In this podcast, Kelsey Rdzanek introduces listeners to the book Counting on Frank, written and illustrated by Rod Clement.
Introduction
I selected Counting on Frank because it was very creative and included amazing facts that I thought kids would be interested in. For example, how many blue whales would fit into a house and how long a line a pen could draw until it ran out of ink. This book can be used for teaching about measurement and ratios, as well as topics like addition or subtraction.
Related Books
Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
More Information
Look at this sample performance assessment where students read Counting on Frank and then wrote a letter to the author commenting on at least one example of the mathematical claims made.
Try this NCTM lesson on volume that is based on the book.
Here is a series of lessons on estimation that are based on the book.
Here is a short video introduction to Counting on Frank. It also includes a handout on estimation.
In this podcast, Megan Ney introduces listeners to the book How Big is a Foot?, written and illustrated by Rolf Myller.
Introduction
How big is a foot? This is a good question, and an important one. When a King wants to have a bed built for his Queen, he proceeds to walk around her and gives the measurements in feet. However, when the apprentice uses foot measurements to build the bed, things don’t turn out as everyone would have hoped. Thrown into jail for making a bed that is too small, the apprentice must solve the puzzling question of why his bed didn’t measure up.
Related Books
Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
Twelve Snails to One Lizard: A Tale of Mischief and Measurement by Susan Hightower
More Information
Try this lesson using the book that includes a reader’s theater script.
NCTM also has a measurement lesson based on the book.
Follow this outline for a computer (Excel) graphing lesson based on the book.
Here’s a great chapter of information on nonstandard measurement.
A new measurement book podcast is up over at Open Wide, Look Inside.
Today’s podcast highlights Once Upon a Dime: A Math Adventure, by Nancy Kelly Allen and illustrated by Adam Doyle.
In this podcast, Cory Widdowson introduces listeners to the book Once Upon a Dime: A Math Adventure, written by Nancy Kelly Allen and illustrated by Adam Doyle.
Introduction
Follow Farmer Truman Worth, a young boy and their animal friends Lewis and Cluck, and Grover Clevelamb in an exciting story about a tree that actually grows money! Truman and the boy use different organic fertilizers on the tree, each of which cause the tree to grow different kinds of money. If only they could find out which fertilizer grew the most money…
Related Books
The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Lanczak Williams
More Information
Try this economics lesson that is based on the book.
The author has some class activities for the book on her web site.
Try a word search puzzle based on the book.
Here is an activity guide for use with The Coin Counting Book.
In this podcast, Kristin Coffee introduces listeners to the book Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday, written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz.
Introduction
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday incorporates math facts into a traditional children’s book format. Judith Viorst writes in the voice of Alexander, a boy who, after receiving a dollar from his grandparents, tries to save up for a set of walkie talkies but ends up spending his dollar over the course of several days. By the end of the week, Alexander is left with only bus tokens, but readers have been provided with many opportunities to practice their math skills through reading about his adventures.
Related Books
The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Story of Money, written by Betsy Maestro and illustrated by Giulio Maestro
More Information
You can visit the official site for the Berenstain Bears.
You can read an interview with the Judith Viorst.
Visit this site for kids about the history of money.
Try this economics lesson that is based on the book.
Try this problem-solving lesson based on the book.
Try this lesson on opportunity cost based on the book.
Young Investor has a web site for kids on saving money.
In this podcast, Jamie Malone introduces listeners to the book A Second is a Hiccup: A Child’s Book of Time, written by Hazel Hutchins and illustrated by Kady Macdonald Denton.
Introduction
A Second is a Hiccup explains the differences between units of time, such as a second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year. By using day to day activities, which are common and easy for students to understand, Hutchins does a wonderful job of introducing and teaching students about different units of time.
Related Books
It’s About Time! by Stuart Murphy
Just a Minute by Bonny Becker
More Information
Experiment with elapsed time at this interactive web site.
Visit this site where kids can practice telling time.
Check out this thematic book list on telling time.
In this podcast, Farah Salman introduces listeners to the book Chimp Math: Learning About Time from a Baby Chimpanzee by Anna Whitehead Nagda and Cindy Bickel.
Introduction
Chimp Math is full of adorable photos of Jiggs a baby Chimpanzee who grows under human care first in a Kansas Zoo and then in the Denver Zoo, Colorado. The authors give details of the chimp’s growth through timelines, daily charts, graphs and calendars. The book can be integrated in Math (Time), Reading and Science lessons for 2nd through 5th grades.
Additional Books
A Second is a Hiccup by Hazel Hutchins
More Information
Learn more about the author.
Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees site has several good educational resources.
The San Diego Zoo has information on chimpanzees.
A new measurement book podcast is up over at Open Wide, Look Inside.
Today’s podcast highlights Chimp Math: Learning About Time From a Baby Chimpanzee, by Ann Whitehead Nagda and Cindy Bickel.
