FAQ: The Value of Math Rebellion

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Math Rebels fight for truth, justice, and creative reasoning

I’ve been getting questions about my Math Journaling Adventures books:

“I’m so excited to try math journaling! We bought your Logbook Alpha, and my 11-year-old math-averse son is trying to be a math rebel at every turn.

    “But I feel uncomfortable with the idea of rebellion. Doesn’t he need to learn how to solve math problems the right way?”

    One of my favorite things about math is that there really is no “right” way to solve math problems.

    As I pointed out in my ongoing Mental Math series, even a problem as basic as 6+8 can be approached from many directions. So perhaps I should say, the “right” way is however the student wants to make sense of the problem.

    In math, sense-making and reasoning are always the most important things.

    Continue reading FAQ: The Value of Math Rebellion

    FAQ: Playful Math Journaling

    Posted on by Denise Gaskins
    Girl student thinking about her math journal prompt

    Ever since the school year started, I’ve been getting questions about how to use my new Math Journaling Adventures logbooks.

    [SIDE NOTE: These logbooks are included in this month’s Thanksgiving Sale! You’ll get an automatic 10% discount off all print books, applied at checkout, no special code required.]

    “I love the way your math books get my children thinking.

      “Finally, they are having fun with math!

        “But sometimes I have no idea what the journaling prompt is all about or how to teach it. Where can I buy a solutions manual?”

        Um, that’s not how math journals work.

        The cool thing about journaling prompts is that they have no “right” answer. They are explorations into different parts of the world of math, nature walks in the land of numbers, shapes, and patterns. Springboards into whatever our children want to investigate, whatever sparks their interest.

        A few of the problem-solving prompts may have specific answers, but it really doesn’t matter if our kids find the exact solution a math professional might give. If they write what makes sense to them, they’ve accomplished the goal.

        If later, they think of something they hadn’t noticed, or they want to change their answer — well, that is mathematical thinking, too.

        Continue reading FAQ: Playful Math Journaling

        📚 Thanksgiving Sale: ALL Print Books Discounted! 📚

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        Thanks in many languages

        November is the traditional month of thanksgiving, at least here in the U.S. The harvest is in, and we have holidays just around the corner. It’s a great time to take stock of our blessings and practice gratitude.

        I’m thankful for YOU! 😍 And for everyone who reads my books, blog, newsletter, etc., or backs my Kickstarter campaigns, supports my Patreon, or whatever way you choose to share the Playful Math adventure.

        But especially, for those of you who cut out the middleman and buy direct through my store or on Kickstarter.

        How It Happened

        I was updating my business bookkeeping last weekend (How do I get so far behind?!), and I noticed that my direct-to-you sales this year have blown far past my sales through the normal online retailers.

        Wow!

        So I decided it was time for a Thank-You sale.

        I can’t mark down my print books very often, because the cost of printing and shipping lurks like a monster behind the scenes, eager to take a bite out of every purchase. There’s nothing I can do about those fixed expenses, and they keep going up.

        But this feels like a month for celebration, so here we go:

        ALL PRINT BOOKS—paperback, hardcover, and spiral bound—are included in the “I’m Thankful for You” Sale. A 10% discount applies automatically at checkout, no discount code required.

        SHOP NOW

        This would be a great time to grab a book for someone on your holiday gift list—and treat yourself to something new, too.

        With my thanks!

         
        * * *

        Image at the top of the post copyright © tupungato / Depositphotos.

        Tell Children Interesting Things

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        quote by John Conway

        “You don’t educate people by telling them useful things; you educate people by telling them interesting things.”

        — John Conway

        If you want help educating your children with interesting things about math, check out Denise Gaskins’ Playful Math store.

        We’re currently running a huge back-to-school sale on ALL of my playful math ebooks, problem-solving activities, math journaling task cards, and math art projects.

        So many great ways to play with math!

        The 20% discount will automatically apply when you check out. No discount code required.

        Check it out:

        Back to School Sale 2025

        Only Two Days Left for Math Journaling Adventures

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        Math Journaling Adventures series by Denise Gaskins
        • If you’re a parent trying to help your child learn math…
        • Or a teacher looking for creative ideas for your classroom…
        • Or a homeschooling parent hoping to enrich your student’s understanding…

        Then you’ll love the Math Journaling Adventures series because these logbooks guide your children to explore mathematics at a deeper level, building a strong foundation to support future learning.

        It’s a fun way to enrich any math curriculum, and great for unschoolers, too.

        But you have to ACT FAST: The Kickstarter campaign ends in 2 days!

        Order Your Copy Today ❯

        Continue reading Only Two Days Left for Math Journaling Adventures

        Math Journaling Adventures: It Keeps Getting Better

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        brother and sister journaling together

        Math Journaling Adventures series by Denise GaskinsDid you know that, with our recent stretch goals, each Math Journaling Adventures logbook now features 94 amazing ways to play math with your kids?

        And every pledge pushes us closer to the next bonus, which means more new activities for every backer.

        Don’t miss out on the excitement. Order your copy today:

        Visit the Math Journaling Kickstarter ❱

        Continue reading Math Journaling Adventures: It Keeps Getting Better

        Math Adventures Merchandise to Inspire Your Kids

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        Two girls studying

        Math Journaling Adventures series by Denise GaskinsMy new math book series, the Math Journaling Adventures, just launched on Kickstarter.

        And I’m trying several new reward options I’ve never done before. (The “rewards” on Kickstarter are all the various things you can buy with your support pledge.)

        This is going to be so much fun!

        Check it out:

        Math Journaling Adventures

        Continue reading Math Adventures Merchandise to Inspire Your Kids

        Why I Love the Math Journaling Adventures Series

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        Mother and daughter doing homework outdoors

        Math Journaling Adventures series by Denise GaskinsMy Math Journaling Adventures Series is now available on Kickstarter.

        I love these books!

        Writing is one of the best ways to learn math deeply, because wrestling our thoughts into words forces us to figure out what we really believe.

        It’s the natural, no-stress way to build our children’s understanding and confidence.

        Hit the button to visit the campaign and order your books:

        Math Journaling Adventures Kickstarter ❯

        Continue reading Why I Love the Math Journaling Adventures Series

        Math Journaling Adventures Launched: Order Your Copy Today

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        Math Journaling Adventures: Creative Logbooks for All Ages

        And so it begins: the Math Journaling Adventures is LIVE on Kickstarter!

        Check It Out ❯

        ⭐ Don’t delay! First-day backers get the best deals. Choose one of the Earlybird rewards:

        • Earlybird 2-Logbook Sets in Digital, Paperback, Spiral-Bound, or Hardcover
        • Earlybird Everything Bundles in Digital or Paperback

        To have a successful campaign, we need plenty of people to back the project early. The more supporters we get in these early days, the more likely the Kickstarter platform folks will help spread the news for us.

        Continue reading Math Journaling Adventures Launched: Order Your Copy Today