Are you noticing the “high school” trend around here this week?  I think we’ll be set when our girls reach that point!  This next resource I’m going to share with you is (I think) pretty unique.

Originally written for adults who work in construction industries and need “remedial” math instruction, it would also be very useful as a real-life-skills math course for high schoolers — especially those high schoolers who are great with their hands but struggle with academics.

A Trip To The Number Yard: A Fun and Easy Guide to the Math You Need for Construction…And Nothing Else is just what its title (and subtitle) claims.  Taking the reader through the process of building a bungalow, it teaches the necessary math at each step of the process.

The author, Alan Cook, says that middle school is probably the earliest the book can typically be used.  It addresses a variety of math topics, including area, length, volume, multiplication, fractions and decimals, angles, problem-solving, and circles & pi.

Because these skills are applied to problems like pouring concrete, calculating drywall and insulation, and solving plumbing questions, it can also serve as preparation for our young men in being “handy” around the house!  Looking at the book overall, I find it fascinating — but overwhelming, so don’t get ahead of yourself!  Take it step-by-step, and everything clearly explained.

Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of the book above, to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.