I found myself wanting to join them in having fun while learning about math. The music, games, graphics and clever writing make the videos truly enjoyable. You almost forget that you are learning math at the same time. I love how the videos jump from one activity to another, making it really appealing for kids and teens. Music is interspersed between skits and math demonstrations. Very well constructed for the cognitive development of young students.
The characters are funny, engaging and make you feel like you already know them or want to know them. Behaviors and dialogue are appropriate, but current and in line with how students think and talk. The math demonstrations definitely support inquiry, investigation and help the viewer to see how math can be used anywhere and by anyone. The episodes are full of different skits, each with simple costumes, props, settings, etc. The total package is one of a comfortable, fun school district created show, rather than an expensive, glitzy big studio production. But that is part of the charm, because it makes you think anyone, yourself included, can have fun making a show like this one.
Any student struggling with math, or just interested in math, will benefit from watching the Math with Matthew series. I can see students wanting to try some of the math problems that they saw during the episode. In the show everyone is having such a good time doing math, it makes you want to participate! Reviewed by Ruth A., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
Math for me was a very challenging subject when I was in school. Math with Matthew: Pythagorean Project is a creative presentation of a not so easy concept to learn. It is very important for students to have a good understanding about triangles, right angles, simple problem solving and square roots. Matthew presents these elements in a simple, step by step manner and the contrast between Matthew and Rhombus is very good. Matthew wants Rhombus to agree that the Pythagorean Theory is the most important mathematical discovery and even after Matthew presents all his examples, Rhombus is still not convinced and cleverly leads into the next concept- Pi!
Reviewed by Juanita S., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Math for me was a very challenging subject when I was in school. Math with Matthew: Pythagorean Project is a creative presentation of a not-so-easy concept to learn. It is very important for students to have a good understanding about triangles, right angles, simple problem-solving and square roots. Matthew presents these elements in a simple step-by-step manner and the contrast between Matthew and Romus is very good. Matthew wants Romus to agree that the Pythagorean Theory is the most important mathematical discovery and, even after Matthew presents all his examples, Romus is still not convinced and cleverly leads into the next concept - PI!
Reviewed by Jan B., KIDS FIRST! Juror
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