40 Fabulous Math Mysteries Kids Can't Resist (Grades 4-8) (Paperback)

by Marcia Miller (Author), Martin Lee (Author) "This book opens with an introduction to the detective team, followed by 40 math mysteries..." (more)
Key Phrases: math mysteries, proportional reasoning, Fabulous Math Mysteries Scholastic Professional Books, Suggested Solution, Teaching Tips (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fun-Filled Reproducible Mystery Stories That Build Essential Math Problem-Solving Skills
Make Math Fun!
Building serious math skills has never been so much fun!

About the Author
Martin Lee and Marcia Miller, authors of Great Graphing, Funtastic Math! and other top-selling titles, have written another exciting, problem-packed math resource for teachers of grades 4-8: 5-Minute Math Problem of the Day.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Teaching Resources (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439175402
• ISBN-13: 978-0439175401
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,826 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Education > Specific Skills > Mathematics
  #25 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Math
  #36 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Elementary School

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Challenging Math Stories, November 12, 2006

By	Karen (Eden Prairie, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Both of my sons (ages 6-7 and 11) have profited from and enjoyed this book. I think many kids of differing abilities would as well. The problems are fun and interesting, and they build skills that can be used in real life situations.

The problems are phrased as mysteries so you must first read the story and then figure out how you can solve it. After this you go back to the story to collect the facts and apply the math. This is excellent practice for more real-life problems as well as for less-fanciful math story problems kids will see in school. Use Amazon's Search Inside feature to see some of the stories.

For the just-turned-7-year-old we usually helped him work the problems out - but he really likes math and has some understanding of probabilities and combinatorics. We expect him to help figure out what the necessary facts are and give some ideas on how to put them together to solve the problem. Sometimes on his own he reads them, thinks about them, and then reads the answer. My 11-year-old is in the highest level at math at his school (top 5% or something), but still considers the stories interesting and challenging for doing on his own. (Please note that I am not trying to brag about my kids' abilities, but attempting to give you an idea of the age and ability range.)

If you are looking for some fun math for your kids to do - I think it's likely they'll enjoy this book. I am very happy with my purchase.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting & challenging, September 26, 2007

By	L. Reichmann "LMReich" (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used a couple of these mysteries in my 5th grade classroom. The students enjoyed them because it was different then the way they usually practiced problem solving. The only downside to this book is that I think it is more challenging than the ages suggested. There were only a few stories that were appropriate for my 5th graders and those were still very challenging for them. I wouldn't reccommend this book to someone with a general ed. 4th grade classroom but it is perfect for junior high (6th, 7th, 8th) students!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly fun math problems, May 12, 2008

By	T. Shiurba (Friday Harbor Washington) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a private math tutor and am using this book as a Friday reward for two sixth grade girls who are studying algebra one with me. It is challenging in some interesting ways. It is full of story problems to be unraveled, about two kids who are detectives. I had given it to my daughter, who was the first year teacher and she said her kids loved it more than any other part of math. They can be solved alone or in groups. I really recommend this book.