This week I am reviewing the picture book “Math Curse” by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. This book takes a humorous approach to the involvement of mathematics in our everyday lives – no matter how much we may try to avoid it. It also discusses the reality of math anxiety in elementary school students.
The story begins with a teacher explaining to their young students that “you can think of almost everything as a math problem.” One student in particular finds this statement extremely daunting, and they struggle to go about their day without encountering a math problem.
The math is truly a problem.
The student becomes more and more anxious as they can’t seem to find any solutions. Eventually they decide they have been cursed with seeing math everywhere and they have a dream they are trapped in a room with “a lifetime of problems.” However, they are able to escape the room by creating a fraction – ultimately breaking the “math curse.” From then on, they are able to find the confidence to solve the math involved throughout the day.
I really enjoyed this book from the perspective of both a student and a future teacher. It enhances the idea that math isn’t an easy process for everyone, and it is common to have anxiety surrounding it. I think book is as funny as it is true – we can find math in every area of our lives and this is why it is so important to teach it.
I could definitely argue that the quadratic formula isn’t as necessary as basic addition, but it is the mastery of basic addition that allows for more complex processes. This book uses realistic scenarios: the time it takes to get ready for school, fractioning slices of pizza, and buying a chocolate bar. It also touches on different academic subjects like Social Studies, English, Phys. Ed., and even Art (cross-curricular woot!). This book demonstrates (even to very young students) that math is necessary to learn because of how much we subconsciously and consciously use it. I’d love to have this book as a part of my classroom in order for kids to have fun with the idea of math, while also recognizing it’s contributions to our past, current, and future societies.
Critiques: none. I can’t wait to read the version about science.
oliviafryer
Hi Kali! This book seems great. As someone who has struggled with math their entire lives, I could see how this book would have been useful to read when I was younger. It might have relieved some anxiety and made me feel less alone. It is interesting to think about how much math is incorporated in our every day lives. As much as I dislike math, I do it every day. It would be great to show this to my students and to assure them that math is not scary and that it can take time to understand. I would love to have this book in my classroom. Thanks for sharing!