Grade(s): 2-4
Pages: 314 (perforated)

The primary goal of this book is not to teach students a set of arithmetic skills (they get plenty of that at school) but to encourage them to develop analytical and reasoning skills appliable to a wide range of mathemtical situations. In addition, the activities explore a variety of quantitative and spatial relationships that are an essential part of the foundation of mathematics.

If you wonder what the difference is between math (as tested for in achievement tests like the ITBS, CAT, SAT and more) and quantitative reasoning and non-verbal reasoning (as tested in the CogAT, OLSAT, NNAT and more) this title will help you to understand as your child expands their quantitative and non-verbal reasoning abilities.

Mathematical Reasoning™ Grades 2-4 Supplement reinforces 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade math concepts by helping students devise strategies to solve a wide variety of math problems as they develop analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for success in higher-level mathematics. These activities encourage students to develop investigative, analytical, and explanatory skills as well as a variety of quantitative and spatial relationships that are an essential part of the foundation of mathematics. Students who successfully complete these books will see gains in vocabulary development, observational skills, and the ability to process mathematical concepts on a much higher level. The activities are arranged in six sections which address six major strands in the elementary mathematics curriculum.

These highly effective activities take students far beyond drill-and-practice by using step-by-step, discussion-based problem solving to develop a conceptual bridge between computation and the reasoning required for upper-level math. Activities and units spiral slowly, allowing students to become comfortable with concepts but also challenging them to continue building their math skills.

Reviews:

"Your Mathematical Reasoning is amazing. I finally found something that works for my daughter. She's very advanced for a second grader and tells me that most of the math books we'd tried so far are too boring or too obvious. Now she actually wants to do math. What a relief." -Lili, Sherman Oaks, CA

"Practical and simple to apply. Teaches your child skills that will be a tremendous help when they are learning algebra." -Merrilee Defoe, Reviewer"What it all boils down to is a big book of 282 pages of problems that you can use to practice virtually every elementary math skill. Even topics like symmetry, of which you see very little in typical math texts, are covered." -Mary Pride, The Big Book of Home Learning

Table of Contents/Skills:

Number and Numeration

• Counting Dots and Letters
• Counting Sequences of Letters & Numbers
• Completing Number Sequences
• Properties of Sets of Numbers
• Comparing Lengths
• Comparing Sets, Regions, & Numbers
• Using the Number Line
• Place Value

Geometry

• Estimating Lengths
• Comparing Lengths
• Classifying by Shape
• Symmetry
• Geometric Motions
• Congruent Figures
• Similar Figures
• Combining Shapes
• Matching & Finding Shapes
• Dividing Figures

Operations

• Counting to Ten, Sums to Ten, Grouping by Tens
• Sums Using Coins, Using Basic Facts (Sums)
• Equal Lengths & Regions, Equal Sets of Coins
• Missing Addends/Differences
• Grouping Using Arrays
• Products/Missing Factors
• Multiple Operations
• Rounding / Estimating
• Multiples of 10 and 100

Measurement

• Finding Lengths by Counting & by Using Sums
• Drawing/Comparing Paths: Equal/Longer/Shorter
• Distance Around Figures
• Area by Counting/Computing & Estimating
• Area/Distance Around

Relations

• Numbers: Comparing, Sentences, Sequences
• Using the Order Relations
• Using Number Machines/Pairing Numbers
• Multiples of 2, 3, and 5
• Dividing Using 2, 3, and 5
• Basic Facts Using 1, 2, 3, and 5

Tables and Graphs

• Reading and Making Tables and Bar Graphs
• Reading Charts
• Reading & Drawing Line Graphs

Answers

Reviews:

"As a teacher I like the problem solving activities as these could be used over again or with several students in the classroom." -iParenting Reviewer

"Mathematical Reasoning presents math in a way that makes it not only simple to learn, but also practical to apply to everyday circumstance (obviously making math more meaningful to him)." -Katherine, Mississippi

"My son hated math. I saw your curriculum and gave it a try. Wow, what a great fit for my son! Your Mathematical Reasoning curriculum gave him a way to learn math that made sense to him. Thank you!" -Amy, Ontario, Canada

"For the money, the books are excellent buys and worthy supplements to any childhood students education." -Maxine, "Teaching Children Mathematics" published by NCTM

"As a math instructor, I am so happy that it looks like I may have a math-brain in my family after all! He asks to do his math school work (Mathematical Reasoning book) every day!" -Janelle, Math Teacher & Parent

Awards (earned by various titles in series):

• Dr. Toy Best Picks
• Mensa Recommended Materials for the Gifted
• iParenting Media AwardMom's Choice Awards Silver Medal for Excellence
• iParenting Media Best Products
• Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice AwardiParenting Media Excellent Products
• Cathy Duffy Top 100 Award
• Dr. Toy Product of Excellence
• Learning® Magazine Recommended Resource for Successful Teaching
• Jenkins Group Moonbeam Children's Book Award, Silver Medal
• Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Recipient