Recommendations for math enrichment for advanced fourth graders?

Question

I was in charge of finding materials for a before-school enrichment class for third graders last year, and primarily used Edward Zaccaro's "Primary Grade Challenge Math.". My group has now advanced to fourth grade, and now I'm looking for another book. I have Zaccaro's next level up ("Challenge Math") but I'm also looking for something a little different. I'm willing to modify things as necessary, but making up each lesson entirely from scratch is a bit more of a task than I'd ideally take on.

Any suggestions from teachers, homeschoolers, parents of gifted kids, or others who have used some sort of textbook for kids who are still in fourth grade but need more challenging material? I'm not interested in just rote problems like those they'll be doing in class, but more interesting word problems, tie-ins to science, or unusual topics (that are still in the realm of possibility for fourth graders), ideally in some kind of format that lends itself to a new topic each week.

Answer 1

My parents are 4th grade teachers and are national board certified in math and science, and I am a homeschool mom of a highly gifted kid (gifted in math and science). They've given me some resources for him over the years, his favorites have come from a collaboration between NASA and NCTM. Here's a link to the one he really liked in 3rd and 4th (he's now in 6th). http://my.nctm.org/eBusiness/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=12853 (We used the first edition, the second edition has the same activities with some additions.)



Also, something that I'll be using with him next year is called Calculus Without Tears - it's a program that teaches the practical fundamentals of calculus to kids as young as 4th grade without getting into all of the theory behind it. Basically, it teaches HOW calculus works and practical applications for it without going too deep into the WHY (which will be over their heads). It does also have higher levels, but the first level would be really fun. http://www.berkeleyscience.com/



You can also find some great ideas at Hoagie's Gifted http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/ - that place is a candy store of ideas to use with gifted kids :) Lots and lots of stuff to pick from!



There are others, but these are the ones that my son has found the most fun, informative, and rewarding. He'll be starting the CWT program next year after Algebra 2, but has played around with it a bit. He has had fun with what he's done, though.



Hope that helps!



Edit - Buti M, spamming is against community guidelines...just thought I'd let you know.

Answer 2

4th Grade Math Enrichment

Answer 3

Primary Grade Challenge Math