BRAINGAMES, EXPERT MATH TUTORING & MATH CONSULTING
DEVELOPING SHARP MINDS FOR A ROUND WORLD
Boost your brain power and analytical skills with mind-bending FUN games!
Get ready for your next BIG obsession!
Welcome to the website that just might embiggen your brain, and will certainly make problem solving and mathematics more fun and engaging! If you're not careful, it'll boost your confidence too.
Whatever you do, don't look at the list of cool offerings. And by all means, don't click on anything or explore any of the games and puzzles...don't do it. OK, you can if you want, but you've been warned.
And another thing, don't tell your friends about iwannabrigbrain.com either. Well, you can tell your friends, but ONLY the ones who you really think will dig this BrainGamey stuff.
Who is this guy and what is he up to?
Hello! I'm John Bennett, the noggin behind I Wanna Big Brain. As an educator with 40 years of experience and a father of four, I am passionate about stimulating minds today so they'll be sharp tomorrow. I make math accessible for all students, unlocking their unique potential for academic and life success. Studying math and music at Berkely and receiving my graduate degree from Boston College propelled a love for teaching and many other exciting pursuits. The past decade as a math educator at Charles Armstrong School, in partnership with the Association of LD Schools (ALDS), teaching students with dyslexia and related learning differences has been especially gratifying witnessing challenged minds curiously LIGHT UP!
Through I Wanna Big Brain, we are transforming the way math is taught and analytical skills are learned, offering enrichment to those hungry for a fresh approach to developing critical thinking and problem solving skills that we all need in life to THRIVE!
In addition to teaching in the classroom with a non-traditional approach, I've been spreading the word about BrainGames and education reform in workshops and conferences around the West Coast of the United States. My home base is the San Francisco Bay Area and I am frequently in Colorado, though my virtual tutoring business allows me to serve clients around the globe.
Hhhmmm... so why do we need this brainy stuff?
Incorporating logic puzzles and brain games develop cognitive reasoning and analytical skills. Introducing Pentagrid and Pentasum puzzle books at home, into our classroom curriculum and tutoring sessions, as I have for a decade, reawakens these analytical and critical thinking skills that have been lying dormant and anesthetized in standard math curriculum.
With less than 1% of the population needing to use complex math, my ever-growing library of games and puzzles are a proven alternative to enhance brain stimulation while doing something exciting!
I am convinced that if we encourage students to engage in BrainGames and puzzles, they will not only be equipped to take on life's challenges, but will ultimately be able to thrive pursuing their PASSIONS and fulfill their life's DREAMS and MISSIONS.
FUN Pentagrid & Pentagrid Puzzles
I Wanna Big Brain Pentagrid & Pentasum games are visual-spatial logic puzzles that I began creating in 2009. I knew I was on to something when my then six-year-old son took the book from my hand and proudly figured out the first dozen solutions all on his own. Now he's a mechanical engineering college student - go figure!
It all started when I got the inspiration to take two things I was already using in the math classroom, pentominos and logic puzzles, and put them together, kind of like the whole chocolate and peanut butter thing. You get the idea.
I love when my students get excited doing these puzzles and I hear them say "THIS ISN'T MATH - I LIKE THESE!" And these aren't just for kids, you know. Adults like them too! I wonder if they secretly escape under their blanket with a flashlight, hungrily devouring these puzzles for hours. Hey, you never know.
Expert Virtual Math Tutoring
I offer virtual tutoring helping middle school, high school and college students with coursework up to and including AP Calculus (AB).
As a math educator and tutor for over four decades now, I've helped thousands of students with different learning profiles. I have extensive experience supporting students with learning differences, especially dyslexia, and enriching gifted/talented math brains who are hungry for some major cerebral-expansion.
My passion is to offer a custom teaching approach that blends the way the student learns and their personal interests, while fostering a genuine rapport. Please complete the CONTACT ME page to connect with me directly so we can talk about your needs, preferred schedule, and my rates... and then we'll get started!
Exciting Math Games for Schools
ARE YOU A MATH TEACHER, MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT CHAIR, ADMINISTRATOR, or HOMESCHOOLING PARENT?
Would you love some fresh ideas to engage your math students and help them develop logical and analytical thinking?
Let's set up a time time talk about how I've successfully used the collection of games and puzzles that I have created and gathered over decades of teaching experience, so I can share with you how these BrainGames can be easily implemented and adjusted for any classroom situation TODAY. Complete the CONTACT ME page to connect with me directly to learn more
STAY TUNED! A comprehensive coursework manual is on its way soon!
Advocating for Math Education Reform
NO MATH? NO PROBLEM!
(Listen to my TEDx talk from October 2011)
Let me expound on what the title REALLY means in case you don't watch the entire video. Statistically, advanced math is NOT needed for 99% of us to succeed in life -- and can actually be emotionally harmful to a struggling student -- thus the impetus for creating I Wanna Big Brain puzzle games as a smart ALTERNATIVE. STEM students are the 1% exception and should ABSOLUTELY be supported appropriately with strong traditional math curriculum, who are easily identified early!
My BrainGames are highly effective options for kids and adults to foster vital critical thinking skills and higher cognitive functioning by engaging the brain.
OUR GOAL iS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED IN SCHOOL & THRIVE IN LIFE
The Mission
Customized Math Tutoring
Brain Building Games
At I Wanna Big Brain, our mission is to build strong analytical skills that will be used in everyday life, and make mathematics fun and engaging for students of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that tailoring education to the each student's learning style is the key to unlocking ones particular genius.
Brain Building Games
Customized Math Tutoring
Brain Building Games
Pentagrid & Pentasum puzzle books are addictive for kids and adults which cultivates critical thinking and problem solving abilities. These strategies not only improve math skills, but also boost confidence. I utilize puzzle books as an innovative teaching method to captivate students and promote active learning.
Customized Math Tutoring
Customized Math Tutoring
Customized Math Tutoring
My virtual math tutoring sessions are designed to fit into your schedule. Every student is unique, and my tutoring plans offer a personalized math learning experience that caters to individual strengths and challenges, needs and goals, helping students succeed and reach their full potential.
I WANNA BIG BRAIN METHODS WORK - SO LET'S DO THIS!
Engaged Learning
Engaged Learning
Engaged Learning
Whether in traditional classrooms or homeschooling programs, our kids are hungry for our exciting approach to math and fresh material to stimulate their brains.
Proven Results
Engaged Learning
Engaged Learning
At I Wanna Big Brain, we have a track record of success. My students consistently achieve higher grades and test scores, and many go on to pursue higher education at top universities.
A Brighter World!
Engaged Learning
A Brighter World!
Just IMAGINE what our future might look and feel like if every brain was lit up, and each person was living their highest and best life -- feeling empowered doing what they naturally do best! This is THE big picture goal of I Wanna Big Brain.
HERE'S HOW TO GET YOUR HANDS ON MY SUPER SECRET GOODS!
by John Bennett
Music by John Bennett
by John Bennett
BUY Pentagrid Puzzle books by clicking here:
Volume 1 or Volume 2 or Volume 3.
Pentagrid Puzzles are visual-spatial logic puzzles that just might embiggen your brain. These games and puzzles seem to appeal to brains age 8 and up. They are potentially more addictive than potato chips, so enter at your own risk and proceed with cautio
BUY Pentagrid Puzzle books by clicking here:
Volume 1 or Volume 2 or Volume 3.
Pentagrid Puzzles are visual-spatial logic puzzles that just might embiggen your brain. These games and puzzles seem to appeal to brains age 8 and up. They are potentially more addictive than potato chips, so enter at your own risk and proceed with caution.
SO LET'S GET INTO THE GOOD STUFF... HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.
by John Bennett
Music by John Bennett
by John Bennett
BUY Pentasum Puzzles books by clicking here:
Pentasum Puzzles were inspired by the Puzzle Gods back in 2015. They have the same oomph as Pentagrid puzzles, but they also have an arithmetic twist.
Here's how they work.
(Import instructions with puzzle sample)
Music by John Bennett
Music by John Bennett
Music by John Bennett
Take a little mental break and lift your spirits with some inspirational music! Listen for FREE now by clicking on JohnBennettMusic.com
As a professional singer songwriter, keeping my brain brewing helps me turn thoughts, experiences, hopes and inspirations into music that I love to share with others.
My songs convey my own path out of
Take a little mental break and lift your spirits with some inspirational music! Listen for FREE now by clicking on JohnBennettMusic.com
As a professional singer songwriter, keeping my brain brewing helps me turn thoughts, experiences, hopes and inspirations into music that I love to share with others.
My songs convey my own path out of some challenging times, and hopefully it'll do the same for you. Check back for a NEW album dropping this summer!
Start here to explore Virtual Math Tutoring Sessions & Rates
Thanks to Zoom, all tutoring sessions are now offered virtually, enabling me to serve satisfied students around the world, even in jungles and sailing the seas!
Educators and ALDS partners, start here to Collaborate
Let's set up a time time talk about how I've successfully used my collection of fun games and puzzles in the classroom to develop logical and analytical thinking.