Tahir Jamil launches free math activity e-book for young students

Tahir Jamil has released Math Joy, a free activity e-book aimed at making math feel less intimidating for elementary students and youth programs. The project has already reached more than 100 schools, libraries and community organizations as Jamil looks to expand it across New Jersey.

Why it matters: - OECD’s PISA 2022 found that about 40% of students across participating countries and economies feel nervous, helpless or anxious when solving math problems or doing math homework. - Math Joy is aimed at helping younger students build confidence early, before math becomes a subject they avoid. - The e-book is designed to be low-cost or no-cost, which makes it easier for classrooms and community programs with limited budgets to use. - Jamil wants students to see math as creative and approachable, not just a test of right answers.

What happened: - Tahir Jamil launched Math Joy, a free e-book of playful math activities for elementary classrooms, youth groups and after-school programs. - Jamil said the project grew out of his own positive early experience with math, especially with his second grade teacher, Mrs. Clarice Nicol. - Jamil said he was inspired by “Math Talks” in Nicol’s classroom, where lessons included games, activities and student participation. - Jamil said the e-book is meant to help younger students experience math in a way that feels less intimidating and more full of possibility.

The details: - Math Joy includes five activities that can be adjusted for different ages, skill levels and mathematical concepts. - The activities are designed to fit into a standard class period or serve as a warm-up, brain break or transition activity. - Find My Shape is a geometry scavenger hunt where students match paper shapes and describe their qualities with a partner. - Roll and Race uses dice to help students practice combining numbers. - Buzz is a counting game that builds skip counting, listening skills and resilience around mistakes. - Numbers of the Day asks students to explore one number in multiple ways. - Math Simon Says combines movement with quick math tasks. - Jamil drew on research about math anxiety, early numeracy and student engagement while developing the book. - Jamil also sought guidance from Mrs. Nicol on activities that worked in her classroom. - The e-book uses simple materials such as paper, dice, scissors or the students themselves. - Jamil began testing the activities with younger students and sharing the e-book with educational and community programs after finishing the activities. - Math Joy has now been distributed to more than 100 schools, libraries and community organizations. - The list of recipients includes Memorial Elementary School, Jamil’s alma mater. - One of the main testing sites has been Young Sisters at the Islamic Center of Rockland, a youth group for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. - Saira Siddiqui, a leader with Young Sisters, said, “The activities from Math Joy were perfect for teaching and engaging younger children.” - After one activity, a student told Jamil they “didn't know math could be so fun.”

Between the lines: - Jamil is responding to a broader math anxiety problem by focusing on early, playful exposure instead of remediation later on. - The project reflects a belief that participation, movement and conversation can reduce the sense that math is only about being tested. - Jamil’s approach also shows how student-led resources can spread through schools, libraries and community groups without a formal district rollout.

What's next: - Jamil plans to expand Math Joy locally and across New Jersey. - Jamil also wants to build a student team to help develop new activities. - He hopes to keep changing how students see mathematics, from a source of frustration to a subject that sparks curiosity. - Questions about the book or interest in contributing can be sent to mathjoyproject@gmail.com.