Both of these math music videos are entertaining as far as they go, but neither will teach a child the fundamentals of math. In Search of the Missing Numbers, geared towards children aged 6-9, is the more successful of the two, because it focuses on addition and subtraction, the two simplest mathematical operations. Brad and Melissa, while merrily computing away at home, are suddenly transported to the world of the video game in the land of Blasteria. A little green video arcade guy says that someone is stealing the numbers off the signposts on the road, so that Blasterians have no idea where they are. Using a number line, the kids are able to reconstruct the proper sequence of numbers. But there's more trouble ahead, as they run into the evil Fallover Crumbwell, a malicious bug (computer jokes are sprinkled liberally throughout), who is the perpetrator behind the crimes. There is some attention paid to the practical uses for addition and subtraction, but before long the program settles for merely reciting the problems without showing the work involved. The second program features the same high entertainment values (the music videos on the math rock countdown are quite wonderful parodies), but here, since multiplication and division are more complex, the problem in the first program is compounded. Although the filmmaker's never let on, multiplication tables have to be memorized--that's the long and short of it. And, in showing long division, principles of carrying remainders over to the next column are never really explained. If these programs increase interest in math, which is quite possible, their purchase will be well worthwhile. But they do not teach mathematics. Recommended. (See SITTING IN LIMBO for availability.)
In Search Of The Missing Numbers; Math Rock Countdown
(1988) 60 m. $19.95. Davidson. Home video rights only. Vol. 3, Issue 8
In Search Of The Missing Numbers; Math Rock Countdown
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