Brown Paper School book: Math for Smarty Pants
Brown Paper School Book Series
What’s inside...
Text, illustrations, and suggested activities offer a common-sense approach to mathematic fundamentals for those who are slightly terrified of numbers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite math trick or problem in the book, and why?
How do you think using math helps us in everyday life?
Can you think of a situation where you could use one of the math concepts we read about?
If you could create your own math problem, what would it look like?
How do you feel about math after reading this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child lead the discussion; see which sections or concepts piqued their interest the most.
Relate the math problems to real-life scenarios to make the concepts more tangible for your child.
Praise your child's efforts to solve problems, regardless of whether they get the right answer, to build confidence.
Ask your child to explain the concept to you as if you're learning it for the first time to reinforce their understanding.
Encourage your child to draw or use physical objects to explain and solve the math problems mentioned in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book presents math problems in a playful and engaging way, prompting children to think critically and approach problems creatively.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving skills not just in mathematics but in analyzing and finding solutions to everyday situations they encounter, such as dividing resources fairly during group activities.
Example Lesson: Logical Thinking
Explanation: Math for Smarty Pants encourages children to use logical reasoning to understand math concepts, which includes recognizing patterns and sequences.
Real-World Application: This skill helps children in structuring their thoughts and making reasoned decisions, which can be useful in activities like planning their time or organizing their tasks.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Math Abilities
Explanation: By presenting math in fun and relatable ways, this book helps children see that they can be 'math smarty pants', building their confidence in their own math capabilities.
Real-World Application: Increased confidence can encourage children to take on new challenges, both academic and personal, with a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Numbers
Explanation: This book shows how numbers and math are a part of everyday life and important in understanding the world.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize the role of numbers in daily life, such as in measuring ingredients for a recipe or keeping score in sports, which can enhance their practical and analytical skills.