For the current edition of Saxon Advanced Math.

Make sure the DIVE CD you order is the same edition as the book you will be using.

Advanced Math 2nd Edition is typically taught for three semesters starting in 10th or 11th grade. This CD-ROM teaches all 125 Saxon Advanced Math Lessons step-by-step and includes the CLEP Professor Precalculus CLEP Exam prep course. Because Saxon uses an incremental teaching approach, each lecture is only about 15-20 minutes long. Dr. Shormann builds lesson upon lesson, slowly developing complex concepts from bite sized lessons that are easy to grasp. Students watch the lecture and take notes, working the practice problems Dr. Shormann presents, and pausing and rewinding as necessary until a concept is understood. If students want additional practice, they can complete the Example problems in the Saxon textbook. After the lesson, students complete the 30-question Problem Set in the Saxon text. While a few problems in the Problem Set come from the new concept, most problems come from previous lessons. Each problem is cross-referenced back to the lesson where it was taught (cross-referencing found in the Solutions Manual), allowing students to quickly review any concept.

This unique method of spiral review improves critical thinking skills, increases long term retention, and raises standardized test scores. However, this method can be difficult to teach because of the seemingly random presentation of topics. That is why Saxon's founder John Saxon recommended teacher training for all his courses. DIVE CDs provide that teacher, as Dr. Shormann explains how new topics connect to previously learned material, helping students see the "big picture". Also, when a student gets stuck or forgets how to work a problem, they simply click on the DIVE lesson where the concept was originally taught and watch that lesson again. The same can be done when correcting tests. This makes it very easy to fill in any gaps as they show up.

Study tip: There are 30 problems in each Problem Set but Dr. Shormann recommends, as long as students maintain an 80+ average on timed tests, that students only complete the even problems on even lessons and odd problems on odd lessons. If test scores begin to fall, then the student needs more practice and should complete all problems in the lesson until test scores improve. Students should always take notes on all DIVE Lectures and work out all practice problems presented in the lecture. Click on Parent Tips for more information on how to grade tests and homework.

Advanced Math contains all the concepts typically covered in a High School Pre-Calculus course. This course fully integrates topics for algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, discrete mathematics, and mathematical analysis. Word problems are developed throughout the problem sets and become progressively more elaborate. With this practice, high school level students will be able to solve challenging problems such as rate problems and work problems involving abstract quantities. Conceptually oriented problems that help prepare students for college entrance exams (such as the ACT and SAT) are included in the problem sets. In addition, students will learn geometry alongside algebra, similar to how high school math is taught in Europe and Asia. Incidentally, European and Asian students consistently outperform American students on international math tests. Completing Saxon Algebra 1, 2, and the first half of Advanced Math, 2nd ed., is equivalent to two credits of algebra and one credit of geometry.

Earn College Credit for Precalculus! Saxon Advanced Math contains all the material covered on the CLEP Precalculus exam, and the CLEP Professor Precalculus course is included FREE on the DIVE Advanced Math CD. If a student does well in Advanced Math, with a little extra study using CLEP Professor they can easily pass the CLEP Precalculus exam.

All DIVE courses are taught from a Christian foundation. Dr. Shormann believes that God gave us mathematics primarily as a tool to study His creation, which is why mathematics is considered the language of science. Mathematics is also useful in interacting with each other and in developing reasoning and problem solving skills. Dr. Shormann uses Scripture and history to remind students that God is the author of all knowledge. Dr. Shormann also gives friendly reminders to students to honor their parents by doing excellent schoolwork.

Dr. Shormann encourages parents to have their children do Algebra I in 8th grade then continue with Saxon Algebra 2 in 9th grade, followed by 3 semesters of Saxon Advanced Math and 3 semesters of Saxon Calculus. Because of the time required, taking a separate geometry course before or after Algebra 2 limits a students’ ability to complete Calculus in high school. To read more on why Dr. Shormann encourages finishing Calculus in high school please read the Calculus course description.

A Saxon Advanced Math Homeschool Kit (Student Text, Homeschool Packet with Test Forms) and a Solutions Manual are required. DIVE CDs play on Mac and Windows 98 and higher operating systems, including Vista. Please be sure the edition of your textbook matches the edition of the DIVE CD.