How Do the Beauty & Truth Math Guides Work?
HOW TO USE OUR GUIDES
The Setup
Each guide has a slightly discounted whole-year bundle that includes bonus service activities for the arithmetic guides and all compiled print files, providing easier, more cohesive access than buying each term separately.
Each year consists of three 12-week terms: week 11 is a grace/catch-up week, and week 12 is an exam. Terms are structured week by week, with daily lessons.
Preparation for the Year
We recommend 1–2 hours of prep time per student. With multiple students, the total is often lower due to significant overlap in content preparation.
The guides provide step-by-step instructions for getting set up for the school year. Start by reading the Important Teacher Helps.
DO NOT skip the All About the Guide document! It details how the guides are organized. We omitted it from the guides to avoid redundancy, but it is essential for understanding the setup and slight variations between them.
OUR GUIDES + LIVING MATH TEXTBOOKS + MATERIALS
=
A COMPLETE CHARLOTTE MASON MATH CURRICULUM
5 Steps to Organize Your Materials
1) Purchase the Guides & Math Texts
The majority of our guides feature a math textbook that serves as the student problem bank for practice
Decide on digital or print versions for both you and your student. Print options and suggestions are available in the Important Teacher Helps folder.
2) Print & Prepare the Printables
The number of printables culminates in fifth grade and then decreases significantly.
Since cardstock printables are reused regularly over multiple terms, print them on heavier, more durable paper.
Bundle purchasers should check the printables overview sheet before printing to prevent duplicate copies across the terms.
3) Set Up the Student Notebook
Students will need grid and/or blank paper, plus easy access to printables and reference sheets. Below are the two most common setup options, along with their pros, cons, and our personal tips.
3-Ring Binder Notebook
Pros: Sequentially order papers, including handouts.
Cons: Papers can rip and get lost.
Tips
- Have a printables section and then once the student uses them, move them to their sequential placement.
- Store the cardstock reference sheets in pocket dividers.
- Purchase reinforced notebook paper to help reduce the risk of the papers ripping.
Composition/Spiral Notebook
Pros: Set up is less bulky and papers aren’t easily lost.
Cons: Need a separate folder or notebook for the printables and reference sheets.
Tips
- Keep an eye out for summer sales to grab grid composition notebooks on sale.
- Store the printables and reference sheets in a pocket or accordion folder.
- Add a circled note at the top of any lesson where you use printables to track where they occur.
4) Set Up the Teacher Notebook
Customize this to your needs! Some teachers want a math-specific binder, while others do not.
We like to include a calendar along with planning documents and Important Teacher Help files, such as the Arithmetic Review Activities & Games document.
We also use ours to store printable answer keys. For younger students, we sometimes include the printables and reference pages as well.
5) Set Up the Supplies
Cut-Apart Cards
In the younger years, we sometimes use cut-apart cards as manipulatives. Print them on cardstock and cut them out, or simply write them on index cards as needed. We highly recommend storing them grouped in snack baggies.
Storage options include students’ bins, a divided index card box, an accordion index card holder, or a photo storage box with 4” by 6” cases.
Everyday Materials
These daily supplies (such as pencils and geometry tools) need to be kept accessible at all times. Decide with your student where to store them.
Special Materials
The majority of these supplies are common household items, though a few will need to be purchased (e.g., two-color counters for Arithmetic Years 1–6).
With all this yearly prep done, you’re essentially set for the year and your days will run very smoothly!
Preparation for the TERM
At the start of each term, it is vital that you read the term overview for each guide. These pages provide unique details, reminders, and key information you should know ahead of time.
Review the Special Materials section and note what you need to print or prepare early, such as outside worksheets or supplies like an empty gallon container for liquid measurement week.
Preparation for the WEEK
For each week, use the weekly resource page—your go-to tool for daily planning. It provides a brief overview, required supplies, and special notes (e.g., using a video during a lesson).
Skim lessons as desired, but avoid pre-reading them in detail. Our guides are designed so you can learn along with your student without spending extra time preparing.
The weekly resource page also lists suggested review and mental math topics with corresponding activities or textbook pages. Bookmark them ahead of time for review days or when you need a quick filler during an unexpected interruption.
If a lesson runs long and takes two days, simply skip a review day. Review days are intentionally designed as catch-up days to give you breathing room and keep math enjoyable.
A Final reminder
And don’t forget! The Holy Spirit is near and actively working in both you and your student—even in math class.