The Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition series of elementary math textbooks and workbooks is meant to be part of a system of learning in which adult supervision and independent practice go hand in hand. The main feature of this series is the use of the Concrete > Pictorial > Abstract approach. The students are provided with the necessary learning experiences beginning with the concrete and pictorial stages, followed by the abstract stage to enable them to learn mathematics meaningfully. This approach encourages active thinking, communication of mathematical ideas, and problem-solving. This helps develop the foundation students will need for more advanced mathematics.

Practice exercises are designed to provide the students with further practice after they have done the relevant workbook exercises. Review exercises are provided for cumulative review of concepts and skills. All the practice exercises and review exercises are optional exercises.

The color patch  is used to invite active participation from the students and to facilitate oral discussion. The students are advised not to write on the color patches.

Students who switch to Primary Mathematics from another curriculum may not have the necessary background to begin at the level corresponding with their grade level without review from earlier levels. We suggest that you use these placement tests to decide where to place students new to Primary Mathematics, or to get an idea of which concepts may have to be reviewed from an earlier level.