A grade-level curriculum and supplement in one activity book
approach! The Mathematical Reasoning series is a colorful and engaging worktext
for students as young as 3 up through 9th grade students. At such an
early age, mathematical reasoning begins with simple activities such as
distinguishing between even or odd amounts and learning the ordinal numbers. This
series is correlated to the NCTM standards, and each level will teach skills in
number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis.
Accordingly, each level incorporates topics such as patterns, number lines,
graphs, fractions, probability, and problem-solving, as well as basic math
operation skills. The authors suggest working through these activity books page-by-page.
The content spirals, which gives your child time to "digest" new
concepts before moving on to more complex material. The full-color activity
sheets should especially appeal to the younger student. Not only are the
illustrations eye-catching, but they do an excellent job of demonstrating
mathematical representations and relationships.
Although manipulatives are not required, a link to a virtual
manipulative website is provided in case additional concrete-level
reinforcement is needed. A wide variety of exercises and activities are
utilized to keep your child both interested and motivated. The goal is to move
students from a concrete understanding of math to a more abstract knowledge.
This is implemented by following these math stages: concrete, semi-concrete,
semi-abstract, and abstract. This cycle repeats each time a new skill is introduced.
The series incorporates discussion-based problem-solving to
prepare students for mathematical reasoning required for upper-level math.
Worksheets are reproducible in the family setting and answers are provided at
the back for Levels B–Geometry. Work through from cover-to-cover as your math
curriculum or introduce specific worksheets to strengthen skills needed as a
supplement. ~Rebecca
