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Willa Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: California
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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We've been on unschooling "sabbatical" all this fall. I'm still not sure where we are going from here, but it has been interesting and I think I've learned a lot. That's another post, but right now I wanted to mention....
My 12yo son has always been good at math but in the past has said he's "hated" math. We've been unschooling except for about 10 minutes a day on his Key to Algebra and Bible History (which he enjoys and sometimes reads for fun). He's read many, many books and spent lots of hours on various 12yo projects.
Well, this Monday he found a page of Math Challenges in his algebra book -- like thisthis
"Tom's father is 3 times old as Tom. 4 years ago, he was 4 times older. How old is Tom?"
Now he has been asking me for more "math challenges." I've been scouring the web finding them and he enjoys them and really shows a lot of intuitive algebra thinking in how he approaches them.
Math has always been the subject I am most worried about unschooling. But it seems that backing off has had some advantages in that area, too. Just thought I'd share! and also ask if anyone knows of any books that have more of that kind of thing.
__________________ AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Kathryn UK Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: England
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 1:13pm | IP Logged
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Hello, Willa.
Julie Brennan, who does the Living Math website and email list, recently started a weekly math challenge email list for kids (aimed at around your son's age). I can't find the link, but I think you can contact her through the Living Math site. Or someone else here may have the details of the email list ... anyone???
__________________ Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06) (11/07)
The Bookworm
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Genevieve Forum All-Star
Joined: April 02 2005
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 1:37pm | IP Logged
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Willa,
I loved doing these sort of problems as a child. Unfortunately I'm no help since the books I had were by various Singaporean publishers and no available in US. However, you might want to check out Mindware under Brainteasers. I imagine the logic and math brainteasers might fit your needs.
__________________ Genevieve
The Good Within
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tovlo4801 Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2005 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
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Willa,
The living math challenge for kids is PiCafe.
At least that's what I'm guessing you were refering to Kathryn.
I haven't done much with it, but it looks good.
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Leonie Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 6:56pm | IP Logged
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Hi Willa,
Thomas (12) likes making up hiw own maths challenges for dh to solve. In return, he asks dh or i to make up challenges for him!
Just thought I'd share - home made challenges and problems can often be fun cos they get us thinkiing and the "scenario" can uses family specific items.
__________________ Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Leonie Forum All-Star
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
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Oh, forgot to say that the book Math By Kids from Pennsylvania Homeschoolers is also good for problems - from easy ones for preschoolers to challenging high school level problems.
This book first gave us the idea of writing our own problems.
__________________ Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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PDyer Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 25 2005 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Dec 07 2005 at 9:50pm | IP Logged
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My son has been enjoying the first of this series.
Challenge Math
Patty
__________________ Patty
Mom of ds (7/96) and dd (9/01) and two angels (8/95 and 6/08)
Life at Home
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Kathryn UK Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: England
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Posted: Dec 08 2005 at 3:39am | IP Logged
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tovlo4801 wrote:
Willa,
The living math challenge for kids is PiCafe.
At least that's what I'm guessing you were refering to Kathryn.
I haven't done much with it, but it looks good.
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That's the one! I knew it was a memorable name, if only I could remember it
__________________ Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06) (11/07)
The Bookworm
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