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Joseph Malkevitch
Joseph Malkevitch
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Hi:

There are many entry points into a love of mathematics. If by elementary school you mean grades k-5 there are not a lot of tools that such students have so pattern hunting is part of the fun. However, in a general way, I think geometry and combinatorial geometry have been short changed as an entry, especially for very young kids. As students get further along in their education I think the possibilities pick up.

In my own opinion I know of no better way to get started attracting kids to mathematics than the books of Martin Gardner:

http://www.york.cuny.edu/~malk/biblio/martin-gardner-biblio.html

However, many children of parents who love mathematics may not share this passion with theretheir parents.

I also regret that knowing the role of mathematics in new technologies and the applications of mathematics in general get short shrift with people of all ages. I am biased because I am one of the co-author of this book, but I think the book For All Practical Purposes (FAPP) gives some of the sense of excitement involved in using mathematics in a variety of settings. FAPP has been through many editions and some of the early editions are probably available cheaply on the web. I was involved with the first 4 chapters which deal with urban operations research problems (Eulerian circuits- applications to street sweeping, etc.; Hamiltonian circuits - applications to package pick up and delivery, etc.) This book is designed for liberal arts students in college but parents may find it of interest, too.

Best,

Joe Malkevitch

Hi:

There are many entry points into a love of mathematics. If by elementary school you mean grades k-5 there are not a lot of tools that such students have so pattern hunting is part of the fun. However, in a general way, I think geometry and combinatorial geometry have been short changed as an entry, especially for very young kids. As students get further along in their education I think the possibilities pick up.

In my own opinion I know of no better way to get started attracting kids to mathematics than the books of Martin Gardner:

http://www.york.cuny.edu/~malk/biblio/martin-gardner-biblio.html

However, many children of parents who love mathematics may not share this passion with there parents.

I also regret that knowing the role of mathematics in new technologies and the applications of mathematics in general get short shrift with people of all ages. I am biased because I am one of the co-author of this book, but I think the book For All Practical Purposes (FAPP) gives some of the sense of excitement involved in using mathematics in a variety of settings. FAPP has been through many editions and some of the early editions are probably available cheaply on the web. I was involved with the first 4 chapters which deal with urban operations research problems (Eulerian circuits- applications to street sweeping, etc.; Hamiltonian circuits - applications to package pick up and delivery, etc.) This book is designed for liberal arts students in college but parents may find it of interest, too.

Best,

Joe Malkevitch

Hi:

There are many entry points into a love of mathematics. If by elementary school you mean grades k-5 there are not a lot of tools that such students have so pattern hunting is part of the fun. However, in a general way, I think geometry and combinatorial geometry have been short changed as an entry, especially for very young kids. As students get further along in their education I think the possibilities pick up.

In my own opinion I know of no better way to get started attracting kids to mathematics than the books of Martin Gardner:

http://www.york.cuny.edu/~malk/biblio/martin-gardner-biblio.html

However, many children of parents who love mathematics may not share this passion with their parents.

I also regret that knowing the role of mathematics in new technologies and the applications of mathematics in general get short shrift with people of all ages. I am biased because I am one of the co-author of this book, but I think the book For All Practical Purposes (FAPP) gives some of the sense of excitement involved in using mathematics in a variety of settings. FAPP has been through many editions and some of the early editions are probably available cheaply on the web. I was involved with the first 4 chapters which deal with urban operations research problems (Eulerian circuits- applications to street sweeping, etc.; Hamiltonian circuits - applications to package pick up and delivery, etc.) This book is designed for liberal arts students in college but parents may find it of interest, too.

Best,

Joe Malkevitch

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Joseph Malkevitch
Joseph Malkevitch
  • 1.7k
  • 1
  • 12
  • 13

Hi:

There are many entry points into a love of mathematics. If by elementary school you mean grades k-5 there are not a lot of tools that such students have so pattern hunting is part of the fun. However, in a general way, I think geometry and combinatorial geometry have been short changed as an entry, especially for very young kids. As students get further along in their education I think the possibilities pick up.

In my own opinion I know of no better way to get started attracting kids to mathematics than the books of Martin Gardner:

http://www.york.cuny.edu/~malk/biblio/martin-gardner-biblio.html

However, many children of parents who love mathematics may not share this passion with there parents.

I also regret that knowing the role of mathematics in new technologies and the applications of mathematics in general get short shrift with people of all ages. I am biased because I am one of the co-author of this book, but I think the book For All Practical Purposes (FAPP) gives some of the sense of excitement involved in using mathematics in a variety of settings. FAPP has been through many editions and some of the early editions are probably available cheaply on the web. I was involved with the first 4 chapters which deal with urban operations research problems (Eulerian circuits- applications to street sweeping, etc.; Hamiltonian circuits - applications to package pick up and delivery, etc.) This book is designed for liberal arts students in college but parents may find it of interest, too.

Best,

Joe Malkevitch