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Overview
The short version
Math Mammoth is the homeschool world’s best-kept open secret: a thorough, conceptual, mastery-based curriculum at a fraction of the price of the big names. It was written by Maria Miller, a math teacher and homeschool mom, and it shows.
The lessons are written directly to the student. That means many kids, especially from about 3rd grade, can read the explanation on the page and work on their own while you check in. The pages are plain, but the math is solid, and the price is hard to beat.
The materials
What you actually get
Worktexts (A and B)
Each grade comes in two worktexts with the explanation and practice on the same page.
Answer keys
Full answers for every page.
Tests and cumulative reviews
Chapter tests plus reviews that mix older topics.
Videos
Free video lessons by the author, linked to many topics.
Levels
Levels and where to start
- 1Grades 1–3Addition, subtraction, place value, multiplication, early fractions.
- 2Grades 4–5Multi-digit operations, fractions, decimals.
- 3Grades 6–7Ratios, percents, integers and pre-algebra.
- 4Blue seriesTopic-based books, great for filling one specific gap.
Use the free placement tests. Math Mammoth runs at or slightly above typical grade level. The topic-based Blue series is handy for kids who just need help with, say, fractions.
Day to day
What a lesson looks like
- 01
Read
Your kid reads the short explanation and examples on the page.
- 02
Try
Practice problems right below, on the same page.
- 03
Check
You (or your kid) check with the answer key.
- 04
Review
Mixed review pages at the end of each chapter.
- 05
Test
A chapter test, plus cumulative reviews.
Pros and cons
What we love, and what to watch out for
What we love
✓ Amazing value
One of the most affordable complete programs, especially as PDFs you can reprint for siblings.
✓ Written to the kid
Many kids can learn from the page, freeing you up. Great for families with several kids.
✓ Real understanding
Strong on the why, with visual models and mental math, much like Singapore.
✓ Flexible
Use the full program, or just the topic books to fill gaps.
Heads up
! Plain pages
Black-and-white and text-heavy. Kids who need color or story may find it dull.
! Lots of reading
Weak readers will need you to read the explanations with them.
! Add your own hands-on
It suggests manipulatives but doesn’t come with them. Have a few on hand.
The verdict
Is Math Mammoth right for your family?
A great fit for
- ✓Families on a budget
- ✓Independent learners who can read well
- ✓Families with several kids (reprint the PDFs)
- ✓Parents who want Singapore-style depth with less teaching
Probably skip it if
- ×Kids who need color, video or stories to stay engaged
- ×Weak readers without support
- ×Families who want everything boxed and ready
Sounds like your kid? Download a free sample and try a lesson together.
See Math Mammoth on Amazon ↗Money and tips
Cost, and how to use it well
Among the cheapest full programs. PDFs can be printed for every child in your family, which makes it even better value for larger families.
Print one chapter at a time, so the pile never looks scary.
Don’t assign every problem. Mastery shows quickly, and the rest can be skipped.
Use the free videos when a concept needs another explanation.
Keep linking cubes and fraction strips nearby for hands-on kids.
Use Blue series books to patch specific gaps after switching programs.
Try the sample. Watch your kid’s face. That’s the real review.
Other options
Alternatives to Math Mammoth
Want to see everything side by side? Our homeschool math curriculum comparison has all 13 programs, a finder and quick picks.
Questions
Math Mammoth FAQ
Is Math Mammoth a good homeschool curriculum?
Yes. It’s thorough, conceptual and very affordable, and many kids can work through it independently. Its main drawback is plain, text-heavy pages.
Is Math Mammoth mastery or spiral?
Math Mammoth is mastery-based, focusing on one topic at a time, with mixed reviews and cumulative reviews to keep earlier skills fresh.
Can kids do Math Mammoth independently?
Many can, especially from about 3rd grade, because the lessons are written to the student. Parents should still check work and help with tricky topics.
What is the Math Mammoth Light Blue series?
It’s the complete grade-by-grade curriculum, from grade 1 to grade 7, with two worktexts per grade, answer keys, tests and cumulative reviews.
Ready to try Math Mammoth?
Take the placement test, grab a sample lesson, and give it six to eight weeks before you judge it.
