Math Problems That Are Actually Fun

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems
Written by Betsy Franco & Illustrated by Priscilla Tey
Age Level: 7-12 Years
Published October 11, 2022

No calculator needed, I promise.

Extended school closures like winter break and summer vacation always result in a bit of a backslide for my kids academically. I prioritize family time over flash card time, and I opt for relaxation over reading practice. Fortunately, I’ve found a fun way to put our thinking caps back on by reaching for Betsy Franco’s fabulous book of math poems.

"I know that mice can multiply.
I'm sure 'cause I kept score.
I started out with two of them
but soon had twenty-four."

Each poem is a tidy word problem that has kids’ brains performing math acrobatics. Short witty verses spotlight the four basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as fractions and geometry. I suggest keeping a pencil and paper nearby so readers can perform calculations as they go.

I really appreciate how unique this book is. Not only does it make solving math problems fun, it also showcases that math and language arts can go together seamlessly. As an added benefit, Franco’s poems will make you feel a fraction less guilty (pun intended) about occasionally forgoing your child’s homework.