Math Lessons for a Living Education
A gentle, story-based Christian homeschool math series by Angela O'Dell from Master Books, with Charlotte Mason touches like narration and copywork, in seven levels from kindergarten through 6th grade.
What is Math Lessons for a Living Education?
Math Lessons for a Living Education is a homeschool math series from Master Books, written by Angela O'Dell with co-authors on some levels. It runs from Level K through Level 6, one level per year, and is sold as an award-winning Christian homeschool math curriculum.
What makes it different is the story. Most weeks open with a chapter about twins Charlie and Charlotte, whose farm summers, new baby sister and other adventures unfold across all six numbered levels. The characters show up in word problems, so math feels like part of real life. Reviewer Cathy Duffy, who lists it as a Top Pick, calls the stories realistic and engaging.
How it works
Each level is one book with the daily schedule built in. Lessons take about 15 to 30 minutes, five days a week, for 36 weeks. A typical day might include:
- Reading part of the story together.
- A short explanation of the new idea.
- Practice pages, mental math or copywork.
- A narration or hands-on project instead of a test.
O'Dell borrows from Charlotte Mason: narration, copywork, drawing, recipes and projects replace most quizzes through Level 5. Parents work closely with the child through about Level 2. By Level 3, Duffy says, students can do much of the work on their own. Level 6 adds optional quizzes and a final exam, and its separate teacher guide holds the schedule and solutions.
What it covers
| Level | Ages | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| K | 4–6 | Counting to 10, shapes, opposites, graphing, money basics |
| 1 | 5–7 | Parent-led early number work |
| 2–5 | About 7–11 | Carrying and borrowing from Level 2, building toward Level 6 |
| 6 | 10–12 | Fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, graphs, units of measure |
The pace is gentler than many programs and does not follow the Common Core. Geometry gets less attention than in standards-based programs. Use the free readiness test on each product page to place your child.
Who it's best for
This series suits Christian families, Charlotte Mason-leaning homeschoolers and kids who light up with stories. It is also one of the more affordable full programs. It fits well on our list of Christian math curriculum and Charlotte Mason math.
Look elsewhere if you want a secular program, a fast pace or a lot of drill.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, each student book is $39.19 in paperback or $34.29 as an eBook on masterbooks.com. Levels K through 5 need only the one book. Level 6 adds a teacher guide. Budget a little for household items and simple supplies.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. Curriculum is one of the most common allowable expenses in programs like the Arizona ESA and Florida's FES-UA. Each program decides what qualifies, and some have rules about religious materials, so check first. Read about homeschool scholarships, save this series to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
Horizons Math is another Christian-published option, faster and more colorful, with more parent teaching. Math-U-See uses videos and blocks for a mastery approach. Singapore Math is more rigorous and secular. For a quirky story-driven option for older kids, see Life of Fred. Browse all elementary math curriculum.
Who Math Lessons for a Living Education is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Christian families who want faith and character woven into math
- Charlotte Mason-leaning homeschoolers
- Kids who do better with stories and short lessons than drill
- Families on a tight curriculum budget
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a secular program
- Parents who want a fast, Common Core-paced scope
- Kids who need lots of geometry or extensive drill
Math Lessons for a Living Education pros and cons
Pros
- Inexpensive: one book per year for most levels
- Engaging, realistic continuing story
- Short lessons with the schedule built in
- Students work more independently from about Level 3
- Free readiness tests for placement
Cons
- Gentler pace; topics such as carrying and borrowing wait until Level 2
- Geometry gets less attention than in many programs
- Some homemade manipulatives are flimsy
- Level 6 requires a separate teacher guide
What’s included
- Ongoing story about twins Charlie and Charlotte that frames each week's math
- Short 15–30 minute lessons, 5 days a week, for 36 weeks
- Daily schedule built into each book
- Charlotte Mason elements: narration, copywork, mental math and hands-on projects
- Free readiness tests for each level
- Perforated, three-hole-punched pages
Math Lessons for a Living Education levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level K | Kindergarten | Ages 4–6. Counting and number sense to 10, basic shapes, comparisons, positional words, opposites, simple measurement, graphing and an introduction to money. |
| Level 1 | Grade 1 | Ages 5–7. Parent and child work through the book together; 36 lessons with the schedule built in and answer key download. |
| Level 2 | Grade 2 | Continues the twins' story; carrying and borrowing are introduced at this level. |
| Level 3 | Grade 3 | Students can do much of their work independently from this level, per Cathy Duffy. |
| Level 4 | Grade 4 | Builds on earlier levels with the same story-based format and narration activities in place of quizzes. |
| Level 5 | Grade 5 | Final all-in-one level before the Level 6 format change; narration and application still replace formal quizzes. |
| Level 6 | Grade 6 | Ages 10–12. Decimals, percents, geometry basics, fractions, factors, averaging, graphs and charts, and units of measure. Adds optional quizzes and a final exam; needs the separate teacher guide. |
Master Books posts a free Math Lessons Readiness Test PDF on each level's product page. Cathy Duffy notes some parents may want to start kindergartners in Level 1, and levels need not match grades.
Official Math Lessons for a Living Education placement test ↗How much does Math Lessons for a Living Education cost?
As of October 2026, Master Books lists each Math Lessons for a Living Education student book at $39.19 in paperback and $34.29 as an eBook (Level K, Level 1 and Level 6 checked). Levels K through 5 are all-in-one books with the schedule built in and answer keys available as free downloads. Level 6 adds a separate teacher guide with the schedule, quizzes and solutions. An optional Teaching Companion is also sold.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student book, any level (paperback) | $39.19 | One-time | — |
| Student book, any level (eBook) | $34.29 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No trial, but free readiness tests are posted for each level.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewer Cathy Duffy lists the series as a Top Pick and calls the stories realistic and engaging. Master Books product pages show strong buyer ratings, with parents praising the open-and-go format and the faith content. The most common caution is that the scope is gentler and lighter on geometry than other programs, and some families find Level 6 a big step up.
Common praise
- Engaging stories that make math feel real
- Open-and-go with no planning needed
- Faith and character lessons woven in
Common complaints
- Gentler pace than many programs
- Light geometry coverage
- Level 6 lessons run longer and need the teacher guide
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · math lessons for a living education · masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education level 1 · masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education level 6
Math Lessons for a Living Education family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
Math Lessons for a Living Education FAQs
Is Math Lessons for a Living Education Christian?
Yes. Master Books describes it as a Christian homeschool math curriculum. The stories teach Christian character, love of family and appreciation of God as Creator alongside the math.
Is Math Lessons for a Living Education behind grade level?
It is gentler than many programs and does not follow the Common Core. Cathy Duffy says the scope is similar to what was common a decade or more ago, with lighter geometry. Use the free readiness test to check placement before each new level.
Do I need a teacher guide?
Not for Levels K through 5. Those books include the daily schedule, and answer keys are free downloads. Level 6 needs a separate teacher guide with the schedule, quizzes and solutions.
How long are the lessons?
Lessons take about 15 to 30 minutes, five days a week, across 36 weeks. Level 6 lessons tend to run longer.
Is it Charlotte Mason?
It is not a pure Charlotte Mason program, but author Angela O'Dell uses several Charlotte Mason elements: narration, copywork, living stories and hands-on application instead of frequent tests.
How much does Math Lessons for a Living Education cost?
As of October 2026, each student book is $39.19 in paperback or $34.29 as an eBook on masterbooks.com. Add the Level 6 teacher guide and a few household items.
Can I use ESA or scholarship funds for it?
Curriculum is commonly an allowable ESA expense, but each program decides and some have rules about religious materials. Save it to your Edulist wishlist and check your state's programs before you buy.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources:
- masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education series
- masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education level k
- masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education level 1
- masterbooks.com · math lessons for a living education level 6
- cathyduffyreviews.com · math lessons for a living education
- christianbook.com · math lessons for a living education
- christianbook.com · 440908