An Introduction To Numbers

This workbook is intended for the learning of mathematics, it is not a workbook targeting the passage of some home school or other bureaucratic test, however, such tests are much easier to pass when the student has a solid working knowledge. This book recognizes that students become ready to learn at different ages and that age has little to do with a student’s readiness or interest in learning, thus the book does not target a particular age or age group. Therefore, this book may be appropriate for a child of six or a child of eleven or twelve years of age. Any student needing help in the basics can benefit from this workbook. AN INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS is exactly that. At the beginning, the student is introduced to the numbers zero (0) to nine (9), the foundation of all numbers in our number system. This is followed by a focus on zero (0), the center of the number system. The student is then introduced to the concept of a number line. The student then finds that numbers are used almost everywhere to keep track of things. Numbers are used in baking, sewing, farming, electrical power, banking, retail sales, biology, almost everywhere we find numbers. This is followed by counting, first by one, then by two, then by five, then by ten, then by twenty and finally by twenty-five. After counting the student learns the basics of addition, and following right on the heels of adding is subtraction. The existence of negative numbers is revealed, but this workbook does not provide substantial training in negative numbers, only an opportunity to know of their existence. The workbook suggests group participation, working in groups of two or three, especially in counting. Each student in turn is to say the next number in the counting sequence, giving the students an opportunity to challenge each other. Group participation would also be appropriate in adding and subtracting in which students take turns presenting an addition or subtraction problem to their partner. In learning to count, the teacher can encourage students to count things as they travel around, like the number of cars they pass going the opposite direction between home and the grocery store, or the number of concrete squares on the sidewalk in their walk home from school. How many outdoor light fixtures they see around the school. The number of trees in the city park. The possibilities for practicing counting are almost limitless. Students can be encouraged to find their own things to count. In such counting exercises numbers will quickly become well known to the student. And this will bring comfort in dealing with numbers. Additionally, there are, sprinkled throughout, simple drawings to color in, providing an activity separate from math and providing some fun in the learning experience.