We had the opportunity to review the digital download of Math Mammoth‘s Light Blue Series Grade 3 curriculum.
When you homeschool, there are so many choices you have to make and I think one of the most difficult is finding the right curriculum that works for your child as well as for you as the teacher. I found that match in Math Mammoth.
Math Mammoth is a full service math website offering complete math curriculum for first through seventh grades, supplemental math materials for third through eighth grade students and real-life math through its Making It Real Learning! curriculum for third through twelfth graders. The website was created in 2006 by Maria Miller to promote and sell the math e-books she has been writing since 2002. Miller has a master’s degree in math and minors in both physics and statistics, which enabled her to create an effective math program that has grown over the years.
We had the opportunity to review the download version of Math Mammoth Light Blue Series Grade 3 Complete Curriculum, which is part of the Light Blue Series. The curriculum comes with a two-part work text (part A {see sample} and part B {see sample} – a total of 321 lessons combined), answer keys, user guide, supportive material and a Soft-Pak. A worksheet maker is available when you purchase the download version, but Internet access is required. The curriculum is also available on a CD or as a physical copy. The downloads are convenient, but if you choose a physical copy, you will be pleased with the glossy-covered, colorful and well-bound printed book of the curriculum.
We have used Math Mammoth in the past and I like the approach and presentation. It is mastery-based and presented in a manner that allows the student to work independently. That is helpful for the teacher and gives your child a chance to practice self-management.
Although the complete curriculum does not begin until the first grade, Miller does offer some suggestions for your kindergarten student, so he may begin his math studies and be prepared for the offerings of the first grade Math Mammoth curriculum.
I am a very hands-on teacher. When I say that, I mean that I feel like I need to be present every step of the way to ensure my child is learning. Miller’s presentation of the material eliminates that need with thorough examples of how the work is to be completed. Interestingly enough, that is one of the features I love about the curriculum. Depending upon the age of your child, you can pretty much hand him a worksheet, let him complete the work on his own and just make sure you are available for questions.
I did spend time with Canyon to read him the instructions. At the beginning of each new section, we walked through the examples together. That way, I was able to see how he was thinking and able to ensure he understood what he was to do. Some of the topics covered in Grade 3 are:
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multiplication and division
money
fractions
area and perimeter
addition and subtraction in problem solving
After each chapter, there is a test and a cumulative chapter review. Both the tests and reviews are thorough to ensure your child understands the material he just completed as well as what was presented in previous chapters.
Other features of Math Mammoth I really like are being able to present my children with their lessons and know they are able to work independently if needed. The exercises in the lessons are practical demonstrating how to think about math in real-life terms. There are also challenge sections (and exercises) where your child has to use math reasoning and learned skills to find solutions. Although it is mastery, the chapter reviews give the student an opportunity to pull from their memory skills what they have learned from other chapters. The math program we are currently using is spiral and Math Mammoth was a good mix. Some of the chapters we used were Chapter 7: Geometry, Chapter 3: Multiplication Tables and Chapter 5: Money to correspond with our current studies. The exercises were focused in those chapters and allowed Canyon to practice more in those areas. The suggested number of pages to complete for third grade is 1.78 pages a day or 8.92 per week. I printed the worksheets and we worked at a pace of about six pages a week since we used it as a supplement. When the worksheets were done, math was done for the day.
I would say, don’t be afraid of the math worksheet. Math Mammoth worksheets are not busy work, but instead are straight-to-the-point presentation of math. The time your child spends covering the material in the lessons is concise, but thorough. Another plus regarding Math Mammoth is the affordability of the curriculum. Miller has really put great effort into providing a thorough and comprehensive curriculum for a very reasonable price. I will say that after doing this review, I am seriously considering returning to Math Mammoth as our full math program.
Some reading that may be helpful for you as you consider Math Mammoth is giving your child a placement test, reading the FAQs and a comparison page } of how Math Mammoth compares to other math curriculum on the market.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
A download version of Math Mammoth Grade 3 Complete Curriculum is available as a complete set for $37.50 (love the price), as individual sets – – 5-A ($18.75) and 5-B ($18.75) and supportive material ($8.95) or on a CD with complete material for $42.50. The download and immediate access worked well for me.
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