Victoria Kofman

Ana, Boris, and Balloons 1 Victoria Kofman

The book carries 50 problems and prepares students for the Common Core challenges in Math and reading. The problems in this book are specially designed to concentrate students' attention on math vocabulary. "Ana, Boris, and Balloons" sequel develops children's word-problem comprehension and critical thinking. Children solve problems using either coins or picture models. In addition, children are prompt to create number sentences that reflect their solutions. Advanced students have an opportunity to work on early algebra topics. Students are prompt to find algebraic sentences relevant for the problems in a group of four equations or/and inequalities. "Ana, Boris, and Balloons" books are geared toward elementary school students. By helping children to develop their informative reading comprehension, the books prepare them for the challenges of common core curriculum. Ana, Boris, and Balloons problems were successfully utilized in Stella Academy learning center (Wheeling, IL) with bilingual students, beginning readers, gifted students, and students with learning disabilities. Some students were in first grade while others in third or fourth grade. Four-level assignments make book adaptable for the needs of students with various level of abilities and preparedness. "Ana, Boris, and Balloons" books can be used in math classes with students of various abilities and as a resource for enrichment STEM activities. The books subdivide word problems into elementary logical components (part-part-difference, part-part-total, and change problems) and teaches each component by piecemeal. The approach is based on ideas of Maria Montessori, Ference Marton, and Lev Vigotskiy. The books provide answers to all the problems and are available in a form of workbooks in colored and 'black and white' versions. Abridged versions are available as Kindle e-books.