Experienced maths teacher and consultant Jamie York believes that a love of learning comes through the teacher, so his books are committed to supporting teachers in developing their classroom skills and to fostering a love of maths in their students. Unlike conventional maths textbooks, his books are not full of fancy graphics and contrived ways to make maths fun. Rather, they:
focus on the essentials, so teachers aren't overwhelmed by endless lists of required material
are genuinely interesting and challenging, sparking students' enthusiasm for learning maths
are developmentally appropriate to the age of the child, thereby encouraging inner mathemetical awareness and thinking
favour depth over superficiality, to avoid teaching blind procedures to solve meaningless problems
Note that the Floris Books editions of Jamie York's books have been completely revised for UK and European notation, language and metric systems. They are also suitable for use in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
This teachers' resource book for Classes 1 to 5 provides a direct and logical approach to teaching 6 to 11-year-olds maths. Each class level and topic provide numerous tried and tested examples and explanations.
The book includes:
Class 1: Roman numerals, quality of numbers, counting, number dictations, developing a sense of number, beginning calculations and more.
Class 2: estimating, place value, addition and subtraction facts, times/division tables, four arithmetic processes, time orientation, wonder of numbers and more.
Class 3: numbers up to 1000, arithmetic facts, vertical addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, working horizontally, measurement and more.
Class 4: greatest common factors, least common multiples, challenging multiplication facts, two- and three-digit multipliers, measurement, fractions and more.
Class 5: arithmetic with fractions, decimal fractions, measurement, geometry, wonder of numbers, review and consolidation of Classes 1-4 and more.
'They have also developed a set of characteristics that will help them push forward when they're in doubt and start working through an issue that seems to have no solution in sight.'
-- Alyssum Barber, Madrone Trail Waldorf Charter School, Oregon
'I taught using more mainstream math textbooks in my previous classes and, while my students went on to be solid high school and college math students, they did not show the level of creative and confident mathematical problem solving that my present class has [using Making Maths Meaningful]. By helping a math or class teacher show how math is a fascinating, creative, yet quite achievable endeavor, Jamie York has helped me develop students who are on the path to becoming imaginative, analytical thinkers in high school.'
-- Nancy Pierce, Portland, Oregon
'I'm a 6th grade teacher and my students worked with your workbook this year, and I took many inspirations from your Middle School Curriculum Guide. I just wanted to let you know what a fabulous, positive experience it was. I think I found myself in that "difficult middle school spot" that teachers can get into, but my students loved working with your book.'
