Learn Math Fast System

The curriculum provides clear, step-by-step examples written in conversational style. The gentle explanations and plain English approach support cognitive load reduction.

Reviews describe 'thorough and clear explanations,' 'step-by-step examples,' and instruction written in 'plain English' with a 'friendly, conversational tone' at a '4th-grade reading level'

The curriculum supports direct instruction through clear teacher explanations and conversational text that facilitates explicit instruction. The format allows for systematic presentation of concepts.

Reviews emphasize the 'conversational instruction,' 'thorough and clear explanations,' and note that lessons are 'straightforward, clear, and well-structured with minimal prep work required'

The curriculum emphasizes conceptual understanding while building procedural fluency through mental math techniques. It teaches concepts first and builds automaticity through 'tricks' that reduce memorization burden.

Reviews note the system 'stresses conceptual understanding' while teaching mental math techniques, and students need to memorize only eleven math facts since the rest are covered by 'tricks' taught through the system

Word problems are incorporated systematically, particularly in algebra through time/distance/rate and mixture problems. However, the scope of real-world applications may be limited.

Volume VI 'teaches much of algebra through applications' using 'time/distance/rate problems and solution and mixture problems extensively as platforms for learning algebraic applications'

The curriculum provides comprehensive answer keys with solutions and offers free phone/email support. However, there are no separate teacher guides or extensive pedagogical guidance.

Reviews note 'answers with solutions for worksheets and tests are at the back of the book' and 'free phone or email support is available to those who have purchased the series,' but mention the system is 'self-contained' without separate teacher materials

The curriculum includes regular practice through worksheets, timed tests, and chapter tests, with minimal spiral review. However, upper-level books may have insufficient practice problems.

Reviews mention 'frequent work sheets and occasional timed tests' and 'each chapter concludes with a test,' but note 'fewer practice problems in the upper level books than in most other programs' and suggest supplementation may be needed

Uses strict mastery-based sequencing with minimal spiral review, requiring solid foundation before advancing. The unusual sequence reorganizes topics logically but makes transitions to other curricula difficult.

Cathy Duffy notes 'concepts taught in a previous level are not retaught and reviewed over and over' and students are 'expected to refer back to another book if they haven't got a solid foundation,' but the 'unusual scope and sequence' makes it 'tricky to move in or out of the series'

The curriculum includes chapter tests and final exams with self-checking capabilities, plus free placement tests on the website. However, formal diagnostic assessments appear limited.

Reviews mention 'each chapter concludes with a test, and there is a final test' with solutions included for self-checking, and 'there are free placement tests on the publisher's website'

The curriculum uses practical manipulatives like pennies and money for teaching concepts, with a geometry kit included. However, the books are mostly black-and-white with limited illustrations.

Volume I 'begins by using pennies that you supply to teach math fact families,' Volume II 'uses money to explain fractions,' and Volume IV includes 'a small kit of manipulatives,' though books are 'printed in black-and-white with a limited number of illustrations'