Problem Solving Books -- Moems, Zaccaro, Borac

[SeaConquest]

I have the first level Borac books and Zaccaro's Primary Grade Challenge Math. I would like to add more problem solving books to our collection since I think we are going to mostly phase out doing Singapore (except the CWP). We are using BA as our main math now, but I would like to have more supplements to mix things up.

I am confused about the contents of the Zaccaro books. After we finish Primary Grade Challenge Math, which books do you suggest next? 

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ed+zaccaro&sprefix=ed+zaccaro%2Caps%2C266&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aed+zaccaro

 

Regarding the Moems books, are all 4 books necessary/helpful?

 

http://store.moems.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=MOEMS&Screen=PLST

 

Has anyone completed the upper level Borac books? Thoughts?

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cleo+borac&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acleo+borac

 

Other supplements I am forgetting?

Edited December 29, 2015 by SeaConquest

[Arcadia]

My boys enjoyed the free Canadian Math Kangaroo past year questions and solutions and the U of Waterloo, Canada math circles questions and solutions a lot more than Zaccaro which they found boring.

 

For the Zaccaro books try looking at Barnes & Noble.

 

For the MOEMS book try inter library loan/Link+

 

No idea about the Borac books except the author tutors at a math center in pleasanton.

 

Link is to her class just for your info

http://www.summittutoringcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Competitive-Mathematics-Classes-with-Ms.-Borac.pdf

[desertflower]

I feel like I've been following all your threads lately.  You are paving the way for me. lol 

[elmerRex]

We tried Hard Math for Elementary when my son was doing Saxon Math 54 and Math 65, in my opinion, it was not that great of a book, I would have been disappointed if I'd bought it.

[wapiti]

Regarding the MOEMS books, Vol 2 separates the problems into elementary and middle school levels.  Vol 1 mixes them.  Lenchner's Creative Problem Solving includes lessons on problem solving for you to teach or go through together.  I haven't seen Vol 3.  If you don't need problem solving lessons, I'd start with Vol 2 by itself; maybe choose a contest (5 problems?) each week or something.  FWIW, I tend to prefer MOEMS to Zaccaro for random supplementation; I just feel like the problems are more fun, though I haven't used Zaccaro a ton.

[4Kiddos]

For Zacarro, we are using Upper Elementary Challenge Math and Challenge Math. I just pick problems at random.

 

We are also using MOEMS Vol 1. If Vol 2 was cheaper I would probably use that as well. Again, I pick problems at random.

 

I also have Hard Math for Elementary and have not used it too much. I think I might just give it to my son to read on his own.

 

For main curriculum, my oldest uses MEP 5 and Beast 4 as a supplement. Since you already use Beast, perhaps you could use MEP as a supplement? You could just pick their problem solving problems from their practice books.

 

Also, I just found out about this resource and perused it briefly. I need to get it printed but it looks very fun. Someone here might have told me about it. I can't remember! Thank you whoever you are. Anyway, you can download the book here:

 

http://mathman.biz/

 

Edited December 29, 2015 by 4Kiddos

[mathnerd]

We have started using Greg Tang's resources a lot this year. My DS says that he finds them the most interesting (as compared to all the other "fun" math that he has done in the past).

http://gregtangmath.com/index

[daijobu]

Regarding the MOEMS books, Vol 2 separates the problems into elementary and middle school levels.  Vol 1 mixes them.  Lenchner's Creative Problem Solving includes lessons on problem solving for you to teach or go through together.  I haven't seen Vol 3.  If you don't need problem solving lessons, I'd start with Vol 2 by itself; maybe choose a contest (5 problems?) each week or something.  FWIW, I tend to prefer MOEMS to Zaccaro for random supplementation; I just feel like the problems are more fun, though I haven't used Zaccaro a ton.

 

Vol. 3 (2005 - 2012) is much like vol. 2 (1998 - 2004), but with more recent exams.  Either one is fine.  I had a copy of Creative Problem Solving but never used it.  

 

I like MOEMS because each exam takes roughly 25 minutes, plus maybe another 20-30 minutes to review the problems with your student.  I used it on Wednesdays in place of their usual Singapore Math to make life more interesting, and encourage problem solving.  

 

Good luck!  

[hellen]

You could look at the old AMC 8 tests. They are free online from AOPS.