2 comments about Hands-On Math Projects With Real-Life Applications (J-B Ed: Hands On).

1. The Projects in this book help stretch the math skills of children and make them practical at the same time. The children have fun learning and seeing math skilss applied in everyday situations.



2. As a high school special ed teacher, I continually hear students ask, "Why do I need to learn this?" Hands-On Math Projects has great, practical, and FUN ideas that show real-life applications to ways math can be used in both regular and special needs classrooms. Book includes lots of great project ideas and printables to go along with them.

5 comments about Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Contemporary Approach.

1. I used the Mathematics for elementary teachers for a college level course. The text is interesting and provides the reader/learner with a solid foundation of Problem solving skills in learning and teaching mathematics. It has several useful examples of the strategies as well as challenging problems that can be solved on ones own. The problem solving strategies are new in the respect that "it's not your mama's math." There are several types of problem solving skills that I was not aware of and will come in handy for teaching and learning because not everybody solves problems the same. The text works at applying concepts to "real classroom" setting. Many of the strategies presented are in line with the National Council Of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum and Evaluation Standards (NCTM)- the leading authority in the U.S. focusing on keeping standards in math curriculums across the country, to ensure that students are well prepared for future more complex mathematics. The chapters are followed by numerous challenging math problems to solve. And some of the answers are even in the back of the book so you can check yourself. A solid foundation of basic math operations and Algebra I is a must to keep up with the text. The only downside is that I wish there was a workbook to compliment the text. I found myself re doing the same problems in order to get the concepts down. It would have been better if there were more problems similar to the chapters. Another problem was that some of the answers in the back of the book were wrong.



2. Very fast receipt, well packaged, very well priced, and everything included. Outstanding service and will definitely consider buying used textbooks from this seller in the future!



3. I was able to use this book for two semesters! It contains double the info and you don't have to buy a book the next semester.



4. Since I was unable to buy this manual at my college bookstore, it was great to be able to order it....and the manual was in perfect condition!



5. It's great. Would definately order more books by Gary L. Musser

5 comments about Fractals, Googols, and Other Mathematical Tales.

1. This book explores a wide range of mathematical concepts, including many of the traditional "fun" topics like Fibonacci numbers. For each topic (covered on two large pages typically) there is a simple story written to be accessible to even young children, followed by a franker and more mature mathematical discussion. This two part approach makes the text accessible to a wide audience while having a solid mathematical foundation. The articles serve as a solid foundation to spark student interest in further exploration, or stand alone as interesting mathematical shorts. Some of the topics will have direct curricular applications, including articles on the real number system and the transcendental number pi. This is a wonderful text and is suitable for elementary through high school students.



2. I was disappointed. While skimming through the book prior to giving it to my 7 year old son, I stumbled on the Chapter on "PI". It was obviously wrong stating that the diameter of a circle would wrap around the circle "3 and a little bit". Now, how can I trust this book knowing that the editors missed such a glaring error? Could be very confusing to a young aspiring mathmetician.



3. I am not sure what R. Krapf "Engineer" (below) was thinking when he/she wrote his/her review...
   
   The circumference of a circle (C) is calculated as 2 * pi * r (or pi * 2 * r)
   
   Since r is the radius and 1/2 the diameter (d), that means C = pi * d
   
   Since pi is about 3.14, that means the book is correct. The diameter of a circle would wrap around (the circumference of) the circle "3 and a little bit"



4. I believe the quote about the circumference and diameter is worded incorrectly. We all know that the size of the diameter and circumference are proportional (hence pi), but the diameter would never wrap around a circumference 3 and a little times! This is obviously false because the circumference is larger than the diameter. The circumference would wrap around the diameter 3 and a little times. Please check your books to determine if the quote is correct in R. Krapf's review - if so, then the book is WRONG!



5. C=pi*d. That means the diameter has to be **multiplied** by "three and a little bit" in order to be equivalent to, or wrap around, the circumference of the circle. It takes "three and a little bit" diameters to get around the circle one time, not one diameter to get around the circle three and a little bit times. The engineer was right! Other than that, it was still a pretty good book, though. If you're a teacher with an older class, you can see if they can spot the error.

5 comments about 3,000 Solved Problems in Calculus.

1. Every year a new class of desperate students buy into the Schaum no-help books. Save your money or try Michael Kelley.
   Sincerely, Bert-Chapel Hill, North Carolina



2. If you want a reference book, this ain't it. Nor a textbook. You must understand the concepts before you even open the volume. It would then be a great help in applying your knowledge to real-world problems.
   
   I say, "would" because the numerous typos and mistakes make it a dangerous tool to use. Some errors are obvious (if annoying), some will mislead and puzzle you and some, well... just pray.
   
   I give it a three because it may still be useful. Just be careful how you use it!



3. I bought this book and several others to help my daughter with her AP calculus. Along those lines, this book is not very useful as the AP examiners have gone off and deviated from the traditional bread and butter calculus topics (volumes of revolution, techniques of integration, related rates, max/min/inflection points, etc.). They have fallen in love with calculating averages, the fundmaental theorem of calculus, and their calculators (see my other reviews). So if your buying this book for that purpose, it won't really help as this book covers only traditional techniques and topics without the need of a calculator.
   
   HOWEVER, for a supplement to traditional class material, this is a great book. I agree with the prior reviewers that this is not a book that will teach you calculus from the start - you need to already know how to take a derivative and integrate, what is meant by a volume of revolution, related rate, and so forth. However, if you want EXCELLENT scores, practice is the key and this book gives you a lot of practice. After a while, you will realize that there are only so many variations on a particular topic that can be tested and they keep coming up over and over again (I orginally took calculus in the 1980's and ran across the same problems).
   
   In summary, if you need to first learn the basics of the material, this book is not for you. If you already know the basics and want practice on the bread and butter topics, this is an excellent way to do so. I doubt that your instructor will give you problems not covered in some fashion in this book.



4. I went back to school after a 8 year break, and was very worried that my calculus would be a long forgotten skill. Between this book and forgotten calculus, I returned to school confident that I was not going to be blindsided by applied calculus.



5. The book arrived in as good or better condition than I expected. I would definitely buy from this seller again.

5 comments about CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (0061) (Cliffstestprep Praxis II).

1. This book is essentially a rehash of the freely available information about the test from the ETS website with three fairly good practice tests thrown in (in fact it has references to specific page numbers from the ETS website material on almost every page). The review portion of this book is pretty useless. The authors have taken the ETS statements of what content is tested, given brief definitions of what each of those content items is, and completely neglected to give any sample problems to illustrate how to actually do the math. If you're buying this book for anything other than the practice tests, I suggest you search elsewhere. Most egregiously, this book also fails to do one of the most important things for any test prep: explain how the test is graded and give you the ability to generate a practice score. Three tests, three answer keys, no conversion chart for a score?!?



2. This book is great for a general overview on what is covered on the test. Additional resources are necessary for anything that needs to be learned or relearned.



3. Greetings everyone,
   
   I agree with one of the previous writers. This book was helpful with preparing with some of the content covered on the exam. However, the phrasing of the questions are more straight forward than the questions on the actual test. The questions on the praxis can be wordy and purposefully unclear. You may know a subject matter quite well but the questions may make you feel as if you need to be in the mind of the writer to understand what they are asking. I too left the test unsure of how I did. I am hoping and praying for the best. Good luck and I hope this review helps.



4. read the reviews who said questions too easy which they were. my suggestion search pennsylvania & math praxis II, much better imho, my weak math opinion that is. But I did pass the exam on the 2nd try.



5. I just completed the mathematics PraxisII exam and found the exam to be very straightforward and almost pathetically easy. Everything you need to know for the exam is covered in this study guide (and then some). The actual exam is slightly harder than the practice tests given in the study guide, but not drastically harder (as some reviewers here have suggested). The particular test I took had a lot more interpretation of graphs than included in the practice tests...I don't find graph interpretation difficult, so this wasn't a problem for me.
   
   To summarize: practice tests in book are mind-numbingly easy...the actual exam itself was just a notch higher in difficulty, with a rating of "pathetically easy".

No comments about 5 Steps to a 5 AP Statistics, 2008-2009 Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations).

5 comments about The Geometer's Sketchpad (R): Student Edition.

1. This product is really good for working through classroom problems. It gets a little tougher, if you're not used to the program, for more advanced problems. But it does help even by just using it to mess around with when having to do any geometry problem.



2. The cheapest, before shipping, I could find this on the Key Curriculum website was $39.99. This is a much better price.



3. This is a great tool when studying Euclidean Geometry. It works just like a straight edge and compass, except the diagrams can be manipulated afterwards so that one sketch can be used to test multiple cases (acute vs obtuse, for instance) which helps in the observation of geometric properties. The interface is easy to use and quick to learn. On the down side, the program offers very little help, which can be frustrating when you're trying something new. (I have yet to make the Construct Locus function work.)



4. This sketchpad is a great way to supplement any geometry curriculum. I bought the student version (the only downfall I can find) and you have to put in the cd every time you run the program.
   
   I will use it to demonstrate the Pythagorean theorem and construct basic geometric figures for my middle school curriculum. Very easy to use too! It does link you with additional lessons through NCTM. I will probably purchase the full version next year.



5. Loved it and have been happy with this software. It helps me decide whether to make orders of that for my school where I am teaching Geometry so I will do that. Thanks.

4 comments about Barron's SAT Subject Test Math Level 1 (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II Mathematics Ic).

1. This book is written to give student the idea of what exam is actually about and does not replace a regular textbook or a good teacher, but still can help a lot.
   
   The book contains 18 chapters which cover most topics well and three model tests. It's well worth the money.
   
   Chapter 2: "Tactics" is really valuable and covers eight very useful approaches to solving SAP math problems. Exersises (with solutions) are good and as far as I can tell are pretty realistic. Three model tests are the real strong point of the book. Each of them is worth the price of the book alone.
   
   Shortcomings are few. IMHO ideas of chapter 2 are not sufficiently reinforced in other chapters. The geometry section can be enlarged as this topic usually creates for student the most problems. Also topics are treated as isolated without pointing to bridges between them (for example between trigonometry and geometrical problems). Some tricks possible because graphic calculator is allowed (and it is IMHO a must ) are not covered but this is minor problem as few high schools use it and other things equal it is better to use the calculator that you know well and get used to.
   
   Highly recommended and can save the family a lot of money if the student has adequate motivation to study himself/herself.



2. Covers all the topics of the Math I, I just took it today and this Math book sufficiently prepared me for the questions I faced. As with all Barron's books the questions the questions in this were harder, so I was relieved as compared to the Math I test. The chapter reviews are very helpful and it dicusses each topic, although some are rarely even tested, this is a full comprehensive guide, and possibly one of the best guides you can purchase. If only I had had enough time to complete the entire book, it is a very helpful teaching and reference guide.



3. Looks like it is going to be of great assistance to me as I prep for my SAT subject test(s).



4. I used this book in conjunction with the Kaplan Mathematics IC and IIC study guide and the Real SAT Subject Tests and I thought it worked really well. The tests in this book are invaluable and though a bit hard, give very good preparation for the test.
   
   I just took the Math IC test yesterday and I didn't encounter any questions I didn't know so that to me says this book was a success.

4 comments about A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (9th Edition).

1. This textbook is easy to read and follow. The explanations of mathematics, how to teach young children to use strategies, and examples of worksheets make this a great resource for future Elementary school teachers.



2. The books condition was bad, much worse then described. I also payed for express shipping and it took awhile to get to me.



3. Had to send book back because I didn't have to take this class. The seller admitted to recieving the book back and did not refund my money! Will never buy from this seller and will tell friends and family to beware. Have tried to contact seller with no response!



4. I was very happy with the purchase I made with Amazon. The book was in excellent condition and the time that it took to get the book was a little long but not unbearable.

5 comments about What's Math Got to Do with It?: Helping Children Learn to Love Their Least Favorite Subject--and Why It's Important for America.

1. I feel this book needs to be in the hands of every educator and administrator who is looking for ways to improve math instruction. This book has opened my eyes in a very common sense approach about where our math instruction energy needs to be focused. I am an educator and a homeschooling parent. I needed some answers this year about how to reach the families I help who homeschool, my administration (who is looking for math instruction answers for struggling students), and my daughter who in the area of math doesn't seem to have the ability to remember math from year to year, it just doesn't stick.
   
   This book contains not only a philosophy about math instruction which gave me the base of why one should approach math this way, but it also gives you the tools you need to initiate this type of teaching within your home or school. Ms. Boaler gives you lessons to get you started, titles of books to continue your pursuit, and the passion to invigorate your quest.
   
   I am a homeschooling mom, who has a daughter that struggles in math instruction and a son who flourishes in math. We began the year in math and there were tears and crying, "I can't do it!" and I am looking at her thinking, we did this last year - why aren't these concepts sticking. Ms. Boaler gave me a common sense answer and a rejuvination by reminding me, it isn't just the curriculum you use, although that is vitally important, but the teacher is paramount. I needed that.
   
   I believe if you or your child is struggling with math instruction in the school or in the home, this book can give you the tools you need to turn your students around.



2. I agree with the reviewers above...this is a page-turner! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been searching for the ways and means to help our children truly learn mathematics. I am a middle school math educator in the process of expanding my problem-centered mathematics classroom and I found Dr. Jo Boaler's book extremely valuable. It includes thorough explanations, based on years of research, of the value of problem-centered instruction and instructional concepts to help ALL children learn mathematics. Portions of the book are written for educators and other portions for parents but I found the entire book useful for me as an educator. I will be implementing many of her ideas in my own classroom. If you are interested in how our children truly learn mathematics and how you can help them understand math more deeply I encourage to add this book to your collection.



3. No need to repeat the reviews above; I agree with them all. As a university professor of mathematics education who has grave concerns about the state of mathematics education in the US, I was thrilled to see this book. "What's Math..." covers a lot of ground, painting the math-education landscape, exposing the ugliness of the Math Wars, offering pictures of promising teaching practices, and suggesting ways educators and parents can take action. Yet Dr. Boaler does this all in one short book that is easy and entertaining to read and highly accessible to educators and non-educators alike. I believe two key audiences for this book are parents and school administrators, who both have considerable power over how and what mathematics is taught in schools and who could benefit from the big-picture view this book provides. My sincere hope is that this book finds its way to both audiences.



4. We all agree that in a global economy, mathematical skill is of increasing importance. So what would be the characteristics of an ideal math education program?
   
   How about:
   1. Students perform well on standardized tests
   
   2. Students come to appreciate math rather than hide under the bed at the mention of the word.
   
   3. Students of mixed abilities come to respect each other's strengths and work together on solutions
   
   4. Students readily apply their problem solving skills to problems outside the classroom
   
   Wishful thinking? Jo Boaler's research says otherwise. Children are born with an appreciation of math. It is not necessary to create an interest, merely to keep from doing what traditional teaching methods do - turning the students away from math. Students enjoy being challenged and being told the explanations behind the formulas. If they do what they enjoy and understand it, then it should come as no surprise that they will perform better.
   
   If you have any interest in either mathematics or education, I urge you to read this book. We owe it to our children to reform the way we teach math.



5. As a middle school math teacher, I enjoyed reading about the research that Jo did. It validates much of what I've been doing over the years and gave me tons of new ideas to try.
   A must read for any math teacher or parent of a math student!