Status
Available
Genres
Publication
HarperCollins (1999), 48 pages
Description
Describes the evolution of counting and the many ways to count and write numbers.
User reviews
LibraryThing member JessicaGuiducci
Genre: Informational
Appropriate Age: Intermediate and Middle School
Media: Acrylic on Linen
Review:
This book is a wonderful example of the informational genre becuase the author presents information on the history of counting in a visually appealing manner and in a language appropriate for children,
Appropriate Age: Intermediate and Middle School
Media: Acrylic on Linen
Review:
This book is a wonderful example of the informational genre becuase the author presents information on the history of counting in a visually appealing manner and in a language appropriate for children,
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yet still formal. Children can learn about counting in Papau New Guinea where they use body parts to count by pointing at them. In Eastern Russia they use twenty four sets of numbers. Abstract numbers can count anything. Farmers 5-10 thousand years ago used tokens of many shapes. There are also Roman numerals, Sumerian counting, Phoenecian counting, Greek numeral system, and Arabic counting. We now use Arabic counting. Show Less
LibraryThing member awoodham93
Most of us probably take our number and counting system for granted. This book traces counting all the way back to it's roots in the Middle East. This book teaches how counting helped societies rise and become for successful and how counting evolved to fit the needs of civilizations. Finally, this
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book relates to us directly, and explains how our decimal system evolved. This book can be incorporated into literature, social studies, and math lessons. This book will definately get kids to think on a larger scale, and think critically about how something in our every day lives came about. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ms.Penniman
Retelling: Author and anthropologist, Schmandt-Besserat describes how systems for counting evolved out of necessity in different civilizations and how each system had different strengths and weaknesses. Learn about cultures that use systems other than the hindu-arabic system today: the Veddas, the
Thoughts and Feelings: It's very exciting to me to learn that the true origin of the hindu-arabic system of numbers is unknown but the first example was written in sanscrit in India. I like unknowns. They mean there is more puzzle pieces to be discovered and/or connected.
I particularly enjoyed how this author emphasized that innovations in numbers were born out of need. I often feel that, because our abstract numbers are so versatile, we can teach them without recognizing or enforcing their practicality in our culture and civilization.
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Paiela, and the Gilyaks. Then learn about ancient developments in the middle east: the Sumerians and the Phoenicians. Then the Greek and Roman system and how and why they adopted our modern system instead. Thoughts and Feelings: It's very exciting to me to learn that the true origin of the hindu-arabic system of numbers is unknown but the first example was written in sanscrit in India. I like unknowns. They mean there is more puzzle pieces to be discovered and/or connected.
I particularly enjoyed how this author emphasized that innovations in numbers were born out of need. I often feel that, because our abstract numbers are so versatile, we can teach them without recognizing or enforcing their practicality in our culture and civilization.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Sandra_Loya
This book, as it name implies, covers the history of counting. It explains how it took thousands of years for our system of counting to become what it is today. Most peoples use a ten digit system same as us but there are a few that still do not. Some people groups use simple markers or chips to
The number system began using simple counters or pebbles to represent a one for one system to different shaped markers depending on what was being counted. Notches on bones have been found that were used to keep count as well. The Sumerians developed symbols to represent amounts or numbers. As life moved from simple to complex, as did the need for a more complex number system. Out of necessity came invention.
The Phoenicians used letters to represent numbers and used a base ten system as opposed to the base 60 system that the Sumerians used. Greeks took it a little further and the Romans developed what we now know today as Roman numerals. Arabic numerals are what we use today but was brought to Europe by Arabs from India. They make computing and counting easier. It is repetitive and has a place value system that includes zero.
The illustrations in this book are wonderful and truly depict the concepts being expressed by the author. It is a great quick history into the history of numbers. I found the little known facts intriguing. and it kept me reading to see the next step along the way to our current system.
This book can be used in many ways in the classroom. It can be used in 3rd grade just to expose students to other ways of thinking and counting as well as other cultures and the movement from simple to complex. 4th and 5th graders learning Roman numerals would also find it intriguing to see how they were a step in the path to our current system and how they are both base ten but also the importance of zero when it comes to computing. For 6th grade, this can be used as a jumping point for an assignment to come up with a unique counting system or way of keeping a count of books or students in a class, or even how many CD's or songs on their iPod they have. It will give students a deeper understanding of why numbers and counting are so important.
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count and others point to body parts rather than use words for numbers.The number system began using simple counters or pebbles to represent a one for one system to different shaped markers depending on what was being counted. Notches on bones have been found that were used to keep count as well. The Sumerians developed symbols to represent amounts or numbers. As life moved from simple to complex, as did the need for a more complex number system. Out of necessity came invention.
The Phoenicians used letters to represent numbers and used a base ten system as opposed to the base 60 system that the Sumerians used. Greeks took it a little further and the Romans developed what we now know today as Roman numerals. Arabic numerals are what we use today but was brought to Europe by Arabs from India. They make computing and counting easier. It is repetitive and has a place value system that includes zero.
The illustrations in this book are wonderful and truly depict the concepts being expressed by the author. It is a great quick history into the history of numbers. I found the little known facts intriguing. and it kept me reading to see the next step along the way to our current system.
This book can be used in many ways in the classroom. It can be used in 3rd grade just to expose students to other ways of thinking and counting as well as other cultures and the movement from simple to complex. 4th and 5th graders learning Roman numerals would also find it intriguing to see how they were a step in the path to our current system and how they are both base ten but also the importance of zero when it comes to computing. For 6th grade, this can be used as a jumping point for an assignment to come up with a unique counting system or way of keeping a count of books or students in a class, or even how many CD's or songs on their iPod they have. It will give students a deeper understanding of why numbers and counting are so important.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Informational Books — 2001)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
48 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0688141196 / 9780688141196