Resource Description
According to its publisher, “Saxon Math is the only major math program on the market today that systematically distributes instruction, practice, and assessment throughout the academic year as opposed to concentrating, or massing, related concepts into a short period of time--usually within a unit or chapter. Saxon Math's approach to math instruction ensures that students not only gain but also retain essential math skills.” The program transitions students from manipulatives and worksheets to a textbook approach as the students progress to middle school.
Saxon’s K-3 program is designed to teach basic arithmetic concepts as well as geometry, patterns, time, and more. Each lesson is scripted for the parent. Manipulatives accelerate understanding of abstract math concepts, and worksheets provide cumulative review. Saxon Math for middle grades transitions students from manipulatives and worksheets to a textbook approach. The emphasis in the middle grades is on developing algebraic reasoning as well as geometric concepts. Lessons include new concepts plus a review of previous concepts. Middle and upper grades have Solution Manuals which give step-by-step solutions for all problems in the book. Saxon’s high school program offers a textbook, tests, and a Solutions Manual. Homeschool kits are available for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Advanced Math, and Calculus.
Website: Saxon Math (may contain affiliate links)
(52 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Can be hard to find the Stephen Hake editions.
Grades Used: 1-12
Don’t buy the current publishers stuff, they just bought the name rights. Saxon's Alg 1 and Alg 2 books are available through many vendors on the Internet. I use Mardel bookstore locally and online for many of my purchases, especially during their significant spring and fall sales.
Be aware that Saxon's K-8 books are unchanged, as are his Alg 1/2
(pre-alg at a slower pace), Advanced Math and Calculus books. The middle school books are now titled Course 1 (6th), Course 2 (7th), and Course 3 (8th), but the author remains the same--Stephen Hake. Stephen refuses to change his format and content. Stephen Hake is Saxon's handpicked guy from the 1980s.
Anything with his name on it is pure Saxon.
Cons: very time consuming
Grades Used: k-5
I really love Saxon Math but my children however, despise it. I get the concept but for them it was confusing them. In the younger grades, K-3, it was perfect. after that, however, it became very frustrating for them. We would spend 3-4 hours on math alone. they weren't grasping the concepts as well, and every day was moans and groans. I recently switched to BJU. We'll see how that goes.