saxon math : About Saxon Math Books

Readers often write to ask for advice as they try to decide: which Saxon Math books to use; which specific books should be used for each specific school year; and where to purchase the hard-backed Saxon books (Saxon 54 – Calculus and Physics.)

The following are my personal opinions, developed while homeschooling our son using Saxon Math books 76 through physics; from discussions with other homeschooling parents; and during my decade of using Saxon Math books for special education students in public schools.

How do we know where to start our children in the sequence of Saxon Math books?

I make my decisions in two ways. First, at the Saxon website I print out the appropriate placement test and have the child take it as instructed. I then use the test results and accompanying suggestions to choose the book that should best meet the child’s needs.

Placement Test for Primary/K-3rd
Placement Test for Middle Grades/4th-8th
Placement Test for Algebra I
Placement Test for Algebra II
When the child begins working in the recommended book, I carefully observe the process to note if the book is a good fit for the child’s skill level. If the early lessons in the book prove to be too easy for the child, I change my plan, setting the book aside while I administer one test after another until the child scores less than 85–90%. At that point, I put the child back into the book – for the lessons covered by that specific test, and I begin instruction at that point. I remain attuned to the child, and flexible in my thinking, as I decide whether the child’s existing, and developing, skill base warrants slower or more rapid progress through each book.

by Linda Schrock Taylor