Saxon Math vs. Teaching Textbooks: Which Homeschool Math Curriculum is Right for Your Child?

Choosing a math curriculum is one of the most debated decisions in homeschooling. Two programs that consistently top the list are Saxon Math and Teaching Textbooks — but they take very different approaches to instruction. This comparison breaks down how each works, who thrives with each one, and which is the better fit depending on your child's learning style and your teaching preferences.

Overview:

Saxon Math has been a staple of homeschooling for decades. It uses an incremental approach, meaning each lesson introduces a small new concept while continuously reviewing previously learned material. This spiral method means students rarely move on and forget — instead, they practice old skills alongside new ones every single day. Teaching Textbooks is a fully digital curriculum that combines video lessons, automated grading, and a conversational teaching style. A friendly, on-screen tutor walks students through each lesson, making it accessible for students who prefer to learn independently.`

  

Approaches to Learning:

Saxon Math is teacher-intensive in the lower grades. Parents read scripted lessons aloud, use manipulatives, and guide students through problems. In upper grades, students can work more independently, but the program still requires parental involvement to check work and guide corrections. Teaching Textbooks is largely self-taught. Students log in, watch the video lesson, complete the problems, and receive instant automated feedback. Parents receive a progress report but rarely need to sit beside their child. This is a significant advantage for families with multiple children or parents who feel less confident in higher math.`

Pros and Cons:

Saxon Math Pros: Proven track record over 40+ years. Thorough, systematic review prevents forgotten concepts. Strong preparation for standardized tests. Affordable printed textbooks available used. Saxon Math Cons: Can feel repetitive for students who master concepts quickly. Requires significant parental time, especially in K–3. No built-in grading — parents grade every lesson. Teaching Textbooks Pros: Fully self-directed for students in grades 3 and up. Automated grading saves hours per week. Engaging video instruction works well for visual learners. No prep time for parents. Teaching Textbooks Cons: Subscription-based pricing adds up over the years. Some families find it moves slower than other programs. Not ideal for students who prefer working on paper.`

Pricing:

Saxon Math textbooks can be purchased new for $60–$120 per level, or found used for $15–$40. Teaching Textbooks runs approximately $30/month per subject as a subscription, or around $120–$200 for an annual license per level.`

Who Should Choose Saxon Math?

Saxon Math is an excellent choice for families who want a rigorous, proven curriculum and are willing to invest time in teaching. It works especially well for children who benefit from daily review and repetition, and for families who prefer low-tech, paper-based learning. It is also ideal for budget-conscious homeschoolers who buy used materials.`

Who Should Choose Teaching Textbooks?

Teaching Textbooks is ideal for families who need a hands-off math solution, for children who are motivated self-learners, and for parents who want automated grading. It is particularly well-suited for middle and high school students who can work independently, and for parents who feel less confident teaching advanced math concepts themselves.`

Verdict:

Both programs produce strong math students — the difference is in the delivery. If you want a low-prep, screen-based experience that your child can navigate alone, Teaching Textbooks wins. If you want a rigorous, proven system and do not mind daily involvement, Saxon Math is hard to beat. Many families actually use Saxon in the early grades and transition to Teaching Textbooks in middle school — a combination that works well for a wide range of learners.`

Welcome to The Curriculum Mom - An Introduction

 

Welcome to The Curriculum Mom — A Former Teacher's Honest Guide to Homeschooling

By Kelsey Peterson  May 2026

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If you had told me five years ago that I would one day pull my own children out of school and teach them at home, I would have laughed. I spent 11 years in a classroom. I wrote lesson plans for a living. I was deep into the school system — because I was part of it.

And then everything changed.

From the Classroom to the Kitchen Table

I taught special education/DHH for 11 years at public schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. I loved it. I loved the kids, the curriculum design, the challenge of reaching a student who had been written off by everyone else. Teaching wasn't just a job for me — it was a calling.

But when my own children reached school age, I started seeing things differently.

My oldest daughter did well in school. She made straight A's, loved her teachers, ect. There were no real concerns as far as her excelling academically. My second daughter - same. She wasn't as enthusiastic about school. However, she did well. She had a ton of good friends. No big concerns. 

I had always had a pull and desire to homeschool my children, before I even gave birth to them. But, I loved my job and the feeling of a purpose it gave me in other children's lives. Quite honestly, I also needed that income at the time. 

Here's where things had to change though. I watched my youngest son — a curious, creative, ball of energy— slowly lose enthusiasm for curiosity and learning inside a system I knew intimately. I recognized the constraints his teachers were working under. I know why the one-size-fits-all approach existed.  I also knew, as an educator myself, that it wasn't working for my son; and it never would.

So I made the hardest professional decision of my life: I brought them home.

What I Discovered on the Other Side

Here is what nobody tells you about transitioning from teacher to homeschool parent: the hardest part is not the academics. It is unlearning everything you thought you knew about how children have to learn.

In a classroom of 25, you optimize for the middle. At home, you optimize for your child. That shift — simple as it sounds — changes everything.

My teaching background turned out to be both my greatest asset and my biggest obstacle. I knew curriculum deeply. I could evaluate a program's scope and sequence in minutes. I understood phonics frameworks, math progressions, and writing development. That expertise helped enormously.

But I also had to let go of the rigid structures I had depended on in a classroom. Homeschooling is not school at home — it is something different entirely, and the sooner I accepted that, the better our days became.

Why I Started This Blog

After testing, reviewing, and sometimes abandoning curricula, talking with other homeschool families — I realized I had something valuable to offer other families: an educator's eye without an educator's bias toward institutional schooling.

Most homeschool curriculum reviews are written by parents doing their best to evaluate programs without a pedagogical background. That is completely valid — parent experience matters enormously. But I can offer something additional: I can tell you why a curriculum is structured the way it is, what learning theory it draws from, where its gaps are, and which type of learner it is actually designed to serve.

That is what this blog is for.

What You Will Find Here

At The Curriculum Mom, I publish:

Curriculum Reviews & Comparisons — In-depth, honest evaluations of the most popular homeschool programs across every subject. I do not recommend anything I would not use with my own children.

Subject-by-Subject Buying Guides — Overwhelmed by the options for math? Reading? Science? I break them down by learning style, budget, and grade level so you can make a confident decision without spending hours in Facebook groups.

Homeschool Resources — Scheduling, record-keeping, and structuring your homeschool day in a way that actually works for real families with real lives. As well as additional resources we find helpful!

Honest Takes — I will tell you when a highly rated curriculum is overpriced, when a lesser-known program outperforms its famous competitors, and when the "best" option might not be the best option for your specific child.

A Note on Affiliate Links

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no additional cost to you. I want to be completely transparent about this. I only link to programs and products I have genuinely evaluated and would recommend regardless of any commission. My goal is to save you time and money, not to steer you toward whatever pays the most.

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Let's Figure This Out Together

Whether you are brand new to homeschooling and completely overwhelmed, a seasoned homeschool parent looking for a fresh perspective, or somewhere in between — you are in the right place.

I spent years helping other people's children learn. Now I spend my days helping my own — and helping families like yours find the tools to do the same.

Welcome. I am glad you are here.

— Kelsey Peterson

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Have a curriculum you want me to review? A question about getting started? Drop it in the comments or reach out at The Curriculum Mom Facebook page. I read everything.