Teachers.netBuild It
Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself
Make a geodesic dome big enough to sit in. Solve the world’s hardest two-piece puzzle. Pass a straight line though a curved slot. From prime numbers to paraboloids, activities in Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself introduce you to the beauty and wonder of math through hands-on activities.
Learn by building, playing, and doing. Cut apart shapes to discover area formulas, build beautiful geometric models to explore their properties, and amaze your friends with the mysterious Möbius strip.
Throughout the book, there are examples of how we encounter math in our daily lives. Marvel at the mathematical patterns in snowflakes and discover the graceful curves in the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll never look at soap bubbles the same way again!
Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself includes projects about number patterns, lines, curves, and shapes. Some activities show you a new way to look at math that you have learned in school; others give you a glimpse of things to come; and finally, some are simply fun. Each activity includes intriguing facts, vocabulary builders, and connections to other topics.
“…Very hands-on and easy to get into and draws students
into an active engagement with mathematical ideas. Well done!”
— David Bressoud, the DeWitt Wallace Professor of Mathematics,
Macalester College; President, Mathematical Association of America
“A wonderful book, I am utterlydelighted and pleased with its vast
mathematical content. The book begins with the simplest notions
of arithmetic and proceeds on to geometry and all kinds of higher
math, with plenty of hands-on constructions and do-it-yourself suggestions.”
— Magnus Wenninger Fr. www.saintjohnsabbey.org/wenninger/
Naylor, Michael. 2002. Golden, Square Root of 2, and π Flowers: A Spiral Story.
Mathematics Magazine 75, no. 3 (June): 163-172. doi:10.2307/3219239.
Pickover, Clifford A. 2006. The Möbius Strip: Dr. August Möbius's Marvelous Band in
Mathematics, Games, Literature, Art, Technology,and Cosmology. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.
Polster, Burkard. 2006. The Shoelace Book: A Mathematical Guide to the Best (and worst) Ways to Lace Your Shoes. Providence, R.I: American Mathematical Society.
Pugh, Anthony. 1976. Polyhedra: A Visual Approach. Berkeley: University of California
Press.
Rudman, Peter Strom. 2007. How MathematicsHappened: The First 50,000 Years. Amherst,
N.Y: Prometheus Books.
Sayili, Aydin. 1960. Thâbit ibn Qurra's Generalization of the Pythagorean
Theorem. Isis 51, no. 1 (March): 35-37. doi:10.2307/227603.
Stewart, Ian. 2007. Game, Set and Math: Enigmas and Conundrums. Mineola, N.Y:
Dover Publications.
Strain, Steve. Golden Ratio Dividers. Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
Williams, Michael R. 1985. A History of Computing Technology. Englewood Cliffs, N.J:
Prentice-Hall.
Woodburn, Glenda. Tetrahedral Kite Building Instructions.
Anderson, Marlow, Victor J Katz, and Robin J Wilson, eds. 2004. Sherlock Holmes in Babylon: And Other Tales of Mathematical History. Washington, DC: Mathematical Association of America.
Annal, David, and Seth Bareiss. Tessellations - Escher and how to make your own. Tessellations.
Bell, Alexander Graham. 1903. Tetrahedral Principle in Kite Structure. National Geographic
Magazine, June.
Berlinghoff, William P. 2004. Math Through the Ages: A Gentle History for Teachers and Others. Expanded ed. Washington, DC: Mathematical Association of America.
Blatner, David. 1997. The Joy of π. New York: Walker & Co.
Boys, C. V. 1959. Soap Bubbles and the Forces Which Mould Them. 1st ed. Garden City, N.Y:
Doubleday Anchor Books.
Bradley, Robert E, and Charles Edward Sandifer, eds. 2007. Leonhard Euler: Life, Work and Legacy. 1st ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Chyatte, Jeff. 2009. Math and the Arts: Just Passing Through. Math Horizons (April): 16.
Cooke, Roger. 2005. The History of Mathematics: A Brief Course. 2nd ed. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley-Interscience.
Cromwell, Peter R. 1997. Polyhedra. Cambridge, U.K: Cambridge University Press.
Eagle, M. Ruth. 1995. Exploring Mathematics Through History. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Fibonacci, Leonardo. 2002. Fibonacci's Liber Abaci: A Translation into Modern English of
Leonardo Pisano's Book of Calculation. Trans. L. E Sigler. New York: Springer.
Foister, Susan, and National Gallery (Great Britain). 1997. Holbein's Ambassadors. London:
National Gallery Publications.
Higgins, Peter M. 2007. Nets, Puzzles, and Postmen. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hopkins, Brian, and Robin J. Wilson. 2004. The Truth about Königsberg. The College
Mathematics Journal 35, no. 3 (May): 198-207. doi:10.2307/4146895.
Hunt, J. L., B. G. Nickel, and Christian Gigault. 2000. Anamorphic images. American Journal of Physics 68, no. 3 (March): 232-237.
Isenberg, Cyril. 1978. The Science of Soap Films and Soap Bubbles. Clevedon: Tieto Ltd.
Libbrecht, Kenneth George. 2003. The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty. Stillwater,
MN: Voyageur Press.
Liungman, Carl G. Symbols.com - Symbol 28:24. Online Encyclopedia of Western Signs
and Ideograms.
Livio, Mario. 2003. The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, the World's Most Astonishing Number. 1st ed. New York: Broadway Books.
Lovett, D. R, and NetLibrary, Inc. 1994. Demonstrating Science with Soap Films. Bristol:
Institute of Physics Pub.
Maor, Eli. 2007. The Pythagorean Theorem: A 4,000-Year History. Princeton: Princeton
University Press.
Mitchison, G. J. 1977. Phyllotaxis and the Fibonacci Series. Science 196, no.
4287. New Series (April 15): 270-275. doi:10.2307/1743115.
Mungan, I., and Udo Wittek. 2004. Natural draught cooling towers. Taylor & Francis, April 15.
Sam Carbaugh received a BA from Cornerstone University and is earning his MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. He currently lives in Vermont and enjoys hiking and playing Scrabble with his wife, Kristin. Check out his website at Carbaughcomics.wordpress.com
Amaze your friends with this fun trick that uses Fibonacci numbers!
Myths and Legends: 25 Fascinating Projects You Can Build Yourself
From the Greek legend of Atlantis to West African creation myths, kids will discover the common themes and important knowledge conveyed by each story. They will even learn about the current events upon which some legends may have been based. Exploring the stories from many cultures, including those of Greek, Sumerian, Incan, Irish, African, and Native American people, readers will learn about the Celtic roots of Halloween, the beliefs and practices of voodoo, and the ancient Egyptian gods of the afterlife.
Hands-on activities bring the myths and legends to life, and help kids understand the cultures and traditions of the people that told them. Easy-to-follow projects use common household and recycled supplies, and include fortune telling, creating musical instruments, writing in ancient scripts, and fashioning a boomerang.
GEEKDAD Wired Magazine April 28, 2010 — World Myths and Legends can quickly become a favorite due to it being about some of the most exciting and fantastical stories in existence. I’ve had this book for several weeks and we’re not even 25% into completing the crafts.,, I haven’t seen my nine year old excited about a book like this for a while.
Charlotte Library 5/10/10 —Although this book might sound like a fairly ordinary craft book, it is much more--it is also an excellent introduction to the cultures and myths of a diverse selection of peoples, and one I highly recommend to home-schoolers in particular. . . The projects themselves are extremely varied, and go beyond simple craft-ness. For instance, one activity for the Greek section is to use Euclidian geometry to make an equilateral triangle--fun with compasses! The point is that these are rather cool projects, such as I have never seen elsewhere.
“A remarkably comprehensive, accurate, and thoroughly readable overview of world mythology and legendry. World Myths and Legends will build a firm foundation for the
subsequent study and appreciation of this most important aspect of the human condition, and also lead to many hours of creative family fun.”— C. Scott Littleton, Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, author of The New Comparative Mythology
“This book is a terrific introduction for children to the subject of myths and legends. I cannot imagine a work that would more readily win the interest of children in the subject.”— Robert A. Segal, Sixth Century Chair in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen, author of Myth: A Very Short Introduction.
“Sophisticated and fun.” — William Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies & Folklore, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Books About Mythology
Da vis, Kenneth C. Don’t Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History But Never Learned. Harper Collins, 2005.
Davis, Kenneth C. Don’t Know Much About World Myths. HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2005.
January, Brendan. The New York Public Library Amazing Mythology: A Book of Answers for Kids. John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
Mass, Wendy. Gods and Goddesses. Lucent Books, 2002.
Muten, Burleigh. Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic. Barefoot Books, 2003.
Philip, Neil. The Kingfisher Book of Mythology: Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes from Around the World. Kingfisher Publications, 2001.
Philip, Neil. Mythology. Dorling Kindersley, 2000.
Philip, Neil. Mythology of the World. Kingfisher Publications, 2004.
Willis, Roy (editor). World Mythology. Duncan Baird Publishers, 1993.
Collections of World Myths
Bell-Rehwoldt, Sheri. Amazing Maya Projects You Can Build Yourself. Nomad Press, 2006.
Bini, Renata. A World Treasury of Myths, Legends, and Folktales: Stories From Six Continents. Harry N. Abrams, 2000.
Bordessa, Kris. Tools of the Ancient Greeks. Nomad Press, 2006.
Dickinson, Rachel. Tools of the Ancient Romans. Nomad Press, 2006.
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing, 1999
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Bronze Cauldron: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1998.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Crystal Pool: Myth and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1999.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Golden Hoard: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1996.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Silver Treasure: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1997.
Mutén, Burleigh. Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic. Barefoot Books, 2003.
Philip, Neil. The Illustrated Book of Myths: Tales & Legends of the World. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
Randall, Ronne. The Children’s Book of Myths and Legends: Extraordinary Stories from Around the World. Bookmart Ltd., 2001.
Van Vleet, Carmella, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself. Nomad Press, 2006.
Web Sites
The Big Myth Myths told with Flash animation and background information.
Center for Story and Symbol
Encyclopedia Mythica
Godchecker A light-hearted catalog of gods from around the world.
History for Kids Information about ancient history, geography, science, and culture.
Mr. Donn’s Ancient History Page Information for students about ancient history, including myths.
Mythography
Mythweb Simple versions of Greek myths, with fun animated illustrations.
Sacred Texts
Scholastic Myths, Folktales and Fairytales Short versions of world myths, and “myth
brainstorming machine.”
Windows to the Universe Mythology Myths related to astronomy.
Shawn Braley, Shawn Braley is an award-winning illustrator. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He specializes in cartoon and editorial illustration. Braley is also a world traveler, musician, cat owner, and comic art collector. He lives in Southern Vermont. http://www.shawnbraley.com
The name “daruma” comes from the Buddhist word dharma. Dharma is the truth about the way things are and will always be in the universe or in nature. According to legend, a Buddhist monk sat for so many years meditating that his arms and legs stiffened up. From then on, he rolled from place to place spreading the teachings of Buddha. In Japan, people buy daruma dolls on New Years’ for good luck. The dolls come with blank eyes. To make a wish, you put a dot in the daruma’s left eye. If it comes true, you fill in the other eye.
Amazing Africa Projects You Can Build Yourself
All eyes will be on Africa in 2010 when South Africa hosts the Soccer World Cup, an athletic event that rivals the Olympics in enthusiasm and anticipation. While Africa is one continent, it contains many diverse countries. Amazing Africa Projects You Can Build Yourself introduces readers ages 9 and up to the stunning landscapes, ancient civilizations and tribes, unique traditions, and amazing wildlife of the vast African continent.
Through 25 fun projects that use common household supplies and recycled materials, kids will beable to learn what life is like in Africa.
Booklist May 15, 2010— Casual and informative, this large, attractive, browsable paperback in the Build It Yourself series offers a view of contemporary African life that reaches far beyond the usual scenery-and-wildlife tourists’ perspective. Blending history, culture, and tradition with politics and life in both cities and rural areas, the chapters begin with a look at natural wonders and dangerous wildlife that will grab readers, then move onto historical discussions of humankind’s birthplace and early civilizations. Views of daily life today show the continent’s vast diversity: in a city apartment, a teen might surf the Internet, but most Africans live in smaller, more rural communities, where there may be no electricity or running water. The author also discusses AIDS orphans, many of whom live homeless in the streets of shantytowns. The open design includes sketches on every page. Many readers may skip the craft projects––make your own Maasai beaded necklace, kente cloth, woven basket, galimoto doll, and much more––and go straight to the facts.
“User-friendly, clearly written, and grounded in deep historical evidence. The careful and compelling presentation on a wonderful continent allows us to reflect more clearly about an incredible place.” — Toyin Falola, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of Texas at Austin, and the Nelson Mandela Professor of African Studies-At Large.
“Amazing Africa Projects is a thoughtful, visually engaging overview of the diversity, complexity, and rich heritage of African people, places and predicaments. The book is a valuable resource for teachers and parents who want to encourage pre-teens to learn about and experience the past and present of Africa and to contemplate the continent’s future.”
— Dorothy L. Hodgson, Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Institute for Research on Women, Rutgers University
Books
Ayo, Yvonne. Eyewitness: Africa.
Beck, Paul. The Field Guide to Safari Animals.
Finley, Carol. The Art of African Masks: Exploring Cultural Traditions.
Hansen, Joyce and Laurie McGaw. African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa's Royal Women.
Katis, Alex. Fandex Family Field Guides: Africa.
Knight, Margy Burns. Africa Is Not A Country.
Lekuton, Joseph Lemasolai and Herman Viola. Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna.
McKissack, Patricia and Frederick. The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa.
Nuckolls, Genny and Les. Growing Up in Africa.
Websites
Africa For Kids
African Kingdoms
Animals of the African Safari
The Story of Africa
Megan Stearns is a freelance artist and has completed many commissions, including portraits of animals, people, and landscapes, T-shirt designs, and children’s book illustrations. She lives in Mattituck, New York.
The Kikuyu people are the largest ethnic group in Kenya. The young men wear special initiation shields prior to becoming junior warriors.
The shields are carved from wood and are often passed down within families and repainted for each initiation. The shields also have an “eye” cut out of the center.
Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself
From spy maps and victory banners to spotter planes and ration cakes, Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself brings one of the most defining periods of American and world history to life through hands-on building projects and activities. Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project combine with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia about the real-life models. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life at home and on the front lines during America's war years.
Kiki Magazine February 2010 ...Brings history to life, giving you a glimpse of what it was like to live during WWII through projects and stories about real people.
"an excellent resource…" —School Library Media Activities Monthly, May 2007 (
"You get a feel for what it would have been like during the war… this is a great source."
—The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, November 2006
"A great way to offer kids and adults a hands-on way to experience the history and innovations that were sparked by the Second World War." —Arline Zatz, freelance writer
"Includes great hands-on activities…is full of information about World War II from the front lines to the home front." —Cobblestone, April 2007
"In straightforward, highly readable prose, it provides a thorough overview of the events…" —Children's Literature
"A unique, educational book." —Travel World International
"Makes history come alive right at your kitchen table or at your child's desk! A Particular treat for young history buffs, homeschoolers, or teachers looking for a WWII resource full of innovative, hands-on ideas." —Paula Spencer, Woman's Day Magazine's "Momfidence!" columnist and Parenting Magazine contributing editor
"Both my 13 year old and 9 year old were lucky enough to get a copy of this great book. They were struck by the differences between life during WWII and the current war in Iraq. Since the book is very age appropriate the material is presented in a way that sparked conversations between us about the war. The crafts are fun too! I would highly recommend this book to all moms who want a summer activity for their kids that will not only engage them but give them a jump start for history class in the fall!" —ItsGoodToBeTheQueen.com, Where Moms of Boys Reign!
a wonderful book that young people can learn from and have fun at the same time. The hands-on projects will stimulate their imaginations and add to their understanding of the sacrifices and inventiveness of that generation. It will make a valuable addition to any educator's toolkit." —Richard Koone, National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas
"Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is an interactive approach to history that children (and adults) will enjoy. The service, sacrifice, and struggles of World War II are explained and explored with each creative project. This book provides a wonderful way to ‘do’ history together." —Jay P. Tennies, Director, Eldred World War II Museum and Learning Center
" ...history and fun rolled into one kid-friendly book. Children will learn about escape maps hidden in playing cards, war-time music and lingo, and how to make silly putty—all while getting a solid understanding of life during World War II. It’s ‘killer-diller’—good stuff." —Jen Singer, author, 14 Hours ‘Til Bedtime
BOOKS
Aaseng, Nathan. Navajo Code Talkers. New York: Walker Publishing Company, Inc.,1992.
Baker, Patricia. Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s. New York: Facts on File, 1992.
Cooper, Michael L. Fighting for Honor: Japanese Americans and World War II. New York: Clarion Books, 2000.
Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Hayes, Joanne Lamb. Grandma’s Wartime Kitchen: World War II and the Way We Cooked. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2000.
King, David C. World War II Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
Kuhn, Betsy. Angels of Mercy: the Army Nurses of World War II. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999.
Lawton, Clive A. Hiroshima: The Story of the First Atom Bomb. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2002.
Lingeman, Richard. Don’t You Know There’s a War On? The American Home Front, 1941–1945, updated edition. New York: Nation Books, 2003.
Morin, Isobel V. Days of Judgment: The World War II War Crimes Trials. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press, 1992.
Panchyk, Richard. World War II for Kids. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2002.
UNIVERSITY AND GOVERNMENT SITES
National Museum of the United States Air Force—http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/index.htm
National Museum of the United States Army—http://www.armyhistory.org/index.aspx
National WWII Memorial—http://www.wwiimemorial.com
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum—http://www.ushmm.org/museum
Plan to plant the seeds for your victory garden about six weeks before the last frost in your area.
