MasterMath

MathGrades 6–9

About This Curriculum

Free online video-based math curriculum for middle school covering 6th-8th grade and Algebra 1 with interactive lessons, worksheets, and quizzes.

What makes it unique: Completely free comprehensive middle school math curriculum with high-quality video instruction and interactive 'You Try It' practice problems

MasterMath: Free Video-Based Mastery Curriculum for Middle School

MasterMath is a free online math curriculum covering grades 6-8 and Algebra 1 through video lessons, printable worksheets, and online quizzes. The program uses a mastery-based approach with sequential lessons taught by former middle school teacher Stan Lisle.

Best for

Homeschooling families and self-directed middle school students seeking a free, structured video-based math curriculum with flexibility for supplementation

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 4 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Worked ExamplesStrength

Incorporates worked examples through 'You Try It' sections where students pause videos to work practice problems before seeing solutions.

Videos include 'You try it slides where he instructs students to pause the video while they work on a practice problem' before showing solutions

Direct InstructionStrength

Provides clear direct instruction through video format with encouraging, tutorial-style teaching from an experienced middle school teacher.

Stan Lisle's teaching style is 'encouraging and friendly--and sometimes humorous, as if he were doing a one-on-one tutoring session' with structured video presentations

Visual RepresentationsStrength

Strong use of visual explanations, drawings, and animations throughout the video instruction.

Video teaching consists of 'visual explanations, drawings, and animations' presented in an engaging format

Teacher TrainingConcern

Limited teacher support beyond answer keys, though includes guidance for homeschool parents on implementation.

Program provides 'printable answer keys' and 'How Master Math works for Home Schooled Students' guidance, but no comprehensive teacher training materials mentioned

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Online quizzes test cumulative knowledge rather than single lessons, providing some retrieval practice, though frequency and depth are not detailed.

Online quizzes 'test students on cumulative knowledge rather than just one lesson's material' and provide immediate feedback

Sequencing ApproachNeutral

Uses effective mastery-based sequencing with logical progression, though some advanced topics may move too quickly.

Courses are 'taught lesson by lesson in a logical sequence' and use mastery approach, but 'the last quarter of Algebra I is too fast-paced and advanced for any student'

Assessment DiagnosticNeutral

Includes quarterly assessments and final exams with immediate feedback on quizzes, but diagnostic capabilities for identifying specific gaps are limited.

Provides 'printable quarterly assessments and final exams' and online quizzes give 'brief notes about their error' when students miss problems

Conceptual Procedural BalanceNeutral

The curriculum emphasizes mastering mathematical concepts rather than just memorizing procedures, though the balance between conceptual understanding and procedural fluency is not fully detailed.

Reviews note the program 'focuses on mastering mathematical concepts rather than just memorizing procedures' and teaches 'core concepts' at each level

Word ProblemsInsufficient Evidence

Worksheets contain complex, multi-step problems, but systematic word problem instruction approach is not clearly described.

Problems are 'often complex and require multiple steps' but specific word problem strategies are not detailed in reviews

Review Sources

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The Curriculum Choice

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesGrades 6–9
SubjectMath
PedagogyMastery Based
Faith-BasedNo
FormatDigital
PricingFree (funded by donations)

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy