Math lab for kids : fun, hands-on activities for learning with shapes, puzzles, and games

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Title:

Math lab for kids : fun, hands-on activities for learning with shapes, puzzles, and games

Author:

Rapoport, Rebecca, author.

Yoder, J., 1975- author.

Summary:

"Math Lab for Kids provides 52 fun labs to teach children basic math concepts through activities and games."-- Provided by publisher.

Audience:

Ages 7-10.

General Note:

Includes index.

Contents:

Geometry: learning about shapes: prisms and pyramids and Platonic solids, oh my! -- Topology: mind-bending shapes: learn about squeezable, squishable shapes and surfaces -- Coloring maps like a mathematician: using the fewest number of colors possible, fill in a map so adjacent shapes are different -- Stitching curves: learn to create curves using only straight lines -- Fantastic fractals: a fractal is a shape that is similar to itself no matter how far you zoom in on one particular part -- Terrific tangrams: solve ancient Chinese puzzles by making different shapes from the same seven pieces -- Toothpick puzzles: create and solve brainteasers using patterns of toothpicks -- The game of Nim: learn the game of Nim and develop a strategy to win every time -- Graph theory: making connections: explore how points and edges are interconnected.

Physical Description:

144 pages : color illustrations ; 23 cm

Subject Term:

Mathematics -- Juvenile literature.

Geometry -- Juvenile literature.

Author(s):

Yoder, J., 1975-

Publisher:

Quarry Books,

Publication Date:

2017

ISBN:

9781631592522

Publication Information:

Beverly, MA : Quarry Books, 2017.

Call Number:

J 510.78 RAPOPOR

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003237545	Juvenile Nonfiction	510.78 RAPOPOR	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Provides 52 fun labs to teach children basic math concepts through activities and games.

Author Notes

Rebecca Rapoport holds degrees in mathematics from Harvard and Michigan State. From her first job out of college, as one of the pioneers of Harvards internet education offerings, she has been passionate about encouraging her love of math in others As an early contributor to both retail giant Amazon.com and Akamai Technologies, the No. 1 firm in cloud computing, Rapoport played a key role in several elements of the internet revolution. Rapoport returned to her first love, education, as an innovator of new methods to introduce children and adults to the critically important world of STEM as COO of Einsteins Workshop, an enrichment center dedicated to helping kids explore the creative side of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEM/STEAM). One of Einsteins Workshops most popular classes for 6- to 10-year-olds is Recreational Math, whose popularity inspired the creation of this book. More recently, Rapoport co-founded a start-up creating a mobile app for sharing dynamic, mappable guides that tell stories, impart knowledge, and create unique experiences.J. Yoder is an educator who has a lifetime love of puzzles and patterns. Her educational philosophy is that hands-on creative work is both the most fun and the most effective way to learn. Some of her happiest memories come from eureka moments--either from learning something that makes a dozen other things suddenly make sense, or the sense of accomplishment that comes from solving a clever puzzle--the only thing better is sharing this joy with others.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-6-Harvard mathematics graduate Rapoport and engineer Yoder have provided exciting enrichment opportunities to bring elementary math to life. This compilation of fresh, hands-on STEM activities explores a variety of mathematical concepts, from basic geometric shapes to parabolas, fractals, and puzzles. An introduction explains how the book is designed and meant to be used. While much of the text is written for children, librarians and educators could easily incorporate this work into their curricula or programs. For instance, the "Think About It" section at the start of each chapter would work well as essential questions for educators to gauge student understanding prior to lessons. The chapters are easy to follow and clearly identify each step of the process. The labs require inexpensive materials (toothpicks, gumdrops, balloons, thread) as well as ones likely already in the classroom (rulers, graph paper, pushpins). Illustrations, definitions, and detailed procedures are included for every lab. While chapters build on previous experiments, each is also presented with a stand-alone work-around so educators can make modifications to best suit their students. Occasionally chapters also offer a collaborative exercise for a small group. The book concludes with pullouts (reproducible items for some of the labs), as well as "Hints and Solutions" for the puzzles. VERDICT Recommended for libraries and educators seeking a tactile approach to elementary mathematics.-Doneanne Soult, Westampton Middle School, NJ © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

More than 50 activities connected to mathematical concepts-geometry, fractals, and tangrams, among others-are explored through 37 "labs" that feature step-by-step instructions and photographs. The authors succinctly describe core concepts ("In topology, you can stretch, squeeze, or twist a shape without changing what kind of shape it is"), which are supplemented by sidebars that delve into the associated terminology, profile mathematicians, and suggest additional activities. Required materials are all readily available: in the opening pages, children can use gumdrops and toothpicks like Tinkertoys to build cubes, pyramids, and other three-dimensional structures; many projects need nothing more than pencil and paper. Removable paper templates are provided for some of the activities. Rapaport and Yoder make the projects accessible to readers of varying skill levels, whether they are learning about basic shapes or developing a more advanced understanding of mathematics. Ages 7-10. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.