So when I was reading my friend Lilian's blog and came across one of her older posts, Thank you Kjartan Poskitt!, I immediately felt like running out to the bookshop and buying the whole Murderous Maths series. I don't think the books will turn my kids into mathematical geniuses (I think Lilian's kids are naturally gifted in math) but I'm hoping they will at least help generate interest in the subject.I think it's very clever how the author manages to turn seemingly intimidating math concepts into fun, everyday life applications. Lesley-Anne has a few of the Horrible Science series books and the cartoons are very engaging and concepts explained in a simple, kid-centred way. We never bought the Murderous Maths books because her interest was always in science, but she did say she has read one at her school library and it was pretty interesting. I showed her a summary of the different topics covered in each of the books in the series and she said they've practically covered all those topics in GEP. I should have introduced them earlier, then maybe she would have struggled less. Alamak, Lilian, you're showing me up as a sotong mum!
So I will probably get these books some time in the near future. With the cartoons, perhaps Andre will also be interested in them, since the only books that he's keen on reading at the moment are Tin Tin and Asterix (he told me yesterday he's Cacofonix - the noisy one - he can be quite astute, that boy!)
In the meantime, if anyone has any first-hand experience of the Kjartan Poskitt books, let me know!
UPDATE: I have since posted my evaluation of the books here.
Posts
8 comments:
You're funny Mon, I didn't know these were GEP topics, only realised that years later when Brian did some GEP math.
Brian actually started reading Murderous Math before any Horrible Science books, and once he started, he just wanted all the other books. At one time, he was reading and re-reading his few MM books every chance he got. But he hasn't touched them for the past year. I wish Kjartan Poskitt would write more, perhaps one on Calculus!
This last time we went back, we bought a non-math novel by Poskitt called Urgum the Axeman, about a barbarian; I have a feeling Andre will like this!
With a title like Urgum the Axeman, I'm sure Andre would be interested!!
Hey Monica, my son loves Tin Tin and Asterix too. It's that wild, far out humour that he finds thigh slappingly funny. He thinks he's Asterix (pint sized) but he likes Obelix. Hmm, wonder if we're on our way to collecting a cast of characters on the net :D!
haha! if only they would make maths and science concepts using Asterix, I'm sure it'll be a hit!
My little girl has been chosen for GEP. As she is stronger in language than Math, I have reservations whether she can cope with what I imagine would be "Sec sch std" GEP math. Not sure if she shd take the plunge ...
Have you read my other posts on GEP and maths? Please do, perhaps they will help assuage your fears. L-A is not strong in maths either but she has enjoyed GEP tremendously. I don't think it's sec school maths so much as it's lateral thinking maths, to challenge the mind. If she could pass the selection test, it probably means her maths is of an acceptable standard for GEP :)
Thanks! I think my daughter is tempted to take up GEP, after reading your blog. We will be attending the GEP briefing this evening and will try to reach a decision after that.
My only grouse now is there isn't a GEP school near my house ...
Happy to help. I think you'll find that if you can assure your daughter of the best education for her, distance will be a secondary consideration :) Good luck!
Post a Comment