Children’s Literature in Mathematics

Why Use Children’s Literature in Mathematics?

¨To provide a context or model for an activity with mathematical content.
¨To introduce manipulatives that will be used in varied ways (not necessarily as in the story).
¨To inspire a creative mathematics experience for children.
¨To pose an interesting problem.
¨To prepare for a mathematics concept or skill.
¨To develop or explain a mathematics concept or skill.
¨To review a mathematics concept or skill.

A study done by Ward (2005) states “a growing body of research in the fields of mathematics education and literacy supports the inclusion of children’s literature into the teaching and learning of mathematics” (p. 132).  Using these books can grab the students’ attention while engaging them in a thoughtful story and math concept.  It is a valuable tool to that “holds much promise for enriching the teaching and learning of mathematics” (Ward, 2005, p. 141).

 
Where do I find children’s literature relating to mathematics?

Mathematics can be found in children’s literature if you look for it.  Your school board may have these resources for teachers to use already in their library.  If not, there are plenty of places to look including your local library, colleagues or online bookstores.

 

 

 

My other posts on Math Anxiety
Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers: An Overview 
Symptoms of Mathematics Anxiety
The Effects of Mathematics Anxiety
Why is Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Worrisome? 
Where Does Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Stem From?
What Strategies Can Be Provided to Preservice Teachers to Decrease Mathematics Anxiety?
The Power of Positivity 
Examining Learning Styles
Why Use Manipulatives? 
Mathematics in Children's Literature 


 

Bowen, Donna (n.d.). Math Picture Books and In Literature.  Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.edselect.com/mathbooksbowen.htm.

Ward, R.A. (2005). Using Children’s Literature to Inspire K-8 Preservice Teachers’ Future Mathematics Pedagogy.  The Reading Teacher, 59(2), 132-143.  Retrieved May 26, 2009 from Platinum Periodicals database. (Document ID: 914815151).

Why Use Manipulatives?

Mathematics manipulatives are becoming increasingly important to provide elementary students with hands on learning.  The results of Gresham’s study in October, 2007, revealed a decrease in mathematics anxiety after the preservice teachers had completed a mathematics methods course that involved using manipulatives and hands on approaches to teaching mathematics content.  Manipulatives are available to aid students visually and kinaesthetically while making abstract concepts concrete. It has become accepted that manipulatives are an excellent way to make math real for students by utilizing concrete objects to solve problems or demonstrate abstract concepts.  

Manipulatives List

¨Attribute blocks
¨Clocks
¨Fraction circles
¨Fraction squares
¨Geoboards & colored elastics
¨Large dice
¨Large geometric shapes
¨Pattern blocks
¨Tangrams
¨Connecting cuisenaire rods
¨Coins & paper money
¨Bean counters
¨Miras
¨Fruit Loops/ Cheerios / M & M’s
¨Calendar
¨Magnetic fraction 3D shapes
¨Number spinners
¨Plastic Base 10 blocks
¨Pocket chart with numbers 0 - 100
¨Small geometric shapes
¨Two sided counters
¨Unifix® cubes & accessories
¨Wooden blocks
¨Maps
¨Measuring Cups
¨Popsicle Sticks
¨Buttons
¨Balance scales & weights
¨Thermometers

...and more!

Some schools have an ample supply of manipulatives while others may not.  It may be possible for teachers to share with a colleague or even create something of their own.  Manipulatives found around the house such as fruit loops can be just as effective as expensive ones that are purchased. 

Connecting Cubes

¨Patterning
¨Estimating and Measuring
¨Addition and Subtraction
¨Multiplying and Dividing
¨Volume

Primary students will love counting and making patterns with these blocks.  Older students can use them to make groups while multiplying and dividing.  In grade 6, students can make rectangular prisms with these connecting cubes and find their volume.  Using manipulatives in groups is an effective method to motivate global learners and interest them in your lesson.

 The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

This is an excellent website to find free interactive games that children can use while exploring the use of manipulatives.  Each game has a link to instructions and the standards which it applies to.  This website will be a useful resource in the classroom. 






My other posts on Math Anxiety
Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers: An Overview 
Symptoms of Mathematics Anxiety
The Effects of Mathematics Anxiety
Why is Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Worrisome? 
Where Does Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Stem From?
What Strategies Can Be Provided to Preservice Teachers to Decrease Mathematics Anxiety?
The Power of Positivity 
Examining Learning Styles
Why Use Manipulatives? 
Mathematics in Children's Literature 






 

Relating Math to the lives of your students

Why relate math to the lives of your students?
  
¨Keeps their Interest
¨Increases motivation
¨Gives math meaning
¨Creates a fun learning environment


Use familiar items or topics that will engage your class

¨Coupons
¨Grocery Flyers
¨Restaurant Take Out Menus
¨IPods
¨Cell Phones

Examining Learning Styles

Global vs Analytical Learners

While many of us are familiar with auditory, visual, and tactile learners, we will be concentrating on a different classification of learning styles called global and analytical learners and the reason for this is simple: Through research, it has been shown that global learners have higher levels of math anxiety than analytical learners (Gresham, December 2007). 

Global learners can also be referred to as holistic.  They like to look at the whole picture, work in groups and enjoy noise or music in the background while working. Analytical learners on the other hand like information to be presented in sequential steps.  They prefer to work alone in a quiet atmosphere and enjoy step-by-step instructions.  Instead of looking at the whole, like global learners, analytical learners like to look at each part individually.

Gresham (2007) has concluded that there is a link between global learners and math anxiety which will be included on slide 25.  The problem global learners experience is that it takes them quite a while before they can see how the bits and pieces of information fit into the greater scheme of things. Without grasping the entire picture, the small bits of information seem senseless to them.  They may struggle with new concepts, homework, and problem solving.  Math textbooks are generally set up for analytical learners.  They are set up in a sequential order, as are many lectures, lesson plans, syllabi, and math curricula.  Being aware of learning styles and how they impact math anxiety can lead to a preservice teacher improving their effectiveness of the methods they use to teach mathematics in their classroom (Gresham, December 2007).  

How to teach math to global learners

• Skim the chapter first
• Relate content to students’ lives
• Teach with humour and color
• Incorporate pictures and graphics
• Be patient
• Allow global learners extra time to synthesize and connect to the information.    

 Global learners have the potential to be very creative because they can take large leaps and apply what they have learned to other areas.  

What kind of learner are you? 

The Power of Positivity

Positivity is contagious but so is negativity.  If students are being negative about mathematics, it will be easy for the teacher to fall into the negativity trap.   

" Educators may need to take a more proactive role in encouraging students to become excited about math and see themselves as successful, confident, mathematical problem solvers."

Berman & Furner, 2003

Make positive thinking a habit

Get excited about math

Involve the class in fun math activities

Put up positive and interesting math pictures

Use positive words

Believe in yourself and in your students

My other posts on Math Anxiety
Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers: An Overview 
Symptoms of Mathematics Anxiety
The Effects of Mathematics Anxiety
Why is Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Worrisome? 
Where Does Mathematics Anxiety in Preservice Teachers Stem From?
What Strategies Can Be Provided to Preservice Teachers to Decrease Mathematics Anxiety?
The Power of Positivity 
Examining Learning Styles
Why Use Manipulatives? 
Mathematics in Children's Literature