Math-U-See Alpha
Math-U-See keeps it simple and smart—clear pages, short lessons, and a mastery approach that helps math make sense from the very start!
$170.40
Quantity:
Consumable
In a Curriculum Kit
Mastery Learning
Nonreligious
2025 First-Grade Curriculum Kit
Math-U-See Alpha: Where the Math Adventure Begins!
In Math-U-See Alpha, your child will conquer single-digit addition and subtraction like a pro. But this isn’t just number drills and flashcard battles—Alpha makes math click by showing kids how numbers work, connect, and play together.
We start with hands-on strategies that help students really understand what’s happening when they add and subtract. They’ll explore place value, solve simple mysteries like “what number is missing?,” and finally see how addition and subtraction are actually two sides of the same coin.
As they gain confidence, your child will dive into telling time, sketching shapes like rectangles and circles, measuring things with “kid-sized” units, and getting a first peek at fractions—hello, halves and fourths! There’s skip counting too—by 2s, 5s, 10s, and even 100s—plus word problems to put their skills into action.
If your child is ready to build a rock-solid foundation in math, Math-U-See Alpha is the place to start—steady, supportive, and surprisingly fun. To find the Math-U-See level that best fits your child you can try the placement test here.
About Math-U-See
A math curriculum with fewer meltdowns and more “aha!” moments? Yes, please.
Math-U-See has been helping families ditch the math tears and build real understanding for over 20 years. It’s a hands-on, mastery-based program that moves at your child’s pace—not a boxed-in grade level. Instead of rushing from topic to topic, Math-U-See helps kids really “get it” before moving on. And it works.
So what makes it different?
Math-U-See doesn’t just tell kids how math works—it shows them. With videos, manipulatives, and a simple, step-by-step approach, this program breaks down math into bite-sized concepts that build on each other like stacking blocks (literally—there are blocks involved).
Each level focuses on mastering one main concept at a time. No bouncing around. No cluttered pages. Just clear, logical progression—and lots of real-world applications that help things click.
Why parents love it:
- Concepts stick because they’re taught visually and tangibly
- Lessons are short and approachable
- Students can move at their own pace without being tied to a grade label
- There’s plenty of review, but only where it’s needed
- The instructor (Steve Demme) is so engaging that kids actually like watching the videos
- No confusing distractions—just clean pages and straightforward steps
- They get to use colorful blocks, overlays, and inserts to actually see math happen
- Occasional fun extras like dot-to-dots and puzzles sneak in a bit of play
Why kids love it:
How it’s organized:
Math-U-See levels aren’t labeled by grade. They go in this order:
Primer, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus.
(Need help picking a level? We’ve got placement tests ready for you.)
Let’s talk manipulatives:
These aren’t just add-ons—they’re essential tools in the learning process. From early number sense to fractions and even algebra, the manipulatives help make abstract ideas click. They come in a lightweight plastic tray inside a cardboard box, but heads up: the packaging is… not exactly indestructible. We suggest upgrading to a sturdy bin or bag for long-term storage.
Bottom line:
If your child needs a confidence boost, a rock-solid foundation, or a fresh start with math, Math-U-See is a smart, structured, no-fluff way to get there—without the daily drama. And when your child starts teaching you what they’ve learned? That’s when you’ll know it’s working.
Look inside this book and read through a lesson to see how it might work for your family.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Math-U-See is a skills-based program that focuses on student mastery of a concept before progressing to the next concept. Because of this, it is not aligned with the common core and, therefore, may not meet the requirements of state standardized tests.
In other words, Math-U-See covers topics in a logical sequence, which may not exactly correlate with the more scattered assortment of skills that are typical for each grade. Parents who wish to compare the Common Core State Standards for kindergarten through sixth grade with the content taught in Math-U-See can do so here.
