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James_Miller comments on Fields Medalists on School Mathematics - Less Wrong Discussion
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Comments (19)
Do you have any book suggestions for mathematically gifted children?
I could not possibly, conceivably recommend any book in the world for a kindergarten- or elementary-school-aged kid more than Math for Smarty Pants.
I have that book. It's really good. (The same author also wrote The I Hate Mathematics Book, which is similar.)
Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School by Louis Sachar, a puzzle book companion to the silly Wayside School stories; I read it in elementary school to what I think was my great benefit. I posted a bit about it elsewhere--it was my first introduction to some of the concepts of logical thinking I've found generally useful now.
Also, not specific to mathematics (although there is some, as a way of explaining various inventions), but I recommend The Way Things Work to pretty much everyone who asks about good books for children.
I used to love the television show Square One TV, but I think it's impossible to get videos of.
Yes, this is something that I've thought about a lot. How old and with what background knowledge? I'll eventually be compiling a thorough list, but can mention some things off the cuff with more information.
We were doing 4th grade math together (adding and subtracting large numbers, simple geometric proofs, multiplying one digit numbers, Venn Diagrams) before he lost interest. The 4th grade material seems much less interesting than K-3rd grade stuff and I wonder if lots of kids start to get turned off by math in the 4th grade.
Is he still in 4th grade? I know more about resources for middle/high schoolers than for elementary schoolers. One recommendation that comes to mind is
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Mangus Enzenberger --- this has substantive mathematical content and I've found that it's quite popular among gifted children who encounter it.
Three items which may be useful to you in working with him are
Vision in Elementary Mathematics by W. W. Sawyer
Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics: Teachers' Understanding of Fundamental Mathematics in China and the United States by Liping Ma
Arithmetic for Parents: A Book for Grownups about Children's Mathematics by Ron Aharoni.
I haven't had a chance to look at the last one but it's recommended by Alexander Givental, a Berkeley math professor and parent who I have very high regard for.
I think that Raymond Smullyan's books of logic puzzles are good for gifted children.
Thanks,
He hasn't reached the 4th grade but I was teaching him above his grade level math.
Right, this makes sense.
Looking at your location, one more thing that I should point out is the Harvard Math Circle. It's probably too far away to be useful considering that the classes for younger children meet on weekdays, but something to keep in mind for the future.