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Math Mammoth Grade 1 complete curriculum consists of two student worktexts (A and B), a separate answer key for each, chapter tests and an end-of-year test, cumulative reviews, and an easy worksheet maker (Internet access required) to make extra practice worksheets when needed.
The two books for 1st grade focus on
- addition and subtraction concept and basic facts within 0-10
- place value with 2-digit numbers (a.k.a. tens and ones)
- some adding and subtracting within 0-100
Also covered are geometry topics, measuring, clock, and counting coins.
Please see SAMPLES and THE TABLE OF CONTENTS for 1-A and 1-B on Math Mammoth website: click on the link in the bottom of this page that goes to this product's webpage.
Important note: This product shares material with some Math Mammoth Blue Series books, namely Addition 1, Subtraction 1, Place Value 1, and some parts of Clock, Money, Measuring 1, and Add & Subtract 2-A. The main difference is that using the LightBlue, you don't have to plan the scope nor the sequence of the instruction but it is "laid out" for you, making it less work for the teacher. You will also get tests which are not included in the "Blue" books.
Some main features of the Lightblue Series books are:
- focuses on understanding of mathematical concepts
- uses clear explanations, lots of visual exercises and pattern exercises
- mastery oriented: concentrates fairly long on a topic, with fairly few topics per grade
- emphasizes mental math and developing number sense
- very little teacher preparation needed
Introduction
Math Mammoth LightBlue Series is designed to help parents explain and teach processes and concepts of elementary math. The books contain very clear explanations, lots of visual exercises, and pattern exercises that help children see the structure of mathematics and clearly understand the concepts of mathematics, instead of just memorizing rules.
Ample practice for computation is not forgotten either. Word problems abound.
Math Mammoth curriculum lets children concentrate longer on one topic so as to learn it well, before moving on, building good mastery of key concepts among elementary students.
The goal of the curriculum is to first achieve mastery of one topic, and then move on and build on it. Therefore, in this curriculum you will quite likely see fewer topics per grade, and less review of earlier topics in higher grades. However, some topics are repeated over several grades.
General questions and answers concerning the LightBlue books
1. Is there a teacher's manual?
In the beginning of each chapter there are notes for the teacher (Introduction), but this curriculum does not contain a separate teacher's manual nor scripted lessons. I've tried to create a text that is as self-explanatory as possible, so that a separate manual wouldn't be needed. This saves time for the teacher. Also, many elementary students will be able to just read and learn through the lessons on their own (once they can read).
2. What is a worktext?
Worktext means that the books contain the explanations and the problems. Simply put, the textbook and problems are in the same book. This is especially useful for homeschooling and for any kind of independent study.
3. Will the regular Blue Series be sufficient or is the Lightblue series required to be used first?
You don't need to use the Lightblue series first if you acquire the Blue Series books. These two series have a lot in common — a lot of the same material.
The Blue Series is not totally sufficient though. It lacks a few topics for grades 1-3, such as: Roman numerals, and early geometry (shapes). Also it does not contain tests and is not organized per grade level but per topic.
4. Are tests included?
Yes. There is a chapter test after each chapter and an end of year test to be used after each grade level.
5. Are earlier concepts reviewed in later levels?
To some extent, but not nearly so much as in typically spiral curricula. For example, I often introduce somewhat difficult topics in two grades. A few topics are "introductory" in one grade and "in focus" in the next. For example:
- Adding so that the result "goes over 10" is included in the last half of 1st grade and first half of 2nd; for example 6 + 8.
- Borrowing over zeros is included both in 2nd and 3rd.
- Multi-digit multiplication (the algorithm) is touched in 3rd grade but studied in length in the first part of 4th grade.
- Multiplication concept is introduced in the very end of 2nd but studied in depth in 3rd.
- Concept of a decimal is introduced briefly in the end of 3rd, and then studied quite a bit more on 4th. It will also be studied in more depth in 5th.
- Fractions are introduced a tiny bit in 2nd grade, gradually studied a little bit more in 3rd and 4th. 5th grade will be the "focus" for them, where we'll study all the fraction operations.
Some elementary mathematics topics are covered over several years in a spiraling style, such as place value (with increasing digits), measuring units, some geometry vocabulary (pentagon, octagon, parallel), clock reading, coins, and money problems.
These topics are NOT reviewed in any great depth, but mastery is expected: single digit addition/ subtraction after 1st grade, double-digit addition/subtraction after 2nd, clock reading or coins after 3rd. Multiplication tables and basic division receive a quick review in 4th grade but not after that. I cannot list every single concept and its progression in this short space though.
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