The Art of Problem Solving folks present: Beast Academy. Proving that any monster can do math, these comically monstrous beasts take you along with them as they face math challenges both inside and outside the Academy. Described as “rigorous, challenging, engaging, and fun” by the publisher, I would expect nothing less from a curriculum designed to ready your child for the demands of MATHCOUNTS and post-elementary AOPS curricula.
There are four parts for each grade level though the series is not all available as of this writing. Each part consists of two books: a Guide and a Practice book. Core instruction takes place in the Guide which is written in colorful, comic-book style and stars a cast of not-quite-cute monsters. Each book is divided topically into three chapters. Grade 3 chapters are: 3A – Shapes, Skip-Counting, Perimeter and Area; 3B – Multiplication, Perfect Squares, Distributive Property; 3C – Variables, Division, Measurement; 3D – Fractions, Estimation, Area. Grade 4 topics (so far) are: 4A – Shapes, Multiplication, Exponents; 4B – Counting, Division, Logic; and 4C – Factors, Fractions and Integers. These chapters are further divided into sections (subtopics). For example, Chapter 1 of Grade 3A: Shapes contains sections labeled: Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, and Polyominoes. Activity sheets, asides, notes, extensions, and games are often interspersed between the sections. Helpful, red rectangles at the end of some pages tell you when to break and do practice problems. Stop signs also appear in the corners of some panels. These contain questions for the student to answer before continuing to read. Guides are non-consumable. All written work is done in the corresponding Practice book which contains 300-400 practice problems and puzzles that reinforce the Guides’ instruction. Practice chapters each begin with a recommended sequence (like a lesson plan) correlating the reading (Guide) to practice pages. Problem sets generally begin with a recap of the concepts covered and a model problem with solution. Some problems have a pencil icon next to them signaling the student to write an explanation in addition to their answer. “Very challenging” problems are starred. Doubly-starred problems are, well, beastly. For students requiring a little help with these, each has a hint to get them started. These are found in a separate section in the back of the book so students won’t be tempted to use them unless necessary. Complete solutions to all problems in the book are also included. All pages in the Practice book are perforated, so you can optionally tear out either problem sets or solution keys if you desire.
Beast Academy has its own support website www.beastacademy.com which contains free pre-assessments (with solutions), selected printable practice pages, coloring pages, and errata. According to this site, grade four will be completed in 2015 followed by grade 5, then grade 2. When your little beast is finished with grade 5, he or she can move on to AOPS (or any other demanding) middle-school math program.
