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WendyK
10-02-2009, 09:53 PM
Right now we are using Singapore (texts, workbooks, IP, CWP) and MEP. We are on 3B. I have a book titled "Painless Algebra" that I am reading to refresh my memory on a few things. My son saw the book and wanted me to "do" algebra with him. I showed him a few of the concepts (order of operations, exponents, roots). He totally got it. And now he wants more.

I don't really want to radically change what we are doing, but I'd like to perhaps add some more challenge problems. Does anyone have any suggestions for books or other resources?

Thanks
zaichiki
10-02-2009, 11:02 PM
I have a book titled "Painless Algebra" that I am reading to refresh my memory on a few things. My son saw the book and wanted me to "do" algebra with him. I showed him a few of the concepts (order of operations, exponents, roots). He totally got it. And now he wants more.

Are order of operations, exponents, and roots REALLY Algebra??? I thought these topics were part of 6th grade math. In the schools near me they need to be learned before the kids are promoted to Pre-Algebra. I know I'm missing something. What?

Edited to add that you might try poking around on the Math Counts website for additional challenge problems. I think they have a "problem of the week" and other stuff.
https://mathcounts.org/Page.aspx?pid=1537
EKS
10-02-2009, 11:20 PM
Have you looked at Challenge Math or the Art of Problem Solving books?
kiana
10-02-2009, 11:33 PM
For curricular, what EKS said.

For extra-curricular, you might consider Math for Smarty Pants and other books by the same author. I credit those books for my early enjoyment of math. :)
lgm
10-03-2009, 10:09 AM
http://www.mathleague.com/

http://www.stmarknet.com/sunshine_math.htm


http://puzzles.com/PuzzlesInEducation/PuzzlesInEducation.htm

for logical thinking and spatial visualization:

try hex-a-hop:

http://download.cnet.com/Hex-a-hop/3000-18536_4-10477949.html

and junkbot:

http://play.lego.com/en-US/Games/default.aspx?cat=Puzzle

also consider older games for the PC:
zoombinis (any or all of the 3 titles)
pit droids
pajama sam (any)

learn the basic knots
make rope coasters
WendyK
10-03-2009, 03:03 PM
Are order of operations, exponents, and roots REALLY Algebra??? I thought these topics were part of 6th grade math. In the schools near me they need to be learned before the kids are promoted to Pre-Algebra. I know I'm missing something. What?



Nooo I think it is in the book because if one hasn't encountered those things in a long time it would be tough to jump right into any sort of review of Algebra. I guess that would fall more into what people call pre-algebra.

I don't want to jump that far ahead, I just want to find some challenging stuff for him to work on until we get there.
Kathy in Richmond
10-03-2009, 03:31 PM
He might enjoy the challenge (written for kids in grades 4 through 8 who want to explore math beyond the standard curriculum) of Mathematical Olympiad for Elementary/Middle School Students materials.

They are sold in the AoPS bookstore (http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Books/AoPS_B_CP_MOEMS.php).

~Kathy
WendyK
10-03-2009, 03:35 PM
He might enjoy the challenge (written for kids in grades 4 through 8 who want to explore math beyond the standard curriculum) of Mathematical Olympiad for Elementary/Middle School Students materials.

They are sold in the AoPS bookstore (http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Books/AoPS_B_CP_MOEMS.php).

~Kathy

That looks perfect. Thank you!
Kathy in Richmond
10-03-2009, 03:37 PM
You're welcome!

~Kathy
Jen3boys
10-03-2009, 03:45 PM
He might enjoy the challenge (written for kids in grades 4 through 8 who want to explore math beyond the standard curriculum) of Mathematical Olympiad for Elementary/Middle School Students materials.

They are sold in the AoPS bookstore (http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Books/AoPS_B_CP_MOEMS.php).

~Kathy

:iagree:

Also, Calculus By and for Young People
www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html has samples from each chapter.
Kathy in Richmond
10-03-2009, 03:53 PM
:iagree:

Also, Calculus By and for Young People
www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html (http://www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html) has samples from each chapter.

Yep, we've liked that one, too!

~Kathy
WendyK
10-03-2009, 07:22 PM
:iagree:

Also, Calculus By and for Young People
www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html (http://www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html) has samples from each chapter.

This looks interesting too.
MBM
10-06-2009, 01:25 PM
Some of these might be a little advanced, but I'm going to throw them in for later years...

Another fun resource is The Mathematics Calendar 2010 by Theoni Pappas which has a problem for each day. I bought one just the other day from Border's. Most problems are advanced. They used to have a children's version, but I don't think they make it anymore.

Pappas also wrote some other books for children. My son and some of his friends like The Joy of Mathematics and More Joy of Mathematics.

The Story of Mathematics by Anne Rooney is pretty good, too. More stories than problems but still interesting. It's easy to read so good for younger kids or those who just want some snippets of information.

William Dunham's Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics might be good to have in your child's library for that time when he's ready for it. We are considering discussing some of these just for fun with the Math Counts team that my husband is coaching.

Great thread! Thanks for starting it.
WendyK
10-06-2009, 04:41 PM
Originally Posted by Jen3boys http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1238350#post1238350)
:iagree:

Also, Calculus By and for Young People
www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html (http://www.mathman.biz/html/chapters.html) has samples from each chapter.


I just ordered this and should get it in a couple of days. The author was so nice, he even e-mailed me personally to give me some other suggestions.
Jen3boys
10-06-2009, 06:18 PM
I just ordered this and should get it in a couple of days. The author was so nice, he even e-mailed me personally to give me some other suggestions.






I was pleasantly surprised when he promptly answered my emails and questions! Hope you enjoy. :001_smile:
JaneGrey
10-10-2009, 11:08 PM
Do you mind sharing what other suggestions he had? Thanks!
WendyK
10-11-2009, 09:08 AM
Do you mind sharing what other suggestions he had? Thanks!


http://typehpersonalities.blogspot.com/

He raved about this guy.
MUJLBE
10-11-2009, 01:16 PM
My son (age 8) is math obsessed and I have used: http://www.livingmath.net/ to enrich his learning. Here are a few books that he has enjoyed/is enjoying:

The Man Who Counted by Malba Tahan Each chapter is a story about a sage Eastern man who solves some mathematical puzzle.

The Great Number Rumble by Cora Lee The premise is school based but my son loved it.

The Big Book of Brain Games by Ivan Moscovich Lots of puzzles

The Number Devil by Enzensberger I did not read this book but it does have a devil character. I would recommend previewing it if your religious beliefs might be at odds with a non-biblical devil character.

He also enjoyed the two Penrose books by Theoni Pappas although I think they overlap a lot with Number Devil and Great Number Rumble in terms of topics.

Susan
merylvdm
10-12-2009, 12:43 PM
On http://www.squidoo.com/contests-for-students under my descriotion of the American Math Contest, I have a link (which I can't remember) to a whole bunch of math contests. Some of those are online and can be done by individuals throughout the year. We haven't done any for the younger than middle school, so I can't tell you about specific ones

Meryl