A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher-Thinking Math Tasks [Paperback]

Mark Wahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2008

Take students on an exciting mathematical journey exploring patterns in nature and ancient locations using Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio with this classic motivator of math thinking and reasoning. A Mathematical Mystery Tour offers students an intriguing journey that integrates math with art, science, philosophy, history, social studies, and language arts. To assist your students in their explorations, A Mathematical Mystery Tour includes a free, downloadable student newspaper filled with motivational activities.

A Mathematical Mystery Tour has been used by thousands of students and has inspired adults to a greater appreciation of the secret number language of nature. It is multidisciplinary, visual, and hands-on, but requires deep math thinking. The activities are reproducible and are accompanied by teacher pages that give answers, notes, and activity extensions. Your purchase of this book entitles you to download the supplemental Mathematical Mystery Tour Student Newspaper for use in your classroom. Multiple copies of this supplemental student guide may be printed for use with your students.

Grades 5–12

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Over the past 15 years, Mark Wahl developed his own contemporary whole-brain mathematics activities and experiences. As a mathematical learning specialist, Mark helps young people and adults overcome math anxiety through creative math instruction. Mark has taught mathematics from primary through high school, college, and adult, for more than 17 years. Mark received his M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland, and has published math activities for primary, secondary, and high school levels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Prufrock Press, Inc. (January 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593633386
• ISBN-13: 978-1593633387
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homeschool & higher thinking, August 5, 2006

By 

Pat Sullivan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher-Thinking Math Tasks (Paperback)

I used this book while homeschooling my 6th grade son, and it was his favorite math day. The Fibonacci numbers intrigued him and revealed the connection between spiral galaxies, patterns on a pine cone, and our own DNA. It also incorporates reading skills, as the book refers the student to an accompanying newspaper for further data he needs. A unique and wonderful book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Creative Thinking, October 3, 2004

By 

Cheryl Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher-Thinking Math Tasks (Paperback)

I have used this book in teaching both Consumer Math and Geometry. It includes many activities to be done by groups or individuals. Especially evident are the patterns in nature which lead to mathematical insight. Anyone who is intrigued by Fibonacci numbers (1,1,2,3,5,8,...) and the Golden Ratio (.618, 1.618) will love the activities included in this highly interesting and helpful book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Math even for Mathphobes, August 1, 2009

By 

Brenda Storz "Hungry for Books" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher-Thinking Math Tasks (Paperback)

Mark Wahl takes an interdisciplinary discovery/adventure approach to higher-level math skills (focusing on Fibonacci numbers & the Golden Ratio), which really attracts kids with a variety of interests and levels of engagement/interest in math. Totally Refreshing for parents and students alike. DO check to make sure that the accompanying TOUR GUIDE newspaper is actually included in your purchase -- the author originally included it (I called him to track this down)-- it has since been turned into a pdf file which is downloadable directly through Prufrock Publishers -- and there should be no additional charge. Kids can use this independently, though it's interesting enough that parents will want to be involved. Thus far, this title has piqued the interest of my 9 yo math skeptic and he picks it up for leisure, though it looks like it's complexity builds steeply.