Reviews
Review by: Diane McElwain, Teaching Children Mathematics - February 1, 2007
The book offers many advantages to the elementary school mathematics program. As a supplement to the mathematics program, each of the activities contains an area for students to complete their calculations and explain the solution process. To help the students focus on the solution process, only one problem appears on each page. All the Mathability activities represent an application of the Standards-based curriculum. The book also presents a structure for an assessment rubric that includes four levels: mastery, proficient level, near-proficient answers, and nonproficient answers. Mathability provides students with extended-response practice while emphasizing a Standards-based curriculum through the application of real-world problems.
Review by: Susan Alicea, Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School - January 1, 2006
This book is great if you are looking for a program to supplement your curriculum and give your students an alternative to pages of disconnected word problems.
Review by: James Cox, Midwest Book Review - June 20, 2005
Expertly written by Michael Cain and quite nicely illustrated by Mary Lou Johnson, Mathability: Math in the Real World is a consumable workbook whose exercises and activities are specifically designed to teach children in grades 5 through 8 how people use math in their daily lives. By practicing the mathematics involved in each of the presented “real life” situations, the children will learn, practice, and come to an understanding of key techniques and problem-solving strategies, as well as seeing practical applications for the math they are learning in school. Mathability is especially commended as a curriculum supplement for homeschooling.