A Fun Way to Introduce Math
345381
What's Your Angle, Pathagoras? is a great way to get students ready for math on a day when you aren't going to start with a computation drill.  It is a pleasant, easy read and it not only explains the Pythagorean Theorem in easy to understand language and with pictures, but it also can be the starter to a discussion about possible careers in math.  'Tis a great book for students 3rd - 6th grade.
2233650
Review from [...]

I don't remember exactly when my hatred for mathematics started, but it was long before I failed and had to repeat high school algebra.  Maybe if I'd had Sumita Bose's book, Fun with Mathematics, I would have been a math wiz!  O.k. maybe that's reaching a bit, but I think even with my hatred of math, I would have liked this book when I was a kid.  It's kind of like pretending your broccoli is a tree or making medicine taste like bubblegum.  If you can figure out how to make something fun, your kids won't even realize they're doing something good for them, whether it's eating the vegetables, or taking the medicine, or learning math.

Fun with Mathematics really is fun, which is why I chose this book for my first spotlight even though I was planning to focus on picture books.  At first I expected a workbook, but it's not that at all.  There are tons of tricks, puzzles, games and bits of trivia that adults will love as much as kids.  There are a couple of formatting issues in the table of contents, but overall it is very well written, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow.  If you are looking for a way to entertain your kids while sneaking in some math skills, try Fun with Mathematics on your Kindle.

Oh, and so that you don't think I'm a complete idiot, I did eventually pass high school algebra.  I ended up with a fantastic pre-calculus teacher in college, one who made math fun,  and I went on to ace both calculus 1 and 2.  Yep.  I like math now.
1812204
This was a fun book of math, patterns, numbers, school, and adventure.  The first half did feel a little pointless, but it was still fun. As a teacher, I really enjoyed the assignments - though I would like to understand what the Level writing assignments are.

The second half of the book had a lot of errors in the Kindle version.  I can only assume they aren't there in the hard copy.

As someone else mentioned, the QR codes linked to the same site and the assignments didn't make sense in the context of the book.

Matt is a math whiz, and is taking Advanced Calc as a senior.  He discovers some strange electronic device in the boy's bathroom one day and gets together a group of 5 other friends (because 6 is a nice circular number) to crack the initial code and all those that follow.  I learned a few things about math that gave me new perspectives on things.  I hope to remember them during the school year!

Matt nearly cracks everything, and his friend/group member Kelsie is the only one who goes with him into the..alternate universe?  That's where the actual adventure begins.

Some of it was quite funny, including the final note at the end.
2181873
The kids have enjoyed these, but I was hoping for more basic single digit math facts.  This makes the color-by-number aspect a little awkward as they have to identify what range of numbers the answer falls in (50-64 or something) in order to identify what color to use.  They've been able to figure it out, but I think they lose interest more quickly than they would if it was something more simple, like color all 5's red, all 8's blue, etc.  The older kids who are a little more practiced in math are less interested in coloring Pokemon.  Still, a great idea and they have had some fun with it.
4172675
Here's a fun and engaging new math book from Prufrock Press.  "On-The-Job Math Mysteries" has 70 plus pages of math problems and solutions which are based upon standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  The problems are based on real people who use math in a variety of occupations.  Black and white photographs of individuals at work add to the real-life theme.
Some problems include helpful diagrams and charts.

This book is useful for advanced elementary and middle school students.  The complexity ranges from simple equations to multi-step problems which require more thought.  The math starts off easy and becomes progressively harder, so most students might prefer to work through the pages consecutively.  The table of contents has a nice breakdown of what concepts are needed to solve each unit.  As an example, the master carver section involves skills in diagram drawing, subtraction, multiplication, measurement in feet and inches, diameter and circumference, weight in pounds and tons, decimals, percents, time in weeks and years, and estimation.

One of the easier problems involves an eleven year old circus acrobat.  Cristian performs 25 feet above the ground without a net.  The student is asked to figure how many stories high Cristian's high wire is, if a typical story is ten feet high.  There are three photos accompanying the problem, and a brief description of Cristian's work, delivered with some direct quotes.  Math is Cristian's favorite subject!

A three page spread on Ken Benjamin, Soup Kitchen Operator, has a total of seven problems.  Students must read a pancake recipe and determine how to enlarge it to feed 45 people.  Another set of problems requires the calculation of guest statistics; for example, "what percentage of the people being served are girls?" The text explains why Ken decided to start a soup kitchen, and how he relies on donations to operate.

The variety of occupations covered in this book is quite diverse.  In addition to those positions already noted, kids can read about how math is useful to the organic farmer, beekeeper, heavy equipment operator, software engineer, kayak guide, air traffic controller, bush pilot, and more.  There are 22 occupations mentioned in all.  Kids who appreciate academic work that has a purpose and real life applications will love OTJ Math Mysteries!
1772219
I use this along with Math-U-See for my three children (grades 1-6) and it is perfect as a fun and challenging addition to our math workbooks.  The word problems are interesting and fun.  They really engage the children so they are primed to WANT to figure out the answers!  I like the way the book lists different levels of problems so all three of my children can participate.  We do one chapter each week during our together time and it doesn't add too much to our already full schedule.  I highly recommend this one, and I intend to use the Challenge Math as well!
1662160
This book is great for learning math in a tangible setting. My 4 year old really likes to use the pockets, and it's an engaging way to talk about numbers, adding, and budgeting.
3437222
My 5 year old and I have only played this once so far, but we both loved it.  He has recently been asking a lot of math questions such as 'What's one plus 2' and so on.  The object of the game is to make it across several stones/spots to the finish.  You have three dice, 2 with numbers and one with an addition sign or subtraction side.  Make an equation and the difference between numbers is how far you move.  If you land on an odd spot, you have to roll one of the number dice until you roll an odd number.  Same if you land on an even spot.  Also, there are some spots that are numbered.  If you land on one of these, you take the addition/subtraction dice, roll it, and if you get an addition, you move ahead that number of spots, if you get a subtraction, you move back that number of spaces.
As I type this, it may seem a bit confusing, but it's really not.  The directions are quite simple for the adult who may play with the child.  There is one part of the game called the 'endless loop' where you have to roll the correct number to get out of it otherwise you continue in a circle for however long it takes.  This can take a long time, it can also take a short time to get out.  I have read some people complain about this part of the game, but you can alter the rules if you need to.  You don't HAVE to to continue round and a round if the game is taking awhile.
Game time depends on what you've rolled.  Our game took 15-20 minutes.  That was 15-20 minutes of my son figuring out basic math problems like 5-2 or 6+6.  Great introduction to simple math problems.
373544
A fancy way to rename written math problems but pretty well done - those who like math will find it fun - not sure if it will connect with the others - all who pursue it will find some fun tricks and new ways math indeed is in everyday life
2537315
Team Umizoomi are Nickelodeon characters from an animated TV show. Young fans of the show will probably like this game a lot; my 3.5 year old son, who is not familiar with the characters, still likes this game even though he's clueless.

It's good for learning early math and logic concepts, and reinforces counting, numbers, measurements, shapes, and patterns. One aspect has "Troublemakers" who create a huge big mess in UmiCity; players aid by using "MIGHTY MATH POWERS!" It's pretty cute to see the kids counting things away from the game and shouting "MIGHTY MATH POWERS!" and I hope that it instills a love of learning about math. It's a fun concept, and though some of the things are already easy for him (counting, shapes, and patterns), he enjoys playing. I love that it's a concept of a "math superhero."

The age recommendation seems spot-on for this game.
3524945
I just love books that help you get kids to use more than one part of their brain for more multiple subjects simultaneously.  Also, books like this show kids that math is everywhere, so there's no need for anxiety - it's just a part of life!

This book covers concepts from addition and subtraction to geometry, fractions to algebra; and in the table of contents it tells you after each of the 15 story names which concept it will cover.  Each story is 2 pages long and has one or two worksheets at the end.  There is also a brief section in the introduction offering ideas for extending the lessons.  This book is a good, easy to use resource for a third or fourth grade classroom.
1815968
What a terrific way for youngster to learn their numbers. I enjoyed reading '123 Count with me'. I thought the illustrations were beautiful, very colourful and fun. I think they would appeal not only to the children, but also to the parents. The lovely smiling faces of the children featured make counting look so much fun and would, I am sure, encourage children and adults reading it to smile along. Being able to listen to a song related to the book gives it another dimension and continues the fun with a catchy little tune. All in all I thought this was a delightful little book which youngsters would enjoy looking at and learning from too.

I would certainly recommend it to parents of young children.
1106952
My 3 yr old and 5 yr old like this toy. It gives them another way to conceptualize addition besides counting on their fingers. It is a good, tactile learning aid. They also like playing with the bananas in other ways (lining them up in order, feeding them to the monkey, etc.). They already have some math concepts from the LeapFrog Math Circus DVD (excellent!), so this is a nice addition to that.
1845533
The activities in this book have been created to help students feel confident in math computation. The skills covered in this book can be taught in the classroom or at home.  They include place value, addition and subraction of five-digit numbers, multiplication of two-and three-digit numbers with and without regrouping, multiplication by powers and multiples of ten, finding two-digit quotients with and without remainders, working with fractions, area of squares and rectangles, distinguishing between angles, and coordinate graphing.
843768
Great addition to our math program. Challenging enough for my 8-year-old.
1297385
The math in this book is relatively simple BUT children still need this book!  When our brains are enjoying an activity we are going to learn and obsorb more than if we are stressed and stretched.  There will be time to learn harder math of course, but often children only learn the symbols of math and don't connect it with real life.  This fun book can help them make that connection!  Logic games are also included through out this and even some writing prompts.  Often we push our kids to that next level of challenge, but yet we ourselves prefer reading a certain book not to challenge us but because we enjoy it.  Life long learners are people who have been able to enjoy the learning process and feed their creativity and curiosity!
2432968
A wonderful introduction to probability.  It introduces kids to the vocabulary and concepts of things like "possible", "likely", "probable" and "improbable".

The pictures are great.  Good for a single kid or reading to a class.