Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Beast Academy Series for my 7 year old?

My son is currently 7 and we have been told since he was in Kindergarten that he was 'gifted' but I never really gave it a lot of thought...yes he was ahead of the other kids in his class, he loved learning, etc. But recently I was at an AIG Workshop (I'm a 7th grade Math teacher) and the characteristics they talked about AIG students having described him perfectly.

It pulls at my heart a little but he absolutely loves reading (more so than Math ) and would do it 5 hours a day after school if I would let him (right now reading Harry Potter series).

I think part of the reason that there is not a great love for Math is because what they are discussing in class is so easy for him..."the number is 34: what is 10 less, 10 more, 100 more, (he lists 100 less even though he's not asked to), how many tens, how many ones, etc.

In another post someone recommended the Art of Problem Solving books...specifically the Beast Academy Series: Beast Academy

It's $108 for the complete set (4 guide and 4 practice books)...which is quite a bit of money for a North Carolina teacher.

Can anyone give me some feedback on the Beast Academy series and if it is worth the money for a 7 year old?

Thank you very much for any and all help you can provide!!!

TripleB

Last I checked, there wasn't a significant discount for purchasing all of the books together. Perhaps you could try just one? At least it's not a significant financial investment.

FWIW, my son is younger, but I'm planning on getting BA when he's ready for it and I think that it will likely be before he's 7.

I have used it for my 6 year old (along with Singapore Math and Miquon). It was worth it for us because my son derived a lot pleasure from it (he even has Math Monster clothes that he wears often because he loves the "beasts" in the series very much).

But, I have heard that some kids found the comic book format very "busy" and distracting.

My suggestion is to print out the samples and show your son. If he likes it, just buy the 3A Guide and practice books and try them. You can decide how to proceed from there.

Those books saw quite a lot of use at our house. Our kids are comic readers, and so liked the format just fine.