While most people think math is a collection of facts or processes to be memorized, math is actually a language. It is the language of science, an important tool used to discover, analyze, and understand God and the world He created. While the main focus of most math curricula is simply accuracy, fluency goes a step further, continuing to practice skills over a long period of time. Like reading, fluency in a math skill is required to understand and apply it to new situations like science or on a standardized test.
Frustration Free Learning
The timed method is part of an efficient system Dr. Shormann created while teaching Saxon Math to hundreds of thousands of homeschool students over the past 20 years. This system is designed to ensure all students succeed in math by allowing them to learn at their own pace. It is widely accepted that students who learn at their own pace achieve higher levels of learning without frustrating or overwhelming them. Working beyond the brain's developmental ability to retain and process new information causes "careless" mistakes, frustration, and gaps which all make learning math harder and slower.
How does the Timed Method work?
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Students work on math a minimum of 5 days per week. Strong students who earn an 85+ on most assignments and complete 4 lessons per week, can work on math 4 days per week.
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Set a time limit (see recommended times per grade level below). If, at the end of this time, the lesson is not completed, the student should stop. Then, the next day they should pick-up where they left off. This is especially important during the first 25 lessons.
6th & 7th Grade: 45 minutes - 1 hour
8th & 9th Grade: 1 Hour
10th & 11th Grade: 1- 1.5 Hours
12th Grade: 1.5- 2 hours
The time limit is based on the average student’s developmental ability at this grade level. It may vary based on the student’s development maturity and learning disabilities. Like starting a running or weight program, the student may be “weak” and only work for 45 minutes per day. Then, as mastery and retention develop, learning new concepts will be easier and the time can be increased.
Don’t Expect Immediate Mastery
I strongly discourage requiring “immediate mastery”. For example, some parents and teachers will not let the student progress to the next lesson unless they have completely mastered the current lesson. This can cause discouragement and exasperation. Just like in sports or music, it takes time to learn a skill. Most students need to practice a skill over several days or weeks before mastery is achieved. That’s why each skill is practiced again and again, over a long period of time. So, please use the system like it was designed, and give your student time to patiently practice and build skills!
Extra Six Weeks for Self-Paced Learning
While a standard school year is 36 weeks, this course is setup on a 30 week schedule. While most curricula schedule out all 36 weeks, the Shormann Math schedule provides six “flex” weeks that can be used when each individual student needs extra time to grasp or re-learn a concept.
I’m concerned my student will not work diligently.
While many parents share this concern, we have found the opposite is true. Knowing math will never take more than the set amount of time for their level, students are able to focus on learning instead of dreading math or wondering "how much longer?" They are also much more likely to take time to re-learn forgotten concepts which is crucial to developing mastery and fluency. As these skills develop the student will complete most lessons in the recommended time.
How long will it take to complete the course?
This course is setup on a 30 week schedule. However, a standard school year is 36 weeks. This means there are six weeks built into the course to allow extra time, when each student needs it, to grasp or re-learn a concept. Strong math students will progress faster, often completing Calculus in 11th or 12th grade. Good to average students usually take 36 weeks. Struggling or reluctant math students may take up to three semesters.
Use as a Two or Three Semester Course
Because one and a half credits are earned (1 Algebra 2 and ½ Geometry), students can take up to three semesters to complete it. Each eLearning subscription is good for 24 months so every student can successfully complete the course.Instead of scheduling the lessons over over 3 semesters, use the Timed Method to allow the student to learn at their own pace.
Earn 14 College Credits
Shormann Algebra 2, Precalculus, and Calculus provide specific preparation for select CLEP and AP exams. If a passing score is earned on these exams, an additional high school math credit can be listed on the high school transcript. Learn More: Transcripts & Credits
Questions? Contact a Consultant