Brain Academy Maths Mission File 1
The Brain Academy books have been produced to support able, gifted and talented numeracy at key stage 1 and 2. This eye-catching book is aimed at the 6-7 age range. The cartoon characters that introduce the missions are brightly coloured and often portrayed on textured backgrounds. Each page is split into sections entitled The Training Mission (a practice session), the Main Mission or challenge and the Da Vinci Files where more difficult problems are presented. These sections can be found easily as they are located in the same position in each mission with their background colours being regularly changed to keep the reader’s attention.
The use of American-style cartoon characters does not appeal to me personally but children are probably used to them on television. These characters are introduced at the front of the book together with a few facts about each one. These particular pages, unlike the rest of the book, contain too much information making it difficult to take it all in.
The real nitty gritty of the book is the high quality of the challenges. Children have the opportunity to tackle a variety of problems, all of which are presented in a clear, easy to read format. They can make connections with what they already know and are often encouraged to find more than one solution to a problem. The inclusion of the TASC (thinking in a social context) Problem - solving wheel provides a powerful tool for thinking through the problem -solving process. The child is well supported in each mission by a section entitled Think Tank where some tips are given to help solve the mission. In addition to the Think Tank there are mission strategies given at the back of the book. These provide a useful process with further hints and tips.
The problems described in the mission scenarios are connected to mathematical challenges but one or two are a bit spurious and will need explanation. There are no answers given in this pupil book and no way for pupils to get feedback on their progress other than from the teacher.
Overall I would recommend this book as an excellent source of well thought out numerical challenges.
Tessa Benie, Independent Consultant
Brain Academy Maths Mission File 1
Ages 6-7
Authors - Charlotte Haggis, Louise Moore and Richard Cooper.
Rising Stars UK Ltd.
Published in association with NACE (The National Association for Able Children in Education)
£5.00
ISBN 1-904591-35-3
<< National Association for Able Children in Education
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