Math Reference book needed (middle school)

[5wolfcubs]

My always-struggled-with-math 7th grade dd is doing very well w/ ALEKS (3 weeks into it) but I'd like to get a math reference book -- something that will let her look at the concepts in both another format and offline. We have a lot of "living math books" but nothing systematic that we could use to look information and have a clear explanation w/ a diagram or 2.

I've been browsing Amazon and come up w/ these titles:

Algebra to Go (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669471526/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3OWDULGSGF7OX&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Math to Know (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669535966/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3RWUCISWZ91AS&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Math on Call (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669508195/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1PZC5U3M4VOWN&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Troll Math Homework Survival Guide (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0816748152/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1T6SXUET0Q2SO&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Everything You Need to Know About Math Homework (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0590493590/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2G7AAXXURTBET&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)

The first three appear to by the same publisher and the last two say 4-6th grade.

Anyone have a great math encyclopedia or dictionary they can recommend? No actual problem sets, just a place to look up the how-to?

Thanks! :)

[Kathy in MD]

the problem sets.

[ArwenA]

I have the first three books on your list and like them all. I've found Algebra to Go and Math on Call particularly good.

My favourite math dictionaries are Math Dictionary for Kids and Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math.

[Kareni]

I've been browsing Amazon and come up w/ these titles:

Algebra to Go (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669471526/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3OWDULGSGF7OX&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Math to Know (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669535966/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3RWUCISWZ91AS&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)
Math on Call (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0669508195/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1PZC5U3M4VOWN&colid=LMJQ9QZUAHBH)



I like these three too. I also like the writing handbooks that the publisher, Great Source, puts out.

Regards,
Kareni

[karensk]

...Math to Know (3rd-4th gr.) and Math at Hand (5th-6th gr.).

Math on Call is for middle school grades, according to the GreatSource website: http://www.greatsource.com/store/ProductCatalogController?cmd=Browse&subcmd=LoadDetail&ID=1003600000006166&division=G01&frontOrBack=F&sortEntriesBy=SEQ_NAME&sortProductsBy=SEQ_TITLE

We use Math to Know and Math at Hand as handbooks; when I feel that my child needs another perspective or explanation of a specific topic, I'll have him read about it in the handbook. We also use them to get familiar with any American math terminology that isn't in the Singapore math program.

We actually end up using only about 20-25% of the books. Still, it's worth it for us. It's written to the student, it often shows more than one way of doing things, it implements visuals & color diagrams in a clear and appealing way. I plan on getting more of these!

HTH!

[5wolfcubs]

Thanks everyone! I hadn't noticed the grade level is the Great Source series, I could probably use a working through of a Lial's text myself, and I just requested two kids' math dictionaries from the library! :)

[mo2]

I have the Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Math. My kids aren't old enough yet to need it, but it looks good.