Primary Grade Challenge Math by Edward Zaccaro
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Book Reviews of Primary Grade Challenge Math
Book Review: Fun applications of elementary math skills
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is organized into chapters, with each chapter presenting a type of problem and the ways to think about that problem. And then there is a series of related story problems to solve, divided into 4 levels. For example, one chapter is about calculating whether an item (rope, building, etc) is strong enough for the intended use. Another chapter is about figuring out how much change you'd get in a store transaction. Another is percentages. Midway through, the concept of algebra is introduced and applied to the later chapters. The chapters are presented very conversationally, and explain how to think about the problem and approach the solution. They are illustrated with cartoons, and with characters discussing the problems.
My second grade daughter loves this book. She is gifted in math, and I was looking for some way to add extra challenge without "teaching ahead" in the normal curriculum. This has been great. It's not teaching new methods of computation (which she'll get in school thru the years), it's teaching approaches to problem solving. She usually does the level 1 problems with no help (but has to think fairly hard), but needs help on level 2. She is very proud of herself after conquering these questions. Levels 3 and 4 are beyond her for now. I can see us revisiting this book every year, and using it through about 5th grade.
Book Review: challenging AND fun
Summary: 5 Stars
What an exciting way to present additional math problems: the writing and illustrations capture one's attention, and the subsequent problems are at four distinct levels (from easy to very difficult. The student may solve all of the problems, or the parent/instructor can "save" those difficult levels for later (perhaps next year?) after the student has conquered certain tasks to facilitate success.
Although this may be implemented at various grade levels, I suggest second grade as the youngest starting point. You know your child best, however, and it would be wise to preview book pages at this site before purchasing.
I highly recommend this book for children in all types of classrooms: "regular" school, gifted school, and home school. It is a great supplement for students, and offers a challenge to all.
Book Review: Great writing!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is fantastic for a young student gifted in mathematics, or even a solid student who would like a bit more of a challenge. It's math of a more advanced level but the language holds the interest of a younger student, without talking down to them. And it explains the higher mathematical concepts in the way a younger child's mind would work! It's like the author remembers well how he thought when he was a kid and wrote the book from that POV. You can see the light go on in the child's eyes when that algebra or logic concept clicks!
This is the way math SHOULD be taught and if we gave kids a solid foundation and then gave them a challenge like this, and taught them like this, they'd be far and above students anywhere, I think, because it's not a book of tricks, it's solid math, and FUN.
Book Review: Perfect supplement for homeschoolers!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!Book Review: "Awesome"
Summary: 5 Stars
I walked into my son's room the other night and my mouth about hit the floor. He was reading and doing problems in his Primary Grade Challenge Math Book ON HIS OWN. I asked him if he liked the book to which he replied, "It's Awesome!" Later he came to me to tell me about one of the problems he had figured out. He had such a proud look on his face! This was the first time I have seen my child so excited about math. What a great idea the author had to write a book that actually made learning math fun! I can't wait to get my hands on his other books.