Homeschool World Forum

Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Does anyone read biographies of mathematicians with your under 12 age children?
I found lots of books at the library, however, I think this one is exceptional, in that the stories really come alive. The book is :

Exploring The World Of Mathematics
By: John Hudson Tiner

Does anyone have any other books to recommend? Please share.
For some of us, a whole new world of beauty and wonder is opened up when we read about topics that mathematicians discovered. It helps us understand our world better. What place does this kind of math have in your learning experiences?

Theodore · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject:

Try "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch".
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Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Thanks, Theodore.
It looks very interesting. My 12 dd loves history,and this being a true story will help her with her time line she is starting.

Theodore · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

It was one of my favorite historical books, I've read it several times.
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Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Hi Theodore,
I checked, on-line, and the library in our district has this book. I am going to inter-library loan it. I also saw that the author, Jean Lee Latham, has written many biographies. So, I am pretty excited. I'm sure my daughter will read this one first, since it won an award. Anyway, thanks for telling me your favorite.
Let me know if you think of any others.
Have you read, The Phantom Tollbooth?
I had never heard of it.
I think I, personally, have a lot of reading to do, to catch up on some good books that I missed growing up.

Theodore · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject:

Yes, several times. Sort of has the same feeling as Alice in Wonderland.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for PC, Mac, Linux
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Did you know that Lewis Caroll (actually that's his penname, as I'm sure you already know--I forgot his real name) was a mathematician?
Have you read any good non-fiction, non-text book math books?
Have you heard of Theoni Pappas? Check out her books and you'll find some writings about Lewis Carroll and much more.....
One more thing I just found, only I have a slight problem with it....,
is Edhelper.com has a new study unit on the history of mathematics. They only let you read the first part of each story, however, they give them catchy titles to get your attention. At least it's a place to start, if you don't want to get a lot of books, and want your child (and/or yourself) to read and be introduced to the history of math which is sadly overlooked a lot, and not considered important by some.
I also saw a timeline there which is available to members only. I think I could make one myself. I just need to plan all this out. I see this "project coming together.
Thanks for your input.

Bob Hazen · Moderator Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 28

My brother and I really got a lot out of the book "Mathematics" from the Time-Life Science Library. I've met several other math-types who've said - like me - that the reason they went into math was because of this book. Probably most libraries have it, as part of the T-L Science Library set. It has interesting chapter text of 8-12 pages, followed by a section of photographs and comments on a theme, with 8-9 chapters total. My mom bought the whole library for us, and one thing that was nice was just having these books available to peruse and read and page through.

By the way, the OTHER book that drew me into math was - of all things - ..... a comic book: "Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land." There is a video of the same name, which is good, but like most movies made from books, the book was far better - even if it was a comic book. I remember reading this comic book dozens and dozens of times, and as a 3rd-4th grader, I remember trying to figure out the rice-grains-on-the-chess-board problem, starting with 1 grain on the first square, the 2 on the second square, then doubling again to 4 on the third square, then 8 on the fourth square, then 16 on the fifth square, etc. - up through the 64th square. I was well into some 5-digit or 6-digit numbers - always just multiplying the previous number by 2 BY HAND - before I gave up, but I learned some valuable things about the magnitudes of numbers and what I later learned were exponents and specifically powers of 2.

Happy reading!
Bob Hazen
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Bob Hazen's Algebra for Kids

Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Thanks, Bob
I love looking at the 500's at the bigger library; ours is too small; I will look for these books. My 9 yr old ds,just loves math and reads "grown-up" math books, so I will look for these and others at the library. I think photos always help make it more interesting.
Thanks.

knobren · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

Math and Science Programs for Girls (link on National Education Association)

http://www.nea.org/webresources/mathsciencegirlslinks.html

Black Women in Mathematics
http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/wmad0.html

Math Doesn't Suck
http://www.wired.com/culture/education/news/2007/08/winniecooper_QA

Women of Nasa
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/intro.html

The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/

Biographies of Women Mathematicions
http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/women.htm

Math History Theme Page
http://www.cln.org/themes/math_history.html

Virtually Yours in Math: Famous Mathematicians (written by students)
http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/vy/vymath.htm

You Enjoy Myself · User Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

'An Introduction to the History of Mathematics' by Howard Eves is a very good textbook. It's intended for the college level, but who cares?

As long as you can guide your kid through it, it doesn't really matter.

Mathmom · User Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

Hey you,
I have that book by Eves Smile

.
I used it in college and kept it.
Now my 10 yr old son has it in his collection of math books. I use it once in awhile for reference. I'm not sure when he will start doing math problems from it, however, he is reading books from the adult section at the library now.
It has a very good time line on the cover, too.
Thanks for the input.