I received a full year first grade math curriculum.  Math Mammoth interested me in that it focuses on mastery of topics studied, not just introduction and review.  The first grade goals are as follows:

1.  Addition

2.  Subtraction

3.  Connecting addition and subtraction

4.  Place values

5.  Measuring shapes

6.  Counting coins

Our family currently uses Saxon Math, which is different in that it introduces a new concept, has 6 practice questions to drive the new concept home, and the rest of the math lesson is review of previous math facts learned.  While this works fine for our 3rd grader, my 1st and 5th find this absolutely tortuous.  The constant repetition of skills already mastered makes them crazy, and often they are not getting enough drill on new concepts to remember them the next day.

That key issue is what draws me to Math Mammoth.  Admittedly, Saxon is the easier curriculum choice in terms of preparation, but I’m not sure it is worth the hour of whining I have to endure more often than not.  Math Mammoth uses worksheets and works the lessons into the worksheet so that the child could do the worksheets on their own if they are driven to do so.  My kids or not, so I go over the lesson with them, work some of the problems with them one-on-one (as instructed), and then they are ready to dive into the rest of the worksheet themselves.  The lessons are not broken up into specific days, but rather are a continuous lesson based on that specific concept, so one concept may be broken up into a week, or can be done faster if the child is conceptually ready.

Also, because the material was provided to me via PDF download, I am able to print out only what I will need for that day and can also go back and print additional copies to use later with my other children, or if I want to do some review.  Unfortunately I have only a black and white printer so I don’t get the nice colors, so that is a drawback to the PDF if you don’t have a color printer.

Also included in the material for the year are game ideas, optional tests, multiple website links for additional helps, as well as review worksheets so you can make sure they do not “lose” the material.  This is important because Math Mammoth does not work in continual review of previous concepts, so this requires preparation on my part to remember to review concepts regularly, so this is the biggest drawback I have seen so far.

For the price, this is a great math program that is working very well with my 1st grader.  I am interested in trying out MM Grade 5 for my daughter, who absolutely abhors Saxon.  Maybe this will be a better fit.  Cost is $29.70 for both A and B downloadable work texts for first grade.  Check out their website for this or other grade level curriculum choices.  Recommended items you will need are:

1.  Abacus

2.  Old fashioned clock

3.  Ruler (measuring cm and in)

I was given this product in exchange for  my honest opinion only.