Math Mammoth Lightblue Series
108 pages
108 pages
129 pages
131 pages
144 pages
158 pages
173 pages
170 pages
Math Mammoth Lightblue books constitute a complete elementary mathematics curriculum for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each grade level consists of two worktexts (A and B), their answer keys, tests, and an additional worksheet maker.
These products are available for download at Kagi store for $27 per grade level.
Main Features
Some main features of the Math Mammoth complete curriculum are:
- focuses on understanding of mathematical concepts
- uses clear explanations, lots of visual exercises and pattern exercises
- mastery oriented: concentrates fairly long on a topic, with fairly few topics per grade
- emphasizes mental math and developing number sense
- practically self-teaching for kids who can read; thus very little teacher preparation needed: perfect for busy homeschool moms or teachers
Please follow the links below to read description of each grade level, see the samples, and the table of contents.
*BONUS*: If you buy the above products in Kagi store (as downloads), you will also get Soft-Pak elementary math & language arts programs completely free.
Placement / diagnostic tests
The tests below are "end of the year" tests. In other words, they are meant to be taken AFTER studying the particular grade. You can use them as diagnostic tests or to help you with placement into Math Mammoth curriculum. I advice that in order to start with Math Mammoth complete worktext for grade X, the student should get a grade of 80% or more in the previous year's "end of year" test.
Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 1
Answers to Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 1
Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 2
Answers to Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 2
Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 3
Answers to Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 3
Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 4
Answers to Math Mammoth End of Year Test, Grade 4
General questions and answers concerning the LightBlue books
1. Is there a teacher's manual?
In the beginning of each chapter there are notes for the teacher (Introduction), but this curriculum does not contain a separate teacher's manual nor scripted lessons. I've tried to create a text that is as self-explanatory as possible, so that a separate manual wouldn't be needed. This saves time for the teacher. Also, many elementary students will be able to just read and learn through the lessons on their own (once they can read).
2. What is a worktext?
Worktext means that the books contain the explanations and the problems. Simply put, the textbook and problems are in the same book. This is especially useful for homeschooling and for any kind of independent study.
3. Will the regular Blue Series be sufficient or is the Lightblue series required to be used first?
You don't need to use the Lightblue series first if you acquire the Blue Series books. These two series have a lot in common — a lot of the same material.
The Blue Series is not totally sufficient though. It lacks a few topics for grades 1-3, such as: Roman numerals, and early geometry (shapes). Also it does not contain tests and is not organized per grade level but per topic.
4. How does the complete curriculum (Lightblue books) compare with Singapore math?
Please read comparisons of Math Mammoth with other homeschool math curricula here.
6. Are earlier concepts reviewed in later levels?
To some extent, but not nearly so much as in typically spiral curricula. For example, I often introduce somewhat difficult topics in two grades. A few topics are "introductory" in one grade and "in focus" in the next. For example:
- Adding so that the result "goes over 10" is included in the last half of 1st grade and first half of 2nd; for example 6 + 8.
- Borrowing over zeros is included both in 2nd and 3rd.
- Multi-digit multiplication (the algorithm) is touched in 3rd grade but studied in length in the first part of 4th grade.
- Multiplication concept is introduced in the very end of 2nd but studied in depth in 3rd.
- Concept of a decimal is introduced briefly in the end of 3rd, and then studied quite a bit more on 4th. It will also be studied in more depth in 5th.
- Fractions are introduced a tiny bit in 2nd grade, gradually studied a little bit more in 3rd and 4th. 5th grade will be the "focus" for them, where we'll study all the fraction operations.
Some elementary mathematics topics are covered over several years in a spiraling style, such as place value (with increasing digits), measuring units, some geometry vocabulary (pentagon, octagon, parallel), clock reading, coins, and money problems.
These topics are NOT reviewed in any great depth, but mastery is expected: single digit addition/ subtraction after 1st grade, double-digit addition/subtraction after 2nd, clock reading or coins after 3rd. Multiplication tables and basic division receive a quick review in 4th grade but not after that. I cannot list every single concept and its progression in this short space though.
7. Are tests included?
Yes. There is a chapter test after each chapter and an end of year test to be used after each grade level.
8. Will you be writing more grade levels?
Yes. During the latter part of 2008 I'll be working on 5th grade material. Once that's ready (probably 2009), I will start 6th grade. I haven't decided anything beyond that.
9. What about kindergarten math? At what age is it appropriate to start your 1st grade books?
There is no Math Mammoth kindergarten books, but I've written a fairly comprehensive article about what you can do in kindergarten math. You can start 1st grade once a child can write and recognize numbers, count to 20 (preferably to 30 or beyond), has mastered basic concepts of equivalence, more, and less; and has a basic idea of addition.
Origin of the curriculum
Math Mammoth books had their start at around 2002, when the author Maria Miller was tutoring
homeschooling children, and noticed the difficulties their parents had in explaining mathematics.
This series is designed to help homeschool parents explain and teach processes and concepts of elementary math. The books contain very clear explanations, lots of visual exercises, and pattern exercises that help children see the structure of mathematics and clearly understand the concepts of mathematics, instead of just memorizing rules.
Ample practice for computation is not forgotten either. Word problems abound.
Math Mammoth curriculum lets children concentrate longer on one topic so as to learn it well, before moving on, building good mastery of key concepts among elementary students.
The goal of the curriculum is to first achieve mastery of one topic, and then move on and build on it. Therefore, in this curriculum you will quite likely see fewer topics per grade, and less review of earlier topics in higher grades. However, as noted above, some topics are repeated over several grades.
