Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Topics
General Questions
Phonics
Math
General Questions
What does Saxon publish?
What makes Saxon books unique or different from other educational textbooks?
Why doesn't Saxon have a Geometry book?
Does Saxon produce textbooks for public schools, private schools and homeschool?
How long has Saxon been in business?
How can I contact Saxon?
How can I get help with your Web site?
Phonics
What is phonics?
What do I have to know in order to teach Saxon's phonics program?
What's the difference between Saxon's phonics program and other phonics programs?
What is phonemic awareness, and why is it important?
Must I teach all phonics programs in order?
What if my school already has a spelling program?
How should I integrate phonics with my literature-based reading program?
What type of inservicing do you recommend?
Will Saxon Phonics work with ESL (English as a Second Language) students?
What is the difference between Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 and Phonics K-2?
Can I use Saxon Phonics and Spelling 3 with the original Phonics K-2 series?
How do I determine which of Saxon's phonics programs is right for my students?
Math
What do the titles of the Saxon Math books mean/stand for?
How does this program compare with a regular basal program?
Why doesn't Saxon have a Geometry book?
How do students get "Geometry" on their transcripts?
Is a calculator required with upper level Saxon textbooks?
Is an inservice video available?
How much preparation time is required for each lesson?
How can I buy extra copies of previous editions of Saxon Math books?
General Questions
What does Saxon publish?
Saxon offers the nation's best selling and most thoroughly researched skills-based K-12 mathematics program, plus a classroom-tested phonics and spelling program for grades K-3, a program for struggling readers, an early childhood program, and a physics text. Saxon's unique pedagogical approach, based on instruction, practice and assessment distributed across the grade level, incorporates 20 years of research and classroom experience.
What makes Saxon books unique or different from other educational textbooks?
Saxon programs have two unique aspects: explicit instruction and a distributed approach to instruction, practice and assessment. Teachers and researchers alike recognize the correlation between the explicit instruction of concepts and the long-term success of students. Educational researchers have confirmed that explicit instruction is a critical element of student learning and that it is more effective than nonexplicit instruction in teaching mathematics (Darch, Carnine, & Gersten, 1984). They have also determined that explicit instruction is the most effective way to teach critical-thinking skills (Bangert-Downs & Bankert, 1990). The explicit instruction provided in Saxon Math activates prior knowledge, incorporates teacher models, provides both guided and independent practice, ensures teacher-student interaction, and includes frequent instructional checkpoints. Every daily lesson has been extensively field-tested to guarantee its grade level appropriateness and effectiveness.
The pedagogy used in Saxon Math is unique, effective and research-based. The authors of Saxon Math began developing the series by first breaking complex concepts into related increments, recognizing that smaller pieces of information are easier to teach and easier to learn. Then they systematically distributed the instruction, practice and assessment of those increments across a grade level. Well-established research has shown that this spaced (distributed) approach has produced significantly higher levels of student learning than massed presentations such as those found in programs with a chapter-based approach (Dempster & Farris, 1990).
Incremental Instruction Distributed Across the Level: In Saxon Math, each increment builds on the foundation of earlier increments, leading students to a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The instruction of related increments is carefully distributed throughout the grade level, ensuring that students have the opportunity to master each increment before being introduced to the next related one. Foundational research has shown that instruction that presents material to be learned over several intervals (distributed instruction) results in greater student achievement than instruction that is not distributed (English, Wellburn & Killian, 1934). Further studies have confirmed that distributed instruction is more effective in a variety of subjects including mathematics (Dempster, 1988; Hintzman, 1974; Reynolds & Glasser, 1964).
Why doesn't Saxon have a Geometry book?
Geometry is integrated throughout the Saxon mathematics program. The United States remains the only industrialized country in which students normally take a separate course in geometry. Saxon follows the example of the Asian and European countries by offering an integrated curriculum instead of one comprising separate, compartmentalized courses. The treatment of geometry is integrated throughout the entire series and is most heavily concentrated in Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics. Students who complete both Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics will have completed one full year of Euclidean geometry.
Does Saxon produce textbooks for public schools, private schools and homeschool?
Saxon publishes educational materials for all teaching environments including public, private and charter schools and for homeschool. Saxon programs are based on explicit instruction and utilize the instructional approach of distributed instruction, practice and assessment. This methodology has proven to produce increased test scores for students. These successes are documented in all of these educational settings
How long has Saxon been in business?
Saxon, an imprint of Harcourt Achieve, was founded in 1981. For additional information, read the complete history of Saxon.
How can I contact Saxon?
For a complete list of contact information, visit our Contact Us section.
How can I get help with your Web site?
If you are experiencing technical issues or have specific questions related to the Saxon Web site, please refer to our Help Desk or e-mail our Webmaster (ha.webmaster@harcourt.com).
Phonics
What is phonics?
Phonics is a method of teaching students how to read by learning the sounds each letter and letter cluster makes. It is only after this understanding of the sound/letter relationship is achieved that successful, independent reading can occur.
What do I have to know in order to teach Saxon's phonics program?
All of the information you need to teach this program successfully is provided in the teacher's manual. We do, however, urge you to read the introductory material carefully before beginning phonics instruction. You may also find it helpful to view our inservice video. Call (800) 284-7019 for more information.
What's the difference between Saxon's phonics program and other phonics programs?
Saxon's program is an explicit, systematic phonics program, which means that students are first taught individual letters, the sounds those letters make, and the rules governing the use of those letters. Most other phonics programs, as well as whole language programs that incorporate some phonics, teach phonics by taking whole words and breaking them into their component sounds. In the Saxon program, students learn the 26 letters, the 44 sounds those letters make, and the 70+ ways those sounds are spelled, as well as the four vowel rules basic to the English language. Unlike other programs, Saxon's program teaches syllable division as a means of "word attack," not just as an extraneous task to be done after students can already read the word. This enables students to read words of higher difficulty. Lastly, the Saxon program is Orton-Gillingham based, which means that it also provides intensive writing and spelling practice.
What is phonemic awareness, and why is it important?
Phonemic awareness is the awareness that words are composed of separate sounds and the ability to hear and to manipulative those sounds. Though some students achieve this awareness easily, most students must be taught this essential pre-reading skill. Thus, Saxon begins teaching phonemic awareness in kindergarten, providing daily phonemic awareness activities throughout Phonics K and the first half of Phonics 1.
Must I teach all phonics programs in order?
No. Students may start any of the phonics programs without prior use of the previous ones.
What if my school already has a spelling program?
Find out if the spelling program included in the phonics program can be substituted for your school's existing program. If you must use a different spelling program, try to postpone introducing it until all of the letters have been taught. For those words that contain digraphs, combinations, etc., you may find it helpful to briefly teach students those specific concepts, with the understanding that more in-depth instruction will occur later.
How should I integrate phonics with my literature-based reading program?
Preview stories or units for phonics concepts taught in the Saxon program. If a particular concept (e.g., digraph gn) is not necessary for a story, postpone its introduction. If the concept is crucial to the story, briefly teach it using terminology already learned by students. For instance, though digraph gn may not have been taught, students may have learned about digraphs and silent letters. Briefly explain that gn is a digraph that contains a silent letter; then discuss any words in the story that use the digraph before proceeding to the reading activity. Consider postponing any accompanying worksheets until the concept is discussed in the phonics program; the reading worksheets might then be used to serve as additional review.
What type of inservicing do you recommend?
Read the introductory material in the teacher's manual and call (800) 284-7019 to borrow a copy of Saxon's Phonics K-2 Inservice Video. The video is highly recommended as an introduction to the teaching of Saxon Phonics and for ongoing support to promote successful instruction. The 45-minute video is divided into four sessions and may be viewed in one sitting or in individual sessions. Session 1 presents an introduction to the program. Session 2 describes the kit components and offers helpful hints for classroom setup. Session 3 discusses individual lesson components and demonstrates practical applications of their use in actual classroom settings. Session 4 demonstrates numerous Kid Card activities. For specific questions not addressed by these resources, please call 888-284-7019, option 3
Will Saxon Phonics work with ESL (English as a Second Language) students?
This program is particularly effective with students who are acquiring English. Its regular, systematic focus on hearing and echoing sounds helps students concentrate on and reproduce the critical phonemes they will need to communicate effectively. In addition, the explicit, structured nature of the program provides a familiar routine for English learners that promotes confidence and builds a solid foundation for new learning. Of course, the program is not designed to actually teach English to non-English speakers.
What is the difference between Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 and Phonics K-2?
The newly enhanced Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 builds upon the successful research-supported Phonics K-2 series, incorporating customer suggestions to make it even better. With the inclusion of handwriting and fluency instruction, Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 provides children with important foundational skills to ensure academic success.
The new and enhanced features of Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 include:
- fluency readers available in three proficiency levels - easy, average, and challenging - to accommodate all students
- fluency masters for students who need more practice
- explicit handwriting instruction and masters that provide kinesthetic reinforcement of phonics and spelling concepts (print in K, 1, and 2; cursive in 2 and 3). Even if your school already has an adopted handwriting program, the instructional guidance provided can be used to enhance your current program.
- newly written and illustrated decodable readers featuring engaging storylines and a variety of genres
- new lesson format that includes both the full scripting and a summary of instruction, making teaching even easier (Grades K, 1, and 2)
- new artwork for the Review Decks, Kid Cards, wall cards, posters, and alphabet handwriting strips
- Review Decks and Kid Cards that come preassembled and organized in storage containers.
Can I use Saxon Phonics and Spelling 3 with the original Phonics K-2 series?
Saxon Phonics and Spelling 3 was designed to continue the instruction begun in Saxon Phonics and Spelling K, 1, and 2, but it can also be used with Phonics K-2. Since Saxon Phonics and Spelling 3 is a decoding and spelling maintenance program, it should not be implemented until the school has had one of Saxon's phonics K-2 programs in place for at least one year.
How do I determine which of Saxon's phonics programs is right for my students?
Use the placement guide to determine which Saxon phonics program to use.
Math
What do the titles of the Saxon Math books mean/stand for?
The titles of the Saxon Math texts for Grades 4-8 (Math 54, Math 65, Math 76, Math 87) are quite unique. The numbers in the titles refer to the grade levels appropriate to each text. Since these Saxon Math books are skill-level specific, they can cross over grade levels. Specifically, the numbers in each book mean the following:
How does this program compare with a regular basal program?
New learning is presented in increments rather than chapters. Additionally, the program provides daily practice of all previously taught skills.
Why doesn't Saxon have a Geometry book?
Geometry is integrated throughout the Saxon mathematics program. The United States remains the only industrialized country in which students normally take a separate course in geometry. Saxon follows the example of the Asian and European countries by offering an integrated curriculum instead of one comprising separate, compartmentalized courses. The treatment of geometry is integrated throughout the entire series and is most heavily concentrated in Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics. Students who complete both Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics will have completed one full year of Euclidean geometry.
How do students get "Geometry" on their transcripts?
Students who complete Algebra 2 have taken the equivalent of a course in informal geometry; the course title could include the words "Informal Geometry." Students who complete Advanced Mathematics have completed the equivalent of two semesters of geometry as well as one semester of trigonometry and one semester of advanced algebra/precalculus.
Is a calculator required with upper level Saxon textbooks?
Many problems in Advanced Mathematics and Calculus require the use of a scientific or graphing calculator. Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 also contain some problems that require the use of calculators. However, most problems can be worked without the aid of a calculator. We believe that it is beneficial for students to master basic facts and skills rather than use the calculator to perform simple calculations. A calculator should be a tool, not a dependency.
Is an inservice video available?
Inservice videos are available for primary, middle, and upper grades. In each video, the first part is an overview of the mathematics series. The second part uses actual classroom footage to illustrate our recommended procedure for teaching the mathematics program, and for Grades 9-12, a third part of the tape demonstrates Saxon's Test Generating software. These videos are available at no charge. Contact your local Educational Representative or Saxon's home office at (800) 284-7019 to receive your copy.
How much preparation time is required for each lesson?
Preparation time for lessons varies for each program.
How can I buy extra copies of previous editions of Saxon Math books?
Please call Customer Service at (800) 284-7019 for availability of, and pricing information for, previous editions. Please be aware that for many texts, quantities are limited.