"M" is for Math!
After a summer break, many of you are entering the school year- either at home or in classrooms! As you kick off your school year, we are going to conclude our What is STEAM series with the final letter : M for mathematics! 
 
I probably don’t need to tell you how important math is- we all know that building a strong foundation in math is as essential as a strong foundation in reading for our children and students. Math really ties together the rest of the subjects encompassed in STEAM, and encourages students to solve problems with logic, numerical reasoning, and creative problem solving. 
 
Much like learning to read, we often expect our students to meet measurable levels in mathematics, which can leave students afraid of falling behind and lacking confidence in the subject. Finding ways to make math fun with games and real life examples can bring the subject alive to keep students actively engaged with the subject. Try incorporating math while you cook a recipe, have your child handle all the measurements on their own, or ask them to add up items at the grocery store while picking out their favorite snacks for the week. 
 
Check out the video resource Just for Kids for some fun Math Videos to watch at home! Just for Kids is a great free video resource offered by the Library, to access videos here, use the username: handleyPL and password: digital. 
 
 
 
Time & money : learning games and activities to help build foundational math skills
by Susan Andrews Kunze

"Of all the math skills children learn in primary grades, telling time and calculating money probably have the most relevance in their daily lives. Make learning these skills memorable with lively activities that teach how to tell time in hours, half hours, and to the nearest five minutes using both analog and digital clocks, how to identify money, compare the values of coins, and more"
Cooking is cool : heat-free recipes for kids to cook
by Marianne E. Dambra

"Help children experience the many benefits and joys of cooking--all without entering the kitchen or using the stove or oven. Heat-free, classroom-friendly recipes are included, each designed so that children can help prepare healthy appetizers and dips,beverages, snacks and treats, and sandwiches and salads as they explore new foods, build math and literacy skills, and learn about nutrition."
Math / : A Book You Can Count On!
by Dan Green

Uses cartoon-style characters to explain the basics of mathematics, discussing such concepts as numbers, operations, shapes, area, ratios, and graphs
Math for all seasons : mind-stretching math riddles
by Greg Tang

Unique and entertaining, a mind-bending collection of math riddles shows readers how to solve math problems in new and different ways by looking for patterns, symmetries, and familiar number combinations embedded within vibrant pictures.
How astronauts use math
by Mary Hense

Outlines the ways astronauts use math to calculate orbit altitudes, determine the weight of a space shuttle, and figure out how much food they need to bring
Math fables too : making science count
by Greg Tang

Using animal fables to introduce science, the author challenges youngsters to think about numbers in more creative ways, giving them a head start in math that will last a lifetime.

Handley Regional Library System
100 W Piccadilly St
P.O. Box 58
Winchester, Virginia 22601
(540) 662-9041
www.handleyregional.org