A blog about teaching elementary math, science and socials studies, with heavy emphasis on the integration of children’s literature across the curriculum.
In this podcast, Laura Bradlee introduces listeners to the book All in a Day by Mitsumasa Anno.
Introduction
Mitsumasa Anno and eight other amazing artists have created an exceptional picture book all about measuring time and the different time zones in All In A Day. The book is comprised of unique illustrations depicting the activities of children in various parts of the world in one 24-hour day and encourages readers to accept and embrace cultural differences. Most any age audience would enjoy this book; however, if it were being used to help students understand the more complex concepts about measuring time, I would use it in a 3rd to 5th grade classroom. There are many activities that could be done to enhance the educational value of this book. Since the book only gives the time in digital format (standard and military), one way to help students would be to have them use models or diagrams of real clocks to represent the time in each country as the book is being read. Students could also practice elapsed time by giving and/or depicting the time on a clock in one country if it is a certain time in another (use examples other than what the book gives). Students could also come up with other activities that children might be doing in the eight different countries based on whatever time it is when the book is being read. This book is a great way to integrate science into math and teach across the curriculum on a very interesting subject. Subsequently, depending on the depth desired, students could investigate different time zones, how the Earth’s orbit plays a factor in night & day and the seasons, and then give oral presentation of their findings to the class.
Additional Books by Mitsumasa Anno
Anno’s Counting Book
Anno’s Journey
Anno’s Magic Seeds
Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar
More Information
Learn more about the author in this interview.
This sample from the The Big Book of Picture-Book Authors & Illustrators features Mitsumasa Anno.
In this podcast, Jamie Malone introduces listeners to the book The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang.
Introduction
Greg Tang is an extremely creative author of interesting books for young math students. In his New York Times bestselling book, The Grapes of Math, he uses unique riddles and methods for students to solve math problems. He encourages students to approach math problems in different ways, rather than placing an emphasis on simple memorization skills. Tang is a brilliant author, and this book does a wonderful job of helping students to group numbers and solve word problems.
Related Books
Mathterpieces by Greg Tang
More Information
Learn more about the author and see some sample pages from his books.
Try this pattern search lesson plan using examples from the book.
Read this interview with the author.
In this podcast, Laura Bradlee introduces listeners to the book One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi.
Introduction
The book I chose, One Grain of Rice, is another example of children’s literature that exposes students to another culture. This classic mathematical folktale allows children a glimpse into another era of time through incredible illustrations that are full of exquisite detail and beauty that portray life in ancient India. This book would be an excellent way to begin a lesson about the concept of doubling and exploring large numbers. I hope that this book, along with my other book choices, will encourage children to become interested in different countries and cultures, opening their eyes to the great big wondrous world that we live in.
Related Books
How Much Is A Million? by David Schwartz
If You Made A Million by David Schwartz
More Information
Try this activity sheet for use with the book.
Here is an economics lesson on scarcity for use with this book.
Try this lesson on finding patterns using this book.
Cynthia Lanius’s Million Dollar Mission lesson plan would directly complement this book in an advanced fourth or fifth grade classroom that has had a lot of experience with manipulating numbers.
In this podcast, Kelsey Rdzanek introduces listeners to the book Pizza Counting by Christina Dobson.
Introduction
The short book Pizza Counting is a great book for students in grades 1-4. It works well for teaching addition and multiplication, and even introduces fractions near the end of the book.
Related Books
Subtraction Action by Loreen Leedy
Little Nino’s Pizzeria by Karen Barbour
More Information
Make some pizza mats to use while reading the book.
Check out the Reading Rainbow guide for Little Nino’s Pizzeria.
Share these interesting pizza facts with your kids.
In this podcast, Farah Salman introduces listeners to the book Shark Swimathon by Stuart Murphy.
Introduction
Shark Swimathon can easily be integrated across content areas in math and English. It is a level 3 (ages 7 and up) book in the MathStart series and covers subtraction with and without regrouping. While young readers excitedly read on to see if the sharks will be able to swim the laps needed to win the prize, they learn how to subtract two digit numbers.
Related Books
Pigs Will be Pigs by Amy Axelrod
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
More Information
HarperCollins has a teacher activity page about this book.
Try this subtraction lesson integrating technology and Murphy’s book.
In this podcast, Kristin Coffee introduces listeners to the book How the Second Grade Got $8205.50 to Visit the Statue of Liberty by Nathan Zimelman.
Introduction
This podcast discusses the computation book, How the Second Grade Got $8205.50 to Visit the Statue of Liberty. The unique way this book is written, along with the diverse and eye-catching illustrations, make it a great choice to incorporate literature across the curriculum. The surprise ending will make students smile and they won’t believe they’re reading a book about math!
Related Books
Each Orange Had 8 Slices by Paul Giganti
More Information
Try this economics lesson on profit that uses Zimelman’s book.
Find some great ideas for teaching about money while connecting math and literature.
In this podcast, Anthony Hatch introduces listeners to the book 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam.
Introduction
I choose the 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam because I recently completed a lesson plan on computation. The book is a great way to show students twelve fun and exciting ways to get to eleven. Merriam does a fantastic job of showing readers new ways to eleven and incorporating them
into her story.
Related Books
My First Counting Book by Lilian Moore (for preschool students)
Counting Our Way to the 100th Day of School by Betsy Franco
More Information
Try a lesson on story problems that uses Merriam’s book.
This lesson on Dinosaur Sums uses Merriam’s book and contains a good worksheet for making 12.
In this podcast, Cory Widdowson introduces listeners to the book Rock, Brock and the Savings Shock by Shelia Bair.
Introduction
Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock is a colorfully illustrated book that teaches children the benefits of saving money, and the implications for spending it irrationally. The reader can keep track of the money being saved by doubling, which is a stepping stone towards multiplication. Some benefits this book has for the classroom, are the charts in the back of the book which also track savings, as well as tips for children to save their money, to become “millionaires” like Rock and Brock do by the end of the story.
Related Books
My Rows and Piles of Coins by Tololwa Mollel
Allowance Magic: Turn Your Kids Into Money Wizards by David McCurrach
These books can both be used to reinforce the money strategies used by Brock, as well as learning how to keep from spending frivolously like Rock.
More Information
MoneyInstructor has a nice introductory lesson on money.
See this short article about teaching children and teens about money.
The U.S. Mint site for kids, H.I.P. Pocket Change has lots of money games.
In this podcast, Megan Ney introduces listeners to the book Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin by Pam Calvert.
Introduction
Pam Calvert uses the age-old fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin to tell a fascinating story involving multiplication of whole numbers and fractions. Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin provides students with concrete examples and simple explanations of multiplication that combines well with the 18th century illustrations and story.
Related Books
Alice in Pastaland: A Math Adventure Book by Alexandra Wright
Rabbit Rabbits Everywhere: A Fibonacci Tale by Ann McCallum
More Information
You can download a teacher’s guide for the book.
