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Search Recommended Math Resources
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Use the search filters below to return results. Keep an eye out for some of my top favorites-- my "BookSmart Picks"-- that are sure to entertain and educate your kids! And, many activities use common materials you likely have at home already. Look for entries marked with the "Common Items" icon to find activities that shouldn't require any purchase.
Sophie Germain demonstrated not only a love of math, but fierce determination in her quest to study it, eventually becoming the first woman to win a grand prize from the Academy of Sciences. As a girl, her parents took away her candles to keep her from studying math, and since women were not allowed to attend universities, she secretly obtained notes from math classes and completed work under a male pen name… but no matter what, nothing stopped Sophie…
Sophie Germain demonstrated not only a love of math, but fierce determination in her quest to study it, eventually becoming the first woman to win a grand prize from the Academy of Sciences. As a girl, her parents took away her candles to keep her from studying math, and since women were not allowed to attend universities, she secretly obtained notes from math classes and completed work under a male pen name… but no matter what, nothing stopped Sophie. She worked tirelessly on a theorem to predict patterns of vibration, which later helped with the groundwork for modern architecture. The illustrations enhance Sophie’s powerful story even more, incorporating pen-and-ink, watercolor, and collage. A great book for encouraging perseverance and grit!
King Derwin of Didd becomes bored and angry with what falls from the sky—fog, rain, snow, and sunshine. He wants something new and exciting to fall from it, so he calls on his magicians to create it! However, neither the king nor the magicians think about the consequences of the new, sticky, green substance called oobleck, which quickly causes a mess of the kingdom. Bartholomew, the king’s clever page, must then step in and save the day…
King Derwin of Didd becomes bored and angry with what falls from the sky—fog, rain, snow, and sunshine. He wants something new and exciting to fall from it, so he calls on his magicians to create it! However, neither the king nor the magicians think about the consequences of the new, sticky, green substance called oobleck, which quickly causes a mess of the kingdom. Bartholomew, the king’s clever page, must then step in and save the day. Dr. Seuss uses his signature style of illustrations, but this time everything is in black and white except for the green oobleck, making it really stand out on each page (and winning the book a Caldecott Honor). Reading this book is a perfect springboard to making your own oobleck and practicing counting and the idea of ratios in the process. The recipe for oobleck is simple: 1 cup of water and 2 cups of cornstarch along with some food coloring if you wish. You can change up the measurements, so long as the ratio remains the same, 1 part water to 2 parts cornstarch. And in this way you can practice counting. If your child is practicing counting to 10, then count out five tablespoons of water and ten tablespoons of cornstarch. And you can even practice doubles facts with your child in this way, once they understand the ratio; if you put six tablespoons of water in, then how many tablespoons of cornstarch will you need?
IQ Fit is a great way to challenge kids while building spatial reasoning skills and flexible thinking. The object is to rotate the colored pieces to fit on the board and match the challenge shown in the accompanying booklet. With 120 different puzzles, ranging from easy to expert level, this toy is great for kids of many ages. Making it even trickier is that each piece is three-dimensional and can be used in different ways…
IQ Fit is a great way to challenge kids while building spatial reasoning skills and flexible thinking. The object is to rotate the colored pieces to fit on the board and match the challenge shown in the accompanying booklet. With 120 different puzzles, ranging from easy to expert level, this toy is great for kids of many ages. Making it even trickier is that each piece is three-dimensional and can be used in different ways, forcing your child to think about which way to use the piece to solve the puzzle. It is especially good for travel, as it comes in a compact case with a lid. Other similar SmartGames include IQ Stars, IQ Focus, IQ Link, and IQ Twist, which also come in convenient compact case
Max is out looking for problems to solve! He recruits his brothers, and they head out, using counting, addition, and geometry to solve math problems they encounter. When they make their way to Shapeville, they find that all of the squares have disappeared, so they help the mayor by putting together triangles to create squares. When they find a missing number…
Max is out looking for problems to solve! He recruits his brothers, and they head out, using counting, addition, and geometry to solve math problems they encounter. When they make their way to Shapeville, they find that all of the squares have disappeared, so they help the mayor by putting together triangles to create squares. When they find a missing number, they place it back in its position in the countdown to a rocket blasting off. The illustrations are beautiful and quite busy, so there is plenty in each picture to discuss, like using the pairs of socks to skip count by 2s, or naming the three-dimensional shapes with your child.
Melia is a determined inventor, always trying to improve upon her inventions. Jo is her new neighbor who loves singing, dancing, painting, and designing. At first when Jo comes by she seems to only interfere with Melia’s work, frustrating Melia. But then Melia sees that Jo is also solving problems and improving her inventions, just in her own way…
Melia is a determined inventor, always trying to improve upon her inventions. Jo is her new neighbor who loves singing, dancing, painting, and designing. At first when Jo comes by she seems to only interfere with Melia’s work, frustrating Melia. But then Melia sees that Jo is also solving problems and improving her inventions, just in her own way. They both grow to see the value in approaching problems in different ways, and decide to work together on projects they both enjoy, creating a solid friendship along the way. In the back there are even instructions on creating one of Melia and Jo’s projects. This STEAM book is a great way not just to introduce STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), but also to encourage perseverance, collaboration, and looking for solutions in different ways and from different angles.
Charlie and Lola are getting ready to head to the store with their mom, where they will get to pick out one thing for themselves. As the two of them are getting ready, walking to the store, picking out their special treats, and walking home they encounter math all along the way. Lola is nine minutes late getting ready, the two of them count objects like ladybugs and steps, and Lola gives away her stickers as she heads home…
Charlie and Lola are getting ready to head to the store with their mom, where they will get to pick out one thing for themselves. As the two of them are getting ready, walking to the store, picking out their special treats, and walking home they encounter math all along the way. Lola is nine minutes late getting ready, the two of them count objects like ladybugs and steps, and Lola gives away her stickers as she heads home. The two of them use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, and counting throughout the day. A bit of humor is injected as well, as Charlie often needs to correct Lola in all of this math, in a very big sister kind of way. The illustrations are fun and lively, with equations matching the math they are doing on the pages.
Sushi Go Party! is a fun, speedy game with some really adorable artwork. Plus, it comes in a cute “bento box” tin—so clever! In this fast-paced, pick-and-pass game, you earn points by picking winning sushi combinations. You must grab cards you need as they quickly go by…
Sushi Go Party! is a fun, speedy game with some really adorable artwork. Plus, it comes in a cute “bento box” tin—so clever! In this fast-paced, pick-and-pass game, you earn points by picking winning sushi combinations. You must grab cards you need as they quickly go by. You can score points for making the most maki rolls or collecting a full set of sashimi, or you can triple the value or your nigiri by adding wasabi! Sushi Go Party! is a unique way to practice basic addition skills, strategy, probability, and some quick thinking.
Buy It Right helps to reinforce money skills—money recognition, adding, and making change. Players set prices and buy and sell items as they move around the game board. And with three levels of play, this game is great for multiple age levels. Players can opt to play with only the paper bills (level 1), only the coins (level 2), or both bills and coins (level 3)…
Buy It Right helps to reinforce money skills—money recognition, adding, and making change. Players set prices and buy and sell items as they move around the game board. And with three levels of play, this game is great for multiple age levels. Players can opt to play with only the paper bills (level 1), only the coins (level 2), or both bills and coins (level 3). At levels 2 and 3, multiple dice are used, adding an extra layer of complexity with understanding place value. Players at these levels must decide in what order they want to place the amounts from the dice (ex: if they roll a 2 and a 6, do they want to make 26 cents or 62 cents). This can change depending on if they are rolling an amount that they have to pay and want to make the smallest amount possible or if they are rolling an amount that will determine how much they are to be paid and they want to make the largest amount. All of the coins and bills are accurate to size, though the coins are a little darker in color. Overall, this is a great game for learning about using money!
In Blokus, players take turns placing their pieces on the board (in red, blue, green, and yellow), but each piece must touch another of the same color, only at the corners. Players must try to place as many of their own pieces on the board as possible while also strategically blocking their opponents…
In Blokus, players take turns placing their pieces on the board (in red, blue, green, and yellow), but each piece must touch another of the same color, only at the corners. Players must try to place as many of their own pieces on the board as possible while also strategically blocking their opponents. The game ends when no more plays can be made by anyone, and the player with the lowest number of remaining pieces wins the game. This fast-paced game of strategy keeps minds sharp!
A classic card game! Players race to be the first to get rid of all their cards by matching numbers or colors. Players take turns getting rid of their cards, but the game can easily change with various action cards, like reversing the direction of play or a ‘draw four’ card that forces another player to draw four cards (perfect for when they are just about to get rid of the rest of their cards!)…
A classic card game! Players race to be the first to get rid of all their cards by matching numbers or colors. Players take turns getting rid of their cards, but the game can easily change with various action cards, like reversing the direction of play or a ‘draw four’ card that forces another player to draw four cards (perfect for when they are just about to get rid of the rest of their cards!). And you cannot forget to say “Uno!” when you are down to only one card—if someone else says it before you, you must draw. With simple rules, but plenty of room for strategy, this game is fun for a wide range of ages.
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