( 1 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Apr 27 2009
The Mental Math series by Hope, et al., are a MUCH BETTER approach to teaching basic arithmetic than the pencil-pushing ways used in our modern arithmetic text books. Most arithmetic authors are NOT mathematicians, and as a result, the algorithms don't create an understanding of mathematics. I've taught algebra about 50 times in the last 12 years (not exaggerating) to folks from middle school to their 50's, and I spend a lot of time undoing bad understanding (or a complete lack of understanding) from things learned in arithmetic. These books in the Mental Math series have been the best diagnostic I've used to find out what a student understands about how the numbers work. In the process, students learn skills to do math in their heads, including math with a several digits. This is the balance to calculators, which I also love to use to help students visualize 2-dimensional equations in algebra, and is a much more powerful tool than paper and pencil! Multi-digit multiplication, working from left to right, works directly into the distributive property in algebra. Most folks frightened of fractions will find the simple ways to think about fractions outlined here will clarify their understanding. The skills these books teach are easy and fun. Parents will find them the perfect summer review series and will learn a lot about math themselves. Teachers who use them will correct the mindless drudge work taught in most arithmetic books. These don't take a lot of time, and they'll give your students some amazing tools.
