I'll be homeschooling for the first time this fall and am getting hung up on what Math curriculum to use. My son going into second grade did fine with Everyday Math in first grade, my son going into 5th grade struggled with 4th grade math, they used Zearn last year. I'm planning to homeschool my older son from now through the middle school years for sure. He has struggled quite a bit with school in general and has focus issues. We may send our younger son back to public school to finish out elementary. I like the looks of Math U See but am concerned it would be difficult for my younger son to return to school if we go that route. I'm considering doing Math U See for my older son and something else for my younger such as Singapore Math or Math Mammoth. I'd love to hear recommendations.

Greetings! Shout out to, and question for, my fellow adventuresome math parents who were the pioneers to use Math Mammoth 7 after it's release last year. My dd (with dw) completed MM5-7 (highly recommend it), and now the age-old question - what to use for algebra? We are not directionless, but need to pull the trigger on something. DD is above-average but reluctant in math, enjoys it when the light bulb goes off and she gains confidence. She really is a wonderful, compliant kid, but math is the only battlefront (mild). DW is very algebra-competent but we think a video of someone else will help avoid the teen-mom tension, if you get me... We've seen MM's recommendations here: http://www.mathmammoth.com/complete/algebra_1.php We've ruled out some for our own reasons; ds used VideoText for algebra 1 and 2 and it's wonderful, but ds says "no way" LOL. We thought of making her use it due to inve$tment, but math is our only struggle with her so not going to fight. Anything for my baby! :-) 1) What are you other MM7 grads using for algebra this year? Why? 2) For us, we've narrowed it down to: Derek Owens (ds has done very well with him in geometry and precalc) Ask Dr. Callahan DVD's/tests/lessons with Jacobs text DO: known and excellent, videos, self-made text based on Dolciani, grading, email support (which has been great with ds). DD interested and likes DO's style and voice. Costs more. Grading isn't cheap! ADC: unknown but good reviews, videos, Jacobs text, no grading, email support. DD not so sure but I think she'd like Dr. C's daughter in the videos. Costs less.

Can you share what you moved to for pre algebra? MM has worked, but this year more than once a week my dd has grown frustrated with presentation/wording of problems. I'm also seeing some gaps in her knowledge (most recently shapes lol). She is definitely ready for pre algebra but we need something new (and with online instruction live or recorded...to save our relationship) the plan has been to move into Foerster for algebra. I've looked at mr. D but am also thinking maybe a year of Saxon with Nicole the math lady to drill the basics? She is a very logical and rigid thinker when it comes to math. She much much prefers writing and reading😊

I've seen Math Mammoth discussed here several times, so I thought I'd share this. Homeschool Buyer's Co-op is doing a group buy for Math Mammoth. The discount could range anywhere from 20% to 50% depending on how many people buy. Right now it's only at 20% off, but Math Mammoth's website says the discount typically ends up being 40 or 50%. The entire Light Blue Series bundle (all pdf books for grades 1st through 7th) usually retails for $175. If there are 1 to 25 buyers it will be 20% off ($140) If there are 26 to 49 buyers it will be 30% off ($122.50) If there are 50 to 74 buyers it will be 40% off ($105) If there are 75+ buyers it will be 50% off ($87.50) Link to the group buy~ https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/math-mammoth The offer ends March 31st. I'm really hoping it reaches at least 40%, because we're pretty certain we want to switch to MM for next school year.

I hate to say this, I really do. Dd14 used MM 4 & 5 and half of 6 before moving on. It prepared her well for Algebra & beyond. It's a solid program, I've been a fan of it for years. But now . . . Dd11 has used MM 2, 3, 4, and 5. We've started MM6 . . . and we hate it. It's ponderous. It's boring. There are too many problems. (I know you don't have to do them all). But it's just feeling dull and clunky and dreadful and boring. I need to shake things up. Dd is starting to say she "hates" math, which is the main thing I've wanted to avoid in homeschooling . . . but here we are. She does fine with math, no problems in learning, she's on grade level, though she doesn't do terribly well working independently. She does Dreambox online and enjoys that. But MM . . . ugh. And I don't really blame her, I dread it too. I found myself flirting with the Teaching Textbooks website this morning. :scared: :tongue_smilie: What would you do? We're going through a really tough year in our family, dealing with dd14's chronic illness which is eating up a ton of time and energy. We really need to work efficiently and make every minute count. And we need to not be miserable. I'm not sure what I'm asking for - alternative 6th grade math? Sympathy? A kick in the butt? Really, I"m not sure, I'm kind of just whinging. But I would like some alternative math programs to consider.

I know it's only the first week of school, but so far Math Mammoth has not been going well for us. My son went through Horizons 2 last year, so I thought he would be able to do Math Mammoth 3. The mental math has him frustrated and he gets most if not all of the answers wrong. I'm taken back a bit by this, because math concepts usually come so easily for him. I thought about having him do the answers in the way I was taught, with one number on top of the other, but I would really like him to understand mental math. I really wish I was taught this way! Has anyone else had this issue?

My kids (4th and 2nd) have been using Math Mammoth since they came home from public school where they used Everyday Math (before the common core got a hold of it). They have been successful with it, and most of the topics come easy to them. Really, I think they can thrive with any program and in fact, they have said this to me . So we've never used Saxon but have the opportunity to attend a coop next year that uses it. I'm sort of torn... I like that Saxon has video lessons will be covered one day a week at co op I like Math Mammoth because we are familiar with it kids tolerate it and are growing ('cause what 4th grader loves math right? :laugh: ) I like the approach and the way it stretches their thoughts at times Any thoughts or advice? Really I could go either way. If we don't start Saxon now I doubt we ever will. We'll probably go with one of the MM recommended higher maths. Also, they each tested into a grade higher in Saxon and that's good because those are the only classes offered at co op now lol! (so 5th grader would be in 7/6 and 3rd grader in 5/4) the only thing my son (2nd grader) missed was the double digit by double digit multiplication which I can go over with him this summer. (edited to make more concise)

We have jumped around a lot with math and I want to get organized as DD1 heads into 5th grade in the fall. We started out in gr 1 trying Right Start (hated) and then did Saxon for grades 1-2 (hated), didn't finish Saxon 2 and switched to Math Mammoth to finish he year, then switched to TT3 for grade 3. This year we did 1/2 of TT4 but DD started to complain it was too easy (it was) and we switched to Math Mammoth a few weeks ago and also hired a math tutor to come once/week. DD1 says she likes Math Mammoth and wants to do it for 5th grade. I like the level of challenge but find it hard to motivate her to dig deep--her tendency is to skip things she thinks she already knows. That's why I liked TT, because it paced her, but it was too easy. My main goal is for her to be ready for algebra by 7th grade, and that's my concern with Math Mammoth--it doesn't seem to cover any algebraic concepts in MM5 & MM6, and they have a pre-algebra curriculum for 7th grade. I also have the MM Blue Series (not a curriculum, just work texts) and could use those to supplement another math curriculum. But what math curriculum? I was looking at Saxon 6/5 but I have such PTSD from trying to use Saxon 1&2 that I'm hesitant. What else is out there? Life of Fred is a non-starter here--we love Fred but it hasn't "caught" here. I've read Apples out loud maybe 4 times, have read Butterflies and Cats and part of Dogs and then we've petered out. I may try again next year starting with Butterflies because I cannot read Apples aloud again. I also have a daughter who will be in grade 2 and I am considering doing Teaching Textbooks 3 with her next year but could also do MM2. I felt like TT3 did a great job teaching place value. Singapore? Not sure I'm willing to switch methodologies at this point, if it's even possible. What's Right Start like in the older grades? We all hated the scripted lessons--attempted RSA and RSB with both of my daughters and it was a fail each time (common denominator is obviously me, ha!).

Math Mammoth is down to 40% off at homeschool buyers coop. The deal is on through the end of March, so it may get down to 50% still. Hope this helps someone. -Sarah

We received our shipment of BA and CWP about 2 months ago, after a few members highly recommended them for us to try as supplements. My goal is to add more word problems to my dd's math learning. So far both of my girls love doing CWP. Depending on the problem, we might go hard 3,4,5 of the easy problems, or just 1,2,3 of the medium-hard problems. 7yo dd currently uses the Miquon Math Blue Book and CWP has become her favourite. I can see that Miquon - CWP is a really good fit for her and we mostly do the problems together as she is very social and vocal. Question The reason why I'm considering BA is that my oldest dd is pretty mathy. The material looks like it will greatly challenge and benefit her. But I'm reluctant to tackle it, mainly because 5th grade is about my math level and, again because of time. I like BA and it's word problems, and I wouldn't mind setting CWP aside so that my oldest dd can try out BA (she loves the cartoons and has expressed a desire to try it). However, we're also having so much fun with CWP and it's so easy for me to use that we've just stuck to it. We're afterschooling, and we want to make good use of our time - so far CWP has met this need. My oldest dd is using MM 5A, so would BA be a good fit? Should I leave out BA and just stick to CWP, or give BA ago - maybe 1-2 months? How would you schedule BA, do you go from start to finish with BA or by topic to align with mm (current 5A)?

Math Mammoth is back on Homeschool Buyers Coop for the month of March. 130+ people buying puts it at 50% off. Now, you know. :)

Hi! I am really looking for some guidance. My ds, 10 has a hard time with math. We used MM 3 last year and I liked it but I can't decide if I loved it. He would forget some things that we went over and I felt like I was constantly going over past topics. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel like the spiral approach in Saxon might be better for him...thoughts? Or other suggestions? Thank you so much!

Is it possible for a 6yo to become a self directed learner? Is the age of 6 too young for this? I currently use MUS and MM.

​My 11 year old son, who is finishing 5th grade, has not had a great Math experience in life. His sister has done well using MUS from the very beginning. But when I did it with him, he just looked at me perplexed over and over again for months. He just didn't get it in kindergarten, we tried again in First grade and got through most of Alpha. But then he hit another road block. I took him out and did general things--teaching the clock, money, basic geometry, using the Math Mammoth Blue series topics. But there was too much on a page and it overwhelmed him. I tried to go back to MUS but the same thing happened. So in 3rd grade I moved him to CLE Math, but he placed in 2nd grade. He did really well, except he couldn't seem to get caught up. The volume of work for one lesson was all he could do in a day and he was behind a whole grade. Then before too long, in 4th grade (doing 3rd grade work), the volume of work completely overwhelmed him. We skipped problems, he'd fail the test. We'd give him longer to do the lesson, breaking it up into a couple days, and he'd get totally lost in what he was doing. We skipped problems (do the odds) and do it in one day. That's when the ADD symptoms seemed to really kick in. I believe in not moving on until he gets it but it was taking forever and the tears were becoming a constant, daily occurrence. We weren't making any progress. So last year, the beginning of his fifth grade year, we switched to Teaching Textbooks. He placed halfway into their 4th grade year and about three weeks ago he finished it. He still doesn't have his multiplication tables memorized, even though we reviewed them daily. We would play games online, he has one of those handheld machines. FLASHCARDS! We have our standardized testing next week and I've been doing some reviews with him, and he had no idea how to carry in a multiplication problem. What is going on? Is it Teaching Textbooks? Is he just not able to pay attention to it, like it's not sinking in? He finished every problem and gets a 100% on it. But he isn't retaining anything? Or is it him? He's been tested ADD and the psychologist didn't recommend medication because his is so slight. He didn't qualify for any services in the school system because it's not that bad, they said. He tested off the charts in visual/spatial, they recommended we point him toward engineering. How do I do that if he can't do math! To add to the conundrum, we live overseas. So the only resources we have are what we bring down with us or I can download from the internet. I have the next TT5 set. I have the complete Math Mammoth set. I have all the DVD's from MUS through Algebra. I'm willing to sit down with him and help him through it, to make sure he's getting it. Was I too lax and assumed that he was understanding it all because he completed the assignments and got good grades? I'm scared to see what the SAT is going to tell me. I do have a 4 yr. and a 1 yr. and perhaps I was too distracted to notice? I feel like perhaps I need to find out where he really is comprehension-wise and go back to that with some curriculum and plod along with him until he gets it. Any recommendations? (How do I do that?) Any advice on what resources to use and how you would do it? We are going to the States for the month of September for my parents' 50th, so we can buy something that I don't have if necessary. I'm willing to work hard with him. (By the way, I'm not the math whiz in our family, my husband can help a bit, but he's super busy. School is my thing.) Thanks in advance.

We've been using MM1 with my DS very successfully with only a few hiccups due to space availability (got him a notebook for math) and how many problems are crammed in a page (again, we do those in his notebook). Reading random forum posts I came across Prodigy math and I thought my son would enjoy it. The game started exposing him to topics that we haven't practiced. He really wanted to solve them for his "battles" so I have been explaining problems and looking for the pages in MM1 that match that for him to practice. Once he understands, he does the problems mostly correctly. There are a few exceptions - and we are working on those skills (usually numbers larger than 100 and it's ok with me). I was thinking that adding 23 + 34 would practice 2+ 3 and 4+3 so if he understands place value, why not move on? He understands addition and subtraction. He has not memorized all the facts to 10 - but can solve the problems either by counting on/back or with fingers. So here's my question. How do you know it is ok to skip? We already do 3 or 4 problems of one kind and move on to the next page. MM appears redundant but I am not a math teacher. Maybe he needs all this practice. How do you know your child has achieved the needed "mastery"? I don't want to stay on a topic too long - but I also don't want to gloss over things. What do you do?

I am looking for a new math curriculum for next year for my little guy. This year we did Saxon and while I liked some of the teaching approaches, it was SO boring for him. He is VERY math minded, so most days we did two or three lessons and will have finished Saxon 1 and 2 by the end of this year. Despite how much he has learned, he just didn't enjoy math like he did before we started 'formal curriculum'. I want him to enjoy math again and I think for him that means more color. I am looking at both Horizons and Math Mammoth and am hoping for some tips from anyone who has used either or both. Curious about how Horizons is taught, are there good explanations? I have been able to look at a friend's Math Mammoth and like the approach and teaching style, but worry that it may not be as 'fun' for him. After how BORED he was this year, it really is a priority for him to enjoy math again, but not at the expensive of choosing a program that won't give him a solid foundation in math. ANY input is appreciated....especially since Horizon's sale ends today ;) One other option I have considered is using MM and Mathematical Reasoning, so he would have the fun colorful workbook to do as well. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Educents has it for 40% and then add an EXTRA 10% off by using code MOTHERSDAY if you buy before May 11th! http://www.educents.com/math-mammoth-light-blue.html http://www.educents.com/math-mammoth-blue-downloads-15864.html We absolutely LOVE Math Mammoth!

I need to add in more math for my older two kids and budget is a major restriction. I've looked over both MEP and Ray's and I like the look of both (MEP for it's very different approach and Ray's for word problem focus). I am just not 100% sure what level to put them in for either program. I'm waffling and could use some help deciding. We are new to homeschooling (only home for fourish months) after them both being in public school and I underestimated how much both of them would want to tear through math :D Oldest DS is 8.5, in grade 3, and is almost done Math Mammoth 3A. Very very good at mental math (hates to write out steps, also dysgraphic), needs more work on word problems. Middle DS is newly 6, and would be in K if he was still in PS. I started him slowly on Math Mammoth 1A to see if he could do it and he's just about to start 1B already. He's a process dude, every step he is taught he will follow. He's not reading fluently yet so I read the problems for him but he's great at hearing a problem and giving the answer orally. I also have another son who is 4, which is junior kindergarten age here. I've got Miquon Orange for him (and the others if they feel the urge, all three loooove the cuisenaire rods). So I am torn between MEP 2 or 3 for my oldest and MEP reception or 1 for my middle. Which would be best for where they are? And for Ray's I'm not sure which of the books I want for my oldest. Any ideas from those familiar with either program would be most appreciated :D

We have been using Singapore since 2nd and my son is now in 5th and we have hit a snag. Should I keep pushing through, it seems suddenly like nothing was being retained and that I am having to walk through problem after problem. He is not (nor am I) mathematically inclined and I am starting to wonder if I need more hand holding and more explanations than Singapore PM US edition provides. What about Math Mammoth? Or should I just stick to this topic (dividing fractions and the whole fractions unit) until we are solid? I was already thinking about next year and I was going to us Singapore 6A/6B and now I am wondering if that isn't the most prudent idea. Any help, tips, or advice? Please tell me I am not the only one who thinks that the dividing fractions unit is difficult!? Thanks.

Hi all, I thought I would share some good news with you. According to Maria, she is preparing to release her newest MM Pre-Algebra this Fall. In response to my question about it's progress which I have been following she stated: Hello Derek, Yes, there's progress. :-) Part 7-A (the first half) should be available in late August, as a download. Sincerely, Maria Miller

Just in case anyone wasn't on the mailing list, Math Mammoth is on sale today through the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op. I'm mightily tempted.

Hello, can anybody tell me when/where Math Mammoth cover negative numbers ? Thank you

We're coming off three years of K12 math and are now using Math Mammoth 5 A & B along with Singapore Practice 5A & B from Frank Schaffer. Singapore 5 claims to be intended for 6th grade, but the skills are right at my student's level. Drat! This student does not care for Math Mammoth and avoids it. I pick and choose problems so she doesn't get bogged down by the page. Much of the Math Mammoth is review anyway. Math in Focus is a reasonable option, but where to place my child is another question. Do I use a Singapore placement test? The samples online for grade 6 seem too easy after using Math Mammoth and K12. K12 math is too much online time. Can anyone compare Math Mammoth and Math in Focus at the middle school level?

Hi~ I was looking for bar model practice for my DD and wanted to share my findings. For Andriod os a.k.a. Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Singapore-Models-Kindle-Tablet-Edition/dp/B00D3L8WRQ/ref=pd_sim_mas_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=16MZZT81Q6Y22571D5QN For iPad os: http://singaporemathblog.com/singaporemathbarmodelsipad/ I haven't used these apps yet. I didn't want to buy another book such as Singapore Challenging Word problems, and I wanted the practice to be fun.

I am teaching a student who by age is an 8th grader, although I think is considered a 7th grader. His education has been a mishmash. I have him working through MM grade 4 placement test (with grade identifying material removed.) He does not have the material down cold. I've seen a lot of lights come on as we work (a bar diagram rocked his math world). I'm really concerned about moving him through this material in a timely matter without holes. Has anyone covered 4 years material in 1-2 with an older student? The workbook format of Math Mammoth seems to work for him, and I already own it. Same student is very capable reader, has no formal background in writing, although loves to write "adventure stories". Am I going to overwhelm him with WWS1? We did a very small part of the first lesson today. If I walk him through it, he does fine, and I have my frustration meter tuned in. Thoughts? How quickly does the material ramp up? I don't own WWE 3 or 4 to back him up, and looking at the samples, I think he's too old for them. Thanks! Bean