Say it isn’t so. Using calculators with our Saxon Math? Like most Home Educators, we try to be organic with the math curriculum’s we use with our kids.  No additives used.  We want our kids to know how to do the math manually.  Step by step.  Using a calculator to solve an equation has most always been out of the question.

My oldest daughter, entering her senior year is getting ready for college.  As we were preparing  for her to take the SAT test, we came across the SAT Calculator Policy, which allows a student to bring a graphing or scientific calculator to be used on the Mathematics level 1 and 2 of the test.  We didn’t have time for her to purchase and learn how to use an advanced calculator so she took her SAT with a basic four function calculator.  She did fine on her test without an advanced calculator, but it did make us reassess our personal policy on allowing calculator use.  Would she have done even better on the SAT’s if she had a good calculator and the know-how to use it?

Because of this we have added a complete line of affordable calculators as options to our Saxon Math Homeschool curriculums.  These calculators were designed for academic use.  We still believe in having our kids learn how to do the work manually, but we are also implementing calculator “know-how” into our teaching.

Our family favorite calculator is the Intermediate Calc-U-Vue.  We love this calculator because it allows you to see the problem and the answer. It also allows scrolling. See below:

For primary grades, we have a simple combo package of 4 function calculator and activity book.  The Primary Calculator Activity Book has 63 pages of problem solving using the primary calculator in patterns, measurements, number sense, and data and chance. 

I’d love to hear your comments and experiences regarding calculator use in your Homeschool.