Fabulous Fractions: Games, Puzzles, and Activities that Make Math Easy and Fun [Paperback]

Lynette Long (Author), Tina Cash-Walsh (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Magical Math

Don't Just Learn Fractions ...Master Them!

Brimming with fun and educational games and activities, the Magical Math series provides everything you need to know to become a master of mathematics! In each of these books, Lynette Long uses her own unique style to help you truly understand mathematical concepts as you play with everyday objects such as playing cards, dice, coins, and paper and pencil.

Inside Fabulous Fractions, you'll find out all about fractions, from what they look like to how to write them, to the relationship between fractions and decimals, and more. While playing exciting games like Super Domino ESP and Reduce It!, you'll learn about proper fractions and how to reduce them. And with games like Combination Pizza, Fraction Jeopardy!, and three-in-a-Row-Bingo, you'll learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions while you have fun!

So why wait? Jump right in and find out how easy it is to become a mathematics master!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Comprehensive hands-on introductions to their subjects. Each book consists of 40 activities, all of which include lists of the required materials, clear and complete procedures, and a black-and-white illustration. As the chapters progress, the activities and concepts become more complex and each one concludes with brain stretchers (related ideas to explore). In Fractions, the activities range from coloring pizzas on paper plates and cutting them out to cutting a sandwich into four equal parts six different ways. In Measurement, the activities range from using hands and feet to measure distance to making a sundial. Some of the projects are time consuming or require a solid background in mathematics. For example, in Measurement, readers are instructed to make a 12-inch by 12-inch grid with markers to create 144 boxes. Then they are directed to cut pieces of different colored paper into 144 1-inch squares. Students continue to create a mosaic and then determine the fractions/percentages of each color. While this is a useful project, many readers may be overwhelmed by all of the work. Nevertheless, these books provide valuable activities and games to help children learn about the concepts.
Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Long's Measurement Mania.

Gr. 2-6. What do a deck of cards, dominoes, a gift catalog, and a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich have to do with math? They're part of ingenious games that teach children how to add and subtract fractions. In Fabulous Fractions the chapter "Dancing Decimals" demonstrates how to convert a decimal to a fraction; "Splitting the Deck" shows how to multiply a fraction by a whole number. In Measurement Mania , children use the five forms of measurement in games such as "Guess and Weigh," and "Spoons Abound." In "Body Parts" kids measure their smiles and big toes and find the circumference of their heads and necks. In "Ten Times" players use a stopwatch to determine how fast they can perform certain tasks. Both wonderful books include clear instructions, lists of necessary materials, and assorted tips. There are also special challenges for whiz kids. No math anxiety here--just lots of laughs and fun. Shelley Townsend Hudson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; 1st edition (February 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471369810
• ISBN-13: 978-0471369813
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynette Long has an M.S. in mathematics and a Ph.D. in psychology. She has taught math and was a professor of education, specializing in mathematics education. She is the author of several children's math books, including Dazzling Division and Marvelous Multiplication, both published by Wiley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Fun with Fractions, January 3, 2007

By 

Glory Gale "math teacher" (Chicago, Il USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fabulous Fractions: Games, Puzzles, and Activities that Make Math Easy and Fun (Paperback)

This book, and all Long's books in the series of mathematical strands, are full of games that make teaching math interesting and fun. All ideas use manipulatives such as playing cards, that are easily found around the house. Send some of the games home to be practiced for homework,and homework will be fabulous fun as well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Actual games that are easy to organize!, November 8, 2009

By 

M. Elizabeth Bernard "mad for words" (San Francisco, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fabulous Fractions: Games, Puzzles, and Activities that Make Math Easy and Fun (Paperback)

At last simple games to organize and create. I've purchased several game books in my twenty years as a teacher, and find this book actually delivers what it says. No major preparations, no big time copying, no major purchases, just simple easy to understand math games. The materials are easy to find: index cards, playing cards, dominos, and die. The practice the children get covers the core concepts in fractions. Great for practice and review.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Fractions is fabulous!, March 30, 2009

By 

DeeGee (Monroe, Louisiana USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fabulous Fractions: Games, Puzzles, and Activities that Make Math Easy and Fun (Paperback)

As a college mathematics professor who was charged with the responsibility of teaching basic topics to elementary teachers on mathematics well below his accustomed level of teaching, I sought help from a number of sources. I found this book to be a god-send! It gives many helpful, interesting methods of presenting in a student captivating manner what could be a dry and lifeless lecture subject. There are not only ideas to help in presenting the topics in a lecture, but there are ample student participation activities that reinforce the topics in an exceptional manner. Included in the student participation activities are well conceived games that should truly capture the students' interest and in the process teach them the necessary concepts that they need to know. It has been one of my most useful resources!