Math-U-See Primer
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! Already have a Demme Learning subscription? Customize math to remove the extra subscription card.
Quantity:
Consumable
In a Curriculum Kit
Mastery Learning
Nonreligious
Please Note: The digital subscription portion of this product is non-returnable according to publisher policy.
2026 Kindergarten Curriculum Kit
Math-U-See Primer
Every math journey starts somewhere. Math-U-See Primer introduces young learners to foundational math concepts through hands-on activities, visual instruction, and plenty of opportunities to build understanding before moving on.In Primer, your child will learn to recognize, write, and count numbers; identify number names; add and subtract with manipulatives; recognize common shapes; tell time to the hour and half hour; measure using informal units; and explore early fraction concepts such as halves and fourths.
Like all Math-U-See levels, Primer follows a mastery-based approach that focuses on understanding one concept at a time. Using the included Integer Blocks and clear video instructions, children see and touch mathematical ideas before working with them on paper. This concrete-to-abstract progression helps young learners develop confidence and a strong foundation for future math study.
Instructional videos and teacher resources are accessed through Math-U-See's Essential Plan. Each subscription includes 2 course credits, supports up to 5 student seats, and provides access to activated levels for one year. See the note below for important subscription details.
Designed for beginning math students, Primer provides a gentle introduction to numbers, operations, shapes, measurement, and time while helping children develop the skills they need for success in later levels.
(Need help picking a level? We’ve got placement tests ready for you.)
Look inside this book and read through a lesson to see how it might work for your family.
How to Use Math-U-See
- Begin each lesson by watching the instructional video. You can watch it ahead of time and teach the concept yourself, or view it together with your student. The videos introduce each new concept step by step and demonstrate the Math-U-See approach in action.
- Before teaching, review the online teacher resources included through the Essential Plan. These materials provide teaching notes, practice suggestions, and answers, but most parents find that a quick review is all that's needed before getting started.
- After the lesson, choose the worksheets that best fit your student's level of understanding. Each lesson includes seven worksheets labeled A–G. Start with Worksheet A to introduce the concept, then add additional worksheets as needed for practice and review.
- Many families find that completing Worksheets A, D, and G provides a good balance of instruction, review, and challenge. However, one of Math-U-See's strengths is its flexibility. Students who need more practice can complete additional worksheets, while students who quickly master a concept can move ahead.
- Plan on completing approximately one lesson each week. With 30 lessons in the course, this pace allows ample time for instruction, practice, review, and mastery throughout the school year. If a concept needs more time, don't hesitate to slow down. Math-U-See is designed around mastery, not speed.
- Use the included manipulatives and visual demonstrations whenever appropriate. These tools help students develop a strong conceptual understanding before moving to more abstract mathematical thinking.
- By working at your student's pace and focusing on understanding rather than memorization, you'll build a solid foundation for success in mathematics.
The Essential Learning Set includes 1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access, a Student Pack, and Integer Blocks.
Purchase this set if you have never taught Math-U-See before.
Universal Set
The Universal Set includes 1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access, a Student Pack, Integer Blocks, and a printed Instructor Manual.
Purchase this set if you have never taught Math-U-See before, and feel like you would benefit from having a printed Instructor Manual.
Level Up Set (Digital Instructor Version)
The Level Up Set (Digital Instructor Version) includes 1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access and a Student Pack.
Please note: Integer Blocks required. Purchase this set if you already own Integer Blocks.
Level Up Set (Printed Instructor Version)
The Level Up Set (Printed Instructor Version) includes 1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access, a printed Instructor Manual, and a Student Pack.
Please note: Integer Blocks required. Purchase this set if you already own Integer Blocks.
Student Pack
The Student Pack includes the Student Workbook and Tests. The Student Pack is suitable for families with a second student.
Please note: Integer Blocks and Instructor Materials required. Purchase this set if you already own Integer Blocks and Online or Printed Instructor Materials.
Printed Instructor Manual Only
Printed Instructor Manual Only is a printed copy of the Instructor Manual for those who prefer to have it in print rather than online, or both.
This would typically be for those who purchased the Essential Set and realized they would like to have a printed book as well. If you want a bundle that includes a printed manual, order the Universal Set or the Level Up Set (Printed Instructor Version).
DVD Only
DVD Only is the level DVD with the Lesson Videos.
This is no longer included in any of the Math-U-See bundles. It can only be purchased separately.
1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access Only
To purchase 12-month online access to instruction videos and online instruction manual as well as other resources, click here.
A note from Demme Learning: If you already have an active Demme Learning subscription, have already purchased a Math-U-See set that includes a subscription card, or have purchased a subscription card individually, please review the following before purchasing.
- The Demme Learning online subscription platform only allows one active subscription per account at a time.
- Subscriptions cannot be stacked, combined, or applied simultaneously to extend duration or unlock additional courses/students.
- If you currently have an active subscription or are purchasing multiple sets/cards, you will not be able to redeem a second code until your current subscription expires.
Table of Contents:
Publisher's Information
Publisher: Demme Learning
Series: Math-U-See
Age Recommendation: 5
Grade Recommendation: K
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: No (Instruction Pack, Integer Block Kit), Yes (Student Pack)
Copyright: 2012
Lessons: 30
CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Primer Overview:
Primer Lesson 9 Sample:
Place Value:
Addition:
Subtraction:
review by Laura Noelle
”What I desire most for math curriculum for our family is a solid, practical program that allows me to teach the concepts without a lot of busywork. So far, we are thrilled with Math-U-See Primer and enjoy the lessons together.”
Read the Review
review by Making Everyday Magic
”We have been so impressed with the way that the Demme Learning Company approaches math concepts and feel like they have suited our older daughter's learning style very well. ”
Watch the VideoFind answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Math-U-See has transitioned from lifetime access to a one-year subscription for its digital resources, including instructional videos and the online teacher manual.
This new subscription provides digital access for two levels and up to five students. Depending on your family’s needs, this may offer more flexibility than the previous level-by-level lifetime access model.
One of the strengths of this plan is its flexibility. Your students are not locked into a single level. If a student finishes a level early or needs to go back and review an earlier one, you can swap a course credit to a different level right from your dashboard, up to once every 30 days. Because the plan includes two credits, a family with two students in different levels can often cover both with one subscription. When a student is ready to move up, you simply purchase the physical materials for the next level and swap the credit. As long as your subscription is active, there is no new subscription to buy to keep going.
For more information, view our 1-Year Essential Plan Subscription Access page.
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.
Most families find it more convenient for both children to have their own set of Integer Blocks. However, you can stick with one set to ease the budget if your students don't mind taking turns as needed.
Your subscription includes a PDF of the Instruction Manual, so every page from the physical book is there in digital form. Pick a lesson and you'll find the menu just below the lesson video: Lesson Instruction (the PDF of the lesson pages), Solutions (the PDF solutions to the Student Workbook), and other Resources. The virtual manipulatives are in the Digital Toolbox.
If you chose the Printed Instructor's Manual instead, those same pages are in your book.
Customers earn Doodle Dollars for reviewing products they've purchased, and some promotions add an entry in a prize drawing. Rewards never depend on the rating given.
Customer photos
- September 24, 2026
Molly
We LOVE the blocks. Such an amazing set for hands on learners like my daughter. We got about a quarter of the way thru the work book before things got pretty boring and then pretty confusing. We now just use the blocks for other math workbooks!
- September 20, 2026
Jay
I was amazed at this set! Both my husband and I were children that probably drove our teachers crazy asking why things were the way they were, why the math problem worked, etc. MUS takes all the guesswork out and tangibly shows children (and their parents!) why and how math works. I love the ideology being units rather than 'ones' and that it makes math tangible, realistic, and fun! Highly recommend!
- September 22, 2025
Amazing!
Marcelle
Our kids have used Math-U-See from Primer to now Gamma and are thriving! Excellent curriculum for our visual and tactile learners!
- April 19, 2025
Worth every penny
Catherine M.
My son loved this kit. It made dealing with math super easy and planned out well. The videos are great too.
- July 30, 2024
Essential
Brittany G.
This is an essential kit. It's great.
- July 18, 2024
Best math program
Sara W.
We love it, will continue to use it. The blocks are used every year and sometimes just get played with. The videos are so helpful. It’s made me learn math in a whole new way and it’s made it easy to teach.
- June 13, 2024
Absolutely the best
Brittany T.
Hands down this is THE best math curriculum. So fun and easy to use for everyone.
- April 18, 2024
Sierra O.
The parents’ guide was hit or miss depending on the lesson as far as how much guidance is given. My son loved the activities, which were great for holding the attention of a 5-year-old boy who struggles with focus.
- September 24, 2023
Kid (and Parent) Approved!
Kati C.
This is our second round utilizing Math-You-See Primer. The manipulatives are fantastic for a hands-on experience. We utilize the videos when introducing each lesson -- I think my kids enjoy listening to a different instructor for a change! The worksheets are great to reinforce the concepts throughout the week.
- September 11, 2023
My child loves it!!
Kristina W.
My daughter is young so I was afraid the colorless pages would not be enough to keep her attention but it sparked her imagination! She calls it treasure math and keeps her blocks in a treasure chest that she had! She creates stories about building castles and begs to “play” several times a day!
Related Products
$120
$199
$18.99
