Math Mammoth kindly let me review their Grade 1 Lightblue series. It is a complete math curriculum that I was able to download directly to my computer. Since I have only used a spiral method when teaching math to my children, I was eager to see how Math Mammoth, which approaches mathematical concepts topically, would work.

The curriculum I currently use is also heavy on the manipulatives. It requires lots of teacher prep work. Math Mammoth is almost the direct opposite, in that it uses very little outside manipulatives and requires very little teacher preparation. Instead, it uses pictures in the lesson and work-sheets to drive home what needs to be learned. I usually steer clear of the whole work-sheet style of learning, but found it was very efficient in the way Math Mammoth presented.

I like it better than what I have been using. Things my children had been struggling to learn were better explained in Math Mammoth. And while my middle daughter really does need the manipulatives to better anchor facts in her mind, my oldest does not and works better with a more straight-forward approach. Math Mammoth is directly to the point when it teaches concepts.

Included are sections entitled “Helpful Resources on the Internet.” These were especially helpful to have on hand when I felt certain facts needed better grounding for a particular child. It was also such a blessing to not have to find these on my own. Less time spent browsing google and more time learning!

The topics covered in the 1st grade curriculum are:

• Addition within 0-10
• Subtraction within 0-10
• Addition and Subtraction Facts
• Place Value within 0-100
• The Clock
• Shapes and Measuring
• Adding and Subtracting within 0-100
• Coins

I did notice that Math Mammoth’s Grade 1 are topics that are covered in the Kindergarten math I taught my oldest. I chose Grade 1 instead of 2 so that I could review it on my two oldest daughters. It was more like a review drill for my oldest and just at the level for my middle daughter.

Also included are cumulative reviews as well as Chapter tests.

Pricing on this curriculum is as follows:

Downloads

• Part A alone: $15.50
• Part B alone: $15.50
• A & B $29.70

CD

• CD alone $32
• CD + A & B printed worktexts $54

Printed copies

• Part A worktext $11.90
  Part B worktext $11.80
  (+ shipping; sold at Lulu)
• Supportive materials download $15 (at Kagi)
  (includes answer keys, cumulative reviews, tests, worksheet maker, and Soft-Pak)

I give Math Mammoth Grade 1 two thumbs up! It is affordable, efficiently teaches mathematics, and gives various ways to use it (eBook-style, CD, and print). I encourage you, as always, to visit Math Mammoth and look at this product as well as the others they offer.

I literally jumped up and down for joy when I found out I was chosen to review Sonlight’s CoreK curriculum.

Really, there was lots of jumping involved.

And maybe some screaming, too. I cannot recall.

I was given their Core K with Readers K – 5-Day to review and I would like to share my thoughts on it with you.

Quite simply, this program rocks. It is so easy to use and implement into a homeschooler’s daily life. After opening up the huge box of books I found on my doorstep, all I really had to do was put together the Instructor’s Guide and that was it. I was ready to start teaching my child!

Using living books, this Core package includes History, Geography, and Literature. Some of the books you will use as you snuggle on the couch with your child are:

• The House at Pooh Corner
• The Hundred Dresses
• The Boxcar Children
• Hero Tales
• The Real Mother Goose

For a complete list of all that you would receive if you purchased this exact curriculum, visit here.

One of the first books we picked up to read and learn from was The Boxcar Children. My oldest daughter now adores this book and being read to in general, thanks to Sonlight. The discussion questions were right on target for her age group, and I was able to draw my middle two children into the conversations as well. And the ease of using the Instructor’s Guide made Mommy happy. All the work is basically done for me. No going to the library or searching through an online book store is necessary.

Sonlight also provides suggestions on Field Trips and Practical Life Skills, as well as Developmental Activities, that go along with the books and subjects you are studying. And while my particular Core did not include the books needed for the suggested Bible readings, I was able to use the provided Bible verses to base the needed Scriptural background for what we hoped to learn that week. What a blessing!

There is so much in this curriculum I might have to write for hours, so I will highlight just a few more great things about Sonlight:

You can choose from a 5-day school week, or a 4-day school week. Regardless of which one you prefer, they are both provided.

I appreciate that the books chosen are not twaddle. They are meatier books chosen for a specific age group that encourages my children to think and use their noggins.

The books are fun and interesting, thereby making school fun and interesting. No textbook learning here!

I am still able to use my preferred math books, as well as science, and grammar, though Readers are included.

All in all, I would highly recommend Sonlight. It is a well-rounded, exciting approach to school. Visit Sonlight yourself to learn more about it!