Mystery Math - A First Book of Algebra

Mystery Math - A First Book of Algebra  by David A. Adler is a great source to combine math and a fun, spooky holiday. It's also a great help in introducing ALGEBRA VOCABULARY to young math students.

The math vocabulary used in the book includes:

• equation
• equal sign
• equal
• variable
• symbol
• algebra
• add
• subtract
• multiply
• divide
• word problems
• algebra equations

In order to use the whole book, students need to understand all 4 operations (add, subtract, multiply, and divide). The beginning of the book could be used with younger students who understand addition and subtraction.

I like how the introduction compares an equation to a seesaw (both sides must be balanced).

The last two lines of the book are perfect for the message of the book. "Solving mysteries is fun! Algebra helps you solve math mysteries." The illustrations by Edward Miller are perfect for a spooky math lesson!

Also included in the book of the book is a set of directions to make a balance scale with a coat hanger and pennies so that students can clearly visualize an EQUATION.

This is the perfect season to read this book about a creepy haunted house with your students!

Have fun!

Even Steven and Odd Todd - Math + Literature

Even Steven and Odd Todd is a fun math book for students in Grades1-2.

This easy to read story makes learning math concepts easy, interesting, and fun for kids. This is especially important for reluctant math students. Some students need more positive experiences with math to develop an appreciation and liking of math.

Also helpful is a note to parents at the beginning of the book and tips and suggestions at the back of the book which provide parents with a hands-on approach to help their children learn and enjoy math.

Here's a few Extension Activities to use after reading the book:

~ Use any number manipulatives that you have and let the kids SORT them into Odd and Even. If you don't have number manipulatives, the kids could write numbers on Post-Its, then sort them.

These wooden and magnetic numbers cost $1.00 at a Dollar store.

~Have the kids complete (color) a fun Even and Odd worksheet. It 's on my website. Just click on the link below then go to Free Worksheets.

http://www.LearningWorkroom.com

~ Take a walk outside to look at house numbers, have the children observe that odd numbers are on one side of the street and even numbers are on the other side.

Have fun with math!

Great Math Book - G is for Googol

This is a really cool math book, mostly for students in grades 3 - 8, but I think adults will also enjoy reading it with kids.

The book teaches and entertains. The author, David M. Schwartz, is very witty and funny and the drawings and cartoons by the illustrator, Marissa Moss, are humorous and fun.

The book has lots of mathematical terms, concepts, and illustrations and is set up in alphabetical order. I would suggest picking one or two letters per day to read about with students. Each letter will lend itself to interesting discussions with your students.

The table of contents is great for choosing a topic to read and learn about. If you are looking for a GEOMETRY TOPIC I would choose any of the following:

• D is for Diamond

• E is for Equilateral

• O is for Obtuse

• R is for Rhombicosidodecahedron

• S is for Symmetry

• T is for Tessellate

• W is for "When are we ever gonna use this stuff anyway?"

Thanks for visiting. Have fun with math!



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Math Book - Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland

A MATH ADVENTURE

I love this children's geometry book about ANGLES! In fact I love all the books in this series. 

The author, Cindy Neuschwander, is so clever! This book is great for upper elementary and middle school. I've used it as a Read-Aloud.

The setting for this story is in England in olden times with medieval castles and knights. The names of the characters alone crack me up!

Radius - our main character
Sir Cumference - Radius' father
Lady Di of Ameter - Radius' mother
Sir D'Grees - Radius' teacher
King Lell and his Dragons - Pair of Lells

In the story Radius is sent out on a quest and has to find his way through a maze of angles.  He is given a medallion, an old family heirloom (actually a protractor) by his parents to give him courage. No one knows what the numbers stand for. Of course Radius, the hero of the story, solves the puzzle and teaches us about circles and angles.

The kids can make a medallion similar to the one in the story with a paper plate. (See below.)

paper plate math craft

paper plate math craft

Another craft would be to use a paper plate to duplicate the picture on page 30 in the book to learn about or reinforce acute, right, and obtuse angles.

angles

This book is such a great math adventure and the paper plate medallion (protractor) actually works!  The kids can have fun measuring angles!

Have fun with math!