In this podcast, Megan Ney introduces listeners to the book Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh.
Introduction
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh is a great counting book for kindergarten through 2nd grade. It incorporates different counting methods, such as counting on and counting back, and uses well drawn illustrations for students to see exactly what they are counting. Most of all the book is actually a story and the children will remain intrigued with the plot until the very end while still learning about math during the whole book.
Related Books
How Many Feet in the Bed by Diane Johnston Hamm
Splash by Ann Jonas
Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra
Additional Information
You can read a book review and download activity ideas at A Mouse for All Readers.
The Kansas State Library site idea for has an idea for constructing mice for use with the book.
LearnNC has a brief lesson based on this book.
In this podcast, Laura Bradlee introduces listeners to the book Just A Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales.
Introduction
Yuyi Morales’ book, Just A Minute is a clever tale that would be especially useful for students in Kindergarten and 1st grade that are either just beginning or are in the process of developing the concepts of number sense and counting. The cross-cultural nature of the book makes it a great choice to read in the classroom and can be used to encourage students to think about, accept and appreciate cultural differences. The book also provides opportunity to practice writing numerals and counting from one to ten in both English and Spanish. The bright, colorful illustrations bring this story to life and the ending is sure to please audiences of all ages.
Related Book
We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania by Laurie Krebs
More Information
You can read a review of Morales’ book at PaperTigers.org.
You can learn more about the author at her web site.
Listen here to learn how to pronounce the author’s name.
In this podcast, Farah Salman introduces listeners to the book So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban.
Introduction
I like this book because it is very unique with all sorts of creative pictures. I think it can be used in many ways in class.
- Just for counting the teapots, plates, bikes, and pipes.
- To see the different shapes of things, like circles in wheels and fruits or squares in a net or fabric design.
- To find out greater and more, like are there more squares on a waffle or on a table cover.
Related Book
Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
Additional Information
You can read some reviews of Hoban’s book at Kid’s Catalog Web.
In this inaugural podcast, I consider the qualities of good counting books. This one comes in at a whopping 16 minutes, but it’s filled with book suggestions and points to consider when selecting titles.
Books mentioned include:
There are many, many good resources on the web for thinking about children’s literature. Here are few of my favorites.
Booklists by CLP Children’s Librarians
http://www.clpgh.org/kids/booknook/topicbooklists/
Booktalks Quick and Simple
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/default.htm
Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site
http://www.carolhurst.com/index.html
Children’s Book Council
http://www.cbcbooks.org/
Children’s Literature Themed Reviews
http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/th.htm
The Children’s Literature Web Guide
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/%7Edkbrown/index.html
Children’s Picture Book Database
http://www.lib.muohio.edu/pictbks/
Connections: Connecting Books to the Virginia SOLs
http://www.fcps.edu/cpsapps/connections/
Cooperative Children’s Book Center
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/default.asp
Database of Award Winning Children’s Literature
http://www.dawcl.com/
Fairrosa Cyber Library of Children’s Literature
http://www.fairrosa.info/
International Children’s Digital Library
http://www.icdlbooks.org/
Nonfiction Matters (Marc Aronson’s Blog)
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1880000388.html
School Library Journal: Curriculum Connections
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/community/Curriculum+Connection/47086.html
Vandergrift’s Children’s Literature Page
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/ChildrenLit/index.html
If you have a link to suggest, please leave a comment and I will review the site for inclusion on this list.
