The M&M's Brand Counting Book

Rating:
Summary: Who knew math could be fun!
Review: The M & M's Brand Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath is a mathematical workbook that uses an easily identifiable object to children, M&M candies, as a math manipulative. The book uses text as well as drawings to illustrate the mathematical concepts being taught. Readers learn to count from 0-12, addition, subtraction, basic shapes (circle, square, triangle), grouping objects in sets, and the six basic colors of M&M's candies (brown, yellow, orange, red, blue, and green). I brought The M & M's Brand Counting Book to a kindergarten classroom to get children's opinions of the book. I also wanted to observe their reactions to the math lessons being put forth as well as their understanding of those lessons. Once the M&M's candies were passed out and the reading had commenced it certainly didn't feel or sound like a stereotypical math classroom. Laughs and giggles echoed off the walls as children enjoyed learning about math. David remarked, "Math is fun!"
As a whole the class truly enjoyed the book. Christopher said, "The M&M's Brand Counting Book -it helped me learn math." The one drawback I observed with the book was that several of the children had difficulty when it came to grouping the M&M's into sets. I would recommend skipping that section of the book when using it in a classroom with younger children, or allowing extra time and repetition when teaching this concept. Nicole expressed the majority of the classroom's sentiments when she exclaimed, "My favorite part of the book was eating the M&M's."
I would strongly recommend The M&M's Brand Counting Book for use in the classroom. It teaches basic math concepts in a fun and entertaining way. There is a review page and the end of book in order to reinforce the recently taught concepts. The review page is a good indicator to the teacher of what the students have learned and where they need further study and practice in order to master the concept. Christopher's mother called to let me know how much he had enjoyed the book. She said that on a recent visit to the bookstore he discovered the sequel More M&M's Brand Chocolate Candies Math and couldn't wait to purchase it. Barbara Barbieri McGrath, you couldn't ask for a better testimonial of your book. You should be proud of your work, you have accomplished a truly remarkable feat---children are enjoying math!


Rating:
Summary: M&M's Brand Counting Book Review
Review: I read this book to a 1st grade class and they absolutely loved it! The class was so excited to discover what the M&M book was about. They also enjoyed counting along. Very fun and educational.

Rating:
Summary: Math Is Oh, So Sweet!
Review: My six year old daughter has been struggling with subtraction
facts. She can do any word problem, but the facts just made no
sense to her. I have used concrete objects as well as several
"math books" to help her make sense of it all, but with no
results. Then I thought of buying this book. That's all that it took! My child is no longer frustrated and confused about the
meaning of subtraction. Best of all, she likes math now, and yes,
eating the m&m's was a surprise bonus. As a fifth grade teacher
and mom of a first grader, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to any
teacher or parent who simply wants to do fun activities with math. It's especially helpful to children who can't quite grasp
the concept of simple subtraction. I think the author should have
included some "counting back" facts after she introduced the first fact (12-1). It would've been so easy and sensible to go
ahead with (12-2), (12-3),etc. My daughter and I did a few count
back facts at this point in the book, and it made sense to her.
This is the reason for my rating of 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Math Is Oh, So Sweet!
Review: My six year old daughter has been struggling with subtraction
facts. She can do any word problem, but the facts just made no
sense to her. I have used concrete objects as well as several
"math books" to help her make sense of it all, but with no
results. Then I thought of buying this book. That's all that it took! My child is no longer frustrated and confused about the
meaning of subtraction. Best of all, she likes math now, and yes,
eating the m&m's was a surprise bonus. As a fifth grade teacher
and mom of a first grader, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to any
teacher or parent who simply wants to do fun activities with math. It's especially helpful to children who can't quite grasp
the concept of simple subtraction. I think the author should have
included some "counting back" facts after she introduced the first fact (12-1). It would've been so easy and sensible to go
ahead with (12-2), (12-3),etc. My daughter and I did a few count
back facts at this point in the book, and it made sense to her.
This is the reason for my rating of 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Great For childeren Who are Struggling Wtih Math
Review: This is a great book to read your children or read in a classroom setting. I am an Education Major at Pima Community College in Tucson, Az. This book is great for children who do not like to do math or just needs a different point of view to learn. Childeren love it beacue one, they know who the cahraters in the book are and also of course they get to eat the M&M's at the end of the story. I like this book because the childeren go through colors and counting and shapes and subtaction and sets of numbers all in one book. And the thing I love about the subtraction in the book is they actually show the number equasion to the child, so they can hear it and see it. I took this book to a Second Grade classroom and they thought it was the greatest book that they had ever read. The last thing I like about this book is that in the end, it gives a review for the child. On the colors, numbers, shapes, and set of numbers. This is a great book for any child who needs help with math or just like to do things that involve math.

Rating:
Summary: A fun way to learn math!!
Review: This is a great book to use for practicing and learning counting, addition, subtraction, colors, and shapes. Also aids in the development of phonological awareness by using rhyme and rhythm. As a teacher you can do a number of lessons from basic counting and colors to more advanced sets, ratios, and fractions. Best of all, your students will love making them disappear.

Rating:
Summary: Encouraging children that math can be fun!
Review: This is such a fantastic book that encourages children that math really can be fun! I've read it to several different classes in the past few years (K and 1st grade) and they get such a kick out of using M&M's as math manipulatives. They are so eager to learn, count, sort, and eat with the M&M's.
I think it is wonderful that there are so many different skills taught within the book. Everything from counting to basic addition and subtraction. Sorting, shapes, and colors. Kids, parents and teachers can get it all in this book while learning within a fun environment!