Published at DK Canada
About the book
Studying math is often a source of great anxiety for children and also proves troublesome for parents helping with their homework. Using uniquely accessible illustrated stress-free approach, Help Your Kids with Math looks at every aspect of math, from simple sums to simultaneous equations, and explains each facet in easily understandable language so that adults and kids can master the subject together. Tricky concepts are explored and examined step-by-step, so that even the most math-phobic individual will be able to approach and solve complex problems with confidence.
My Thoughts
I struggled with Mathematics when I was in school. It all started when we moved from Montreal to the suburbs and I went to school in a different school board. The kids in grade 4 had seen things in math that I would have learned at that level in the previous school board. Oh I learned but somehow I struggled most of my life. My kids are homeschool and we use a fabulous curriculum called MathUSee. I am amazed every day of the week how quickly they grasp the mathematical concepts. And I learn too! Deep down I wish I had this kind of curriculum when I was younger.
I have the opportunity to previously review the Help Your Kids with Science from DK Canada and I knew that I should consider reviewing the Help Your Kids with Math as my oldest is entering the pre-algebra stages in Spring 2013. So here I am today, presenting you the book that might save your hair from getting grey if the math concepts are above your head.
The book is very well presented and contains fabulous colorful images to illustrate concepts and explanations. It starts with the basics and slowly build on it to bring more complicated mathematical concepts in a visualized way. This book is divided in six sections:
- Numbers: introducing numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, prime numbers, units of measurements, positive and negative numbers, powers and roots, standard form, decimals in action, fractions, ratio and proportion, percentages, converting fractions/decimals/percentages, mental math, rounding off, using a calculator, personal finance, business finance.
- Geometry: angles, straight lines, symmetry, coordinates, vectors, rotations, reflections, loci, triangles, Pythagorean Theorem, circles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circumference, area, diameter, sectors, arcs, solids, volumes and more.
- Trigonometry: what is trigonometry, working with trigonometry, finding missing sides, finding missing angles.
- Algebra: sequences, working with expressions, expanding and factorizing expressions, quadratic expressions, formulas, solving equations, linear graphs, simultaneous equations, and more.
- Statistics: collecting and organizing data, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, averages, moving averages, measuring spread, histograms, scatter diagrams
- Probability: Expectation and reality, multiple probability, dependent events, tree diagrams.
My oldest son is currently learning to multiply decimal numbers with multiple digits. And yesterday, for the first time since we started with our math curriculum, he stumbled on the lesson and had trouble to arrive at the right answer. So we reviewed the lesson once more and now he gets it. This time it was easy but what about when he will get deeper in more complicated concepts. I wanted to have a tool that could help me to present a concept differently. And if I don’t use it for him as he is a bright child and grasp things easily, I know it will be handy for me when my other kids advance in the math lessons. Not all my kids learn the same way and I know that I have at least one or two visual learners like me.
Lets look at the percentage page for example. Using a clear graphic of one hundred people, the book presents how a group will look like with male/female teachers and male/female students. Different colors make it easy to see the size of each groups and then you have clear explanations on how to calculate with percentages. As I flip through the pages and see some of the concepts presented I am somewhat feeling overwhelmed but then I read through the text and remember learning about it and it makes sense.
So if you are a little bit like me and feel like your kids is getting better than you in math but don’t have the time to go through the curriculum for a quick review, the book Help Your Kids with Math will become a blessing in disguise. And if you are more challenged in math then this book will be a treasure as it gives clear explanations on the concepts your child is learning. No matter what is your experience with math, this book can be a great reference to open and discover when your child is facing as roadblock.
Help Your Kids with Math is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.
Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
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