From: Pat Ballew (for Teacher2Teacher Service)
Date: Aug 31, 2000 at 17:49:05
Subject: Re: Math instruction using 2 approaches

No, In fact you are probably approaching what John Saxon often said was the
way he intended for his books to be used.

John was a big believer in letting the teacher teach, and giving a strong
source of integrated practice.  He thought most American textbooks tried to
replace the teacher by presenting the lesson, forcing the teacher to modify
their approach to support the book.

My only suggestion would be to use the Saxon book as a text (keeping a
common thread through the curriculum and helping you pace) and use the
Mathland materials as classroom presentations to illustrate concepts, and as
supplements to enrich the Saxon text.  You may be bored silly, but you know
these topics.  For the kid who has math difficulties, the parts that you find
as repetitious may be an essential reinforcement to help them retain ideas
and grow.

  You will hear people who both love and hate Saxon and his texts.  Try using
some objective measurements and see if it is effective with your students. If
not, keep fiddling until you find a way to make it work.

Good luck

 -Pat Ballew, for the Teacher2Teacher service

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