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Saxon Math Intermediate 3 Complete Homeschool Kit represents a significant step forward for homeschooling families seeking to foster mathematical independence in their children. Written by experienced educator Stephen Hake, this curriculum bridges the gap between the more teacher-intensive Saxon K-3 series and the renowned Saxon Math 5/4, providing third-grade students with the tools they need to develop both computational skills and mathematical reasoning.
Unlike traditional Saxon Math 3, which requires extensive teacher involvement and scripted lessons, Saxon Math Intermediate 3 empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey. The hardcover textbook speaks directly to young learners, eliminating the need for parents to navigate complex teacher manuals while still maintaining the proven Saxon methodology that has helped countless students achieve mathematical success.
Building Mathematical Confidence Through Incremental Learning
The Saxon approach to mathematics education rests on a foundation of incremental development and distributed practice. Rather than cramming concepts into isolated units, Saxon Math Intermediate 3 introduces new mathematical ideas in manageable pieces, then continuously reviews and builds upon previously learned material. This spiral methodology ensures that concepts move from short-term memory into long-term mastery, giving homeschooled students the confidence to tackle increasingly complex mathematical challenges.
Each of the 110 carefully structured lessons follows a predictable format that helps students develop independent learning habits. The Power-Up section begins each lesson with essential skill practice, including math facts review, mental math exercises, and problem-solving strategies. This daily warm-up routine helps students maintain computational fluency while building the mental math skills that will serve them throughout their mathematical education.
Comprehensive Mathematical Foundation for Growing Minds
Saxon Math Intermediate 3 covers an extensive range of mathematical concepts that align with third-grade standards while providing enrichment opportunities for advanced learners. Students will master addition and subtraction facts, develop proficiency with multiplication through one-digit multipliers times three-digit numbers, and explore division concepts through one-digit divisors into two-digit dividends.
The curriculum extends well beyond basic arithmetic, introducing students to fractions, probability concepts, geometric shapes, area and perimeter calculations, time and money applications, and data interpretation through graphing activities. This comprehensive approach ensures that homeschooled children develop mathematical literacy across all major strands, preparing them for success in higher-level mathematics.
Real-World Applications and Problem-Solving Skills
One of the strengths of Saxon Math Intermediate 3 lies in its emphasis on real-world problem solving. The 11 Investigation activities scattered throughout the course provide opportunities for students to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations, developing critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the mathematics classroom. These investigations often take an entire lesson period and encourage students to explore mathematical concepts through hands-on activities and extended reasoning.
For homeschooling families who value practical life skills, Saxon Math Intermediate 3 seamlessly integrates mathematical learning with everyday situations. Students learn to tell time to the minute, make change for purchases, read thermometers and calendars, and solve problems involving measurement and estimation. These applications help children understand that mathematics is not merely an academic subject but a vital life skill.
Designed for Homeschool Success
The Complete Homeschool Kit includes everything families need to implement Saxon Math Intermediate 3 successfully. The 623-page hardcover textbook features two-tone pages without distracting illustrations, helping students maintain focus on mathematical content. The clean, professional layout speaks directly to students, building their confidence as independent learners.
The Power-Up Workbook provides 110 consumable pages for completing the daily warm-up exercises, including Facts Practice, Jump Start activities, Mental Math problems, and Problem Solving challenges. These three-hole-punched, perforated pages make it easy for students to organize their work and track their progress throughout the school year.
Assessment becomes manageable with the included Homeschool Testing Book, which features 21 reproducible cumulative tests administered after every five lessons beginning with Lesson 10. This testing schedule allows students to demonstrate mastery of concepts before moving forward, building confidence and ensuring solid understanding. The tests include answer forms and complete solutions, making evaluation straightforward for busy homeschooling parents.
The comprehensive Solutions Manual removes guesswork from the teaching process, providing complete step-by-step solutions to all Lesson Practice, Written Practice, and Early Finishers questions, as well as detailed explanations for Investigation activities. This resource enables parents to provide confident support when students encounter challenging problems while maintaining the student-directed nature of the curriculum.
Supporting Different Learning Styles and Needs
Homeschooling families appreciate Saxon Math Intermediate 3’s flexibility in accommodating different learning styles and academic needs. While manipulatives are occasionally mentioned in lessons, they remain optional, allowing families to choose the level of hands-on learning that works best for their children. This flexibility is particularly valuable for families transitioning from more manipulative-heavy curricula or those working with mixed-age groups.
For students who need additional support, the optional Adaptations Workbook (sold separately) provides modified worksheets with bolded keywords, step-by-step guidance, graphic helps, and additional hints. This resource ensures that children with learning differences can access the same high-quality mathematical content while receiving the support they need to succeed.
Advanced learners benefit from the Early Finishers problems included in each lesson, which provide extension activities for students who complete their work quickly. This built-in differentiation means that Saxon Math Intermediate 3 can serve families with children of varying abilities and learning speeds.
Preparing Students for Mathematical Success
Saxon Math Intermediate 3 serves as an ideal preparation for the next level of Saxon mathematics. Students who complete this course will be well-prepared to tackle either Saxon Math Intermediate 4 or Saxon Math 5/4, depending on their mathematical readiness and family preferences. The consistent methodology and format ensure a smooth transition, while the strong foundation in computational skills and mathematical reasoning provides the groundwork for success in algebra and beyond.
For homeschooling families committed to long-term mathematical education, Saxon Math Intermediate 3 represents an investment in their children’s future academic success. The incremental approach, proven over decades of classroom and homeschool use, develops not just computational ability but mathematical thinking skills that will serve students throughout their educational journey.
Making Mathematics Accessible for Homeschooling Families
The beauty of Saxon Math Intermediate 3 lies in its ability to deliver rigorous mathematical education without overwhelming parents or students. The curriculum requires minimal preparation time for parents while providing maximum learning opportunities for children. Daily lessons follow a consistent structure that students quickly learn to navigate independently, freeing parents to focus on areas where their children need the most support.
This independence-building approach aligns perfectly with many homeschooling philosophies that emphasize self-directed learning and personal responsibility. Students develop ownership of their mathematical education while parents maintain oversight and support, creating a balanced approach that honors both academic rigor and family relationships.
Educational Attributes:
- Grade Level: 3rd grade (advanced 2nd graders)
- Subject: Mathematics
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Learning Style: Visual, independent learners
- Educational Approach: Incremental/spiral methodology
- Curriculum Type: Comprehensive textbook program
Practical Attributes:
- Page Count: 623 pages (textbook), 110 pages (Power-Up Workbook), 63 pages (Testing Book), 123 pages (Solutions Manual)
- Lesson Count: 110 lessons
- Investigation Count: 11
- Estimated Completion Time: One school year
- Answer Key Included: Yes (Solutions Manual)
Content/Scope Attributes:
- Topics Covered: Addition/subtraction review, multiplication, division, fractions, probability, area, perimeter, time, money, measurement, geometry, graphing
- Real-world Applications: Time telling, money handling, measurement, problem solving
Format/Usability Attributes:
- Format: Hardcover textbook with softcover supplementary materials
- Reproducible: Testing book pages are reproducible
Special Features:
- Student-directed learning with minimal teacher preparation
- Daily Power-Up exercises for skill maintenance
- Cumulative testing schedule for mastery verification
- Investigation activities for extended mathematical exploration
- Compatible with Saxon Math progression for long-term planning
Aop.com
The Homeschool Shopper –
The Saxon Math Intermediate 3 Complete Homeschool Kit represents a significant stepping stone in mathematical education, bridging the gap between the heavily scripted K-3 Saxon series and the more independent upper-level programs. This comprehensive kit delivers solid mathematical instruction through Saxon’s signature incremental development approach, making it an excellent choice for families seeking structured, systematic math education.
What We Liked
Strong Foundation Through Spiral Learning: Saxon Intermediate 3 excels at building mathematical competency through its proven spiral methodology. Concepts are introduced gradually and revisited regularly, ensuring students develop lasting understanding rather than temporary knowledge. Parents consistently report watching their children gain confidence as skills become automatic through this systematic approach.
Student Independence: Unlike the heavily teacher-directed K-3 Saxon series, Intermediate 3 allows students to work much more independently. The hardcover textbook explains concepts clearly and directly to students, reducing the parent teaching burden significantly. Many families appreciate being able to hand the book to their child and watch them work through lessons with minimal guidance.
Comprehensive Skill Development: The program covers essential third-grade topics including multi-digit multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, geometry, and problem-solving in a logical sequence. The mix of computational practice and real-world applications helps students see mathematics as both a tool and a thinking discipline.
Quality Components: The complete kit includes everything needed for a full year of instruction. The hardcover student text feels substantial and professional, while the Solutions Manual provides complete worked-out solutions. The Testing Book offers regular assessment opportunities that align perfectly with the lesson progression.
Excellent Preparation: Students who complete Intermediate 3 transition smoothly into either Saxon Intermediate 4 or Saxon 5/4, making this an ideal foundational program for families committed to the Saxon approach through middle and high school.
Areas for Improvement
Mixed Practice Challenges: While Saxon’s spiral approach benefits many students, the constant mixing of old and new concepts in practice sets can overwhelm learners who prefer mastering one topic before moving to another. Some students become frustrated when they encounter problems using methods taught weeks earlier.
Limited Conceptual Depth: Compared to programs like Singapore Math, Saxon Intermediate 3 focuses more on procedural fluency than deep conceptual understanding. Students learn how to solve problems effectively but may not develop as strong a sense of mathematical reasoning and number relationships.
Teacher Preparation Required: Despite being more independent than K-3 Saxon, parents still need to understand the methodology and be prepared to help with Investigation lessons and Power-Up activities. The program assumes a level of mathematical comfort that not all homeschooling parents possess.
Pacing Concerns: The program starts quite slowly with basic addition and subtraction review, which can be tedious for students who have mastered these skills. Conversely, some families find the pace picks up dramatically around lesson 30, creating an uneven progression.
Missing Components: The lack of an answer key for the Power-Up Workbook creates unnecessary checking burden for parents. Additionally, the referenced Activity Pages are no longer readily available, though they’re not essential for completing the program.
Bottom Line
Saxon Math Intermediate 3 Complete Homeschool Kit delivers exactly what it promises: systematic, thorough mathematical instruction that builds strong computational skills and prepares students for advanced Saxon programs. The spiral approach, while not perfect for every learning style, effectively develops mathematical fluency and confidence in most students.
This program works best for families who value consistent practice, systematic skill building, and preparation for long-term Saxon usage. It’s particularly well-suited for students transitioning from other programs or those whose parents prefer less intensive teaching involvement than the K-3 series requires.
While it may not offer the conceptual depth of some alternatives, Saxon Intermediate 3 provides reliable, comprehensive mathematical education that has helped countless students develop strong numerical literacy and problem-solving capabilities.a
Recommended for: Families planning to continue with Saxon Math, parents wanting systematic spiral review, students who benefit from consistent practice and repetition
Consider alternatives if: Your child needs deep conceptual exploration, you prefer unit-based rather than spiral learning, or you want minimal parent involvement.