By Peggy House

What's So Funny about Math?
Mathematics teachers are always looking for ways to engage students, and humor can be an effective way to get their attention while encouraging their thinking skills. Since the first issue of NCTM's Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School was published in 1994, Cartoon Corner has been on of the most-read and most-used features of the journal. The best-selling 2009 book, Cartoon Corner, a collection of cartoons from the earlier issues of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, has been widely used by teachers.

Cartoon Corner was created as a resource that teachers could use to engage middle-grades students in mathematical thinking in novel and challenging ways. Teachers who use Cartoon Corner activities in their classroom report many positive results, including student engagement, excitement, and curiosity. As one teacher noted, "The room exploded with enthusiasm as the students began to understand the pattern."

Each of the cartoons has a mathematical dimension, and the cartoons and activities developed around them are field-tested by middle school teachers before publication. Along with the cartoons, related problems as well as teacher comments and suggestions, are included in each lesson. The activities are organized by topic, and the opening chapter includes suggestions on the many ways to incorporate the lessons into classroom curricula. Following on the format of the first edition, this book provides even more classroom problems and field-test comments.