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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks – A Comparison

(This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.)
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So let’s talk math today…A real juicy homeschool mom topic! Wink.Wink. (Yes—this is who we’ve become—math curriculum is like the minivan of homeschooling). But this post is a confessional of sorts…My journey from Saxon to Teaching Textbooks for High School Math.

Saxon Loyalist

First off—let me start by saying that I have used Saxon Math for years…I probably own every level from Kindergarten through Algebra 2.  I loved it, love it, never thought I would change and use something different–totally LOYAL (as loyal as someone can be to math curriculum)! It was my constant, no-brainer curriculum decision every year. I have some strong love and loyalty to Saxon–it has taken 3 of my kids through middle school (part of high school for one), and I’ve got my little guy working on Saxon Level 1 in Kindergarten right now…

Why I switched Homeschool Math Curriculum! Compare Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks!

Turned Rebel

But, this year I got a wild hair to try Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra with my eighth grader.  Over the summer, there was a real debate raging over math curriculum in one of my Facebook groups—some things those moms were saying started resonating with me.  Like “My kids don’t cry during math anymore,” and “I have more free time,” and “Now, math is her favorite subject!” What? What is this math you speak of? Answer: Teaching Textbooks!

In disbelief, I went to the Teaching Textbooks’ website, tried a sample lesson and was SOLD. The lesson felt personal, professional, and thorough.  The design is done with such excellence—I can’t imagine the time it took to create the lessons and explanations for every single problem!!  I figured we had nothing to lose with their money back guarantee and placed my order.  It arrived lightning fast—I think maybe the next-day!

Why I switched Homeschool Math Curriculum! Compare Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks!

Hype or Hallelujah?

So we just finished up our first quarter of the school year, and my daughter (Audrey) is really happy with the switch to Teaching Textbooks.  I’m thrilled because she is gaining confidence, working independently, and I’m able to easily monitor her progress and assess her understanding.  Those moms on Facebook were definitely onto something—no tears (maybe a little “eye mist”), more free time for me, and math is her favorite subject (ok—not her least favorite subject)!

Why is it Working for Us?

Audrey has never loved math, and over the years I think the set-up of Saxon overwhelmed her. Saxon presents large concepts in little chunks (which I personally think is genius). Kids learn a skill, practice it, and then do about 30 problems reviewing all the skills and concepts they’ve learned up to that point.

Unlike a traditional text, there are not chapters focused on one large concept—for example, fractions. Many curriculums have an entire unit teaching all about fractions, and then after about 10 lessons, students are assessed over fractions. Saxon is NOT one of those curriculums. Saxon assessments cover every topic that has been presented up to that point. Tests are provided every 5 lessons—which I found incredibly excessive; instead, we would usually test every 10 lessons.

As much as I like Saxon’s philosophy of slowly building upon a skill—Audrey found it jumpy and distracting. Saxon appeals to kids who thrive on learning a small piece of a challenging skill (sometimes referred to as a spiral approach). Students may be working on several different math concepts during any given week. If your child has a meltdown over decimals, no worries! Tomorrow could be a lovely distraction—like triangles! You don’t get stuck in an area of math that totally stresses your child out—Saxon moves around. All positives in my mind.

But for Audrey, who isn’t naturally inclined to math—she needs chapters that focus on one topic. She needs the chance to keep practicing fractions and then take a cumulative assessment over fractions. And that is what Teaching Textbooks delivers. It very thoroughly teaches and engages the student in one major topic per chapter—Audrey finally feels like she is gaining more mastery with this approach.

Why I switched Homeschool Math Curriculum! Compare Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks!

Other Benefits of Teaching Textbooks

Umm…well for starters, I’m not teaching Pre-Algebra anymore!

Don’t get me wrong—I’m listening very closely to Audrey’s lessons while folding clothes, doing dishes, making lunch, and changing diapers. (Teaching Textbooks has great sound effects, and I know right away if she is getting it or not. I probably run to rescue and “teach,” her again way too quickly!) But honestly, it has been nice removing math from my plate. In the past, I would need to spend about 15 minutes giving myself a refresher, and then spend at least 30 minutes teaching the lesson. That’s 45 minutes back in my day! And we both love that Audrey doesn’t have to wait around for me before getting started on her math lesson (I’ve got 3 little people, so finding an uninterrupted block of time can be challenging)! Not only has she become more confident in her math skills—she has more independence (which all 14 year-olds love) and gets to practice more responsibility!

Why I switched Homeschool Math Curriculum! Compare Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks!

Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New

I still love Saxon Math—and definitely plan on using it with my littles (at least in the primary years). But my middle schooler was ready for a change—and now she’s thriving. That’s the beauty of homeschooling—we can make adjustments and meet the needs of our individual children. And we can choose curriculum that fits the needs of our families—we all go through seasons where we need a little more support and less on our plates! I’m thrilled to have found Teaching Textbooks (thanks, Facebook Friends)–I have a new math love!

More Teaching Textbooks Posts:

**You can read about how our year went–and exciting updates to Teaching Textbooks HERE!

**Read how Teaching Textbooks helped my daughter gain independent learning skills HERE!

If you have any questions about Saxon Math or Teaching Textbooks, please feel free to leave me a comment or email me: jen@jenmerckling.com! Where do your Math loyalties lie? 😉

With Love,

Jen xo

Why I switched Homeschool Math Curriculum! Compare Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks!

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Filed Under: Curriculum, High School, Homeschooling, Math, Middle School Tagged With: 8th Grade Math, Affiliate, Curriculum Review, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Math, Middle School Math, Pre-Algebra, Saxon Math, Teaching Textbooks

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My sweet sister & I just created this adorable Fal My sweet sister & I just created this adorable Fall Coloring & Activity Book for Kids!🍁🎉
Just sweet—no Halloween references…Your kids will love all the whimsical details & fun activities!!🧡 

Link in bio…🥰
🍁Quick Tip: I love planning for the next school 🍁Quick Tip: I love planning for the next school week on Fridays! After we wrap up each  subject, I write out next week’s plan…

🤓I used to plan on Sunday night—but this routine has been so helpful because…
🍁Where we are & what we’re doing is fresh in my head.
🍁It feels faster because it’s broken into small chunks—I plan as we finish each subject & before I put away those materials for the weekend.
🍁I don’t have to drag things out on Sunday—because the planning is already done! 🎉
🍁 I know if I need to grab any supplies over the weekend! 

 #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolorganization
Created a sweet little notebook… Matches my Home Created a sweet little notebook…
Matches my Homeschool Lesson Planner! 👯‍♀️
Perfect for journaling & reflecting…🥰💗 

Details:
7x10 inches, 110 pages, lined notebook 
Available as a matte paperback or hardcover! 
(I like to use hardcover notebooks for Bible study.)💗
This is the loveliest book…💗🪶🪺 Perfect This is the loveliest book…💗🪶🪺
Perfect for the changing seasons, bird lovers, & a bit of history!! 
(Thanks to @readaloudrevival for the recommendation!) 🥰
We can be reluctant to "count" activities that did We can be reluctant to "count" activities that didn't come in our packaged curriculum as "school". 

❤️But so much counts...(I think it may all count??)

(I honestly have a hard time trying to think of activities that don't count as education!)

🎨Here's just a few: swimming, ballet, soccer practice, nature walk, going to the playground, coloring, cutting, video games, reading books together, cooking, chores, dress-up, video creation, poetry writing, imaginary play, documentaries, vacations, the grocery story, Sunday School, camp, museums, legos, collections, lunch with friends, planning a party, and the list goes on & on...

 👀 Watch for the learning that is happening all around you! 

🌻Life is an amazing teacher & there is so much to learn! Our kids know that instinctively--we can trust them to be curious. We can become curious again...
I like to start the year with Language Arts lesson I like to start the year with Language Arts lessons, Math, & one other subject...

(And Language Arts can have lots of parts--so I gradually add in pieces as we gain some confidence in our routine.)

It's okay if you don't have it all figured out on day one, week one, or even month one! Give yourself time to get comfortable with your curriculum.

When I taught elementary school--we spent so much time just going over routines that first week of school! But in homeschooling--we can just bypass all that... 

🥳(Yay for freedom to potty & snack when want--and no thanks to practicing how to "line-up" for 20 minutes)! 

Even once our routine is established--we RARELY do all subjects every day at my house. 

🔥Breaking free from traditional school is more than the leap into homeschooling...It's also breaking free from our ideas of what education looks like, where & how it happens, & how much time formal instruction takes. 

It takes time to make that paradigm shift--give yourself grace as you grow with your kiddos!

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