Mathimagination

Mathimagination was originally published as a set of six books by Creative Publications. After the series went out of print, Marcy Mathworks republished the series in one binder with six sections. Answers were included at the end of each section. This is the “new edition” that we are now offering as a digital download.

Mathimagination pioneered many of the puzzle formats that were later used in the Pizzazz series and Punchline series books. Formats were designed to provide practice for a wide range of topics. These formats have certain features that make this practice more effective.

KNOWLEDGE OF RESULTS. Students need feedback and confirmation when they work, especially when learning new skills. Built into Mathimagination puzzles are various devices for giving the student immediate feedback as exercises are completed. For example, if an answer is not in the scrambled answer list or code, the student knows it is incorrect. S/he can try again or ask for help. Teachers are able to spend more time helping students who need help and less time confirming correct answers. Students work with greater confidence.

MOTIVATING GOALS FOR STUDENTS. Each Mathimagination puzzle has a goal for the student, such as decoding the answer to a riddle or creating a drawing. This goal acts as an incentive, because students do not discover it until they do the exercises. Motivation is also enhanced by the variety of puzzle designs and graphics. Finding out immediately after doing each exercise whether their answer is right or wrong helps keep students working. Ultimately, finding the punchline or other outcome gives the student a satisfying sense of closure and success.

CAREFUL EXERCISE SELECTION. Exercises are sequenced to guide students in incremental, step-by-step fashion toward understanding of the concept or procedure involved. Students practice through an appropriate range of applications for the topic, and important variations and discriminations are highlighted. Exercise sets are designed to be challenging but doable, though the amount of instruction required will vary with the experience of the students.

Mathimagination includes puzzles for most topics traditionally taught at about the 5th or 6th grade level, though there are review puzzles for students still struggling with the basics. The book can, of course, be used with students at any grade level for whom these topics are appropriate. Each puzzle is designed to provide practice for a specific objective listed in the table of contents. Many puzzles provide space for student work. And, hopefully, their self-correcting feature will lighten the burden of correcting assignments. Please check out some sample puzzles to see if they would work for you.