Math Mammoth Review

 

My elephant-loving daughter and I have enjoyed having the opportunity to review Math Mammoth Grade 1 Complete Curriculum from the Light Blue Series which I was asked to review as part of the TOS Review Crew.

This is my daughter on a mission to find and rescue all of the elephants in the world, living and toy!  Needless to say, she was excited about a math program with a mammoth on the cover.

I realize that ordinarily math has absolutely nothing to do with elephants, but the name of the program is Math “Mammoth”.  A mammoth is the name of a prehistoric elephant.  I was curious as to why the curriculum is named Math Mammoth, and after searching the site to find out, I'm still not absolutely sure.  Though, I could speculate and come up with many clever reasons why it's named after a mammoth.  Regardless, any elephant, prehistoric or modern, makes my daughter smile and jump up and down, so she couldn't wait to get started studying math.

The name of the curriculum and the picture of the cover was enough to get my little one interested and overly excited.  My daughter noticed the mammoth elephant on the cover of the worktext right away, and got so very excited every time I would say it was time for Math Mammoth.

   

It also helped that the curriculum even has a mascot plush mammoth for sale on Amazon to sit next to your child and help encourage math learning.  His name is Mathy.  We didn't buy Mathy because she already had her own Mathy look-alike.

There were also free coloring pages and dot-to-dot activities that featured Mathy, the Math Mammoth mascot!

 

After plunging past the cover art and curriculum name, the meat of the Math Mammoth program was more than complete. The lessons included student worktext/worksheets and teacher guides that also included guidelines and suggestions for games to make math fun, as well as several links to online games and sources for further learning adventures. I also liked how they integrated word problems and a puzzle corner throughout the lessons. See sample pages here.

 

Of course, it didn't hurt that there were even an occasional elephant within the actual math problems:

I received the curriculum in the form of a pdf downloadable to my laptop that runs Windows 7.  While it is not necessarily intended to be used on a mobile device, I used an iZip app with a pdf reader and Evernote to also send it to my iPhone.  I did this because my computer was having technical issues, and I wanted to make sure I had access to the materials, and also so I could view it on the go.



The creator of Math Mammoth, Maria Miller, wrote the books because she saw something lacking in homeschool  math curriculum.

The math program I have been accustomed to using presents material in what is referred to as a continual spiral, or step-by-step, where each new concept is introduced with tons of review questions from previous lessons. Math Mammoth differs from this approach by presenting the lessons in a way that focuses on a few major topics at one time to study each one in detail and to conquer them before moving on.  In other words, students actually learn the concepts.

Math Mammoth:

• Presents the material in an easy-to-understand manner, with lots of colorful pictures and visuals, so the student understands mathematical concepts.
• Is oriented toward mastery of learning topics as the goal.
• Stresses the importance of mental math with a sense for numbers.
• Makes teacher prep time minimal. 

Both worktexts are written by Maria Miller and are part of the Light Blue Series, which is a complete curriculum composed of several topic units.  The package includes:

An answer key for each worktext
Tests
Cumulative Reviews
The curriculum also comes with links to tons of helpful online math games and a Soft-Pak, Worksheet Maker to generate extra practice, as needed. An internet connection is required for this feature.

They offer placement and year-end tests as well.

The first grade curriculum focuses on:

• Addition and subtraction
• Whole numbers and place values through Number 100
• Measuring units
• Geometric shapes
• Clock and time Money

The Grade 1 curriculum includes:

Two student worktexts: Worktext A is 145 pages, of which 129 are lesson pages, including 8 pages of Kindergarten level review.

Worktext B is 144 pages, of which 125 are lesson pages.

I looked over the materials and printed off only the pages as we needed them. Though, the pdfs are apparently interactive with a function called a “Typewriter” setting that allows you or your student to type answers directly onto the pdf from a computer keyboard.

The full Math Mammoth Grade 1 Complete Curriculum Light Blue Series costs $34 for a download version, or $39 on a CD.

You have the option of buying just Set A or Set B, each of which include the student worktexts, answer keys, tests, cumulative reviews, worksheet maker, and Soft-Pak, as follows:

-Set A only - $16.50
-Set B only - $17.50
-Supportive materials only - $7.95. This option does not include the worktext, only includes answer keys, tests, cumulative reviews, worksheet maker, and Soft-Pak.

Please note: If you buy the full curriculum, or individual sets, these supportive materials are included.

If you prefer, you can buy printed copies of the full curriculum, or individual worktexts, that are spiralbound:

-1-A worktext - $17.95 spiralbound
-1-B worktext-$17.95 spiralbound
-Answer Keys - $13.95
-Tests & Cumulative Reviews - $15.95

 In addition to the curriculum, Math Mammoth recommends a few manipulatives for Grade 1:

-A 100 bead abacus
-An old fashioned alarm clock or analog clock with hands the child can turn
-A ruler that measures inches
-A ruler that measures in centimeters

Please read reviews on this and other Math Mammoth products from the Old Schoolhouse Review Crew, here, or click on the picture below:

Homeschooling Tip: Using Art To Teach Math

If you have an artist bent, you're gonna love these two amazing books out from Freddie Levin. One gives step by step instructions as to how to draw princesses and princess-related items, such as a horse and a carriage, or a castle. The other book actually teaches math by using drawing.

How can you use these in homeschool?

Draw Plus Math Enhance Math Learning Trough Art Activities by Freddie Levin is a book that does exactly what the title says. Imagine teaching/learning math without the struggles. The author takes you through a series of drawing activities which contain a math lesson.

The book starts out by teaching basic shapes, colors, and patterns using fish in a tank. It progresses to teach odd and even numbers by drawing odd-numbered eyes on an adorable alien creature, or birthday candles on a cake; learn fractions by drawing pizza slices. There are twenty lessons throughout the book. You can even learn to draw a frog, who helps you add, and then make him a special addition to your princess drawings (next book).

(The above set of 3 drawings is from my 4 year old)

The next book is a 1-2-3 Draw Princesses by Freddie Levin. This book walks you through all the steps necessary for drawing a complete princess from head to toe. But, that's not all. You can learn to draw a tiara, a horse, a carriage and a castle to go with your princess. And, there are not just your commonly-known "Disney" princesses. These princesses also include great warriors such as Nzinga, and scholars such as Eleanor or Aquitane.

Practical Lessons from the Princess book:

Let's face it, Disney does not have the market on all princesses. The author explains that a princess can be thought of in a positive light, or as a spoiled brat. A princess simply means - a daughter of a king, or a queen. In addition, there are many options to use this book, and apply it to your core lessons.

History - There are obvious history-teaching elements in this book.  The Middle Ages was the time of knights and castles. The author has included historical princesses from various countries. With each princess, there is a brief description of who she was and how she served her country. Don't see the one you want to learn about? Choose one or more princesses in history and draw elements of that princess into the princesses you choose to draw from the book. Some of the princesses included in the book are:

Eleanor of Aquitane - Princess of France
Nes Amun - Princess of Ancient Egype
Jahanara - Princess of india
Nzinga - Princess of Africa

(The above drawing is from my 9 year old)

Literature/English Skills - Begin with these fun Knights and Castles worksheets.  Then, read a story about royalty. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a good choice for starters. As you read, allow your children to select princess-like pictures from the 1-2-3 Draw Princesses book and draw along. Often, if you can keep little hands busy, while you read, the child's mind is undistracted and open to focus on the story. If what they are doing to keep their hands busy happens to also fit with what you are reading, all the better for peaceful, connected learning.

There is also a princess reading list included with the "Reading Princess" toward the back of the book.

Spelling - Use the book to pull vocabulary words for spelling, such as:

princess
queen
king
castle
tiara
carriage
horse
ballet
opera


Science -There are some fun science lessons to be learned from frogs to the physics involved in a moat.  Here's a great site to get you started with science and castles.

Math - Math involves more than the numbers 0 through 9. It also involves the use of shapes and patterns. Your child will learn shapes such as circle, triangle, square, and more complicated names and shapes, like a trapezoid. The very first thing the book explains is what these shapes are called, and what they look like. This is important, because this is the foundation of the ability to create the pictures in the book. It also lists out each drawing in a series of steps. These need to be followed in a seuential order, while the child is counting - 1, 2, 3...

Religious Studies - As a homeschooler who does so from a Christian perspective, I'm always trying to weave into my curriculum how it applies to our family's faith. This book is no different. When I read the description of why the author created this book, and what a princess is: a daughter of a king or queen", I immediately thought of how, in the Christian faith, we believe that we are all children of the king. As girls, we are princesses and our boys are princes. There is a prince, by the way, in the book for your son to draw. This description led me to remember a book that is so very helpful in teaching your little girls how to handle the world they are about to walk into as they leave childhood and grow into adolescence. It teaches her how to determine if a "prince" is really a "prince" or just someone who wants to come and "steal her goodness". The book is called "the Princess and the Kiss".

Taking the princess one step farther, you could conduct a unit study on Queen Esther. This is a Bible account that is taught during Purim. But, you could learn about her any time of the year.

I'm sure there are more learning/teaching tips within the covers of these two books. However you choose to use your 1-2-3 Draw Princesses book, or your Draw Plus Math Enhance Math Learning Through Art Activities is up to you, but the both hold tons of possibilities for learning.

Art - And, of course, you can always use the books for simply teaching art alone.  But, with so much more to learn from them, other learning is bound to happen naturally.

Homeschool Review Crew - EdAlive

I was thrilled to get a chance to review a one-year subscription for one student to BOTH, Typing Tournament Online and Maths Invaders Online from EdAlive.

What is the EdAlive?

EdAlive is an Australian-based online subscription site that presents learning in a fun, interactive way. I received access to Maths Invaders Online and Typing Tournament Online. EdAlive Central Teacher Management Module and Single Sign On systems makes it possible for students and teachers to log on and find all of the programs in one place.

Maths Invaders is a game format that provides a comprehensive math program in computations. It covers a wide range of topics for K to the Australian Year 10 level (which seems to equate with approximately a 15 year old student in the USA), from enumeration and mental math calculations.

Typing Tournament Online operates on the concept that the only route to typing mastery is through regular repetition of individual muscle movements and the frequent reinforcement of hand-to-brain correspondences. The program uses a Multiple Progressions Model which allows you to select how steep a learning curve you want to climb, join the curve at any point, and choose to raise or lower your goals at any time. This process is a more positive reinforcement method than the typical negative cycle in most typing courses.

Typing Tournament Online:

Typing Tournament Online includes a 38,000 word sequenced text resource that have been designed to help teach the keystrokes, build muscle memory, and completely engage the child in learning. They are carefully designed to motivate and engage. The program is Australian based but also offers a separate US variant.

The Typing Tournament Online includes 16 levels that include drills, games, and typing tests. Each level introduces a new set of keys. There is an animation on screen to show proper finger placement. It teaches letter keys, space, shift keys, etc. and gradually adds actual words. Basic punctuation is included.

Level 1: a s d f Space

Level 2: ; l k j + R&L Shift
Level 3: h e i t
Level 4: c o r n
Level 5: y w p g
Level 6: u q . b
Level 7: m x v ,
Level 8: z ? ' 1

Letter are then regrouped according to their relationship in keypaths up and down the keyboard instead of across, and numbers are introduced:

Level 9: b g t 5 keypath

Level 10: v f r 4 keypath
Level 11: n h y 6 keypath
Level 12: m j u 7 keypath
Level 13: c d e 3 keypath
Level 14: , k i 8 keypath
Level 15: x s w 2 keypath
Level 16: l o 9 & p 0 keypaths

Maths Invaders Online:

Maths Invaders Online can be used anywhere there is an internet connection including home and school, at any time of day and on any device including iPads and other mobile tablets. The program is designed to help students master learning skills, to teach tables and math facts through repetition and sequencing while, at the same time, developing mental math skills that will stick. The entire program starts at Kindergarten level with simple addition and builds up to more challenging calculations including square roots and powers.

Maths Invaders Online is great for every student, from the gifted to those who need extra guidance and support. It is based on the concept that students learn best when the work presented is targeted to their learning needs. This program allows the student to work at their own pace, choose the number facts to be practices, repetition, mastery, focus on areas needing attention.

It is set up like a game. It is your job to save the planet from math questions that get progressively closer to the bottom of the screen.

It's all online, but you can take some of it offline too:

There is also a section to print off worksheets. This is a Printable Maths Practice Worksheet Generator. You choose the content and skills, and the program generates a printable worksheet:

How Did We Use It?

I was asked to use EdAlive with one child at least four days a week. So, I logged on first to check out the site and see how it works and what it's all about. I then explained it to my daughter and set her up at the computer.

What Did We Think?

We found EdAlive to be very user friendly and self-explanatory, and for the most part easy to use.

FIND EdAlive ON SOCIAL MEDIA @:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdAlive/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edalive
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/edalive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edalive.education/

Read what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:

Homeschool Review Crew - Singapore Math Inc. Dimensions Math 2B

I was thrilled to get a chance to review Dimensions Math PK-5 from Singapore Math Inc. The level I received is Level 2B. Additionally, I received access to online Blackline Masters and resources.

The books are set up in two segments: A and B to correspond with the first and second half of the school year. I received Level 2B, so the lessons begin with Chapter 8.

What is Dimensions Math PK-5 from Singapore Math Inc.?

I received:

A full-color illustrated, glossy paperback, 165-page student text.

A spiral-bound, hardcover glossy teacher manual that includes a full-color picture of the student text pages on each lesson page and answers to the workbook pages at the end of each chapter inside the Teacher Guide. The Teacher Guide is set up with an easy-to-follow format of:

Overview - Notes - Materials Lists - Chapter Opener - Think - Learn - Do - Activities - Brain Works

  

    

I also received a consumable student workbook which is glossy paperback, grayscale, perforated tear-out 186 pages.

 

  

Additionally, I received access to online Blackline Masters and additional resources, like this materials list.

Dimensions Math PK-5 is a new series that was written by a group of teachers. It is based on the Singapore math curriculum that emphasizes a Concrete - Pictorial - Abstract progression of learning while incorporating fun, hands-on activities. This new series has been updated for United States teaching. 

The curriculum helps the student learn and feel competent in math skills using what is referred to as:

Visual learning through "three pedagogical stages: concrete, pictorial, and abstract," logically sequenced lessons to provide a strong foundation for advanced math with detailed support for both the student and the teacher.

The textbooks present math with full-color images, while the workbooks, at the 2B level, are done in grayscale. The method requires a hands-on, involved teacher/parent to follow the well-thought-out Teacher's Guide to instruct the student and lead him or her in activities that reinforce the lesson. Throughout the series, five "friends" join the student to help relate and make the lessons more real-life, relational. 

Each lesson has corresponding activities and/or workbook sheets to complete, and each chapter has practice pages. At the very end of the book, there are more review pages which could be used as tests. At the end of the Level B books, the review covers the entire year.

How Did We Use It?

I sat down with my daughter and worked my way through the Teacher Guide alongside her as she followed along in the text, workbook, and activities.

I will admit that math is not my daughter's favorite subject, so this year I started her back below her grade level to make sure she has a good, solid foundation before moving into higher level math later on. So, she was already working a couple years below her grade, but that's what she needs to move forward. When I was given the Level 2B, I assumed it corresponded to Grade 2 level. But, I was actually pleasantly suprised to discover the material presented in the book seemed to be at a higher level than what I would expect to see in a second grade book.

What Did We Think?

We really like how there are a lot of hands-on activities that drive the lessons home, especially for my kinesthetic, art-loving, get-in-there and do it kind of learner. As the teacher, I appreciated that the answers to the workbook pages were presented inside the Teacher Guide at the end of each chapter instead of lumping them all together to weed through at the end of the book. I also liked how there was a full-color student text page pictured alongside each lesson in the Teacher Guide. I don't typically give my child tests, so the review at the back of the book looks suitable to complete as a review for us, but it could be used as a final test if you prefer. I found this curriculum to be very well-rounded and engaging and a bit of a boost and encouragement that we needed in the subject of math.

FIND SINGAPORE MATH ON SOCIAL MEDIA @:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeMath/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/singaporemath
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SingaporeK8/

Read what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below: