1 of 23

2 of 23

Saxon Math

3 of 23

Saxon Math Curriculum: Spiral Pedagogy

Developed by John Saxon created in the 1980s
Involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day
Constantly reviewing old concepts

Spiral curriculum, an approach to teaching (Jerome Bruner)
Fundamental ideas are repeatedly presented throughout the curriculum with

deepening levels of difficulty
increasing complexity in lessons; and
reinforcement in previous learning

Saxon math was developed by John Saxon (who died in 1996). It is a teaching method for incremental learning of mathematics created in the 1980s. It was actually state adopted with the 1997 state adoptions, but fell off the adoption list with the shift to the common core standards in 2014. Saxon involves teaching a new mathematical concept every day while constantly reviewing old concepts, which is also known as a Spiral Pedagogy.

A spiral curriculum is an approach to teaching, widely attributed to the American Psychologist and Cognitive Theorist Jerome Bruner. It is a learning theory which refers to a course of study in which fundamental ideas are repeatedly presented throughout the curriculum, but with deepening levels of difficulty, increasing complexity in lessons and includes reinforcement in previous learning.

4 of 23

Saxon Math Curriculum: Spiral Pedagogy

Enables a deeper understanding
Ensures exposure to subject matter at different levels of complexity
Teachers can support better learning outcomes by:

gradually build knowledge and understanding over time
avoid focusing on just memorization

5 of 23

6 of 23

Choosing the Right Program

Saxon Math K-3 Series

Designed for grades K-3.
Focuses on building foundational math skills

hands-on activities
manipulatives
incremental learning

Saxon Math Intermediate Series Grades 3-5

Bridges the gap between early math concepts and more complex topics
More complex problem-solving strategies
Deeper understanding of mathematical principles

Saxon Math Homeschool Series (5/4, 6/5, 7/6, 8/7)

Use Saxon 5/4 for Grade 3
Similar to Intermediate Series

Saxon Math offers several programs tailored to different grade levels and educational needs. Overall, the differences among the various Saxon Math programs lie in the grade level focus, the depth of content covered, and the progression of skills from basic arithmetic to advanced mathematical concepts. Each program is designed to build upon previously learned concepts and prepare students for the next level of mathematical understanding.

Saxon is available for Kindergarten through Calculus. Most of the overlap in the programs happens at the earliest levels.

Click For example,

Saxon Math K-3:

This program is designed for kindergarten through third grade. It focuses on building foundational math skills through hands-on activities, manipulatives, and incremental learning.

Click Saxon Math Intermediate Grades 3-5:

Intermediate Saxon Math bridges the gap between early math concepts and more complex topics covered It may introduce more advanced concepts or provide a deeper exploration of topics covered in earlier grades. The focus might shift towards more complex problem-solving strategies and a deeper understanding of mathematical principles.

Notice the overlap in grade 3. I want to compare these two 3rd grade programs because there is also a home school Click version that is similar to the Intermediate series layout, with a few slight differences.

7 of 23

Choosing the Right Program (Example of Comparison)

8 of 23

Choosing the Right Program (Example of Comparison)

Lesson Structure of Math 3

Comprised of:

Teacher Guide
2 Student Workbooks
Fact Cards
Meeting book & Manipulative Kit

Centered on the use of:

manipulatives
scripted teacher’s manual

Student workbooks include problems only
All teaching done in-person
Teacher’s guide provides:

information needed for teaching with manipulatives and
how to administer the student worksheets

Each Lesson includes 4 components:

Meeting
Lesson (Scripted)
Class Practice
Written Practice

Lesson Structure of Intermediate 3

Comprised of:

Student Text
Power Up Workbook
Solutions Manual
Homeschool Testing Book

Optional:

Written Practice Workbook
Adaptations Workbook

Sustained emphasis on problem solving
Each Lesson includes 4 components:

Power up section
New Concept
Review
Investigations (every 10th Lesson)
Real World Problems Connection

Optional Testing

Click Twice: The traditional Saxon K-3 curriculum was written by a different author, and features a different structure than Math Intermediate 3 and the other Saxon curriculum. Saxon Math 3 is centered on the use of manipulatives and a scripted teacher’s manual. The student workbooks include problems only; all teaching is done in-person through the use of the teacher’s guide, which provides the information needed for teaching with manipulatives and administering the student worksheets. Each lesson includes 4 components: the meeting, the lesson, class practice and written practice. The meeting section provides practice for basic skills such as writing the date and recording temperature. The lesson section introduces the new concept being taught through an exact script that can be read by the parent-educator. Class practice exercises are completed with the teacher. Finally the written practice section provides direction for using the student workbook. Every 5th lesson includes a written assessment and every 10th lesson includes an oral assessment. Click link to view pictures of program

Click Twice Saxon Intermediate 3 Curriculum is comprised of the student textbook, the power up workbook, Solutions Manual, and homeschool testing book. A written practice workbook and an adaptations workbook are also available separately. Saxon intermediate 3 is written directly to the student with more of a sustained emphasis on problem solving. The textbook begins with the power up section. The new concept sections explains the skill being taught in that lesson. This is followed by lesson practice problems that check if the new concept being properly understood and by spiraling written practice questions that review the new concept and math learned in earlier lessons. An investigations follows every 10th lesson and provides more in depth application. Finally the early finishers problems provide real world connections. The separate testing book features tests for every 5 lessons.

Both programs spiraling approach and consistently add new information as students review new concepts already learned. Click link to view pictures of program

9 of 23

10 of 23

11 of 23

12 of 23

13 of 23

GO BACK

14 of 23

15 of 23

16 of 23

17 of 23

18 of 23

19 of 23

Choosing the Right Program (Example of Comparison)

Lesson Structure of Saxon 5/4

Each Lesson includes 4 components:

Warm up section
New Concept
Review (mixed practice)
Investigations

Lesson Structure of Intermediate 3

Each Lesson includes 4 components:

Power up section
New Concept
Review (mixed practice)
Investigations
Real World Problems Connection

20 of 23

Choosing the Right Program

Saxon 5/4, 6/5, 7/6, 8/7

Similar to Intermediate Series
All texts have a similar start to the textbook lessons

“Warm-Up” section with facts practice, mental math, and problem-solving exercises
Compass Digital Video Downloads Available

Intermediate books sustained emphasis on problem solving
Four-step problem solving process:

Understand (Know where you are and where you want to go)
Plan (Plan your route)
Solve (Follow the Plan)
Check (Check that you have reached the right place)

All Programs Spiral Concepts

Math 5/4, 6/5, 7/6 and 8/7 are closer in style to the Intermediate series books, however, there are still some differences.

All texts have a similar start to the textbook lesson. Math 5/4 and 6/5 have a “Warm-Up” section with

facts practice, mental math, and problem-solving exercises. The Intermediate series has a “Power-Up”

section. This series also has Compass Digital Downloads Available, which include 10-15 minute video lessons.

In all Intermediate books, there is more of a sustained emphasis on problem solving throughout the course. Students are encouraged to use a four-step problem solving process:

• Understand (Know where you are and where you want to go)

• Plan (Plan your route)

• Solve (Follow the Plan)

• Check (Check that you have reached the right place)

All Saxon programs use the spiraling approach; consistently adding new information as students review new concepts already learned.

21 of 23

Saxon Alignment with California Standards

Saxon California Offers the Best Alignment to Current Standards

Intermediate Series needs only slight supplementing

Older versions (5/4,6/5,7/6,8/7) do not align

Recommend use one level up (5/4 used with 3rd grade, 6/5 with 4th grade; so on)

Yes and No. Older versions of Saxon Math are not Common Core aligned. However, newer versions are more closely Common Core-aligned.

Saxon does offer a CA version. The California Saxon Math Curriculum is specifically tailored to meet the standards and requirements set by the California Department of Education, however, it is worth noting that after thorough review, the state didn’t end up adopting the CA version.

The intermediate Series offers a slightly more rigorous approach and is better aligned with the standards than the home school version.

The Saxon Homeschool Math Curriculum is designed for homeschooling families and is not explicitly aligned with California state standards. However, we recognize this is a more popular version and therefore we recommend at minimum using one level up. For example, typically it would be recommended to use the 5/4 book with 4th graders, but using this with a 3rd grader will better align with the grade 3 CA standards and best prepare the 3rd grader for state testing.

22 of 23

Parent Reviews

“My first 3 kids used this program (starting with Math 1 in kindergarten). They had no problem following along. I love the simplicity and repetition of them, plus they get in some reading with them.”

“This is a wonderful math program. All of Saxon math is great, but I'm doing 6/5 this year with my 4th grader. Last year (her 3rd grade year) she was in public school and struggling with their program. I knew she is advanced in math, but there was no reason she should be struggling so much with it. We started homeschooling this year and in the 6 weeks we've been doing this program, I have seen huge growth in her understanding of the basics and also huge growth in her confidence. She's starting to like math again and be proud of herself for how well she can do it. “

1 of 23

2 of 23

3 of 23

4 of 23

5 of 23

6 of 23

7 of 23

8 of 23

9 of 23

10 of 23

11 of 23

12 of 23

13 of 23

14 of 23

15 of 23

16 of 23

17 of 23

18 of 23

19 of 23

20 of 23

21 of 23

22 of 23

23 of 23