The Critical Thinking Co.™ is an award winning, family owned business that has been helping students improve proficiency and test scores in various subjects since 1958. As their name suggests, they aim to teach students how to develop critical thinking skills which will benefit them during their school years and beyond. This month, we've been having a go with one of their books, Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving , which they generously provided to us, to use and review.
This sturdy, glossy paperback book is geared towards students in grades 6-9. It is 180 pages long, with 10 chapters, an answers section, and two appendices. There are also Bonus pages in the very back, which are additional puzzles and vocabulary activities. This is a supplement to your studies, not a full curriculum. An introduction details how to use the book, whether with individual students, or in groups/classrooms. The book has scored, dashed lines on each page, so you can tear them out if you intend to use the book as a consumable. If using this within your home or classroom, you can make copies. Note that copyright laws dictate you may only copy material for use in your own home or classroom.
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| Charts help outline problem solving steps. |
What kind of problem solving puzzles are covered in this book? Great question! Take a look:
- Chapter 1. Multicultural Logic Problems (puzzles with stories that derive from various cultures)
- Chapter 2. Fun with Classical Brain Teasers
- Chapter 3. Number Theory Problems
- Chapter 4. Problem Solving with Sets
- Chapter 5. Ratio, Proportion, and Percent Problems
- Chapter 6. Algebra Word Problems
- Chapter 7. Geometry Word Problems
- Chapter 8. More Algebra Word Problems
- Chapter 9. Probability Word Problems
- Chapter 10. Topology Fun Word Problems (Topology studies the properties of surfaces and how objects retain their same properties even when distorted)
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| Fun mindbenders! |
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| You will definitely need extra paper and pencils! |
How have we been using Mastering Logic Math Problem Solving? Well, we are currently on our summer break, so the way we've been using this book these past few weeks differs a bit than if we were in the middle of the school year. If class was officially in session, I would go through the problems in order, for the most part anyway. I would also try to coordinate the problems we work through with the math concepts that we have either already covered, or are covering. As for how often, I would say 2 or 3 times a week would be great way to break up the monotony of regular lessons and drills.
Since we are on holiday, I wanted to take a more relaxed approach. My youngest gets into this kind of thing more readily than my oldest, so I wanted to make it a fun experience. So, rather than taking a, "Let's sit down with our notebooks and pencils and do some Math", I've been presenting a problem or two as we're relaxing on the couch, or around the table after dinner. The latter is fun, since Dad is there to participate, and he is Mr. Logic all the way! Also, I've been picking and choosing from various chapters, rather than going in order. I also want to say, form the perspective of the woman pushing 50 who wrote this review, some of these are very challenging!
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| Problems later in the book get trickier. |
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| A quick review of the concept. |
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| Appendix A has an evaluation, so students note what they liked and didn't like. |
How do we like it, and will we continue using it? My youngest is on the oldest end of the target range, just barely past it actually, since she moves into 10th grade this next school year. That being said, yes, I'll bring it out and continue. The review is always helpful, especially when you're coming off of a break and feeling a bit rusty with math skills. But even beyond that, used in a group, these are a fun way to sharpen problem solving skills within a group and/or family. You can find more information by checking out the website. There are other titles from this company that our Crew members reviewed as well, so be sure to read those also!
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