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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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I came across a great book that I wanted to share with all of you!
Family Math by Jean Kerr Stenmark, Virginia Thompson, and Ruth Cossey.
If you approach math without a formal curriculum, or approach based on the 3R's (Ruth Beechick), or are considering approaching elementary math this way, or are just looking for a fun way to introduce or reinforce math concepts in the elementary grades, consider checking out this book!!!
There are math activities for ages 5 - 12 years old and covers topics like:
** word problems
** logical reasoning
** measurement
** geometry
** spatial thinking
** probability
** statistics
** calculators
** estimation
** numbers and operations
It calls for basic hands on materials - these are common materials you can find around the house like beans, toothpicks, pennies, blocks as tools to help a child *see* a math concept. The activities are grouped into 3 age groups and each activity tells you clearly which age group the activity is appropriate for - K-3, 4-6, or 6-8. The authors wrote the book with the home and the parent in mind, so the presentations are clear.
Each activity offers the WHY - the raionale for doing an activity and the HOW - the description and steps of an activity. A TOOL KIT is listed in the margin of each activity which is helpful. Some activities have MORE IDEAS listed which is helpful to extend the activity into more of a lesson.
A great local friend of mine had this in her give-away box and I grabbed it. I'm so glad I did! I just wanted to share in case it helped anyone else as you're looking towards next year.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
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We've taken a couple-month-half-break from Math-U-See and have used this along with others for our Math.
I'll be back later to list some of the other "living math" books that i've used/found. Remind me if I forget. It's helpful to have a list to see what ones your library has.
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Suzanne in ID
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MaryM
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
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Oh, yes, I have some a great math book I want to add - but can't think of hte title at this moment. 
I like Family Math, too. Good reminder as it's been a few years since it's been dusted off... 
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Sarah M
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 6:08pm | IP Logged
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LOVE this book! 
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 7:38pm | IP Logged
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We love this book as well. There are other Family Math books for different age groups (Middle School and I think there is one for high school, not sure, though) I also have Family Math II but it is not as good as the original.
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Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3(14,13 & 11 yrs.old)
MusingsofaPrairieGirl
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 18 2010 at 9:13pm | IP Logged
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JuliaT wrote:
| We love this book as well. There are other Family Math books for different age groups (Middle School and I think there is one for high school, not sure, though) I also have Family Math II but it is not as good as the original. |
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I saw that, Julia!
Family Math for Young Children - for 4-8 yo
Family Math II: Achieving Success in Mathematics - K-6, but doesn't get as good reviews as the others. So, I appreciate your thoughts on that, Julia.
Family Math: The Middle School Years, Algebraic Reasoning and Number Sense - 10-14 yo
There is a Family Math Website where I found a new book, The Journey Through Middle School Math which is targeted to grades 5 - 8.
I'm considering Family Math: The Middle School Years, Algebraic Reasoning and Number Sense for my oldest but she's already halfway through Algebra I. Does anyone have this book? Is it more introductory to algebraic concepts? The review on the Lawrence Hall website seems mixed and I can't get a good idea of the book.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Feb 19 2010 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
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Oh! Looking forward to looking at the Family Math Website that you linked above!
Here are a few other "Math Game-Idea Books" that we've used and I like to browse through for ideas:
::Math for Kids and Other People Too. Age 9-12.
::Games for Math. Peggy Kaye. K-3
::Play and Find Out about Math. Preschool-Grade 1
::Math Magic For Your Kids. Just got this one, haven't gone through it yet.
::Math for Every Kid. Age 8-12
::Preparing Young Children For Math. Older book from 1979. No pictures, nothing fancy, but good ideas for early years numbers/math/shapes, etc. Preschool/K age.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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brabec7
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| Posted: Feb 22 2010 at 10:00am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the website. We have used Family Math for 12 years now. We have literally watched the concept grow to included young and old with each new book. It is such a rich resource. (Family Math) IMHO I would not buy the Young Math book. I just gave mine away. It had some neat ideas but nothing worth the price.
Another "old" resource out there that is similar in concept (higher level thinking) is: http://www.center.edu/
It is very hands on and exploration is the key in developing concepts. It is easily used with multiple ages but we never used it past second grade and that was a stretch.
Riddle Math Series by Incentive Publications is WONDERFUL! for the middle grades. On that same idea is Problem Solving by Incentive Publication: The Basic Not Boring Series. This series does all kinds of puzzles for every subject. The Problem Solving is for math.
http://www.incentivepublications.com/products_detail.asp?pro duct_id=54
http://www.incentivepublications.com/products_detail.asp?pro duct_id=11
Thanks again for the website.
Lisa B
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Topic: Family Math
