This is a review of Math Mammoth — multiple math options and resources for your child — created by Maria Miller. She has compiled hundred of pages of text and worksheets, organized as a complete curriculum, available for grades 1-6; or as worktexts/worksheets, by topic or grade level through grade 8/9 and including Algebra 1.
Maria has spent more than 10 years developing these comprehensive math resources for Math Mammoth. She has continued to make improvements to them too, adding new books over the years, and offering them not just in print form, but on CD; and as PDF downloads as well. She has free tests on the website that can be used as basic math diagnostic tests. I find these especially useful in determining any topic gaps or weak areas in my child’s math education to date. In addition, Maria is more than willing to assist you with reading the test results and choosing grade level or topic placement.
Contact ~ Maria Miller – www.mathmammoth.com/contact.php
There are also more than 350 free worksheets and sample pages from Math Mammoth products and from Make It Real Learning activity workbooks, available on the Math Mammoth website. My Schoolhouse Review Crew mates have used and reviewed the various products offered by Math Mammoth. You can read their reviews when you click on the banner below and follow the link.
I have been using the Light Blue Series, for 3rd grade, with my daughter. The Light Blue Series complete curriculum resources include a Student Worktext A and B, along with answer keys, cumulative reviews; and tests for each specified grade level.
The Student Worktexts are the most important part of the curriculum. In each worktext you find the lesson material, a thorough explanation of concepts; and exercises. We read the topic introduction together and then I answer any questions my daughter might have. There is no prep work for me. In all honesty, the text practically teaches itself, because Maria Miller is very clear and concise in her direction. She has visualized how she would teach and tried to transpose that to the Student Worktext. I usually watch my daughter work a couple of problems, and if she seems to grasp the concept then I assign some of the exercises for practice and reinforcement. There are 163 pages in the Grade 3-A Worktext, and 158 in 3-B. They are divided into ten chapters covering: Addition & Subtraction, Multiplication Concept, Multiplication Tables, Telling Time, Money, Place Value with Thousands, Geometry, Measuring, Division; and Fractions. Each chapter lists numerous internet websites that can be used to supplement book work as desired. During the week, we choose 2 or 3 online games or worksheets that she can do for fun and added practice. Maria’s tried to think of everything, and as I said previously, she’s always making improvements. “The PDF files in the download or CD are enabled for annotating. This means that the student can actually complete the PDF file on the computer, using the typewriter and drawing tools available in Acrobat Reader version 9 or higher, or on a tablet device such as an iPad, using a PDF app that has annotating tools.” The downloadable version of the curriculum includes a Worksheet Maker for extra worksheets, and conveniently there is a separate PDF file for each chapter cumulative review and test. Many of the lessons have been completed in a day, but several have had to be spread out over 2 or 3 days. In general, we spend an hour to an hour and a half each day on this course.
The main difference we have noticed while using Math Mammoth – Light Blue Series is that it spends concentrated, in-depth time on a topic, as opposed to skipping or jumping from topic to topic within a lesson; giving ample time and practice for mastery. It doesn’t rely on drills & memorization as much as understanding & knowledge gained. Maria encourages one to “plan your mathematics school year as a set of certain topics, instead of a certain book or certain pages from a book.” I haven’t worked our math curriculum in this manner before now, but it seems to make sense and is working very well for my daughter. A single topic, like fractions, can be mastered much quicker than the entire 3rd year math book, and she gains confidence each time she “conquers” a specific topic. Her ability is affirmed more often and her desire to tackle the subject is evident when she enthusiastically asks, “May I do my math, now.”
There are a few manipulatives needed for the Grade 3 Curriculum: an analog clock, a ruler, a measuring tape, measuring cups; and kitchen scales. Other than these items, the curriculum is complete. The full set download is $34.00, a CD is $39.00; and printed material is $45.95. There are obvious added printing costs with the purchase of the download or the CD, but I still feel like it’s a good value.
I plan to read the reviews of the Blue Series, because it is worktexts for various topics, with each book covering 2-3 grade levels. I expect that it is as well written as the Light Blue Series, and I’ll be able to use it to review and bridge some gaps with a couple of my older children. Would your child benefit from using Math Mammoth?
Blessings,
Disclaimer* I received Light Blue Series – Grade 3, full set curriculum download, in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for your comments. I enjoy hearing from you!
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