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Math Mammoth (Light Blue Series)

Publisher: Math Mammoth
Author: Maria Miller
Review last updated: January 2012
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Math Mammoth

Math Mammoth 6B

Math Mammoth seems to be an underground, “overnight success” in the homeschool marketplace. With little fanfare and no significant marketing budget that I have noticed, Math Mammoth has garnered lots of attention along with many fans in a relatively short period of time.

Math Mammoth offers a few different options, but the primary thing to know is that the Light Blue Series is a complete core curriculum while the Blue Series is supplemental. The Blue Series' content is almost identical to that of the Light Blue Series, but it is arranged and sold in small, topical units rather than as grade level texts. (Great for those who need to focus on a topic like fractions.)

Math Mammoth can be purchased in traditional, printed book format on CD-ROM or as downloadable files. Printed books are purchased through Lulu or Rainbow Resource Center on the internet. (Links are on the Math Mammoth web site.) Most users purchase the downloadable versions, probably because of both convenience and cost. The price for downloads is fantastic at only $34 for a complete grade level—or even better, $136 for grades 1 through 6, which works out to less than $23 a grade level. For those with downloading problems, all grade levels can be purchased on a single CD-ROM for $141. Keep in mind that you can print out the pages from either the download or the CD over and over again to be used with all children in your family.

The price alone is enough to cause you to sit up and take notice, but the content is also top notch. Some people have compared Math Mammoth with Singapore Primary Mathematics since both programs teach for mastery and understanding. Both explain concepts thoroughly, generally using visual illustrations to present new concepts. Also, both programs employ a number of different ways to explain new concepts so they can reach different learning styles. Math Mammoth adds occasional use of simple, inexpensive manipulatives such as a $10 abacus, ruler, measuring cup, and printable fraction manipulatives (that come with level 3) for levels 1 through 4. Fifth grade introduces the calculator, but teaches students to use it appropriately. Word problems and practical applications are used throughout the series so students gain a sense of how math migth be used in real life.

While topics are presented in an order somewhat similar to most other programs, there are some purposeful differences. The scope and sequence is challenging, but not quite as much as Singapore Math. For example both fractions and decimals are introduced at the end of third grade level, with both receiving additional attention in level 4 and extensive atention in level 5. However, decimals are more thoroughly developed before the presentation of multiplication and division of fractions, so that the concepts are intertwined in a very sensible fashion. By the first half of fifth grade (5A), students are already prepared to solve problems such as 10,816/(47 + 5) = y! While this is really just a division and order of operations problem, it prepares students well for future work in algebra as they work with a variable.

Level 5B introduces the concept of linear functions using a coordinate grid. Even though topics are challenging, thorough explanations might make it possible for even math-challenged students to be successful. Or you may skip some of these topics and save them for later.

Level 6 covers ratios and proportions, decimals, factoring, fractions, positive and negative integers used with the four arithmetic operations, percents,  coordinate graphs, geometry (area, volume, and perimeter including volume of a cone), geometric transformations, congruent and similar figures, interpreting charts and graphs, and probability and statistics. Here is an example of the word problems at this level: "Andrew earns $2,100 monthly. He pays 28% of his salary in taxes. Find Andrew’s yearly income after he has paid the taxes" (p. 47).

Most topics are taught for mastery although there is some “spiraling” where topics are taught first with some elements then revisited later with added elements. However, this is far different from Saxon’s spiral approach where topics are taught in small increments coupled with continual, extensive review of previously-taught concepts. Math Mammoth generally concentrates on one topic at a time for a number of lessons.

If you want more practice and review of any topics, the download comes with links for generating hundreds (at least!) of worksheets by topic. Problems are randomly generated, so you could create a number of different worksheets for the same topic if needed.

At the beginning of each chapter Math Mammoth books include many weblinks to other sites on the internet for math games, tools, activities, tutorials, and worksheets. While you can certainly copy the URL's from a printed book, the convenience of hyperlinks makes them much more likely to be used.

Time, money, measurement, graphs and other topics are included throughout the program. Grades 1 through 3 also include optional material about money in Canadian, British, Australian, and European (Euro) currencies.

Author Maria Miller encourages parents to choose when to use the various sections rather than just plow straight through each book. This is really an amazing amount of material and resources for so reasonable a price.

The worktext format includes teaching information directly on the worksheets. Pages are produced in full color, but it is not too vivid or distracting. You might choose to print these out on a black-and-white printer, but I did spot at least one instance with a number line (different colors used to reflect two numbers being added) where the color was very useful. There might be other such instances, but you can always look again at the lesson directly on the computer if you run into a problem. (The one preprinted book I received from Lulu has a color cover but is otherwise printed in black-and white, so I assume that Math Mammoth views the color as optional.)

The worktexts are presented as PDF files, but they are enabled for annotation which means students can type directly onto the pages on the computer. While the computer does not correct or score the pages, students may print them out or save them. (Be sure to save your original files if you want to reuse them!)

There are some brief teaching notes at the beginning of each chapter that shouldn’t be skipped. Even with using these notes, explanations on the worksheets might be too brief for some students, so a parent or teacher should probably be assisting as students tackle new concepts. Parents will likely need to be more involved with younger students than older. Once students have grasped concepts, they should be able to work independently.

The program features plenty of thought-provoking word problems. These problems coupled with the other methods of lesson presentation will certainly help students develop both conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills. However, some students might need help working through some of these problems.

Tests, cumulative reviews, and answer keys are all included in the download or on the CD. The Math Mammoth web site offers free placement tests, free worksheets, and other helps.

In my opinion, Math Mammoth is an amazingly well-developed program for such a reasonable price. In my opinion, Math Mammoth has created a very high quality product that can function as a traditional program while also taking advantage of the internet and the computer to enhance the course with valuable extras.

Instant Key

  • Suitable for: one-on-one instruction and some independent work
    Need for parent/teacher instruction: moderate
    Prep time needed: minimal
    Teacher's manual: N/A;
    Religious perspective: none

Publisher's Info