Ages 8 to 14 years. This book empowers parents and educators to help children to master pre-algebra topics, particularly the confusing rules for positive and negative numbers. In 'Stage One - Explore' children are introduced to the maths concepts through a science-fiction, full-colour 16-page comic book story. This story teaches children how positive and negative numbers combine. What is more, it introduces children to the foam manipulatives (enclosed on the back cover), a hands-on teaching tool for positive and negative numbers. In 'Stage Two - Learn & Practice', children work their way through the Learning Program. This program uses the foam manipulatives, Workmats, instructions, and practice problems (all answers included) to teach children the rules for working with positive and negative numbers. In this Learn & Practice section, children first learn how to solve problems using manipulatives, and then learn how to solve problems abstractly, without manipulatives. In 'Stage Three - Reinforce' children play board games that offer concept development and further practice.