The I Hate Mathematics! book

[Yelena McManaman]

I went to a library sale today and picked up a copy of a book called "The I Hate Mathematics! Book". I just checked - it's available on Amazon. The book is for older children (probably upper elementary school, not sure). I'm flipping through it mostly to get a better idea of "math beyond simple counting and arithmetic" - something we talked about last week. Well, on page 9 of the book it says "The password of mathematics is pattern." I just never thought of math like that, but it makes so much sense! (and goes a long way toward explaining how playing with sea shells and painting and playing dress up is math). So I'm pretty happy with my $1 book :)

[Sue VanHattum]

I love that book! It's by Marilyn Burns, and was part of the Brown Paper Schoolbook series (which had lots of cool titles).

Almost 30 years ago, I was tutoring a junior high student in the summer, and used activities from this book. We filled her mailbox with popcorn and estimated how many popped kernels it would take to fill it.

I thought it was "The secret key to mathematics is pattern." That's what I write on my board every semester, and attribute to her. Maybe she said it both ways.

Warmly,
Sue