Pattern Explorer - The Critical Thinking Co {TOS Review}

Math is difficult for me. My husband finds it easy. I think sometimes the ability to look at the math problem as a pattern and figure it out makes it easier. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be something that I find easy. Boo was excited to be able to review Pattern Explorer Level 1 from The Critical Thinking Co.

The Critical Thinking Co  is a company that is committed to increase the critical thinking skills to help improve the grades and test scores for students. The company was formed in 1958 after changing names a couple of times it finally became known by it's current name in 2003.

Critical thinking is identifying and evaluating evidence to guide decision making. This is really important in every aspects of life not just education.

My husband can't understand why I don't like math, to him it makes perfect sense. You look for the pattern and solve it or you memorize the rule - and solve it. I agree if you can learn this skill then you can improve your ability in math.

Pattern Explorer is a huge collections of patterns. There are forty problems in the book and rotate between five different kinds. There are eight sets of each divided between the book.

• Pattern Predictor
• Equality Explorer
• Sequence Sleuth
• Number Ninja
• Function Finder

Boo seemed to like the Pattern Predictor and Equality Explorer sections the most.

Each of the questions are independent, but as most curriculum it seems to get harder as you work through the book. The patterns are suggested for Grades 5-7. Boo has just finished her 6th grade math curriculum and is starting Pre-Algebra she has found some of the questions more challenging than others.

Boo liked to work through this book in her free time. In fact a couple of weeks ago we drove to Wisconsin it was about a 10 hour drive and I noticed Boo had stuck this book in her bag of things to keep herself entertained during the drive.

Each page has space to work out the problems however Boo preferred to have a scrap book next to her while she's working. Boo never used a calculator for any of the questions in fact it's actually discouraged in the book. Each section includes hints and solutions at the back of the book, so if you are really stuck then you can turn to the back of the book for a little help. However sometimes you can figure out the answers in a different way. That's why it's so great - the way you find the answer is not as important as the answer itself.

Boo really took to each question, and loved the challenge of finding the correct answer she's always liked puzzles and doesn't give in easily - plus she's a little competitive and so takes everything as a challenge. Some of the answers can be solved quickly and some take a little more time. No matter how long it takes the result is the same - a great introduction into mathematical reasoning.

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