Christianbook.comDescription
The Saxon Math 1 Home Study Kit provides homeschooling families with a comprehensive first-grade mathematics foundation using the proven incremental approach that has made Saxon a trusted choice among Christian and conservative homeschoolers for over three decades. Saxon Math helps kids feel confident in math instead of feeling overwhelmed, with math introduced in an incremental way as new concepts are presented in small steps daily, and Saxon’s incremental approach is one of the most effective teaching methods.
This carefully structured curriculum teaches children essential mathematical concepts through a spiral methodology that introduces new skills while continuously reviewing previously learned material. Students will master skip counting by ones, twos, fives, and tens while developing number sense and pattern recognition that forms the foundation for future mathematical success. The program systematically builds addition and subtraction fact fluency, ensuring children achieve automaticity with basic math facts that will serve them throughout their educational journey.
The comprehensive scope includes identifying ordinal positions to tenth, mastering all basic addition and subtraction facts, measuring using inches, feet, and centimeters, adding quarters, drawing polygons, and observing information from real graphs, pictographs, and bar graphs. Students explore practical life skills through hands-on activities including time-telling to the half hour, money counting with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, and basic fraction concepts through visual representations.
The kit’s scripted lesson format makes Saxon Math 1 particularly valuable for new homeschooling parents or those lacking confidence in teaching mathematics. Scripted lessons are included for each chapter, with dialogue, chalkboard sketches and reduced student pages for easy tracking and communication between student and parent. Each lesson typically requires only 10-15 minutes of instruction time, making it manageable for busy homeschooling families while maintaining academic rigor.
Manipulatives are used heavily throughout the primary grades and are an integral part of the program that helps accelerate understanding of abstract concepts. The hands-on approach accommodates kinesthetic learners while building concrete understanding before transitioning to abstract mathematical thinking. This multi-sensory approach proves especially beneficial for children who struggle with traditional textbook-only methods.
The systematic assessment structure includes written assessments every five lessons and oral assessments every ten lessons, with each assessment questioning children on skills they have practiced for at least five lessons. This frequent evaluation allows parents to monitor progress and address learning gaps before they become problematic, providing confidence in their child’s mathematical development.
For families seeking flexibility, Saxon Math 1 adapts well to various homeschool philosophies and schedules. The consumable workbook format eliminates the need for separate notebook paper while providing clear, uncluttered pages that help children focus on mathematical concepts rather than formatting concerns. The program accommodates different learning paces, allowing families to spend additional time on challenging concepts or accelerate through well-understood material.
The Meeting Book component introduces daily calendar work, weather observation, and pattern activities that connect mathematics to real-world experiences. These activities develop logical thinking skills while reinforcing mathematical concepts in practical contexts that children encounter daily.
Parents appreciate Saxon Math 1’s thorough teacher support and clear progression pathway that continues through high school-level mathematics. The program’s proven track record and students using Saxon Math consistently earning high scores on standardized tests provides confidence for families committed to academic excellence.
Educational Attributes:
- Grade Level: 1st Grade (Ages 6-7)
- Subject: Mathematics
- Skill Level: Beginning Elementary
- Learning Style: Multi-sensory (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
- Educational Approach: Incremental development with spiral review
- Curriculum Type: Traditional, comprehensive
Practical Attributes:
- Page Count: Teacher’s Manual: 730 pages
- Lesson Count: 132 lessons
- Estimated Completion Time: 10-15 minutes per lesson
- Answer Key Included: Yes
Content/Scope Attributes:
- Topics Covered: Skip counting, ordinal numbers, addition/subtraction facts, measurement, fractions, time, money, geometry, data analysis
- Real-world Applications: Money counting, time-telling, measurement, graph interpretation
Format/Usability Attributes:
- Format: Spiral-bound teacher manual, consumable student workbooks
- Reproducible: No (consumable workbooks)
Special Features:
- Scripted lessons for easy teaching
- Incremental introduction with spiral review
- Multi-sensory approach with manipulative integration
- Regular assessment schedule
- Fact cards included for drill practice
Aop.com
The Homeschool Shopper –
The Saxon Math 1 Home Study Kit stands as one of the most respected first-grade math curricula in the homeschool community, earning consistent praise from veteran educators and curriculum reviewers. This comprehensive 130-lesson program builds mathematical understanding through incremental development and continuous review, creating a solid foundation for future math success.
What We Liked
Proven Incremental Methodology: Saxon’s signature spiral approach introduces new concepts gradually while continuously reviewing previously learned material. This method ensures that mathematical understanding truly “sinks in” rather than being forgotten when new topics are presented, making it especially effective for students who need extra reinforcement.
Parent-Friendly Teaching Support: The fully scripted lessons remove guesswork from math instruction, providing parents with exact dialogue, questioning strategies, and language designed to help children understand mathematical concepts. Even parents who feel uncomfortable with math can successfully teach using this structured approach.
Strong Manipulative Foundation: The program heavily incorporates hands-on learning through manipulatives like bear counters, pattern blocks, and geoboards. This tactile approach helps kinesthetic learners grasp abstract concepts by making them concrete and visual.
Expert Endorsement: Highly recommended by respected homeschool curriculum authorities including Cathy Duffy and Mary Pride, Saxon Math has earned its reputation through decades of proven results in both homeschool and classroom settings.
Builds Confident Learners: Parents consistently report that their children feel successful rather than overwhelmed with Saxon Math. The gradual progression and constant review help students master skills thoroughly before moving on to more challenging concepts.
Comprehensive Scope: Covers essential first-grade skills including skip counting, ordinal positions, mastering basic addition and subtraction facts, two-digit addition without regrouping, measuring, money concepts, telling time, and graphing fundamentals.
Areas for Improvement
Repetition Can Frustrate: While the spiral review is Saxon’s strength, it can become tedious for students who grasp concepts quickly. Some children become frustrated with “doing the same thing over and over,” requiring parents to skip exercises or modify the workload.
Additional Purchase Requirements: The Home Study Kit doesn’t include manipulatives, which must be purchased separately (typically $75-140 for the K-3 manipulative kit). This significantly increases the total investment required to properly implement the program.
Time-Intensive Lessons: Following the complete Saxon methodology can take 60-90 minutes per lesson, which may be challenging for busy families or students with shorter attention spans. Many families find success by customizing the workload to their child’s needs.
Slower Pace Than Competitors: Saxon Math 1 moves more deliberately than programs like A Beka or Horizons Math, spending more time on foundational concepts. While thorough, this may frustrate families wanting quicker progression through grade-level material.
Minimal Visual Appeal: The black-and-white, no-frills design lacks the colorful, engaging graphics found in many modern curricula. While this doesn’t affect educational quality, it may be less appealing to visually-oriented learners.
High Parent Involvement: Success with Saxon Math 1 requires significant parent engagement and preparation time. The program isn’t designed for independent student work, demanding consistent teacher-student interaction throughout each lesson.
Bottom Line
Saxon Math 1 Home Study Kit delivers exceptional mathematical foundation-building through its time-tested incremental approach. While it requires investment in manipulatives and substantial parent involvement, it consistently produces students with strong computational skills and mathematical confidence. The program works best for families who prioritize thorough skill mastery over rapid advancement and are willing to adapt the curriculum to their child’s pace.
The repetitive nature that some find tedious is actually Saxon’s greatest strength for students who need extensive practice to achieve mastery. However, families should be prepared to customize the workload, skipping problems when concepts are firmly grasped.
Recommended for: Families seeking proven, methodical math instruction; parents who appreciate scripted lessons; kinesthetic learners who benefit from manipulatives; students who need extensive practice for mastery
Consider alternatives if: You prefer colorful, visually engaging materials; you want minimal parent involvement; your child grasps concepts very quickly and becomes frustrated with repetition; you need a faster-paced program