Mental Math

Why mental math?

The authors state that "two common problems found in all levels of math classes are the inconsistencies of math terminology and the lack of self confidence in students when answering simple math questions." This series of books was written to address these problems and to provide practice in solving math problems both mentally and quickly. The use of terminology from standardized tests is also beneficial; my children have been confused by different terms even when they understood the concepts well. To a first-grader, "add" doesn't always mean the same thing as "plus". This series of math supplements is available for grades 1 to 5, and is designed to be used each day of the school year for the first 10 minutes of math class. These courses provide practice and review, but no direct instruction; this is not a complete math program. In addition, these courses require the active participation of the teacher; Mental Math cannot be considered an independent program. From my perspective, this is a particular strength for homeschoolers. Many students work on their math independently, and these courses give the homeschool teacher an opportunity to casually and regularly assess the progress of their student. First graders begin in the second semester of the school year while the other grades start at the beginning of the school year. With the exception of the first grade book, each book begins by reviewing material from the previous grade level. The instructions for each book clearly state that the teacher is to read the questions to the student twice and then to go on to the next question. The student is not permitted to ask questions, to talk, or to request that the problem be repeated. The student is also not permitted to use scratch paper. Because these courses were designed for the classroom, the student is instructed to write the answer. In a homeschool setting, the answers could be given orally as well. The only confusing part of the program to me was the numbering system used on the daily worksheets. Each sheet is coded with the grade level and the types of problems being practiced. A key is provided to explain it, and the system makes sense, but I floundered a bit until I developed some experience. This is done to provide flexibility; the program does not have to be used in a specific order. My children have enjoyed these books, and they look forward to showing me just how much they have learned. Sometimes they are quicker to find a solution than I am. Reviewed by S.K.

Mental Math: Fifth Grade

Book cover: 'Mental Math: Fifth Grade'
Author(s): 
Kathy French
Number of pages: 
141 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781893632042
Publisher: 
Math Concepts, Inc.
Binding: 
Comb-bound
Subject(s): 
Review: 

Problems at this level include a review of 4th grade math and practice in the topics usually introduced at the 5th grade level. In the 10 questions for each day, concepts of numbers, computation, application, mixed practice, decimals, fractions and percents are covered. Sample questions chosen at random include the following: What number when multiplied by six and divided by three becomes 12? Write seven and four tenths as a mixed number with a decimal. How much time has elapsed from 4:31 a.m. to 7:01 a.m.? 72 people were on the train. 1/8 of them got off at the first stop. How many people were left on the train? What is the volume of a box that is 2 cm by 2 cm by 2 cm?

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Mental Math: First Grade

Book cover: 'Mental Math: First Grade'
Author(s): 
Kathy French
Number of pages: 
75 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781893632004
Publisher: 
Math Concepts, Inc.
Binding: 
Comb-bound
Subject(s): 
Review: 

Problems at this level center around practice in the topics usually introduced at the 1st grade level. In the 5 questions for each day, concepts of numbers, computation, application, and mixed problems are covered. Sample questions chosen at random include the following: Write the number 203. What comes next: 50, 100, 150, ___ ? What month comes after March? A square has ___ sides. Jenny is six months old. Nicki is ten months old. Which one is almost one year old?

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Mental Math: Fourth Grade

Book cover: 'Mental Math: Fourth Grade'
Author(s): 
Kathy French
Number of pages: 
141 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781893632035
Publisher: 
Math Concepts, Inc.
Binding: 
Comb-bound
Subject(s): 
Review: 

Problems at this level include a review of 3rd grade math and practice in the topics usually introduced at the 4th grade level. In the 10 questions for each day, concepts of numbers, computation, application, and mixed practice are covered. Sample questions chosen at random include the following: Increase the tens place by one in the number 23,460. What is the area of a square that is 4 feet on a side? What number when multiplied by two becomes 22? AZ, AY, AX, ____. What comes next? If I put five red marbles and one green marble in a bag, what are my chances of picking a red marble? Write it as a ratio.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Mental Math: Second Grade

Book cover: Mental Math: Second Grade
Author(s): 
Kathy French
Number of pages: 
75 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781893632011
Publisher: 
Math Concepts, Inc.
Binding: 
Comb-bound
Subject(s): 
Review: 

This Math supplement provides 10 questions (which should take approximately 7 to 10 minutes) each day which are read aloud by the parent/teacher and computed mentally by the student who writes only the answer on paper. The questions should be helpful in introducing students to the language and vocabulary used on standardized tests, gaining confidence and practice in mental computation and allows the parent/teacher to quickly (and regularly) evaluate the student's progress (this might be especially useful for students who do much of their Math work independently). We also found that these problems make a good opportunity for working on following directions.

This second grade book begins with 15 review lessons of five problems each. The students then begin sets of the normal 10 problems which cover material such as writing numbers in standard or expanded form, determining the next number in a pattern, values of greater than or less than, and determining whether a number is even or odd. Later problems in this volume involve simple computation (addition and subtraction), money and time problems, days of the week, months of the year, simple fractions and place value. The answer is included in parentheses after each problem. Also included in the book are an extensive glossary and ideas for implementing a incentive/reward system (probably more appropriate for the classroom than a homeschool situation).

We've used this book for several months and I've found it to be a helpful supplement for my second grade daughter. Because of it's simplicity, it would also make a good choice for those who homeschool "part-time" (i.e.supplement their child's education at home).

Sample problems (selected from throughout the book) include: Write the number 214 in expanded form. What comes next 33, 36, 39, _ ? What digit is in the ones place in the number 34? Write the number that has five hundreds, six tens and three ones. Decrease the tens place by one in the number 58. Is the number eight even or odd? Is the number 47 about 50 or about 40? Which is more: 301 or 311? Draw a circle. Shade one half of it. Which is less: two tens or three tens? Which is more: three dimes or one quarter?

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-28-2000

Mental Math: Third Grade

Book cover: 'Mental Math: Third Grade'
Author(s): 
Kathy French
Kathy J. French
Michele Hollister (Editor)
Number of pages: 
135 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781893632028
Publisher: 
Math Concepts, Inc.
Binding: 
Comb-bound
Subject(s): 
Review: 

Problems at this level include a review of 2nd grade math and practice in the topics usually introduced at the 3rd grade level. In the 10 questions for each day, concepts of numbers, computation, application, and mixed practice are covered. Sample questions chosen at random include the following: Draw six circles and shade one-third of the set. Estimate the answer: 490 + 180 is about how much? It is one hour earlier in Chicago than here. Look at the clock and write down the time that it is in Chicago now. What comes next: A1, B2, C3, ___ ? 13,900 - 1,000 = ?

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99