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Back to School with #BigFatNotebooks

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Jennifer, our 5 Minutes for Books editor and mom of a middle school son, is here to share her excitement about the Big Fat Notebooks series, in partnership with Workman Publishing.

My son is at the age where he’s spending more time alone — holed up in the computer room — interacting with friends online, watching YouTube and the like. I know I’m not the only mom of a middle school son who dealt with that this summer. I am glad the structure of school is returning, but with that also comes the responsibility of homework. It all begins today.

Middle school math and grammar can sometimes lead to crying and fighting.  I still remember those days with my older daughter, but I’m hoping that Big Fat Notebooks will inspire my son to find answers on his own, or to believe me when I try to help him. All teachers do not do an equally good job of explaining concepts, so I love having an additional reference. The table of contents is sorted by type of math:

  • the number system covers factors, fractions, decimals and more
  • another section details ratios, proportions and percents
  • expressions and equations will help with square roots and order of operations
  • geometry, statistics, and functions are covered as well

The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK series is built on a simple and irresistible concept—borrowing the notes from the smartest kid in class. There are five books in all, and each is the only book you need for each main subject taught in middle school: Math, Science, American History, English Language Arts, and World History. Inside the reader will find every subject’s key concepts, easily digested and summarized: Critical ideas highlighted in neon colors. Definitions explained. Doodles that illuminate tricky concepts in marker. Mnemonics for memorable shortcuts. And quizzes to recap it all.

The BIG FAT NOTEBOOKS meet Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and state history standards, and are vetted by National and State Teacher of the Year Award–winning teachers. They make learning fun and are the perfect next step for every kid who grew up on Brain Quest.

Kyle reading

My son enjoys reading fact books. Even though he won’t be taking World History until high school, the way the book is set up is perfect for any fact junkies in your household. The pictures, maps, text boxes and bright colors make kids forget they are learning. Check out some of these sample pages:

World History Collage

Giveaway

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Thanks to Workman Publishing, one of you will win

  • Copies of all 5 titles in the Big Fat Notebooks series
  • Branded school supplies including highlighter/pen combos, a notepad, and jigsaw sticky notes

 

Find out More

OFFICIAL LINKS

Visit the Official Site

Follow the Workman Blog

RETAIL LINKS

Purchase #BigFatNotebooks at the following retailers:

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow @WorkmanPub on:

Reader Interactions


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179 Comments

  24. From a teaching point of view, I would use the math book the most with my son. However, he would probably use the science or history books the most just for fun.

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  26. I would love the Science book. I find all science fascinating. I think this could really help with school projects and other things.

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  28. My grandson is not yet in middle school, but these would be good to have one hand anyway. Right now, I suspect the English book would be the most useful, but that might change as his learning curve changes.

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  39. I’m super-impressed with the clarity of the pictured explanation of contributing causes for WWI — my family was literally just discussing that this past weekend and it was a little embarrassing that neither my husband nor I could answer the question (Kaiser Wilhelm’s assassination? No, wait, something about a binding treaty with Servia? And which side was Italy on again?)

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  41. For me? Science. For my kid? American History. For sure, it’s a favorite topic from hands on field trips to colonial sites but she needs to learn more facts. These books look awesome.

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  45. Wow…. This is a toss up between American history and Science. I think science would probably get the most use. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  50. Math – that’s what I struggle with and would want to be able to get so I could help my children with.

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  53. My two in middle school would want to use the Science the most .. Mom wants to look at World History 🙂 🙂

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  65. This is an exciting giveaway for me! The books look packed with info! I think currently we would use the English book the most. My middle schooler is struggling with the rules of grammar.

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  68. I think my kids would pick up and read the history and science books, and we’d use the others as references.

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  69. I’d probably use the Science book the most because that is our focus this year, but we would use them all.

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  77. Definitely math, but I think it would be nice to have references for all of those subjects for him to pick up any time. I have an eighth grader this year, but one entering middle school next year, so these books would get a lot of use!

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  83. Both of my kids are in middle school, my son struggles with Biology so the Science book would be most useful for him and my daughter has a hard time with Math so she would use that one the most.

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  84. I think they all sound wonderful, but for my special-needs child, I’d have to give the Math book my vote…
    My child struggles with processing, as well as multi-step directions. As we progress in school, math problems require more n more steps…
    If we had a resource that could explain the process–maybe in a different way, since conventional means have been a challenge–we would be so very grateful…

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  87. Both history books would be awesome to have. It’s a great way to learn the main pieces of information on important events throughout history and if certain events spark a major interest, we can continue on to a full Unit study.

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  88. We would use the Math notebook the most. It’s not our favorite subject so I see the need for the extra resource.

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  90. I think we’d use the Math book most for beefing up our understanding of math topics, but we could use the history books for reference.

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  103. Math, even though it is my favorite subject there are times our oldest kids will come home with homework and even I need a refresher.

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  116. I would use all of the books. However, I think the World and American books would come in handy when kids have have to do essays, etc. Plus, I like to read about history myself.

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  120. These books look so great! I’m sure our family would use all of them. The Math and English would be especially helpful. I love this idea!

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  122. I would love these all for my daughter, she misses a lot of school due to therapy, ENT, Neurologist, and Pediatrician appointments.

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  131. I think I would like the World History Big Fat Notebook the most. I love World History. Very Interesting.

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  142. Math because it’s the most universal subject and if your lost on day one your lost all the way through.

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  143. i’d use the science book the most i have always loved science the amazing thing’s one can learn through science or the inventions one can come up with because of science is one in which anyone can invent or discover many things.

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  158. World History probably. These would be such fun to have. It’s been almost 50 years since I graduated. I’m sure I have forgotten more than I remember. And, the countries have changed names since then in a lot of the world, too. And Math! I have no idea how they do math these days. What was wrong with the way I learned? Please pick me.

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  162. We would start with the math book. I’m sure the kids will devour all these books. Looks just like their style of reading.

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  168. I think Math because that seems to have changed the most (and is the one I remember the least) 🙂

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  172. What a great concept! I love homeschooling with interesting books that inspire kids with nice illustrations. These seem perfect. Thanks for putting this together!

    Reply