In this week’s blog I’d like to draw your attention to a
series of books called You Do the Math.
There are four books that embed mathematics into real life
situations such as designing a skyscraper or heading out into space or solving a crime or flying a jet fighter.
I think the books will initially appeal to many kids because
of the topics and the graphic novel approach in telling the ‘story’. The ‘stories’
are not the best part of these books but I don’t think that was their intent. I think the best thing about them is taking
interesting situations and showing how mathematics is used in real world
applications. Each book is illustrated
with a consistent narrator who accompanies the reader and poses them math
questions in every two-page spread.
The questions are supposed to be answered by the reader and
if they have some understanding of the concepts involved then it’s likely they
will be able to answer them. (Answers
are available for each question at the back of the book. There are no explanations as to how answers
were derived.) Working with many facets of geometry, algebra, basic computation,
ratios, decimals, etc. is required to solve the problems posed by our
narrators. The books don’t focus on any
single mathematical topic but use whatever skill is required to answer the
problem for that particular situation.
For example, when designing and building a skyscraper it’s
important to know how its shape and height (number of floors) is best
understood using geometry. Selecting a suitable building site requires
assessing and interpreting data related to physical features of the site and
coordinates. The actual building stage requires digging a foundation and
determining appropriate building materials that necessitates basic
computational skills. Within the skyscraper
there will be offices, apartments, restaurants, hotels and stores all having
unique needs for electricity and plumbing again determined using basic
computations. And so on.
Data is displayed as various charts, tables, timelines and
maps requiring the skill to understand how the information is organized and
then interpreting it.
All four books are written by Hilary Koll and Steve Mills
and include these titles:
Bringing these volumes into a math class, grades 5-8 perhaps,
would offer a different approach to teaching some of these concepts by showing
a real world application. Some of the math concepts may not be familiar with students
and will have to be taught. But bringing
these titles into science and STEM classrooms would also be beneficial as a way
to engage students using math and in real life situations.
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