Books published by publisher Tarquin Group

Metamorphs are curious and interesting paper models which will transform step by step through a sequence of different shapes before finally returning to their original starting positions. There are ten colorful two and three dimensional models to cut out and make and also an informative text which discusses and explains the principles by which they have been designed. There are two main classes of these objects and both are well represented in this collection, together with an introduction to the importance of degrees of freedom and the limitations of hinges and hinge lengths. Some people will prefer to see metamorphs simply as amusing and rather impressive toys, others as expressions of mathematical principles to be understood and appreciated.

We all like to think we can solve a murder given the right clues. Here’s a chance to use mathematics skills to identify “whodunit” for ages 12-14. The students are given the data or a diagram to solve a “problem” – using blackline masters - which of various characters is a murderer. To find out, the student must solve all or most of the questions on the sheet to identify wrong answers as well as correct ones. Problems are staged, so there is an element of suspense for the individual…and racing between students to solve the mystery. The topics covered in this book are all appropriate for ages 11-13. The tasks have been used successfully with older pupils too as a reminder of topics covered previously. They would also be suitable for younger pupils who have met the appropriate language and content. They are likely to take about 40 minutes but this will depend on the ability of the class to coordinate the different aspects of each task. For ages 13-15 see the sister titles More Mini Mathematical Murder Mysteries. The book is aimed at both teachers and parents.

Three centrepieces showing different habitats are cut from the book and are made first. They serve as backgrounds for a collection of lifesize paper butterflies to be displayed in an interesting and natural way. On the base of each of these scenic displays is a panel showing all the butterflies together with their names, thus making it easy to identify the paper butterflies on the model or real butterflies in your garden, in the countryside or at a butterfly farm. Complete with a minibook giving more information about butterflies, their lives and life cycles.

These books contain a collection of fun and easy-to-do art projects, each designed to allow parents to follow, assess and stimulate their child’s development in a key learning area. An art project is chosen and the background information read, so that you can see what is expected of your child at his/her age. As the art project is completed together and the child practices his/her skills, you will gain an insight into the child’s learning progress. It can be a struggle for parents to find out what is actually meant by normal development. Comparing your child against his or her peers can be misleading, while the opinions of friends and carers can appear contradictory and vague. This guide is for parents to answer questions with facts. You will learn what to expect and when from your two to five year old, help you to understand the learning process, and be provided with a straightforward method to assess that development yourself. This unique approach makes it possible to see for yourself if she is achieving at a level that is ‘normal’ for her age – based on the UK's Early Years Foundation Stage that professionals use for the same purpose. The activities in these books are widely used by professionals. Start Learning 1 covers • Personal and Social Development • Physical Development • Mathematics Start Learning 2 covers Language and Literacy, Creative Development and Science.

Robert Field has travelled extensively and has taken his camera and a keen eye with him wherever he has gone. Many people will be both suprised and delighted by the sheer number and variety of interesting patterns that he has discovered. These books will appeal both to those who have a particular interest in the topic covered but also to those who are looking for a rich resource of pattern designs.

These games have been chosen or adapted from games played all over the world. For each there is a blackline master sheet which gives the board and the rules. Children then try to work out a winning or not losing strategy within those rules. Later, they are encouraged to alter them and to explore the effect such changes have on the strategy of the game. Extensive teachers notes are included.

Find your way through the illusion What you see in the maze on the cover is a visual illusion – and a tricky maze at the same time. It is one of many such in this fascinating book. The maze starts in the upper left corner and ends in the lower right – when looking at the illusion is over. This book contains 24 puzzle-illusion mazes in a handy stocking filler size. Some are tremendously difficult mazes and will take time to do – others exist more as objects to admire. An excellent gift for ages 7 and above - perfect for those who enjoyed Magic Moving Images or Mazes Ancient and Modern.

16 blackline masters to stretch and engage ages 8-11. Here’s a chance for students to turn detective and apply their mathematical knowledge to solve some murder mysteries. Each of the 16 activities is intended to be a consolidation exercise covering topics such as arithmetic, algebra, shapes and simple graphs and charts. For teachers Apart from the obvious use as homework activities, the activities can play a great role in generating mathematical discussion too. Students often work well in pairs on this sort of activity as they are able to discuss their methods and combine forces when coordinating several features of a problem. Some of the tasks require a reasonable level of logical thinking and students need to understand mathematical terms such as product, factor, prime etc. The benefits to the students will be greatly improved if their knowledge of such mathematical language has been reinforced before attempting these murder mysteries. Success through this type of activity can increase student’s confidence and make them eager to progress. Some of the tasks included here reflect wider topics met in the primary school curriculum and there is an element of general knowledge evident. Further investigative work could be generated from these, for example, in “Water” – can you find a river whose length would fit between the Severn and the Thames ? In Romans – can you find an emperor who reigned for less than 10 years ? For parents These murder mysteries use mathematical skills learnt at school but will both reinforce knowledge and stretch students who crave a challenge. It is important to check that students have covered and understand the topic before using them. The exercises are intended to be entertaining, as children love using their mathematical skills to find out “whodunnit”. Contents Mixed Arithmetic 1 Mixed Arithmetic 2 Number and Algebra 1 Number and Algebra 2 Number and Angle Mix Money Coordinates Shape Charts Family Sports Music Europe The Romans Water Missing Pieces

These books contain a collection of fun and easy-to-do art projects, each designed to allow parents to follow, assess and stimulate their child’s development in a key learning area. An art project is chosen and the background information read, so that you can see what is expected of your child at his/her age. As the art project is completed together and the child practices his/her skills, you will gain an insight into the child’s learning progress. It can be a struggle for parents to find out what is actually meant by normal development. Comparing your child against his or her peers can be misleading, while the opinions of friends and carers can appear contradictory and vague. This guide is for parents to answer questions with facts. You will learn what to expect and when from your two to five year old, help you to understand the learning process, and be provided with a straightforward method to assess that development yourself. This unique approach makes it possible to see for yourself if she is achieving at a level that is ‘normal’ for her age – based on the UK's Early Years Foundation Stage that professionals use for the same purpose. The activities in these books are widely used by professionals. Start Learning 2 covers Language and Literacy, Creative Development and Science. Start Learning 1 covers Personal and Social Development, Physical Development and Mathematics

A collection of 50 puzzles to test your mathematical skills. Anyone looking for number puzzles to stretch and intrigue will be delighted with the contents of this original book. The demanding challenges explore the properties of numbers and the patterns and hidden relationships which exist between them. Many of the challenges are presented in a visual or diagrammatic way with tables or charts to complete or fill in.

This book includes 34 colored card dice to cut out and make. All are legal dice but they differ from each other in rather subtle ways. The primary puzzle is to identify which dice are identical and which are not. It is the logical thinking required to solve these puzzles which draws attention to the nature of the symmetries of three dimensional objects. Also included is an extensive minibook which deals with the fascinating consequences of differing symmetries in biological molecules.