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Since 1981, Saxon Math has been helping homeschoolers around the world learn math and develop a mastery of it. Created in a spiral method, this curriculum teaches a concept and then reinforces that concept by using practice questions into every lesson after it, building on the skills your student will need for the future.
For K-3, students use a workbook combined with a scripted teacher guide. The included manipulatives help students to practice and show their understanding of the concepts being taught.
From grade 4 up, a textbook with a separate notebook is used. At this point, Saxon also offers online video instruction for each grade to help parents navigate through math concepts that may not be familiar. The online instruction allows your child to experience classroom learning on a small level.
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We have used Saxon for years– almost 20 years– and like everything there are positives and negatives to this curriculum. It was actually recommended to me by the school board liaison– he had seen another family using it and was thoroughly impressed. In fact, he said if our public schools here used it, it would be a game changer. I was able to find used copied of the 5/4 and 6/5 sets, and after that year I started to buy new from a semi-local homeschool supplier.
We have used the grades 1 and 3 consumable products as well, for younger kids, but we went back to a different products as it just didn’t suit our liking.
We have occasionally veered to a different curriculum for grades 4-12, but have always come back to Saxon.
The new editions seem to be quite different from the older ones I have, so I’m glad I have non-consumable texts to continue using with our last 3 kids.
My children will all be quite vocal in their dislike for Saxon, but it works. The format used helps material retention, and the value of the program made it possible for a low-income family to afford books that last (hard cover ones, anyway).
Saxon won’t be for everyone– there are lessons in the upper levels that as a parent-facilitator you have to be willing to put in the time to learn it yourself, or invest in a companion program such as DIVE into Math (or spend the time looking up the concept on YouTube), and some people just can’t stand the format, but for us it has worked, and has prepared our kids for college-level math.
Pros
*Affordable, and easily found on used curriculum sites
*Lessons aren't fussy with an excess of storytelling
*Middle-school and higher are non-consumable, with the exception of the tests booklets from 5/4 to 8/7
*Companion program is available through DIVE
*Solutions manuals are available for upper grades to take the guesswork out of where an answer went wrong
*This could just as easily be a con, but it depends on you point of view: Saxon is generally neutral. Nothing overtly Christian, nothing overtly secular. No diversity stuff, no agenda. It's math, with story problems that are relatable to most kids with a Western culture background. If those are important to you in a math program, look elsewhere, or get creative with your own example problems.
Cons
*Lower grades (K-3) are very scripted, so difficult to implement when there are multiple kids needing help
*Also lower grades, the worksheets have (or didn't, when we used them) no instructions on the page, which then required use of the teacher manual, which of course is the expensive part....
*Kids tend to complain about Saxon. Loudly. For years afterwards.
*Newer softcover versions do NOT hold up well to repeated use (one year I bought the hardcover 7/6, and the next year the softcover 8/7. The 7/6 still looks almost new after 8 kids, the 8/7 is held together with packing tape and prayers. Incidentally, the original used 5/4 & 6/5 books? Just got passed down for a grandkid's use. In one piece)
*With the semi-older editions I have, there is no separate geometry text, but scattered throughout Algebra 1&2. I'm ok with this, and allow for it in transcripts, but it could be a problem for some.
*Brand-new editions can be pricey (solution: buy used)
While my daughter would protest, I have loved using this curriculum! I have found it to be a solid basis for my daughter’s comprehension of math. Everything is laid out for you to follow in order with appropriately timed tests and excellent mark-recording sheets. The instructions are simple and easy to understand. While it can seem like a lot of time goes into the lessons, the payoff is obvious when the answers become easier as lessons progress.
It’s not been cheap. Each year consists of 4-5 books. Some I’ve found second hand, some on Amazon.
I have not encountered any video content, as is mentioned in the summary above. We have used this for three years now, so I’ll have to look into that!
Try to access older editions
We have used Saxon for years– almost 20 years– and like everything there are positives and negatives to this curriculum. It was actually recommended to me by the school board liaison– he had seen another family using it and was thoroughly impressed. In fact, he said if our public schools here used it, it would be a game changer. I was able to find used copied of the 5/4 and 6/5 sets, and after that year I started to buy new from a semi-local homeschool supplier.
We have used the grades 1 and 3 consumable products as well, for younger kids, but we went back to a different products as it just didn’t suit our liking.
We have occasionally veered to a different curriculum for grades 4-12, but have always come back to Saxon.
The new editions seem to be quite different from the older ones I have, so I’m glad I have non-consumable texts to continue using with our last 3 kids.
My children will all be quite vocal in their dislike for Saxon, but it works. The format used helps material retention, and the value of the program made it possible for a low-income family to afford books that last (hard cover ones, anyway).
Saxon won’t be for everyone– there are lessons in the upper levels that as a parent-facilitator you have to be willing to put in the time to learn it yourself, or invest in a companion program such as DIVE into Math (or spend the time looking up the concept on YouTube), and some people just can’t stand the format, but for us it has worked, and has prepared our kids for college-level math.
Pros
Cons
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No
While my daughter would protest, I have loved using this curriculum! I have found it to be a solid basis for my daughter’s comprehension of math. Everything is laid out for you to follow in order with appropriately timed tests and excellent mark-recording sheets. The instructions are simple and easy to understand. While it can seem like a lot of time goes into the lessons, the payoff is obvious when the answers become easier as lessons progress.
It’s not been cheap. Each year consists of 4-5 books. Some I’ve found second hand, some on Amazon.
I have not encountered any video content, as is mentioned in the summary above. We have used this for three years now, so I’ll have to look into that!