Suche books:   



How it works: how math works (How It Works)
Carol Vorderman

Readers Digest, 1996 - 192 pages

average customer review:based on 7 reviews
view larger image
 for more information click here

   highly recommended  highly recommended



What a fantastic summer occupation!!

"How Math Works" could be subtitled "How to keep your kids occupied for many hours this summer in a productive, educational, and fun way." Instead, the subtitle is "100 ways parents and kids can share the wonders of mathematics." Close. Either one will work.

I sat down with this book and went through every page, reading here and there, looking at the experiments. My very first thought was, No way could a typical kid create these experiments, much less complete them. But then after just a few pages, I decided, yes, they can with a little help here and there. If you (the adult) help a little, a lot of math will come back to you. This book is designed to be enjoyable for kid and adult alike.

For example, remember the Golden Mean, or special ratio in art and architecture, used in creating the perfect ratio "look" to the Parthenon and the Pyramid at Gizeh in Egypt? There is an experiment to learn just how the mean works. On the next page is an experiment to make the Golden Mean! How cool is that?!

Try using algebra to solve this puzzle: A friend said that on his birthday, his mother's age was three times his, but in 15 years, she would be twice as old as he. How old are the boy and his mother today?

There's a section on chances and probability. Did you learn those in school. Didn't think so. How about the various personal measuring systems used through the ages? Or how to economically wrap a package? In another chapter children will learn how to find true north, make a spirit level, create a leaning tower, use trigonometry to find the height of things, and create curves with straight lines.

They will learn about Nobel Prize winners in mathematics and create a double helix, create an envelope tetrahedron, make a flying machine, and study asymmetry using their own faces.

The last chapter concerns philosophy and logic. Two fabulous experiments involve making a paper logic chain and the other constructing the Tower of Hanoi. Have you ever seen those long flow charts where a steel ball travels along a mix-max of chutes and tunnels? Your kids can make one out of normal household products. The last activity is testing the chaos theory, which deals with dynamics or changes within a system.

I skipped the beginning, so let's go back. The first chapter shows what tools are needed for the entire book--all simple, easily obtainable items.
The history of numbers, major mathematicians, and enough games, puzzles, and tricks in this book will enable your child to have enough things to do for a very long time, or at least until the end of summer.

Meanwhile, the book is so mixed with visuals, facts, diagrams, information, and experiments, that it is highly likely for this book to create a supreme interest in mathematics. I'm personally allergic to math, but I think I want a copy of this book for myself. I suggest every parent who loves to work with their children and, indeed, every elementary teacher who provides instruction in math must own a copy! This is a must-have book!




 for more information click here


It gave my kids an advantage on understanding Math

This is a great math tool that I have sitting on my shelf and it has helped my kids do wonderful in math. I would additionally like to share this site http://thecyberprofessor.com/ which gave me the insight into know mathematical sciences as well.









 for more information click here


Excellent addition to any homeschooler's math program

This is simply the best math "activity" book out there! Well worth every dollar! Kids need help with many activities, but it is well worth the parent's time. The activities are not only educational but really FUN and engaging.






My Favorite

As a writer of educational materials, I have dozens of books like this on my reference shelf. Each has a different advantage, but HOW MATH WORKS is the best overall. It is full of fascinating information, easy-to-do experiments (yes, experiments!), and the clearest explanations of complex concepts I have seen. The full color layout is clean and appealing. The organizational features mentioned in other reviews are excellent. Highly recommended for teachers, parents, and others who work with students in grades 3-5.


 for more information click here


How Math Works

Eyewitness - How Mathematics Works Carol Vordeman

Aspects of subject included Number and Algebra. Shape, Space and Measure. Handling Data. Using and Applying Mathematics.

Structure and organisation of the text The text is organised into categories, i.e. number. Each double page spread has a Title, a main paragraph, and lots of related but independent sections. Most pages feature a piece of maths history or an interesting unusual application of maths. The Pictures and diagrams all add lots of information, and are not just decorative. Activities

Ways in which information is presented Text in different sizes. Key points bulleted. Photographs and diagrams. Step by Step instructions using both words and pictures. Separate sections are framed. Background for the same section (i.e. Discovery) is the same colour on different pages.

Helpful features Contents, glossary index and heading. Activities and problems. Categories and sections mean that the information can be dipped into. Emphasis on the place of maths within society. Lots of concrete maths.

Potential difficulties Lots of information to take in. Activities require a lot of equipment. Lots of mathematical vocabulary

Reading skills required Use of contents index and glossary. Heading, subheading. Reasonably difficult general vocabulary. Being able to skim the page and select relevant or interesting information. Lot's of mathematical vocabulary to take in.

Implications for teaching

Ideas for lessons. Introduction / reference for teaching. General background reading. Display. Extension work / reinforcement ideas.


 for more information click here


reviews: page 1, 2



Here is a stimulating guide to the wonders of mathematics, packed with enlightening experiments for the whole family. Provides brain-teasing puzzles and tricks as well as educa-tional experiments that are fun to do. For ages 8-14.



hot or not?    What's your opinion?     Write a review and share your thoughts!



recommendations

For Parents wondering about "reform" math
HOW IT WORKS series




works

Will Work from Home: Earn the Cash--Without the Commute
Strategies That Work: Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and ...
Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for ...
How Fiction Works
The New Way Things Work



math

CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs Ap Biology)
Math Review For Standardized Tests (Cliffs Test Prep)
40 Fabulous Math Mysteries Kids Can't Resist (Grades 4-8)
Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss
Calculus for Dummies



how

The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets: How to Keep Your ...
The Complete User's Guide to the Amazing Amazon Kindle (Take ...
Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It ...
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your ...
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or ...



search for books
how it works, how, math, works


Impressum / about us


Suche books: