Graphic Novels In Math.

After reading Solution Squad, I wondered if there were other graphic novels I could use in my Math classes to create interest.  I found a few more, some I've seen, some I haven't but I'll share several to give you a better idea.

Imagine using graphic novels instead of relying on standard textbooks.  It might be easier to get students to read and pay attention to the material.

It turns out there are several graphic novels out there to learn math from.  One series is done in Manga style.  The three books in this series are the Manga Guide to Calculus, the Manga Guide to Linear Algebra and the Manga Guide to Statistics, and the Manga Guide to Regression Analysis.

All four books are rated at 4 stars or higher on Amazon.  These types of graphic novels are referred to as EduManga which combines Manga with Educational content and is all the rage in Japan.  All of these books have been translated from Japanese to English.  These books take the material and encase it into stories so they become an intricate part of the story.

In addition, Larry Gonik has a series of the Cartoon Guide to Calculus, the Cartoon Guide to Statistics, and the Cartoon Guide to Algebra. Larry Gonik may be better known for his Cartoon Guides to various science subjects.  I became familiar with him when I read his Cartoon Guide to Genetics.  His three books rate 4 stars or higher at Amazon.  His books use humor to convey mathematical topics. 

The last set of books for today are the ones titled Manga Math Mysteries.  This series of eight books was written for eight to ten year old students but could easily be used with older students who are English Language Learners or who have print disabilities.

Each book covers a different topic such as whole numbers, time and temperature, probability, geometry, fractions, money, measurement and distance.  The main characters are youngsters who take martial arts and who solve the mysteries together.  Each books is about 45 pages long but done in standard comic strip format.

Let me know what you think about the idea of using Manga in the Math class.  Have a good day and enjoy.

Manga and High School Math

  For anyone who does not follow trends, Manga is a type of Japanese graphic novel.  Its so popular here that the library has several popular issues on the shelves they regularly check out.

I found several math books in Manga style for a variety of grades.  Learner Books publishes several Manga style books for grades 3 to 5.  The books cover probability, fractions, geometry, multiplication and division, money, distance and measurement, and time and temperature.

Although they are not for high school aged students, I have a few students who have missed certain basic skills and might need scaffolding.  They books might be the right reading level for many of these students and they might help them catch up.  Nothing wrong with providing interesting material.

For high school, there is a series of books from No Starch Press called the Manga guide to _____________.  There are editions for statistics, calculus, linear algebra, regression analysis, or tons of science topics.  Each is drawn in the manga style with a story designed to teach people about the mathematical topic.  For instance in the linear algebra book a guy is exchanging teaching a girl linear algebra in exchange for martial arts lessons from the girl's brother.  There is a love line but the math is solidly embedded in the book.  The books all have good reviews on Amazon.


I'm revisiting Manga High because they now claim they work on tablets but when I tried the games on my iPads, a adobe flash needed page popped up and so I couldn't go any further.  I tried it on a Computer and it works well on the computer.  I tried the wrecks factor game, easiest level and it was both fun and challenging.

The idea behind the game is that a trinomial ship wrecks and you have to cover an area of the grid so the trinomial is factored.  Say you have x^2 + 3x + 2 is factored into x + 1 and x+ 2.  The x is the corner so you go up one block and over 2 so the whole area is in green.  If you are right, the helicopter flies in to rescue the people.

In addition, as a teacher, you can set up classes to assign games, quizzes, etc and the site keeps track of the their results.  The results give you all types of information so you can see how they are doing, what they need to work on and other information.  As I said earlier it does not work on my iPad but I do not have the latest up to date OS on it and I have to check on the adobe aspect.  The site does say it will work so I'm going to investigate that.  I'll keep you posted as I figure this out.