Math Smarts: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Making Math More Fun! (American Girl Library)
American Girl Library Series
on Goodreads (35)
What’s inside...
Describes the importance of mathematics in everyday life and offers advice on how to make learning math skills easier. Big truths, quizzes, games, and secrets from other girls, illustrated in School Smarts style, make Math Smarts a fun read for girls whether they need help with math or just want a fresh way to look at it! Readers learn how math is all around them in girl-friendly applications like figuring out how much a shirt would cost on sale, how much paint to buy to repaint your bedroom, how to double a recipe, or how long it will take to reach your vacation destination. Plus, lots of tricks and tips for memorizing those multiplication and division facts, and a study style quiz to help girls learn the best ways for them to learn math. Includes test-taking tips, homework helpers, and a handy multiplication memorization tool to get girls geared up for math.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was one math trick from the book that you found really interesting or surprising?
How do you think understanding math helps us in everyday life?
Can you think of a situation where you could use one of the math secrets you learned today?
What’s one math problem you struggled with before, that you think you might solve now using these tips?
How would you explain one of the math tricks to a friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences with math, both struggles and successes, to create a relatable ground. Use real-life examples to show how math is applicable in daily activities, such as cooking or shopping. After your child answers a question, encourage them by linking their thoughts to the real world or suggesting they teach the concept to someone else to reinforce their understanding. Maintain enthusiasm about the subject, showing genuine interest in the concepts discussed to keep the conversation lively and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Building confidence in math skills
Explanation: Through engaging tips, tricks, and secrets, 'Math Smarts' boosts children's confidence in their ability to handle mathematics by presenting it in a fun and approachable way.
Real-World Application: With increased confidence, children are more likely to participate in math-related activities in school and use mathematical thinking in everyday problem-solving scenarios.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The book encourages children to think critically by exploring different ways to approach and solve math problems, highlighting that there can be multiple solutions to a single problem.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply logical thinking not just in academic challenges but also in making decisions and solving problems they encounter in daily life.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in facing challenging tasks
Explanation: By presenting math challenges in a playful and engaging manner, 'Math Smarts' teaches children that persisting through difficult tasks can be rewarding and fun.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of persistence in schoolwork, hobbies, and personal goals, fostering a resilient mindset.
Example Lesson: Creativity in learning and application
Explanation: The book shows that math isn’t just about numbers and formulas; it’s also about creative thinking and finding new ways to understand concepts.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to apply creativity in their learning process which can enhance their ability to think innovatively across all subjects.