Exploring math through literature

A recent Wall Street Journal article, A Worksheet for Math-Phobic Parents, described the importance of the attitudes parents convey about math to their children - how many ways we can inadvertently undermine them or send the message that math is hard and not much fun. By contrast, incorporating talk about math into daily life will go a long way towards building both math skills and positive interest in math.

To that end, I wanted to share a few great math-related books and sites! Coincidentally a mom dropped by the library this morning to check out a book of math puzzles. Parents, you are welcome to use our school library as well - stop by and see what we've got!

Sites

• KCLS Homework Help pages for Mathematics - lots of high quality websites for K-12 pre-screened by librarians
• netTrekker - many great sites, including ones with math puzzles (see my Sharepoint or OWS teacher page for login instructions)

Books

• G is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book by David M. Schwartz
• Mental Math Challenges by Michael L. Lobosco
• Counting on Frank by Rod Clement
• Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself by Laszlo C. Bardos
• Math Curse by Jon Scieszka
• One Riddle, One Answer by Lauren Thompson
• Pepper's Journal: A Kitten's First Year by Stuart J. Murphy
• Super Sand Castle Saturday by Stuart J. Murphy