Mathability: Math in the Real World (Grades 5-8)

Mathability gives students the experience and ability to analyze and solve real-life mathematical problems, and explain their methods for arriving at the solution. Mathability is an excellent resource for preparing students for the performance tasks of standards-based tests. The six units in this book each have 10 problems that deal with a variety of real-life situations, such as those at a construction site, on vacation, in a business, and at home. The open-ended problems let students hone their skills in geometry, probability, percentages, use of charts, algebra, number relations/operations, money, and decimals.

Open-ended performance tasks have become a mainstay of standards-based testing. It is one of the tasks that most students perform at below proficiency level. Much of this low performance is due to a student's lack of experience with writing explanations of the mathematics that made it possible to solve the problem. Mathabilty presents a systematic approach that will lead students to proficiency.

Within each unit, this book provides four different levels of problems. The Step-by-Step Level leads a student through the problem and provides a format for presenting their answers. The Prompted Level provides the format for presenting the solution and hints on how to solve the problem. The Independent Level allows students to solve and explain their answers on their own, and the Challenge Level problems present a venue for gifted and talented students to push their skills to a higher level.

Grades 5-8

A veteran teacher with more than 19 years teaching experience, Michael Cain currently teaches middle school mathematics. Having initially received a degree in art, Cain worked full-time as a maintenance and construction foreman to put himself through the University of Pittsburgh where he received his second degree. He continually utilizes his work, art, and life experience in the classroom and in his written work.

In 1996, with some of his computer students, Cain created the award-winning mathematics game, "Absurd Math." In addition, he has created more than 500 Internet learning applications. Cain also has appeared as the on-camera instructor for a video math series on basic mathematics. He has worked as an online facilitator for PBS Teacherline and Mathline. The father of four children, Cain has devoted his life to education and parenting.