Customer Reviews

Math Logic Mysteries

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4 star:		(1)
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I gave some of these to my very high 3rd graders as fast-finishers. One could figure it out with help, but I would use this more with older grade students who can do more complex, multi-step problems. A lot of other math skills are necessary at once in interesting relationships which is great but make these a little difficult for younger minds--even ones who can do 5th grade level problems. So, the recommendation for grades 5 and up is pretty accurate. However, if you have a little 3rd grade genius with good understanding of all the basic concepts who is self-motivated, it is possible it could work for you. One of my students really loves working problems out and getting the right answers.

Mrs. Buxton or "Mrs. Bloom" has taught out of this book for several years. As a sixth grade teacher, I can strongly recommend this book as a challenge for the middle school level. Students work hard using their thinking skills to solve a matrix. We were fortunate to have Mrs. Buxton model and teach in our classrooms which encouraged the students to solve more problems on their own or with a partner.

Having been a student of Marilynn Buxton, I can directly attest to the effectiveness and quality preparation this book provides for middle school learners. I was fortunate enough to have been taught through these very puzzles by Marilynn herself during my middle school years, and found as I progressed through high school that the skills and techniques these types of puzzles develop are cross-curricular, forward thinking, and real world-applicable. Problem solving skills are easily utilized in other areas of study, and I found that these types of puzzles truly do foster that. I am currently preparing to begin my college education in the area of middle school math and history education and have already set aside copies of Marilynn's books to use in my own classroom someday. I would encourage any middle school educator to do the same.