Is Math Mammoth a spiral or mastery curriculum (horizontal or vertical math)?
Math Mammoth is basically a mastery-based curriculum. Some topics are studied till mastery within one and the same chapter. Example of such include regrouping in subtraction for 2-digit numbers (2nd), multiplication tables (3rd), or long division (4th). However, often the topic is present in two (or even three) neighboring grades. Examples include: equivalent fractions (both 4th and 5th grade), percent (5th and 6th), area of triangle (5th and 6th). Some topics are “developed” to mastery over several grades, going from simple to more complex; for example reading the clock (grades 1-3), counting coins (grades 1-3), adding like fractions (grades 3-5), decimal arithmetic (grades 4-5). So, you could call Math Mammoth a mastery-oriented program with some spiraling over the grades. It does NOT employ a “tight” or “short” spiral where the same topic would be present, say, every 10 lessons, or dozens of times within the same school year.
