The Best Homeschool Math Curriculums for Elementary Grades
As a homeschool mom of eight kids, I’ve tried out many different math curriculums over the years. Some of them were successes, and some of them were complete flops.
So today I’m sharing a list of the BEST homeschool math curriculums I have found over the past 20+ years of homeschooling.
This post is sponsored by Master Books. I was compensated for my time writing this post. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.
The Best Homeschool Math Curriculums I’ve Found
1. Math Lessons for a Living Education
Math Lessons for a Living Education is a mastery-based math curriculum with a Charlotte Mason flair that I love. The curriculum uses story-based learning with a Biblical emphasis, making this a wonderful resource for Christian homeschool families.
Just ONE book has everything you need (except grade 6, which has a separate teacher guide). The full-color student workbook contains all the instruction, worksheets, and answer keys. It also has an amazing suggested daily schedule (this schedule is GOLD!).
MLFLE uses The GENTLE Approach™, a developmentally-aligned approach that allows students the opportunity to learn without struggling to keep up. This approach builds math confidence and reduces the pressure and anxiety that hinder progress.
See my full review: Math Lessons for a Living Education Review
Don’t miss the Math Lessons for a Living Education giveaway at the bottom of this post!
2. Math-U-See
Math-U-See has been a long-time favorite in our family. We made the switch to MUS after struggling for months with a popular spiral-approach curriculum.
Math-U-See emphasizes hands-on learning using math manipulatives such as integer blocks, fraction overlays, and decimal inserts. Each lesson includes three worksheets focused on the current lesson, as well as three cumulative review worksheets to keep skills sharp.
The author, Mr. Demme, teaches each lesson on video, but technically these are intended to help parents teach their kids. However, my independent learners have usually done just fine watching the MUS videos on their own.
3. Math Mammoth
Math Mammoth Light Blue Series is a mastery-based math curriculum with a strong mental math component. Mental math is very important in everyday living, and Math Mammoth does a great job at building those skills.
Each level is organized into chapters by topics. Each chapter concentrates on one theme, such as place value, division, or decimals. The entire curriculum emphasizes conceptual learning, building a solid foundation for higher math.
All the instruction is included right on the student pages, so no teacher’s manual is needed. If kids need extra help, they can watch free videos in which the author, Maria Miller, teaches the material herself.
See my full review: Math Mammoth Review
4. Apologia Math
Exploring Creation with Mathematics is an elementary math curriculum from Apologia. This curriculum combines regular skill practice with hands-on activities to help kids truly understand math.
I really like the Charlotte Mason flavor of Apologia Math. Instead of mindlessly memorizing facts, kids learn to actually understand and apply math by relating it to daily life.
The curriculum approaches math from a Christian viewpoint, with a devotional at the beginning of each unit that shows how math points to a purposeful Creator.
See my full review: Apologia Math Review
5. Dimensions Math
Dimensions Math is a Singapore math curriculum that uses the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach. Students start learning math with concrete objects, then move to pictures, and finally to numbers and symbols.
The Singapore math approach is well known for helping students develop number sense and mental math skills so they can solve problems quickly and accurately. Instead of just memorizing formulas or following steps blindly, they learn to analyze problems and find creative strategies to solve them.
Dimensions Math is a mastery-based curriculum, ensuring that students fully understand each math concept before moving on. This is a good fit for learners who need help bridging the gap between concrete and abstract math.
See my full review: Dimensions Math Review
So there you have it, friends. These are my top five picks for elementary math curriculums. You may have noticed that all of them use a mastery approach to math. That’s because ALL of my kids struggled with a spiral approach.
Your child may be thriving with a spiral-based math curriculum. That’s great! Don’t quit! If you’re meeting your child’s needs and learning style, I know you’ll have an awesome homeschool journey.
Math Lessons for a Living Education Giveaway
Master Books is giving away one level of Math Lessons for a Living Education! Complete the form below to enter the giveaway.
Giveaway ends April 30, 2026.
Can’t see the giveaway form? Click here to enter.