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How to use Math Mammoth to meet California standards
Now, California has very strict standards when it comes to math. I personally feel they are a bit too strict and advanced. My Math Mammoth books are definitely not perfectly aligned with California standards -- yet they are not too far off if you can combine the material from two neighboring grade levels in Math Mammoth to meet the standards of one grade level in California.
For this outline, I checked tests released by California education department for grades 2-6 to get an idea of what kind of topics are in the standardized tests. As it turns out, Math Mammoth actually fares fairly well against California's mathematics standards. The table below lists the topics that are missing from each grade level in Math Mammoth, and resources to cover those topics.
There doesn't seem to be a test for grade 1, so I have omitted it from here too. Math Mammoth grade 1 is probably adequate for California grade 1 because it is not lagging behind in grade 2 (I found only a few topics missing from MM 2 that are in California grade 2 test).
The basic "recipe" is to use the corresponding Math Mammoth grade level, and to add to it a few supplemental things.
| Grade level | Main topics missing
in Math Mammoth | Ideas for supplementation |
| Grade 2 |
* Multiplication tables of 2, 5, and 10
committed to memory
* Concept of division (as equal sharing)
* What are faces, edges, and vertices
in a three-dimensional solid
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Use the chapter for multiplication from MM 3 to study the multiplication tables of 2, 5, and 10.
Use the chapter for division from MM 3 to study the concept of division (the first few lessons).
Explain to a child about faces, edges, and vertices of a solid (can use MM 3 again).
Study through the released California grade 2 math test with the child (it's an end-of-year test).
Use the self-check quizzes from this site.
|
| Grade 3 |
* multi-digit multiplication
* long division
* concepts of more likely, less likely,
and equally likely
|
Use the chapters for multi-digit multiplication and long division from MM 4.
Study through the released California grade 3 math test with the child (it's an end-of-year test).
Use the self-check quizzes from this site.
|
| Grade 4 |
* rounding decimals
* concept of integers (not calculations)
* factoring
* using formulas
* solving equations
* coordinate grid
* bilateral and rotational symmetry
* classification of triangles
* classification of quadrilaterals
* probability
* median
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While there are many topics missing from MM 4 that are in CA standards, a child that studies MM 4 will still get a very good foundation for most of the standards. Some of the missing topics are very minor items (such as median, or rotational symmetry). Some are fairly easy (such as the concept of integers). Solving equations seems to be present quite a bit in the test, and some of this is taught in MM 4, some is in MM 5.
See the released California grade 4 math test (it's an end-of-year test) to get an idea of what is required.
For the most part, you can use the corresponding lessons for these missing topics from MM 5. You need to go to MM 6 for probability and factoring. Some topics you can choose to just not teach at this point—missing a few questions on a test should not make the child fail the whole test.
Use the self-check quizzes from this site.
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| Grade 5 |
* exponents
* factoring
* divide a decimal by a decimal
* algebraic expressions
* substitution in an algebraic
expression
* angle sum of a triangle
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You can use the corresponding lessons for these missing topics from MM 6.
Please use the released California grade 5 math test (it's an end-of-year test) to get an idea of what is required.
Use the self-check quizzes from this site.
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| Grade 6 |
* negative fractions
* matching algebraic expressions
to situations
* vertical, adjacent, complementary,
and supplementary angles
* simple random sampling
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Fortunately, these missing topics are not very numerous, and so students studying MM 6 should fare reasonably well in a test even if they have not studied these topics.
* Negative fractions are typically included in an algebra 1 curriculum (see number lines for negative fractions).
* Matching algebraic expressions to real-life situations is a skill that doesn't come immediately; students need practice with it. Math Mammoth grades 5 and 6 help some, and most pre-algebra and algebra curricula provide more practice.
* You can easily find definitions of vertical, adjacent, complementary, and supplementary angles online and study them. They are just "vocabulary words," so to speak.
* You can read this about simple random sampling or search more in the Internet. It is not a difficult concept; it just means every item in the sample has to had an equal chance of being selected.
Please see the released California grade 6 math test (it's an end-of-year test) to get an idea of what is required.
I would also suggest using the self-check quizzes from this site
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To read more about Math Mammoth complete curriculum, follow the links below:
Math Mammoth grade 1
Math Mammoth grade 2
Math Mammoth grade 3
Math Mammoth grade 4
Math Mammoth grade 5
Math Mammoth grade 6
Better Yet - Package Deals!
Blue Series - $95 (download) or $100 (CD)
Blue Series for grades 1-3 - $38 (download)
Blue Series for grades 4-6 - $57 (download)
Light Blue Series - $136 (download) or $141 (CD)
Light Blue Series for grades 1-3 - $68 (download)
Light Blue Series for grades 4-6 - $68 (download)
Golden/Green Series - $65 (download) or $70 (CD)
All Inclusive - $192 (download) or $197 (CD)
"Everything" Bundle - $240 (download only)
Learn more about these Math Mammoth bundles!
*BONUS*: Buy any bundle listed above, and get the fully upgraded Soft-Pak software with more features and options for FREE (includes 4 math, 1 language arts, 2 testing programs).
*BONUS* - SOFT-PAK MATH SOFTWARE
I bet you'd have to agree: this is a steal! You can get Soft-Pak math programs (list price $24.95) for just a small $3.50 s&h fee - just by ordering ANY of my books at Kagi or CurrClick!
* Math Maker, for printable math activities with answer keys
* Math Master, for on screen practice of various math topics
* Math User, for answering the 900 multi-level word problems
* True/False Math Challenger for mastering facts 1-12
NOTE: if you purchase any one of the Math Mammoth bundles at Kagi store, you will get Soft-Pak in the download or included on the CD for FREE.
Soft-Pak may also be purchased at great 75% discount without a Math Mammoth purchase - click here for details.
How and where to order
You can buy Math Mammoth books at:
- Kagi store - all of the downloads and CDs. I maintain five different order pages at Kagi:
Kagi accepts all major credit cards, Paypal (USD), checks, cash, money orders, purchase orders, wire transfers, TrialPay, and even cash. Read more about the payment methods here. Please see Kagi Shopper Help for any other questions about the ordering process.
After completing the order at Kagi, you will see the download links on the receipt page. You will also receive an email with download links for each book you bought, or for a zip file for the packages. You click on the links and download the books to your computer's hard drive.
In case of any problems with the download, you can always email me, and I can email the books to you directly. My contact info will be in the email you receive.
- CurrClick.com carries all Blue, Golden, and Light Blue series books as downloads. They accept credit cards and Paypal. You will be able to download the products immediately upon the purchase, and also return to your account at CurrClick to redownload.
- Lulu offers printed copies for the Blue, Golden, and Light Blue series books. You can also find links to Rainbow Resource on the individual product pages on this site.
- Rainbow Resource carries printed copies for the Light Blue series books, plus the Light Blue CD. You can also find links to Rainbow Resource on the individual product pages on this site.
By purchasing any of the books, permission IS granted for the teacher (or parent) to reproduce this material to be used with his/her students in a teaching situation; not for commercial resale. However, you are not permitted to share the material with another teacher.
In other words, you are permitted to make copies for the students/children you are teaching, but not for other teachers' usage.
Math Mammoth books are PDF files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them, including if you use a Mac or Linux. You can try other PDF viewers, but they seem to either omit or mess up some of the images.
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