If you had to pick (for 3rd grade math) between BJU 3 or Saxon 3, which would you choose and why??? Do you think they both will get you the same place at the end of 3rd grade or not?
I know one is mastery and one is spiral.
Just want to know what you prefer or recommend.
Just curious!
Kris

I personally perfer BJU at that level because it teaches concepts so well, one at a time, while still spiraling back around in another chapter to revisit more in depth. I would recommend the Reviews book to go with it, though, as this provides for a "Saxon" like review, with review on the front and fact practice on the back.

Ultimately, though, both are solid programs, and if your child is doing really well with one or the other, then I'd just stick with that one and use it to its fullest potential. I would not attempt to use both at the same time. Also, to use them without the TM would make both of those programs lacking, IMO. Both are meant to be taught by a teacher at that level. Just to give you an idea, the BJU DVD teacher takes about 20-30 min. to teach each lesson, including 10 minutes of review/fact practice at the beginning. Both programs encourage manipulatives if your child needs them to catch the concept. I know you have both in your possession and have tinkered with them at the same time, but I would recommend you simply evaluate which one you AND your daughter enjoy and find most effective, and then roll with it. It's too stressful to try 2 complete programs at this level...for both you and your dd (at least I would think)...sort of like trying to hammer a nail with 2 hammers at the same time, KWIM? HTH :) I know it's hard to choose sometimes when there are SO MANY great choices, but I personally think you are better of to dive deeply into one that you like, giving it a fair trial, and if it's just really not going to work at all, then make a switch. I have been guilty many times of "over-tweaking" a great program, only to make things more complicated for myself and my students. Most programs work best when they are followed according to how they were written to work. Don't get me wrong, I still "tweak" here and there and do what works for us, but to try to do 2 complete programs for one subject is a little over-the-top for even my tweaking sense. LOL! That's my .02, FWIW.

Nancy

My dc do well with the spiral, so I would go with Saxon. If yours need more of a mastery approach, I think the BJU book is good.

BJU. Loved it. Colorful, interesting, and really tells you exactly what to do each day. Definitely BJU.
Jen

We love BJU. There are Review books that correlate with
the regular workbook that give a spiral review of concepts which I would highly recommend. BJU is a wonderful math for
all kinds of learners.

HTH

Thanks for your input!

Nancy~ Yes, I have been using a ton of books and it is kind of crazy but she does them.
I started out the year with Saxon, but realized she was forgeting alot of stuff. SO, I quickly caught her up with BJU 2 and then ordered 3 which we had just started.
I think I will continue on with BJU. I also have the whole kit for BJU. I am a huge fan of following the TM. I just never want to miss anything.
I have to say, I just can't give up the Saxon meeting strip...my Dd loves it and it has really helped her get solid in the areas that is on the meeting strip. I'm very grateful for those strips! :)
Thanks again, Kris

This post was edited on Nov 04, 2009 06:59 AM

I think it depends on your student's learning style. Does he/she need review? Does he/she need to know WHY? The former student tends to do better with Saxon (or similiar programs) whereas the latter tends to do better with BJU (or similiar programs.) I thought my ds would LOVE BJU, but it turned out he really needs a lot of review. However, the bright illustrations and stories in BJU make it more "fun." Both programs are not as advanced as Horizons or Abeka. HTH

I used Saxon for 3rd (along with Calculadders every day for math fact drill) and have been very, very happy with it. I looked over BJUP at one point, but I simply didn't see enough constant review the way we get it from Saxon. Also, and this may be just me, but for me, the BJUP teacher manual was too much. The lessons from Saxon seem to be (to me) much more simple, and streamlined, and adaptable. As far as what they learn, I am sooooo happy with Saxon for this reason. To me, it combines the fact mastery of R&S with the benefits of learning other math concepts that, admittedly, are not "necessities" in the younger grades, but are expected on certain standardized tests nowadays. And interestingly, I have enver yet had a situation where my child's basic arithmetic knowledge (of the four processes, fractions, basic measurement and time, etc.) suffered because of learning additional concepts. Maybe that's because of the way Saxon interweaves it all. (?) Anyway, I maybe should mention that we use ABeka in K-2nd, and then at 3rd begin Saxon. So we're coming from that background. We also use the Calculadders each and every day. That is a big help in my children mastering their facts, I think.






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