Homeschool Math Newsletter, Vol. 21
August 2008
Greetings! This is Maria Miller from HomeschoolMath.net and MathMammoth.com.
Many of us are gearing up for a new school year. I have a few news about my books. Then we delve into some discussion whether multiplication is repeated addition or not. If you're still in the summer mode and traveling by car, read about the Mathematical Trip. In the tidbits section we have Olympics math, a fun video again, some questions answered, and rounding worksheets.
Math practice has never been so much fun!
Practice math at IXL, the world's most complete math practice site for Pre-K through 3rd grade.
News: 4th and 5th grade will be available August 30!
Excel in math... IXL.com
In this month's newsletter:
1. Math Mammoth news
2. Multiplication is not repeated addition??
3. Mathematical Trip
4. Tidbits
Math Mammoth News
I have a new book available for the Blue Series: Math Mammoth Add & Subtract 4. It has addition and subtraction strategies, practice for the algoritms, problem solving, and applications. Go check the free sample pages!
Also.. now you can purchase Math Mammoth LightBlue Series (the complete curriculum) parts A and B separately. Each part A or B is $14, whereas the whole curriculum is $27 per year (as downloads).
2. Multiplication is not repeated addition??
You might say, "What's that for a topic?" Well, it just so happens that this idea has created a STORM in the mathematical blogosphere recently.
It all started with Devlin's controversial column where he told all the teachers to stop telling their students that multiplication is repeated addition. Tons of blogposts and comments issued as people either agreed or disagreed (mostly) with him. See here and here and here.
But, he does have a point. I want to try to explain it.
In essence, I feel we should strive to get students to understand that multiplication is simply a different operation from addition. Talking about multiplication as repeated addition MAY leave the impression in children's minds that "multiplication reduces to addition" or, as Denise put it, it is a "subspecies of addition".
The solution may be to talk about multiplication (in early grades) as many groups of the same size. Go read my explanation so you'll understand this issue!
Download also this lesson page I recently made to replace the page in my multiplication book.
3. A Mathematical Trip
Are you perhaps doing any car trips this summer?
Do you realize what a great opportunity it is to teach some real-life math to your children? They need to learn how to calculate the cost of a trip, based on the miles driven, the gas mileage of the car, and the price of gasoline.
So today I want to highlight something sent to me by a fellow homeschooling mom, visitor to my site.
Continue reading ... and download free printable worksheets!
4. Tidbits
Till September,
Maria Miller
|