Hello!

I am putting together a show with the theme of Mathmagics for children from 7 to 10 years old.

I would like to get some suggestions. I am thinking using the Square to circle wtih a story attached to it. Also, some stories with ropes of different legnths.

Now I am stucked. I don't know what else to include.

Any ideas?

Alejandro.

Demonstrate your mastery of math with sponge balls, of course you will constantly miscount so the little ones will have to correct you.

6 Card/Rope repeat

What's Next/Dubious Dominoe

7-10 year olds should be able to grasp the magic square (especially if you hand them out calculators) though you'd have to put a lot of thought into it to make it fun.

Card tricks/ force using a change bag could be used to demostrate probability. Same goes for the win a fiver game with 6 envelopes or 6 keys and one padlock.

George

Cut and restored effects (as large as the zig zag illusion) to speak on fractions.

I have to disagree with Magicgeorge. I would say very few children will be impressed with a magic square effect. Even teens can be so so but get the "trick" more since they are crunching numbers and puzzles in math class. I find adults appreciate it the most since most adults secretly desire such brainpower.

But 7-10 they just do not grasp how uncommon it is to fill in numbers that fast and the outcome has less attachment or meaning to them . So even if they get it, the effect will not be something they will ooh and ahh over especially at age 7

Thanks for those comments. I think that an effect like the 6 card repeat could be good for them.

Any other ideas?

Alejandro,

Have you read any books (or other research) on the math education needs of the age group for which you will be performing?

DD

Hi Doc.

I asked a friend of mine who is a teacher to find me the Mathmatic year program. I am waiting for it in order to see what they learn at school.

Thanks for your suggestion.

I know a local magician who is also a high school math teacher. From what I understand he uses magic to teach his class. I'll see if I can track him down and send him to you.
Steve V

Jay Gorham, PNP of the S.A.M., is a retired math teacher (head of the department) AND he used to do a Math Magic show! His e-mail is Jaygorham@cox.net. He is a very sharing person and I'm sure would be happy to reply to a sincere inquiry.

Consider doing a hopping half effect...let's I have two coins and I take away one that leaves....ignore the calls of one and say hang on let me try that again...I have two coins and I take away one so that leaves...ummmm...man math is tricky...I'm going to start again...two coins....take away one that leaves...me still confused so I'm just going to vanish the last coin away and have none...yeah, no more math!

Smartini

Barry Mitchell has a great routine where his possum pupper and a teacher race to do a sum. The possum is chewing the shape of the numbers out of piece of newspaper. It is is on his DVD

The real question is...

What do you want the kids to get out of it?

Do you want to teach them about math? teach them about why math is important? or just make math seem like fun!

The last one is the most important one to my mind.

Mier Yedids "Total Destiny".

Its a great prediction effect and it allows the student to add a column of four numbers that match your prediction.

Check it out!


S. Patrick