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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.
- Print Workbooks / Textbook / Videos
- Parent-Intensive, Especially in K-3
- Focuses on Thinking Skills
- Grades K - 12
- Review / Spiral Method
- Emphasis on Drill and Repetition
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SAXON MATH REVIEWS:
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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.
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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!