Presented By:

Trena Wilkerson, NCTM President Twilkerson@nctm.org

Latrenda Knighten Latrendakpd@gmail.com

November 17, 2020

Using Children’s Literature to Make Real-World Mathematics Connections

mailto:Twilkerson@nctm.orgmailto:Latrendakpd@gmail.com

In today’s session we will:

● Use children’s literature to explore strategies and activities to help students connect mathematical concepts to the real world and engage in problem posing tasks that relate to real-life situations.

• Explore three Mathical books that will be featured at the National Math Festival.

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

By Jack Prelutsky

Benefits of Using Literature in Mathematics Instruction● Math ideas are taught in the context of a story and promote

integration of multiple content areas● Use literature to introduce, teach, or reinforce math concepts

which results in advancing mathematical thinking● Prevents math anxiety and creates a less math anxious

classroom environment● Allows for historical, cultural, and practical applications and

connectionsFurner, J. M. (2018). Using Children’s Literature to Teach Mathematics: An Effective Vehicle in a STEM World. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(3), 14. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/3874

https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/3874

The purpose of the Mathical Book Prize, awarded by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, is to inspire a love of mathematics in the everyday world of children.

http://www.mathicalbooks.org/

Author: Cheryl BardoeIllustrator: Barbara McClintock2019

What do you notice?

What do you notice?

● Perseverance

● Persistence

● Building Student Agency, Fostering Student Identity, and Promoting Access for all Students in Mathematics

Math in My WorldWhat role did math play in your daily activities today?

Add your response to the Jamboard.

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1MFXE-r6EvF-Spg6CpXOgYC0BiTK1KAdhYpCYmWUrSqQ/edit?usp=sharing

http://kristopherchilds.com/black-mathematician-month/

http://kristopherchilds.com/black-mathematician-month/

Author: Songju Ma DaemickeIllustrator: Christina Wald2018

Balance

https://www.didax.com/apps/math-balance/

Let’s Explore!Select one of the pan balance interactives. Try the Exploration activities at the bottom of the page for the interactive you select.Pan Balance Shapes

Pan Balance Numbers

Pan Balance Expressions

https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Pan-Balance----Shapes/https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Pan-Balance----Numbers/https://www.nctm.org/Classroom-Resources/Illuminations/Interactives/Pan-Balance----Expressions/

● Buoyancy

● Sink or Float

● Measurement ConceptsBalanceWeight Mass

● Creative Problem Solving

Using Literature in Mathematics➔ Launching for problem solving and problem posing➔ Can contextualize and support connections➔ Making predictions-noticings & wonderings

◆ Activate prior knowledge-Lens of experiences

➔ Creativity & Imagination ➔ Critique and make sense of our world

◆ Catalyzing Change, NCTM 2018, 2020

➔ Vocabulary-dual meaning words-symbols➔ Enrich classroom discourse➔ Supports reasoning and sense-making

WIlkerson, Fetterly, & Wood (2015). Problem Posing and Problem Solving: Using YA Literature to Develop Mathematical Understandings and Make Mathematical Connections” in Young Adult Nonfiction: Gateway to the Common Core edited by Hayn, Kaplan, Nolen, & Olvey, Rowan & Littlefield.

Author: Jennifer SwenderIllustrator: Jennifer Nallchigar2019

Based on the title and cover, what do you wonder?

Math Journals? ➔ Transparently tackle innovative problems➔ Mathematical identity-Thinkers➔ Dare to allow us to color outside the lines➔ Explain your thinking using words,

numbers, and/or pictures.➔ See mathematics in their world

Mika, 5th graderMr. Vann, TeacherMath JournalDrawingLife Connections

Estimation

Measurement

Real Numbers

Equations & Inequalities

Variables

Fractions

Sets & Subsets

Order of Operations

2-D & 3-D

Coordinates

Data Analysis

Probability

https://www.teachthought.com/life/math-problem-with-pemdas-explained/

https://www.teachthought.com/life/math-problem-with-pemdas-explained/

● A Preschool Investigation: The Skyscraper Project TCM, February 2017 23(6) Mc Cormick & Twitchell

● Cubes Everywhere, Illuminations ● The Three Little Engineers, MTLT, 113(2), February 2020,

Jurgenson & Delaney

Recommendations for Using Literature before, during, and after a mathematics unit

©Posing Problems from Children’s Literature by Elaine Young and Christine L. Marroquin, Teaching Children Mathematics, March 2006.

BEFORE DURING AFTER

● Pre-assess skills and understanding

● Introduce new topics and vocabulary

● Introduce manipulatives● Connect with children’s

previous experience

● Reinforce vocabulary ● Address misconceptions● Encourage higher-level

thinking● Provide multiple

representations● Generate new knowledge● Make connections among

concepts

● Review● Prompt further questions● Make applications to the

world outside of class● Encourage connections

with other mathematics topics and other disciplines

● Lend enrichment● Serve as an extension

Next Steps

Pick one of the three Mathical books discussed tonight and share how you might use it in your class.

National Math FestivalLive Mathical Readings

Tweens and Teens Take on MathicalWednesday, December 9, 20201:00-2:30 pm Eastern

SOLVING FOR M, with Jennifer SwenderDK LIFE STORIES: KATHERINE JOHNSON, with Dr. Ebony Joy WilkinsSLAY, with Brittney Morris

Little Ones Rule with MathicalThursday, December 10, 20201:00-2:00 pm Eastern

PIGEON MATH, with Asia CitroCAO CHONG WEIGHS AN ELEPHANT, with Songju Ma DaemickeNOTHING STOPPED SOPHIE, with Cheryl Bardoe

https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/swender-jennifer/https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/wilkins-ebony-joy/https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/morris-brittney/https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/citro-asia/https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/daemicke-songju-ma/https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/people/bardoe-cheryl/https://www.eventbrite.com/e/128158887683

Questions