Real-World Math for Hands-On Fun! (Williamson Kids Can! Series) - Softcover

Grades 3-5--For students interested in expanding their math awareness and for adults searching for enriching activities for children, this book is a good find. Six sections discuss numbers, shapes, measurements, time, probability, and money. In each one, a number of concepts are explained; for example, "Numbers" includes brief discussions of the Mayan and Roman number systems, the Fibonacci series, the U.S. postal zip-code system, and other topics. Fun, relevant puzzles and suggestions for activities and experiments are incorporated. Easily obtainable kitchen or stationery-store supplies are required to complete the projects, and, sometimes, a little adult help. There are instructions for creating tetrahedron models, an arch, a plastic-bottle pendulum, a clay pyramid, a water clock, and more. The varied page layouts and the humorous cartoon line drawings and occasional photos add to the attractiveness and the clarity of the concepts presented. Given the wide variety of practical topics covered (cost of keeping a pet, restaurant tipping, explanations of batting averages, raffle chances, leap year, etc.), children who use this book will undoubtedly be able to make better sense of their world. Ivars Peterson and Nancy Henderson's Math Trek (Wiley, 1999; o.p.) is similar in concept but includes more philosophical and theoretical ideas and projects and will complement Littlefield's book.
Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Real-World Math for Hands-On Fun! by Cindy Littlefield teaches miraculous math tricks such as determining how close a storm is by timing the interval between claps of thunder and how to decipher U.S. ZIP codes. Innovative math-based craft projects and mathematical trivia make for a book teachers and curious kids can count on.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.