills during summer breaks or extended absences. Parents can also adapt the pace to their child’s needs, spending extra time on challenging concepts while moving more quickly through familiar material.

Complete Curriculum Components

This kit includes four essential components that work together to create a comprehensive learning experience:

Saxon Math 8/7 Student Textbook (931 pages): Features 120 carefully sequenced lessons plus 12 in-depth investigations that explore mathematical concepts in greater detail. Each lesson follows a consistent structure with warm-up activities, new concept introduction, guided practice, and mixed practice problems that review both current and previous material. The two-color format enhances readability and helps students navigate the content more effectively.

Saxon Solutions Manual (381 pages): Provides step-by-step solutions for every problem in the textbook, including lesson exercises, investigations, and supplemental practice. This resource proves invaluable for parents who need to verify their own understanding before helping their students or for independent learners who need detailed explanations of problem-solving methods.

Saxon Tests & Worksheets Book (229 pages): Contains reproducible tests, facts practice sheets, and activity worksheets for one student. The three-ring-punched format allows for easy organization and storage. Tests occur every five lessons, providing regular assessment opportunities without overwhelming students.

DIVE CD-ROM with Dr. Shormann: Features step-by-step video instruction for every Saxon lesson, taught by aerospace engineer and experienced homeschool educator Dr. David Shormann on a digital whiteboard. Each 10-15 minute lesson can be paused, rewound, and reviewed as needed, essentially providing your student with a patient, expert math tutor available 24/7.

What Your Student Will Master

Saxon Math 8/7 bridges the gap between elementary arithmetic and high school algebra, thoroughly preparing students for advanced mathematical studies. Students will develop proficiency in fundamental concepts including fraction operations, decimal conversions, percentage calculations, and unit measurements while gradually building algebraic thinking skills.

The pre-algebra content introduces students to signed numbers, algebraic terms, two-step equations and inequalities, coordinate graphing, and slope calculations. Geometry concepts include area and volume calculations, the Pythagorean Theorem, and angle relationships. Students also explore probability and statistics, scientific notation, and ratio and proportion problems that connect mathematics to real-world applications.

This comprehensive coverage means students who successfully complete Saxon 8/7 (scoring 90% or higher on the final 40 lessons) can proceed directly to Saxon Algebra 1, bypassing Algebra 1/2 and saving a full year of study.

DIVE Video Instruction: Your Mathematical Co-Teacher

The included DIVE CD-ROM transforms the Saxon learning experience by providing expert instruction from Dr. David Shormann, who brings both advanced engineering credentials and over 15 years of Saxon teaching experience to every lesson. Dr. Shormann’s clear explanations, helpful shortcuts, and step-by-step problem-solving demonstrations make difficult concepts accessible to students of all learning styles.

The digital whiteboard format accommodates visual learners, while Dr. Shormann’s clear verbal explanations serve auditory learners. Kinesthetic learners benefit from working problems alongside the instruction. This multi-sensory approach ensures comprehensive understanding regardless of your child’s preferred learning style.

For Christian homeschooling families, Dr. Shormann integrates a biblical worldview throughout the instruction, presenting mathematics as the language God uses to describe His creation. This perspective helps students understand mathematics not as abstract concepts but as tools for exploring and understanding the ordered universe God created.

Practical Implementation for Homeschool Success

This curriculum adapts beautifully to various homeschooling approaches and family situations. Independent learners can progress through lessons using the DIVE instruction, referring to the textbook for additional examples and completing the problem sets at their own pace. Parents can review the DIVE lessons alongside their students, building their own confidence to provide additional support when needed.

For families using a more structured approach, the included weekly syllabus helps maintain steady progress throughout the school year. The modular lesson format allows easy adaptation for four-day school weeks, flexible scheduling around family activities, or intensive study periods when needed.

Students who struggle with particular concepts can re-watch DIVE explanations multiple times, use the solutions manual for additional worked examples, and complete extra practice problems from the facts practice sheets. Advanced students can move more quickly through familiar concepts while spending additional time on the investigation sections that explore mathematical topics in greater depth.

Technical Requirements and Accessibility

The DIVE CD-ROM works seamlessly on Windows 7 and higher, Mac computers, and Linux systems, ensuring compatibility with most homeschool computer setups. The QuickTime format provides reliable playback without the complexity of multiple DVDs or the risk of lost discs.

Each lesson is stored separately, allowing students to easily navigate between concepts, review previous material, or skip ahead when appropriate. The pause, rewind, and fast-forward functions give students complete control over their learning pace.

Educational Value for Different Learning Needs

This Saxon 8/7 kit accommodates students with diverse mathematical backgrounds and learning challenges. Students transitioning from other curricula will appreciate the thorough review of foundational concepts before introducing new material. Those who have struggled with math in traditional settings often find success with Saxon’s incremental approach and the patient re-teaching available through DIVE instruction.

Gifted students benefit from the rigorous content and the opportunity to explore mathematical connections through the investigation sections. The curriculum’s logical progression and consistent methodology help students with learning differences develop mathematical confidence and computational fluency.

Parents with limited mathematical backgrounds can rely on Dr. Shormann’s expert instruction to ensure their students receive quality mathematical education. The combination of video instruction, detailed solutions, and systematic curriculum design removes much of the teaching burden from parents while maintaining the benefits of homeschool flexibility.

Investment in Mathematical Success

This complete kit represents exceptional value for homeschooling families, providing materials typically found in multiple separate purchases. The combination of proven curriculum, expert instruction, and comprehensive support materials creates a mathematical education experience that rivals expensive tutoring programs while maintaining the convenience and flexibility of home education.

The skills and mathematical thinking developed through Saxon 8/7 with DIVE instruction provide a solid foundation for success in high school mathematics, standardized testing, and future STEM studies. Students who master this curriculum enter high school algebra with confidence and strong problem-solving abilities.

Educational Attributes:

• Grade Level: 7th-8th Grade
• Subject: Mathematics (Pre-Algebra)
• Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Learning Style: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic
• Educational Approach: Spiral/Incremental Development
• Curriculum Type: Complete Textbook Program

Practical Attributes:

• Page Count: 931 pages (textbook), 381 pages (solutions manual), 229 pages (tests/worksheets)
• Lesson Count: 120 lessons + 12 investigations
• Estimated Completion Time: 1 school year (approximately 180 days)
• Answer Key Included: Yes (complete solutions manual)

Content/Scope Attributes:

• Topics Covered: Pre-algebra, fractions, decimals, percentages, geometry, probability, statistics, scientific notation, graphing, Pythagorean theorem, algebraic terms, slope-intercept form
• Real-world Applications: Measurement conversions, financial calculations, scientific notation, geometric problem-solving

Format/Usability Attributes:

• Format: Textbook + Video Instruction + Worksheets + Solutions Manual
• Reproducible: Yes (tests and worksheets designed for single student use)

Special Features:

• DIVE video instruction with Dr. David Shormann
• Christian worldview integration
• Spiral methodology with continuous review
• Email support with Dr. Shormann
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems
• Self-paced learning with pause/rewind capability