I am rather familiar with the Math Mammoth company, as I had the opportunity to review for them last year. I found them to be quick, easy and extremely affordable. This time around is no exception. I was given four selections to work through with my family-2 for the elementary student and 2 for my teen. Now before you go any further with this review, please take a hop over to my review on the Measuring and the Pre-Algebra set from last year's voyage. Be sure to come back though, as these are four different products am discussing here.
The elementary books were my favorite ones this time around. I found them to be great supplements for my son's regular math curriculum. I like that I could go through the wide selection of topics to then select the ones he needed the most help with. The directions are clear and easy to understand. Most lessons were about 2 pages-which is extremely helpful for maintaining his attention. There are four areas of concentration the Math Mammoth worktexts are broken down into-the ones we selected are from the Blue Series.
- one-half and fourth parts
- concept of a fraction
- concept of a mixed number
- adding and subtracting like fractions
- adding and subtracting mixed numbers with like fractional parts
- equivalent fractions with pictures
- comparing fractions - special cases.
- finding fractional part of a whole using division
We have just started working intensely on fractions and this suited our needs perfectly. I simply printed the necessary lessons and popped them into his workbox for the day. And because it is for grades 1-3, I can stretch it out over several semesters. You can download some sample pages [look for the icon on the right-hand side of the Intro to Fractions page] to test drive it for yourself. I have included a two-page section of what my son did so you can see what a typical lesson looks like.
Early Geometry Grades 1-3, $2.75 eBook download
Topics it covers:
- shapes
- creating new shapes by combining shapes
- parallel lines
- right angles
- beginning lessons on area, perimeter, symmetry and solids
This is my son's favorite one so far. I like that I have little teacher prep, and can teach the concept in a few short minutes. I have included another picture of one of his lessons, but you can also download a few sample pages for yourself. Again-just look on the right of the screen on the Early Geometry info page. I will be purchasing more of these units as we progress through his math. I highly recommend this series to anyone who has a child that requires more practice in various math topics, and the price is amazingly low-hence the piggy bank icon. You will need to print your books (but look through the site because some texts are available in hard copy) but it is minimal and can be spread out over many weeks.
You can also purchase a full math curriculum for grades 1-5 under their Light Blue Series if you are looking for a complete program.
For the younger grade levels:
and/or 
The younger children will need some guidance-but not much as this serves as a supplemental activity.
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[I found it better suited for high school due to some of the concepts discussed, but if your child is working through a more advanced math text-they should be able to do some of these activities].
Topics covered:
- mean, median, mode
- probability
- working with sets and combinations
- principals of counting (percentages)
- permutations
- expected value
- combinations and probability (events, theoretical, game strategy)
This one uses real life type examples to draw the student into what they are to be figuring out. That way they can relate, which can be missing from most math products. As with the upper level choice from last year, you need to know what it is you are talking about. This is a supplemental eText and has no real instructions, outside of the answers (which thankfully, are provided just after each section), so you are on your own. I struggled trying to explain some of these things to my teen-simply because it has been over 5 years since I taught a lot of this, and because she is a bit behind in her math to begin with. So my advice it be sure you know what it is they are asking-unless you have a highly math directed child in your home. Otherwise, you may become frustrated like we did. I have 2 college level students who have taken a slew of math, and even they were confused by some of the signs in the lessons (but in their defense-it too had been some time since they had Stats math classes and ones which covered these concepts)..so, my solution is to seek the advice of a more math savvy pal to assist me. I think I have mentioned this before-but I am NOT a math person...so that could be why. Neither is this student of mine. I will add these mini-lessons in with her math program as we move along throughout the year(s). Certainly do not let our experience keep you from trying this one-it is a true gem. I love the way the program uses everyday objects to get the point across, and I like that I can zero in on the type of activities my student needs reinforement with...I just don't love that I have to "research" what is I am helping her with (my problem, not most folks). And because I am one of those who will work to figure it out [eventually]-I know this will be a valuable product for my kids, once I can carve out time to do so.
complements Algebra I and II concepts
Topics include:
- linear equations (choosing cell phone plans, college graduates real world meaning of slope of a line, converting temperatures, gov't nutrition programs rate of change, life spans, making money and music downloads)
- problems which address real world information,companies, issues
- lessons which lend themselves very easily to group discussion/solution solving (good for co-op or HS group activities)
Now to be fair to, Maria sent this to us even though it is above what we are studying (she is the gal behind Math Mammoth, and is very helpful in providing ideas and where to start information), it is above what my teen has covered up to this point, so we didn't technically use it. I did however, provide a couple worksheets to a fellow HSing dad who also happens to teach this stuff at our local HS group. He is a math person, and kindly offered his take on such things. He was impressed that this is designed to use real life objects/products/services that a teen is familiar with. He also said, that for children who need to have that kind of connection-it was a good supplement to their studies. Of course, he was able to read the directions and then know right off the bat-what it is they are to be doing [different from my glazed over expression]. So, I guess I simply cannot stress this enough...be sure you know what they are to be doing, or have someone who can explain these worksheets to your student(s), in order to get the full benefit of this program, as these are supplements not an instructional text. Even though the answers are provided in a nice orderly fashion, the student has to have had some exposure to these particular math concepts in order to truly use them effectively.
For both the higher level work eTexts, we found that they will be more helpful once we have had more time to work through the material covered in them....so right now, we have to shelf them. I am very grateful for the opportunity to revisit the Math Mammoth site and to be able to try out a few more of Maria's great selection of eBook math materials [you can buy hard copies of some products, be sure to check the website for more information]-and I hope you too will find just what you need to help give your student extra practice, or a whole math curriculum!
For the upper elementary through high school students material
for those who have no problem with such concepts
and/or Some children will need further instruction from you/guidance-.
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Prices listed above-varies. You may also purchase packages with contain all or most of the series, so be sure to look over those options too.
Visit our TOS Review Crew Homepage for more information on this, and many other fine homeschool products.
***Math Mammoth provided me with a free copy each [in eBook form] of Introduction to Fractions, Early Geometry; Sets,Probability,Statistics I, and Linear Functions I to use and test out with my children. I have provided my own opinion of these products, and did not receive financial compensation for my review.
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