Saxon “Math K” is a kindergarten homeschool curriculum that combines scripted lessons, manipulatives, and regular review. I’ve used Saxon Math with my five kids—from kindergarten through Algebra II. It’s a trusted curriculum worth considering. In this review, I share the pros and cons, explain what materials you’ll need, and discuss whether it’s worth using with your kindergartner.
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You can skip ahead to any section in this review:
- Pros and Cons of Saxon Math Kindergarten Curriculum
- Kindergarten Curriculum Components
- Time Commitment for Saxon Math Kindergarten Curriculum
- Saxon Math K is a Solid Start
- Buying Used Saxon Math Homeschool Curriculum
- FAQs Section
Pros and Cons of Saxon Math Kindergarten Curriculum
Pros
✅ Scripted lessons provide clear, age-appropriate instruction.
✅ Manipulatives help children understand abstract ideas.
✅ Consistent lesson structure makes the curriculum predictable.
✅ Teacher’s Editions can sometimes be purchased used.
Cons
☑️ Lessons require significant parental involvement.
☑️ Purchasing the curriculum and manipulatives new can be costly.
Kindergarten Curriculum Components
Saxon Math K homeschool curriculum includes the following:
- Teacher’s Edition
- Home Study Meeting Book
- Manipulative Kit
Teacher’s Edition
The Teacher’s Edition (the teaching manual) has 112 lessons. One of the most notable features of this curriculum is that the lessons are scripted. You follow the script as you teach. This makes it easier to present the material clearly, and in a way that is suitable for your student’s age. If you’re a parent who fears teaching math, Saxon may be your solution.
The publisher suggests three lessons per week, with some review on other days. We forged ahead and did a math lesson on most school days. Because of this, we finished the curriculum in a little over a semester. (A slower pace might be better for some students, so adjust the schedule to fit your child’s needs.)
Even though we moved through it so quickly, I was glad we used the kindergarten curriculum. My kids were already familiar with many of the concepts, but our discussions and work with the manipulatives strengthened their understanding. They also learned new concepts and math vocabulary. This gave them a solid foundation before we moved on to the first-grade book partway through the kindergarten year.
In the back of the Teacher’s Edition, you’ll find thirty-seven “master” pages. These are referenced and used throughout the lessons. There are also twenty-seven optional handwriting pages, so your student can work on writing numbers. We also practiced this with our Zaner-Bloser handwriting curriculum, so the Saxon practice was extra for us. The Teacher’s Edition can be used again with a younger sibling. Just be sure to keep the original master pages intact for future use.
Saxon Math K does not include a workbook or daily written assignment (beyond the meeting time and lesson time).
Home Study Meeting Book
The Home Study Meeting Book is used during the “meeting” time. This is an integral part of all the Saxon elementary math curricula. You will work in the Meeting Book at the start of every lesson. The Teacher’s Edition includes a script to guide you through this meeting time.
The Meeting Book is a basic black-and-white booklet with calendar pages. Because it is so simple, you may be tempted to skip the expense of the Meeting Book. I recommend purchasing it and following the meeting-time script. Your student will work extensively on the calendar. He will also be introduced to concepts such as shapes and patterns. The meeting time is repetitive, but the material builds on itself. We found value in this consistent daily practice.
Saxon Math Homeschool Manipulative Kit
The manipulatives are another key component of this curriculum. The Saxon Math K-3 Manipulative Kit has all the manipulatives needed for kindergarten through third grade. (So you can definitely get your money’s worth.) It includes items such as teddy bear counters, linking cubes, pattern blocks, teaching clocks, and a bucket balance scale.
Working with these can help your child develop a concrete understanding of math concepts. The manipulatives were a favorite part of math for my kids! Other materials are used in the lessons, such as coins, plastic straws, and playing cards. Saxon uses the manipulatives extensively in the K-3 curriculum. They are a valuable and essential component.
Time Commitment for Saxon Math Kindergarten Curriculum
Saxon Math is very teacher-intensive, especially in the elementary years. You’ll need focused one-on-one time as you work through the lessons with your child. I scheduled twenty minutes in the mornings for math. Some lessons definitely took longer when we didn’t keep things moving. We sometimes had more discussion as we worked through the lesson. Or we spent extra time working with the manipulatives.
These kindergarten math lessons were sometimes fun for us. My little ones often continued playing with the manipulatives after our math time. They naturally integrated what they had learned into their play time. I had to make a concerted effort to get everything back into our math basket for the next day’s lesson.
Saxon Math K is a Solid Start
Saxon can be a little overwhelming for parents who are unfamiliar with the program. However, the elementary curriculum follows a very consistent pattern from lesson to lesson, and year to year. We found the elementary (and middle school) curricula to be of great value.
Overall, we enjoyed math in these early years. (I don’t think my glasses are too rosy.) Saxon elementary math is time-intensive. It definitely requires a commitment to do it well. But that commitment can reap benefits as kids move into more demanding years of math study. The combination of scripted instruction, hands-on activities, and regular review helped my children build a strong math foundation.
If you’re looking for a structured kindergarten math curriculum and you’re willing to invest the time, Saxon Math K is worth considering.
Buying Used Saxon Math Homeschool Curriculum
Because Saxon Math has been popular for so many years, you might be able to find an inexpensive used copy of the Teacher’s Edition. The curriculum is moderately expensive when purchased new. But even when we’ve paid full price for a new curriculum kit, it’s been worth the cost. At the very least, you will probably need to purchase a new Meeting Book. It’s unlikely you’ll find one that hasn’t been written in.
You can try piecing together a manipulative kit. Just be sure to make a list of everything needed for Math K. Or look for the Math K-3 Manipulative Kit with everything needed for kindergarten through third grade. Check your supplies list twice. I know from experience how frustrating it is to realize you don’t have enough linking cubes to represent a group of ten.
I once purchased a used manipulative kit, only to find pieces were missing. Between the cost of the used kit and the cost of purchasing missing items, I spent more than I would have on a brand-new kit. Be sure to ask if a used kit includes every piece. It’s hard for families to keep track of all the dominoes, counters, linking cubes, counting bears, color tiles, and more.
FAQs
Some parents suggest skipping Math K and beginning kindergarten with Saxon Math 1. I think there’s enough value in Math K to complete it. We finished it in a little more than one semester, and then moved on to Math 1 with a seamless transition. We continued to stay ahead all the way through Math 3.
If you’re confident your kindergartner is ready for Saxon Math 1, you could certainly start with that. Many parents report that their kids do fine skipping Math K. If your child struggles with certain concepts, take time to address those before moving on.
There are no daily worksheets assigned with this curriculum. So a preschooler who isn’t writing much could successfully work through Math K. The lessons are short, but consider breaking them up into two times—a meeting time and a lesson time.
Let your child’s readiness set the pace for how quickly you move through the book. If they’re struggling, set the curriculum aside and try again later.
Young children can learn math concepts through play, everyday activities, and workbooks. A structured curriculum offers the additional benefit of a scope and sequence. Saxon Math systematically covers concepts that help children build on what they’ve already learned.
There’s a lot to be said for encouraging children to learn through play. A good curriculum can complement that play, rather than replace it. You’ll see your child recognizing patterns, measuring objects, weighing items, and pretending to pay for groceries as they apply what they’ve learned. A reputable math curriculum is an investment that can help build a strong foundation alongside hands-on exploration and play.
Consider my Review of Saxon Math for Grades 1-3 or my other Homeschool Curriculum Recommendations.
