The Role of Teachers in Breaking the Math Curse

"The Math Curse" is a popular children's book written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith. It tells the story of a young girl who wakes up one day to find herself under a curse: everything in her life has become a math problem. From getting dressed to eating breakfast, she encounters math equations and calculations that she must solve. As the day unfolds, she realizes that math is everywhere, and she starts to see the beauty and usefulness in this subject. The book cleverly combines storytelling with mathematics, making it an engaging and interactive way to introduce children to the world of numbers and calculations. Through humor and creative illustrations, it aims to change the perception that math is boring or difficult.

Lane Smith is a five-time recipient of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book award and a two-time Caldecott Honor recipient. In 2012 the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art named him a Carle Artist for “lifelong innovation in… More about Lane Smith

Try it again in 10 years -- or better yet, read it to your children when you re a parent -- and then you ll understand what your teacher thought you d get out of it. Try it again in 10 years -- or better yet, read it to your children when you re a parent -- and then you ll understand what your teacher thought you d get out of it.

Through humor and creative illustrations, it aims to change the perception that math is boring or difficult. Instead, it highlights the practical applications of math in our everyday lives and encourages children to embrace it as a useful skill. By presenting math problems in real-life scenarios, "The Math Curse" helps children understand how math is relevant and applicable to their own experiences.

The math curse

I probably should not like this book. After all, it makes one think of math as a bad thing (a curse) and it promotes the idea that math is nothing other than a class in school leading to "problems". However, I do like it, because it is cute and funny. How about the dedication?

Heather, I think youo and your classmates were right. I would guess that 3rd-5th grade kids are the ideal audience. Adult audiences can also appreciate its innocent humor, which is probably why your math teacher thought it would be a good thing to read. However, I would not have tried it with middle or high school students (who were little kids too recently and are to eager to prove that they are older now) to like this book. Try it again in 10 years -- or better yet, read it to your children when you're a parent -- and then you'll understand what your teacher thought you'd get out of it. -Alex

1. The Princess Hoppy or the Tale of Labrador by Jacques Roubaud
2. Number Stories: Learning Arithmetic Through the Adventures of Ralph and His Schoolmates by Alhambra G. Deming
3. The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics by Norton Juster
4. Uncle Georg's Attic by Ben Schumacher
5. Odd Squad by Tim McKeon / Adam Peltzman
6. The Number Devil [Der Zahlenteufel] by Hans Magnus Enzensberger
7. A Tangled Tale by Lewis Carroll
8. Math Patrol by TV Ontario
9. Lost in Lexicon: An Adventure in Words and Numbers by Pendred Noyce
10. Donald in Mathmagic Land by Hamilton Luske (director)

Exciting News: The 1,600th entry was recently added to this database of mathematical fiction! Also, for those of you interested in non-fictional math books let me (shamelessly) plug the recent release of the second edition of my soliton theory textbook.

Hardcover $18.99 Oct 01, 1995 | ISBN 9780670861941 | 11 x 11 --> | 3-7 years | ISBN 9780670861941 --> Buy

It encourages them to look past the abstract nature of numbers and see the connections between math and the world around them. This approach can help foster a positive attitude towards math and lay the foundation for further learning in this subject. "The Math Curse" also emphasizes the problem-solving aspect of math. As the main character encounters various mathematical challenges throughout her day, she learns to think critically and approach problems with a logical mindset. This aspect of the book can help develop problem-solving skills and promote a growth mindset, encouraging children to persist in finding solutions to challenges they encounter. Overall, "The Math Curse" is a fun and educational book that uses storytelling to engage children in the world of math. It aims to change the perception that math is a curse and instead shows how math can be relevant, practical, and even enjoyable. By presenting math in a relatable and entertaining way, it seeks to motivate children to explore and embrace the subject..

Reviews for "The Math Curse in the Workplace: How Fear of Mathematics Impacts Careers"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Math Curse". The concept seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The illustrations were dull and didn't captivate my attention at all. Additionally, I felt like the storyline was confusing and didn't make much sense. It felt like a jumble of random math problems and equations with no clear narrative thread. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and coherent story.

2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Math Curse" was a complete letdown for me. As someone who struggles with math, I was hoping for a book that would make the subject more approachable and interesting. However, this book only further reinforced my dislike for math. The text was cluttered with equations and formulas that were difficult to understand, and the explanations provided were not clear enough for someone without a strong math background. The book failed to engage me and left me feeling frustrated. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable math-related story.

3. Alex - 2 stars - While "The Math Curse" had a creative concept, the execution was lacking. The illustrations were uninteresting and failed to capture the imagination. The book also lacked a clear direction, jumping from one math problem to another without a coherent storyline. I didn't find it enjoyable or engaging, and it didn't provide any meaningful learning experiences. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.

4. Emily - 2.5 stars - "The Math Curse" was just okay for me. The idea of a math curse seemed intriguing, but the book didn't live up to my expectations. The illustrations were average, and the storyline felt disjointed. It didn't flow well and left me wanting more. While it did incorporate some math concepts, they were presented in a way that wasn't engaging or educational. I think there are better math-related books out there for children.

5. Michael - 2 stars - I found "The Math Curse" to be quite boring. The illustrations were dull, and the text felt disjointed. I had a hard time following the storyline and connecting with the characters. Additionally, I didn't find the math problems and equations to be presented in an interesting or innovative way. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest and didn't make math any more enjoyable for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others.

Harnessing Technology to Combat the Math Curse