We've been using Saxon Math 1 for our math curriculum this year. So far, I'm highly impressed with the approach and the teaching materials. Each and every lesson builds on what's come before, even more than most public school texts. For example, in Math 1, they teach the idea of "balance" inside an equation through apple seeds. It's done almost as a side note to the main lesson... at first. The main lesson is about graphing. However, in the illustration within the graph, you're always dividing the apple down the middle, recording the amount of seeds you found in each side. It's a great introduction to addition and has really helped more than I would have imagined.
Just today, Sarah, for the first time without my assistance or prodding, used different approaches to the same answer.
One of the things about autism is the intense need for structure. This is found in things always being a certain way, or events always following a certain path. One of the things Saxon Math 1 has been stressing in our math lessons is the idea that there are different ways to get to the same answer. There are rules you have to follow, of course, but the idea that there is more than one way to look at things is something we've had a hard time learning in this house. I'm so thrilled that Sarah has joyfully (and without any prodding from me) learned that concept when it comes to numbers sentences.
I'm so impressed by Saxon Math for our kids that I think I'm going to invest in the Kindergarten program and switch Rachel to that.
More tomorrow.
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