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Math Mammoth Grade 3 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 Grade 3 focus on
- multiplication concept
- memorizing multiplication tables
- division concept and facts
- adding and subtracting 4-6 digit numbers
- using addition and subtraction to solve problems.
Also covered are time, money, measuring, and geometry topics, and introduction to fractions. Please see the table of contents within the preview for a complete lesson list.
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
Third grade is a time for learning and mastering two (mostly new) operations: multiplication and division with single-digit numbers. The student also deepens his understanding of addition and subtraction, and uses those in many different contexts, such as with money, time, and measuring.
The first chapter in this book deals with addition and subtraction strategies. The student does a lot of mental math, learns addition and subtraction terminology, touches on algebraic problems in the lesson about addition/subtraction connection, practices borrowing, and more.
Then we tackle the multiplication concept in chapter 2. After that come multiplication tables in chapter 3, so multiplication does take a big part of book A. Then comes a chapter about reading the clock time (chapter 4) and a chapter about money (chapter 5).
In part B, we study place value with thousands (chapter 6), then measuring and geometry (chapters 7 and 8), followed by division in chapter 9. In chapter 10, we study a little about multiplying bigger numbers, and finally in chapter 11, it is time for some introductory fraction and decimal topics.
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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