Homeschool Math Newsletter, Vol. 24
November 2008

Subscription information (including unsubscribe link) is found at the bottom of this email.

Greetings! This is Maria Miller from HomeschoolMath.net and MathMammoth.com.

Math Without Borders
www.MathWithoutBorders.com

Algebra I / Geometry / Algebra II

Home Study Companions for the very best
high school mathematics textbooks

Making high school math "home school friendly."

In this month's newsletter:

1. Math Mammoth news
2. Writing and math
3. Roman numerals and other number systems
4. Another problem solving book
5. Tidbits

1. Math Mammoth News

Finally! Grade 5-A is available for the LightBlue Series (the complete curriculum series). The part A of 5th grade focuses on

multi-digit multiplication and long division
simple equations
problem solving
place value with large numbers and the judicious use of a calculator
all operations with decimals
statistics and graphing

Please see the table of contents and samples for a complete lesson list, and read more info here.

Math Mammoth Decimals 2 ($4) deals with decimal arithmetic in detail. It is a continuation to my earlier book, Math Mammoth Decimals 1, which only dealt with "easy" addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The goal of the earlier book was to give students a firm foundation in decimal place value and some mental calculations. This latter book especially tackles the trickiness of decimal multiplication and division - again basing them on conceptual understanding, Math-Mammoth style. Click here to see samples and read more.

On another note, I plan to have a little Thanksgiving Contest later this month. You may win credit to get Math Mammoth books! I will send the details about this contest in a separate mailing.

2. Writing and Math

Combining writing and math, or using writing in math class is an interesting topic (to me anyway). Most kids probably feel that they are far from each other. Now, if all you do is plow through calculation problems, then of course you're not writing, but at some point students need to be able to write complete solutions to math problems. They need to be able to communicate their thoughts clearly.

Here are some ideas for you to get started with writing in math class. Please use your judgment in using these; for some kids it might be counterproductive - for example, if the child hates writing so much that math class is his/her only "refuge" from it.

1. Younger students might enjoy making their own "mini math book" with some calculation problems and a few word problems. (My daughter sometimes makes math problems for her stuffed animals : ) )

2. Math journaling. This means that the student writes a short entry into a separate journal book at the end of some lessons, or every few days. These entries could explain a new concept just learned (with a picture), give a problem and its solution, or perhaps talk about a mistake and how it was corrected, etc.

3. Roman numerals and other number systems

I recently created a worksheet generator for Roman numerals. Feel free to use it.

Roman numerals is not any major topic in the math curriculum. They are still used in clocks, to number chapters of a book, write year numbers, and such, so students need to study them, even if just briefly. Fortunately it isn't that difficult a topic.

Many youngsters might, in fact, be interested in learning about different number systems that have been used in various civilizations over the centuries.

I just posted about writing in math class, and this topic would make for an excellent writing project that connects math, writing, and history. Then you wouldn't be doing it just for the sake of learning the math, or the historical facts, but also to practice writing a report or an essay.

It's probably the easiest to work into the curriculum if you're homeschooling, because classroom teachers may have to just kind of scurry by the Roman numerals on into the next topic. But even if you're a teacher, consider printing out a few interesting articles about the various number systems, such as the Mayan, the Egyptian, or the Babylonian, and then giving these printed articles as extra reading to kids who might be interested in such.

Ideas for a writing project on number systems

1. A report on Mayan, Babylonian, Egyptian, or Chinese numbers. Even younger students could probably write a few sentences and give a few examples of their numbers. You can easily find articles to print about them on the Internet. Wikipedia is a good starting point.

4. Another problem solving book

I know there already exist books that teach problem solving and contain lots of word problems. Well, there is a new one on the block, now: Solving Math Problems by John R. Dixon. It contains math problems with extremely detailed solutions for middle school, high school, and (some) for college level.

Solving Math Problems book He's made available a superb collection of samples from his book. Each sample has three completely solved problems. There's a sample file for pattern recognition problems, counting problems, word problems, optimization problems, and fun or "recreation" problems.

Even if you're not planning to buy any math books, I encourage you to check his samples and read them through, just for your own learning (and of your students). It isn't often that one finds such detailed expositions on how to solve word problems.

I'm a firm believer in the "apprentice" principle, when it comes to learning problem solving. In other words, one of the best ways to learn to solve problems is to observe an "expert" doing so. (This is why I've often solved word problems on my blog and in my newsletter.)

Read further about this topic.

5. Tidbits

Multiplication family group - MariaD from Natural Math is starting a research and development family group about this topic. You are cordially invited!
Coffee Shop Game - I couldn't resist playing this fun game and you and your kids might not resist it either. Basically you first buy some inventory to make coffee, adjust your coffee recipe (more or less milk, more or less sugar, etc.), define a price, and go selling. These funny animated folks pass by your coffee stand and voice their opinions, whether it's needing more milk or is too pricey or good quality for the price, etc.
Free 5th grade worksheets - ready-made worksheets, yet different (randomly generated) each time.

I wish you success in your math teaching!
Maria Miller

Miss something from the earlier volumes? See newsletter archives

Homeschool Math Newsletter, Vol. 24 November 2008