The Children's Mathematics Calendar 2011 (Gift Idea #1)

In anticipation of the upcoming holidays (yes, sigh, I did see Christmas decor displayed at the store already!), I'll be posting gift ideas...math games and activities that feel like way too much fun to contain real learning! (Heh heh...what the kiddos don't know won't hurt 'em...and might just educate 'em!)

I've had my eye on the first one for several months: The Children's Mathematics Calendar 2011. The creator, Theoni Pappas, is also the author of several well-known math books for children, including titles such as The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat, Fractals, Googols, and Other Mathematical Tales, Math Talk: Mathematical Ideas in Poems for Two Voices...all titles that I own and use in my math/literature class.

The math calendar contains a new problem each day. Although I haven't seen the 2011 calendar, I own an older one and enjoy the format. According to the Amazon product description, "This calendar includes stories that make math ideas come to life, problems with new twists, and ways to share math exercises with parents and friends. Much more than just a reminder of the date (though it does that too), this calendar stimulates curiosity and imagination and helps children develop a positive attitude about mathematics."

If you are looking for more difficult mathematics, check The Mathematics Calendar 2011, also by Pappas. (I read that the children's version is suitable for grades 3-8.)

I will be compiling a list of gift ideas on my Math Gifts and Games page, linked from the menu on the top of the homepage.