Maria Miller’s quirkily named Math Mammoth series has been receiving great attention over the past several years in the homeschooling community.  Delivered in four separate product lines (Blue, Light Blue, Golden and Green), Miller’s affordably priced math programs fit a wide range of educational needs.  The Blue Series is a selection of math booklets that focus upon one topic per booklet for grades 1 – 5.  They are ungraded, progressing from simple to complex with multiple levels available for the main topics.

I had the privilege of reviewing Addition 1, Canadian Money, Early Geometry, Measuring 1 (a metric only title is also available) and Place Value 1.  These selections range in price from $2.75 – $4.50 per booklet.  Ranging from between 51 and 67 pages in length, these little e-books are an extraordinarily cost effective means of supplementing an existing math curriculum, providing remediation or even providing a higher level of math instruction for gifted students.  Not only are they super affordable for a single use, but they can also be reproduced (printed) for all of your children as needed.  Deep discounts are available on pre-selected packages as well.

Miller favours a mastery approach throughout her programs, and the Blue Series reflects this the most in it’s topical arrangement.  The Light Blue Series is mastery focused, but with a slight spiral and is presented by traditional grade levels.  The Green Series provides topical worksheets for grades 3 – 7 (much like the Blue Series in focus, but worksheets alone – no instruction), and the Golden Series are worksheets from grades 3 through pre-algebra organized by grade (as is the Light Blue Series).

Every booklet includes internet links to additional educational resources (free!) that are very helpful and greatly appreciated.  The work pages are colourful and engaging throughout with many illustrations to encourage visualization of problems.  While Math Mammoth is not a hands on program, the illustrations depict the use of manipulatives resulting in a form of imaginative manipulative use.  The workbooks are considered self-teaching, but the instructions are brief so you may be called upon for some additional explanations while your children work through the books.  Complete answer keys are provided within each book.

Though my oldest daughter isn’t ready to do formal, written math at age five, I appreciated the opportunity to peruse these materials that have been garnering such buzz online.  Addition 1 includes helpful suggestions for introducing math orally to young children in preparation for formal math, including games.   The currency in Canadian Money is absolutely beautiful, and looks just like the real thing on paper – what a boon for parents who are educating using materials that only include US currency!

Throughout the series I appreciated Miller’s systematic building of math facts and knowledge paired with comparatively few problems for review of each concept. Instead of pages upon pages of homework the pace is brisk and additional problems can be found through the online links provided or the Green Series if required for certain topics.  If you’re interested in reading how Math Mammoth compares to other programs, check out this comparison page.

There are many applications for the Math Mammoth Blue Series.  The one I appreciate most is the ability to freely supplement by topic without the large investment required for a traditional year-length program.  Just grab a low priced e-book and you’re in business.  Convenient, affordable, engaging and flexible.  Sounds like a good deal to me!

When you visit the Math Mammoth website, don’t forget to sign up for Miller’s newsletter.  You’ll receive a large zip containing 280 sample worksheets representing an assortment of the materials available, as well as a guided tour through the different purchasing options and formats available,  Every title Maria Miller has published is available to purchase there.  The Old Schoolhouse Store carries the Blue Series, Winter Promise sells copies of the Light Blue Series in print and on CD and CurrClick carries all of the Blue, Golden, and Light Blue Series.

Don’t forget – you can find additional reviews of a wide variety of Math Mammoth books at The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew blog.