Toys by Subject
Math
Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
This unique chart is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving as children grow
and continue to use it to measure their height. What makes this chart unique are the
beautifully illustrated animals that cover its large (6 foot by 25 inch) surface. Children
compare their height to the heights of these creatures using ruled measurements on the
side of the poster. All eight species on the poster are endangered. An enclosed sheet
gives concise information about the habits and current status of these exotic creatures.
Among those included are the Siberian tiger, the Pygmy chimpanzee, and the whooping crane.
This poster teaches ecology and fosters healthy empathy as children compare their size to
the endangered animals. If your sprouting scientists prefer beings from the Mesozoic,
check out the Dino
Growth Chart. (Ages 2 to 12) --Lee Strucker
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Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
Educational Insights brings a terrific idea to life in Math Shark, a
combination skill-building tool and calculator. The shape, colors, flashing lights, and
beeps--all reminiscent of a hand-held electronic game--will appeal to kids who may not
otherwise be interested in practicing math. (Parents: the sound is unobtrusive, but can be
turned off.) Math Shark offers eight different skill levels and seven skill groupings:
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, and percentages.
After every question a red or green flashing light and a corresponding beep let you know
whether or not you answered correctly. If you get one wrong, the right answer flashes, and
the question keeps appearing, along with any others answered incorrectly, until you get it
right. After each set an encouraging comment--"You did it!" or "Way to
go!"--comes up on the screen. The sets are timed, and your score, based on how long
it took to answer all the questions correctly, appears at the end. When practice is done
for the day, Math Shark becomes a handy calculator. Requires two AA batteries, not
included. (Ages 6 and older) --Rachel Radway
From the manufacturer
Requires 2 AA batteries, not included.
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Description and Reviews
From the manufacturer
Two fast paced games that improve two valuable math skills--making change and
budgeting money. Both are tools kids will use for the rest of their lives.
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Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
This colorful tool for learning is a unique and zippy way to discover the ins
and outs of multiplication. Turn the function dial to an exclamation point icon, and you
can build your own equations. Pick the question mark, and Twist and Shout Multiplication
will give you a multiple-choice quiz. Select the thunderbolt, and this toy sneakily
introduces division by asking you to fill in the "missing" number of an
equation, for example, "What times 4 is 12?" Two additional dials allow you to
build your own equation. But its most engaging features are the sound effects, catchy
music, and a friendly vocal "host" who encourages and congratulates you with
each success (and also announces equation answers at the same time they show up on the LCD
screen). A great way to tackle multiplication, this item is made of hard plastic, and is
extremely portable. It is, however, somewhat loud, so use your best judgment in quieter
environments. (Ages 6 to 10) --Tom Keogh
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Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
Need some help with those tricky multiplication tables? This simple
educational tool helps kids develop math skills by giving them an easy learning guide.
Designed as a simple grid of square plastic buttons, nine across and nine down, each
button in the keyboard represents an individual multiplication problem. Push a square--4 x
5, say--and the correct answer magically appears--20! Kids can test themselves, or take
turns with parents or friends to make a game of it. A great plus: no moving parts or
batteries. Measuring 9 inches by 8.5 inches, the keyboard is made of durable, lightweight
plastic, easy to take on a trip or tuck in a backpack. (Ages 5 to 12) --Marianne
Painter
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