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
(52 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Algebra 1 book is not as easy to use of understand.
Grades Used: K - Algebra 1
We have been using this series of books since my children were in Kindergarten and my son is now in 7th grade and using the Algebra 1 textbook. I feel as if my children have received a solid math foundation and they have consistenly scored in the 95 - 97 percentile when taking standardized tests. My biggest complaint is that now that we are using Algebra 1 I feel like we have moved to a foreign country. The explanations are not nearly as complete and the chapters contain a huge chunk of material. We have completed the first 55 chapters and I feel like we should stick with it but I will probably shop for a different math curriculum after this year.
Cons: no bells and whistles
Grades Used: 1st-7th
I have used Saxon Math for years. I have looked at other programs, but keep coming back to this. It has definitely given my children and rock solid foundation in math. It builds on itself which helps reinforce old lessons as well as new ones. I find the explanations clear and easy to understand, which makes it easy for me to teach the concepts. If it continues in this manner, I can easily see using this program through high school. A relative, who is a long time math teacher/tutor, has even commented how well my kids know their math.
On the con side, there are no bells and whistles. The pages aren't colorful and it isn't on a computer. However, I am willing to forgo these things as long as my kids know their math so well.