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Quest
Appealing? Textbooks?
R. Krithika
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The latest on the rack... A set of textbooks in Computer Science, Social Studies and Mathematics.
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To be termed "Textbookish" is probably a put-down for any book. So when textbooks are got up to make you take a second look, it is a surprise. Tata McGraw-Hill's books are based on the syllabus of the Tamil Nadu Matriculation Board for Social Studies (Std. III — V) and Mathematics (Std. I — V). Two sets of three books each on Computer Science also attempt to demystify the computer age for students.
Social Studies: A mix of History, Geography and Civics, the books start with simple concepts like earth, solar system, early man for Std. III and move on to the Physical Geography, government models for Std. IV and wind up with the History of Indian independence and the United Nations in Std. V. The book for Std. III has a profusion of colour with pictures, tables and maps on every other page. Mathematics: A subject that is usually scary but this set of books are a help to the most un-mathematical minded. Beginning with pre-number concepts in Std. I, it moves forward in a phased manner so that the subject does not become the bugbear that it usually is. Examples make learning easier. The use of illustrations to explain concepts also helps . The Std. V book has little "Memory Boxes" to help children remember important points. Computer Science: There are two sets here - Learning with Computers (Book I-III) and the First, Second and Third Book of Computer Science. The first set is a user's manual. The various parts of a computer and the different programmes that can be used are explained clearly. A child could use these books to learn how to use a computer and its various applications.
The second lot is serious stuff - more for those diehards who need to know how things work. Beginning with the impact of these machines on our lives and the widespread use of the Internet, the books go on to explain how "computing" began and where it has led us today.
Terms like bits, bytes, hardware, software, BASIC ... leap out of almost every page. Each chapter has a list of the new terms used and a summary of the lesson. Exercises help one figure out just how much he/she has actually understood.
In all the books, the language used is simple. Each set of books has exercises of different types. Dare we say "A treat for students"?
Social Studies for Class 3,4 and 5, each Rs. 60; Mathematics For Class I, II, III, IV and V, each Rs. 60; Learning with Computers (Books 1-3), each Rs. 68; First, Second and Third Book on Computer Science, Rs. 70, Rs. 75 and Rs. 80 respectively. All published by Tata McGraw-Hill's.
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