The Blast Off Kid (Math Matters)
Maths matters! Series
What’s inside...
For a chance to win a trip to Space Camp, James sets out to collect 10,000 Blast Off Energy Bar wrappers, grouping them as he goes to make counting easier, and soon the whole town is helping him out. Discover Math Matters! With over 15 million books sold worldwide, this award-winning series of easy-to-read books will help young readers ages 5–8 approach math with enthusiasm. Great for fans of MathStart or Step into Reading Math. Can James collect 10,000 energy bar wrappers and win a trip to Space Camp? Everybody gives him their wrappers. But how can he count them all? Will he have enough? With engaging stories that connect math to kids’ everyday lives, each book in the Teachers’ Choice Award–winning Math Matters series focuses on a single concept and reinforces math vocabulary and skills. Bonus activities in the back of each book feature math and reading comprehension questions, and even more free activities online add to the fun! (Math topic: Place value)
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Jay felt when planning his space adventure?
What are some of the ways Jay used math in his story?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone like Jay helped his friend?
What would you buy if you were saving up your allowance like Jay?
If you could plan a space adventure, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think beyond the text. Ask them to make personal connections with Jay’s journey and his use of math. Discuss the importance of saving and budgeting, and how they can use these skills in their daily life. Highlight the value of helping friends and working together towards a goal. Lastly, foster their imagination by brainstorming their own adventurous plans, integrating math and problem-solving skills in a fun and experiential way.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Money Management
Explanation: The character, Josh, learns the value of saving money to purchase a model rocket, demonstrating the importance of financial responsibility.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by saving their allowances to buy something they want, learning the value of money and delayed gratification.
Example Lesson: Setting and Achieving Goals
Explanation: Josh sets a clear goal to buy a rocket and works towards it, showing the steps involved in goal setting and achievement.
Real-World Application: Kids can set their own goals, whether it's saving money, improving grades, or learning a new skill, and work consistently towards achieving them.
Example Lesson: Importance of Calculation and Budgeting
Explanation: Throughout the story, Josh calculates how much money he needs and keeps track of his savings, highlighting the use of basic math in everyday situations.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use math to plan their purchases and manage their personal budgets, fostering numeracy skills.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Josh makes several mistakes while trying to save money but learns from them, which teaches resilience and the ability to adapt.
Real-World Application: Children learn that mistakes are a part of learning and growing, and that they can overcome obstacles with perseverance.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Earning
Explanation: The story culminates in Josh finally buying the rocket with his own saved money, illustrating the satisfaction and pride that come from earning something on your own.
Real-World Application: This lesson can instill a sense of achievement in children when they earn things through their own effort, enhancing their self-esteem and work ethic.