Sudoku for Children

One way to teach logic with children is to use Sudoku games. I have started with grade three students. If you are not familiar with this popular logic game, click here.

I would start with something simple, such as a 4 by 4 grid to teach the basic idea. Also I would be sure to start with easy problems or ones that have lots of clues. You can make your own puzzles with a 4 by 4 grid template and a puzzle generator of which there are numerous versions available online. Here is a link to my personal favourite entitled Sudoku for Kids.

Mathematical Curriculum Links

We promised an entry on mathematical curriculum links, especially at the primary level. Since we live in Ontario we will highlight these, although I suspect that the expectations, especially in primary grades, are similar to other North American jurisdictions.

1. If you want a summary of the expectations in mathematics, here is my personal favourite. It is called Ontario Curriculum Tracking Templates. Click on the link, and you will see all the expectations in mathematics in point form for grades K through 8.

2. Here is the link to the Ontario Ministry of Education, Elementary Mathematics Curriculum, in pdf format.

3. Here is the link to the Kindergarten Curriculum into which mathematics is incorportated. It is also in pdf format although there is a plain text version available.

4. The Ministry of Education has exemplars on line. They are examples of children's work at the four different levels in the different strands. Here are links for grade one, grade two and grade three. Other grades are also available on this site.

5. The ministry has published an early math strategy in 2003 to encourage problem solving based mathematics and to promote cooperation and sharing amongst mathematics teachers in the spirit of the Japanese Lesson Study method of curriculum development. Here is the link. In 2004 the ministry published a similar documument for the junior grades.

6. E workshops: The ministry of education has hosted documents and on-line videos to explain different aspects of the curriculum in elementary schools. These include numeracy.

7. Illuminations: This is the National Council of the Teachers of Mathematics site. It is an American site, but it has numerous links and ideas for elementary mathematics teachers.

8. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has a very good numeracy site. Stop and visit here for they have numerous resources for both parents and teachers. In particular I am impressed with the plans that they have for teaching mathematics for grades one through eight. These plans suggest what to teach each term, the big ideas that you can address in so doing and the related curriculum links. They also suggest what resources to use, such as the relevant chapters from common textbooks which is a great help in planning. Here are the plan for grade one, grade two and grade three. If you are a junior or intermediate teacher you will also find your grades there.

9. The Upper Canada District School Board maintains a site called Aftermath with many useful links for literature, curriculum, online resources and etc, although I have the impression that it has not been updated for a little while as there are some dead links.

10. Proteacher: This is a special portal and search engine for teachers. There also links to blogs, discussion boards and even online chats if you need support and ideas. It is used by English language teachers around the world.

Chess for Children

“Life is a kind of Chess, with struggle, competition, good and ill events”

Benjamin Franklin

This is the fifth in a series of entries on games for children. It concerns one of the great games of the world, Chess. Click here for an introduction to the history, rules, strategy and tactics.

Chess is a game that we have successfully taught to older primary children. The rules are simple enough that children in grade three can master them in two to three periods of instruction.

All games have some mathematical value. There have been many studies in recent years about the numerous the cognitive benefits of learning Chess. If you do a web search, you will find numerous entries and citations in this regard, so we won't bother doing this for you. Chess is easy to learn but difficult to master. There are numerous books on the subject. If you look in the children's section of your local library or bookstore, you will find books on this game for children.

Chess is a game that has numerous applications for mathematical thinking. In Canada, there is an association that promotes the game entitled, Chess'n Math Association. They claim that it teaches : "problem-solving from start to finish. It forces you to look ahead and anticipate. Skills we all need to succeed in life." If you want to teach the game, it is worth visiting and looking around. Follow the many useful links.

There is an organization in New York City called Chess in the Schools. They claim numerous benefits for Chess. For example:

"In 1991 and 1996, Stuart M. Margulies, Ph.D., a noted educational psychologist, conducted two studies examining the effects of chess on children’s reading scores. The studies demonstrated that students who participated in the chess program showed improved scores on standardized tests. The gains were even greater among children with low or average initial scores. Children who were in the non-chess playing control group showed no gains."

Almost every country in the world has a Chess federation. Since we live in Canada, we will link to the Canadian version. It is available in French and English. It provides a free training manual for teachers in pdf format that can be downloaded. Click here for the link.

Chess is a subject of great fascination for mathematicians. Many have tried to write a program that can beat the best chess players in the world, in the same way that the Chinook program at the University of Calgary has mastered the game of Checkers. Perhaps the most successful attempt has been the Deep Blue program developed by IBM which had considerable success against the famous Chess Grand Master, Garry Kasparov.

As with Checkers, there are Chess problems which would serve as a good way to study the game if there were no other players available, and these multi step problems serve as an excellent source of enrichment for gifted students. Here is one site, with hints, called Bruno's Chess Problem of the Day. There are other sites for problems on the web, and one can buy books of these in virtually any bookstore.

Like many of the other games mentioned in this blog, inexpensive versions are available in many stores. If you are on a budget, check your local second-hand stores or dollar stores. In a pinch, you can make a set out of paper or other easily available materials. There are Chess clubs in most major cities, and it is easy to form one in your school.

As with most games, there are online versions such as Yahoo Games just to name one, and inexpensive software or freeware versions available to download or purchase. Check online or at your local computer store.

Mathematics Software Recommended by Colleagues

Software is another way to learn and practise mathematics. Click here for a discussion about the history and value of educational software.

Here are some recommendations for software from colleagues on one of my favourite sites, Proteacher. To get imput I usually go to the Discussion boards and post a question and within a day, I usually have several answers. Click here for a link to the discussion boards.

1. One member at Proteacher recommended a set of software from Scholastic called Fastmath. Here is what she said: "I don't know what you consider 'primary', but this is for grades 2+. Our kids BEG to get on it every morning, and their facts memorization has really improved. Everything is a game."

2. Another member suggested Zoo Zillions and Carnival Countdown. She said: "I use Carnival Countdown, Zoo Zillions and the other Edmark titles for practicing math skills in my classroom and we also have them in our lab. Kids can move at their own pace."

3. A third member of Proteacher recommends an online version called HeKko. It seems designed for California but might be worth a look for teachers in other jurisdicitions. Here is what she says: "There is an online site: http://www.hekko.com/ . You can enter the names of your children and make a class list. Each child moves at his/her own pace."

Checkers for Children

These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess.

Kobe Bryant

This is the fourth in a series of posts on games for children.

The quote above suggests that Checkers (called Draughts in England) is a simpler than chess. However, it is a challenging game of strategy, with simple rules and few pieces that is easily taught to young children. You can purchase sets wherever games are sold. They are readily available for little cost. Typically you can find sets at most dollar stores which is a bonus for teachers or parents on a budget. If you are interested in arts and crafts, they can be made. Here is a link for an example of a printable version.

There are many variations in rules. Wikipedia has an detailed article with many suitable links. Click here to read this article. Since we live in North America we suggest that you teach the version of rules used by the American Checkers Federation. Here is a good link that explains the rules clearly.

There are extensive data banks of games so that you may study strategy. For interested or gifted children, there are sets of checker problems which are very challenging. To solve, the child must figure out the next several moves to win the game. Click here for an example from Checker enthusiast, Jim Loy.

Dice Games for Children

The dice of Zeus fall ever luckily.

Sophocles

This article is on dice games and it is the third in a series of posts about games to teach mathematics.

Dice are extremely old, dating back to antiquity. Their mathematical applications are obvious. They require counting and are ready made tools for teaching about solids and probability -providing that they have not been doctored that is. Wikipedia has an extensive article on the history, use and probability of dice if you would like further background. The article also has some excellent links. Just click here.

Here are links to dice games and their rules:

1. From Activity Village, a British site with activities for children.



2. From About.com, a collection of blogs about just about any subject under the sun



3. From Scholastic.com, a set of four dice games suggested by math guru, Marilyn Burns

Just a note in passing. Although dice are easy to purchase, if you need a substitute or do not have any on hand, you can make spinners out of paper, a paper clip and a pencil that will perform the same function. Click here for some spinner templates.

Domino Games for Children

This is the second in a series of posts about simple games for both parents and math teachers.

There are numerous versions of domino games. Go to Wikipedia for a short history and some useful links. Sets of dominoes can be found at toys, stationary, department and dollar stores. In a pinch, you could make your own out of paper and then laminate them for classroom use. Here is a link for printable ones.

1. Here is a simple introduction to dominoes for parents or teachers. This link gives the rules for a basic "draw" game. Needless to say there are numerous variations on the rules of dominoes. If you do not feel like reading, you can watch a video version of the rules for the draw game. If you are a teacher you could show this to your class as a quick way of demonstrating the rules. Click here. The video lasts about four minutes.

2. The NCTM has a set of lesson plans for using dominoes in the classroom on their excellent site entitled Illuninations. Click here for lesson plans using dominoes.

Card Games for Children

What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.

Alfred Mercier

One of our core beliefs as math teachers is that games teach mathematical thinking. A game is a dynamic problem. After each move, the player must adjust his thinking to achieve his goal. At times they can improve arithmetical ability too. Alot of games require counting. I personally learned to add quickly by playing Cribbage with my parents.

Games are an easy and fun way to improve your child's mathematical ability in addition to being just plain fun. Children will not realize that they are practising math and frankly won't care as long as they are having fun. If you are a parent, this is an easy way to spend some quality time with your child without spending much money.

This is the first in a series of blog entries here on simple games for both parents and math teachers. We are including games that require few materials, the kinds that can be found at home or are available cheaply at locations such as dollar stores.

Today I am going to concentrate on card games.

1. We live in Ontario so here is a plug for a local organization. The Ontario Association of Mathematics Educators designed a document for teachers called "Using Playing Cards in the Classroom" and is in convenient PDF form to save on your computer or to print out.

2. Here is a link to many useful card games for practising basic number facts from the schools in Granby, Connecticut.

3. Here is a link from a site called Crewton Ramone's House of Cards.  It has some useful videos and some good quotes about play.

4. Here is a fantastic collection of card games to teach different math skills from a group called The Positive Engagement Project.  The book is called Acing Math One Deck at a Time.

Teacher Resources for Using Literature in Mathematics Teaching

In addition to assisting teachers in using Literature in the teaching of Mathematics, parents may also find these books useful as resources containing good literature with which they may reinforce mathematics concepts with their children simply by reading and discussing the books.

MathStart books, created by Stuart Murphy, tell stories every kid can relate to and enjoy, while helping them understand that math is much more than a school subject—it’s all around us and in everything we do!Each book in the MathStart series includes suggestions for group or individual exercises that reinforce math concepts presented in the story, easy-to-do activities, and a bibliography of children’s books that feature similar math concepts.

A great series, available for ages 3 and up. Visit these websites to learn more:

Visit HarperChildrens.com

Visit stuartjmurphy.com!

Literature-Based Math Activities: An Integrate Approach/Grades K-3 (Instructor Books) (Paperback)by Alison Abrohms (Author)

Math and Literature, Grades K-1 Marilyn Burns and Stephanie Sheffield

Math and Literature, Grades 2-3 Marilyn Burns and Stephanie Sheffield

Math Through Children's Literature: Making the NCTM Standards Come Alive (Paperback)by Kathryn L. Braddon (Author), Nancy J. Hall (Author), Dale B. Taylor

Teaching Math with Favorite Picture Books (Grades 1-3) (Paperback)by Judy Hechtman (Author), Deborah Ellermeyer (Author), Sandy Ford Grove (Author)

How to Use Children's Literature to Teach Mathematics (Nctm How to-- Series) (Paperback)by Rosamond Welchman-Tischler (Author)

Math And Nonfiction: Grades K-2 (Math and Nonfiction) (Paperback)by Jamee Petersen (Author), Marilyn Burns (Introduction)

Meeting the Math Standards with Favorite Picture Books: Lessons, Activites, and Hands-On Reproducibles That Help You Teach Essential Math Skills and Concepts (Paperback)

Useful Math Websites

Useful Mathematics Websites Recommended by Colleagues

1. Kid’s Place Brain Teasers
Three different challenging problems a week.
On the negative side, there are no flashy graphics. It is more likely to appeal to adults than to children.

On the positive side, this site has a new brain teaser each week. One is for grades 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. Each problem comes with a set of hints. There is a link to the archive of past questions.

2. Math Cats
For primary and junior grades. Deals especially with problem solving and games.
From the NCTM journal, Teaching Children Mathematics for 2003

"The Web site at www.mathcats.com offers playful explorations of mathematical ideas that will pique students' interest... The most powerful part of the Web site... is the interactive applets that help students explore mathematics in a way that develops understanding..."

For a full review from Education World, click here. More reviews are available here.


3.Mr. Nussbaum
A variety of math games to reinforce basic computational skills.

On the negative side, the graphics on the free site are relatively simple.

On the positive side, there are a variety of activities to support fluency of basic facts. If you want your child to practise traditional algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, the “Draggable Math” game is a good place to start. Its use of columns would be good for a child who had fine motor problems too.


4. PrimaryGames.com
Over 50 math games for grades PreK to grade 4. Many games in other subject areas too.

Click here to see how to use each math game.

On the negative side, there are lots of banner ads.

On the positive, the site is colourful, clearly organized and comprehensive. I especially appreciated the curriculum guide for the mathematics activities. See the Education World review here.

Websites with listings of Children's Literature relating to Mathematics

As the lists of children's books pertaining to the various mathematics strands cited on this blog are FAR from comprehensive, here are a few sites you may wish to visit to get more ideas:

The Upper Canada District School Board has a site called Read Any Good Math?
It has a list of books, songs and even poems about mathematics divided into the various strands.

Books by Marilyn Burns
http://www.marthalakecov.org/~math/burnsbooks.htm

A listing of Greg Tang's books: A New Approach to Math
http://gregtangdev.com/

Math Literature Connections
http://www.mathwire.com/literature/literature.html

Geocities: Books on Numbers
http://www.geocities.com/teachingwithheart/booksonnumbers.html

Christchurch City Library: Children's Picture Books that teach Mathematics concepts
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Learning/MathsInPictures/

The Children's Literature Nook Presents: The Top 100 Children's Books: Math
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/estates/4967/math.html

Math Literature
http://home.nyc.rr.com/teachertools/mathliterature.html

Math and Literature
http://home.att.net/~cattonn/math.htmlhttp://home.att.net/~cattonn/math.html

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/math/math.html

Mathematics and Children's Literature
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=U83

Mathematics is Elementary, Suggested Children's Literature
http://www.ait.net/products/mathematics/booklist.htm

Mathematics and Children's Literature
http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~eyoung/literature.html

Math and Literature Idea Bank
http://www.mathcats.com/grownupcats/ideabankmathandliterature.html

Children's Literature in Mathematics Instruction
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/mathpict.htm

Math in Children's Literature
http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/Resc/Educ/mathkidslit.html

Mathematics & Children's Literature
http://www.nea.org/webresources/mathreadinglinks.html

Teaching Mathematics with Children's Literature
http://fcit.usf.edu/math/resource/bib.html

Lattice Multiplication

Here is a video of lattice multiplication. See the link in wikipedia for an explanation. It is an example of a non-standard algorithm.

The author calls it Chinese multiplication but it is actually lattice multiplication. I would turn the volume down or off as it is quite loud and not necessary.

Here is another more complete video demonstration of lattice multiplication. Click here.

Children's Books about Graphing

Graphing
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about GRAPHING from the Data Management and Probability strand.


Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola Activities Graph pasta





Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle Activities Would you rather have pancakes or waffles?



The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins Activities Favorite cookie



The Big Block of Chocolate by Janet Redhead Activities Favorite candy bar



Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban Activities Favorite jam or jelly



Peanut Butter by Natalie Westcott Activities Do you prefer creamy or crunchy peanut butter?



How Pizza Came to Queens by Dayal Khalsa Activities Favorite pizza topping



Caps for Sale by Esphr Slobdinka Activities Graph color of caps



The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown Activities Graph farm animals - feather/fur, swim/walk, four legs/two legs



Some of the books and activities on this list can be found at http://www.lindaslearninglinks.com/MathLiterature.html

Home is the place to hone math skills

I read this article, "Home is place to hone math skills", in an American newspaper from Evansville Indiana by a teacher, Wendy McCormick who is advising parents how to help their children with math. Many of her ideas correspond with the philosophy of the is blog. In particular she suggests:

"A simple and enjoyable way to provide this exposure (to mathematics) is through games.
There is a wide variety of commercial products in stores for all age groups.

However, some of the items around your house can provide all the materials you need to create your own. For instance, take an illustration from your child's favorite picture book or even the photograph from the front page of the paper and play "Can You Spot the Math?" Look for and name details with a mathematical eye. A picture of two children playing in the snow may turn into 2 hats + 4 gloves = Warm Kids. Younger students can just count and name the quantities of different items that they see.

Also, use the everyday tasks in your life that involve math to sneak in a little practice.
Children can help keep a running total of the estimate for groceries as you go through the store. The person who is closest to the actual total at the checkout lane is the winner.

If you have a primary age student with you, ask him to identify the coins or help you count them as you give them to the cashier.

Little games such as these don't take long and might actually distract your kids from begging for every new snack item conveniently stocked at their eye level.

Whether you are on the floor making patterns or helping them with homework at the kitchen table, time spent exploring the world of numbers with your children will exponentially multiply their mathematical success and may even save you a few gray hairs in the long run."

I hope you agree that these are simple and practical ideas.

Children's Books about Money

Money
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about MONEY from the Number Sense and Numeration strand.



Benny's Pennies by Pat Brisson Benny has 5 new pennies; he buys things for his family and pets. Activities *This story is so easy to make flannel board objects for and then tell the story.

Pigs Will Be Pigs: Fun with Math and Money by Amy Axelrod After gobbling up all the groceries, Mr. Pig, Mrs. Pig and their two piglets are hungry again, but the Piggy bank is empty. Deciding to hunt for money, the four swine gesture excitedly; then they feverishly root through their home for loose change and bills.

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz Although Alexander and his money are quickly parted, he comes to realize all the things that can be done with a dollar.

Children's Books about Measurement

Measurement
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about MEASUREMENT from the Measurement strand.

Ten Beads Tall by Michael Twinn This book has a built system of measuring. Children enjoy the interactive nature of the book. Activities *Make a book of thematic objects and provide unifix cubes for students to measure with.

How Big is a Foot? by Rolf Myller The King wants to give the Queen something special for her birthday. The Queen has everything, everything except a bed. The trouble is that no one in the Kingdom knows the answer to a very important question: How Big is a Bed? because beds at the time had not yet been invented. The Queen's birthday is only a few days away. How can they figure out what size the bed should be?

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni To keep from being eaten, an inchworm measures a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs, and a nightingale's song.

Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy Lisa has a homework assignment to measure something in as many ways as she can, using standard and nonstandard units. "Use your imagination!" is the last instruction the teacher gives the students. Lisa chooses her Boston terrier and the fun begins. She measures Penny and a variety of other dogs. In the process, readers learn that Penny's nose is one inch long. Her tail is one biscuit long. She is bigger than a pug, smaller than a cocker spaniel, and weighs about the same as a Shetland Sheepdog. Lisa measures how much her pet eats, how high she jumps, how much time it takes to care for her, how much money is invested in her, how fast Penny runs, and a variety of other doggie traits. The results are shared with readers through charts, graphs, and reports.

Me and the Measure of Things by Joan Sweeney What’s the difference between a cup and an ounce? What gets measured in bushels and when do you use a scale? Easy-to-understand text and playful corresponding illustrations teach children the differences between wet and dry measurements, weight, size, and length. And all information is conveyed in a unique kid’s-eye perspective, using everyday objects and situations.

Children's Books about Fractions

Fractions

Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about FRACTIONS from the Number Sense and Numeration strand.

Gator Pie by Louise Mathews Two alligators find a pie and try to decide how to cut it. When other alligators demand their share a riot ensues. The delightful twist to the story will make it a class favorite.

Eating Fractions by Bruce McMillan This photograph book of foods cut into quarters, thirds, halves and whole promotes a variety of ways to have hands on learning about fractions. Activities *Have actual food to cut for an actual hands on experience

Lunch with Cat and Dog by Rozanne Williams The story of a greedy cat and how a dog outsmarts him. A good way to introduce young children to "fair shares." Activities *Make flannel board objects to tell the story.

Children's Books with Addition and Subtraction Activities

Addition/Subtraction
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION from the Number Sense and Numeration strand.

Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh A hungry snake counts ten little mice. "little, warm and tasty," into a jar for his dinner. However, the clever little mice create a plan to fool the greedy snake and manage to escape. Activities * Make mice puppets from pompoms, find a large clear jar and a stuffed snake. Tell the story using props. Stop several times during the story to count on and back.



Rooster's Off to See the World by Eric Carle Take a trip with Rooster as he is joined by his friends; a wonderful way to introduce addition and graphing. Activities *Play a graphing game with the class. Make a poster size graph with pictures of each animal in the story. Place unifix cubes in a bag (several of each to represent animals in the story, but only one black one to represent the rooster.) Have students pull out one cube at a time. Use a tiny post it note and place on graph. When the black is pulled, class will chant, "Rooster's off to see the world, who will go with rooster?" Then the graph is read, for example two cats, one frog and three fish. The answers will not be the same as the story. My students really love playing this game.



Ten Sly Piranhas by William Wise Ten piranhas are swimming in the river, being gobbled up by one very clever and sly piranhas, or so he thinks. children love the ending. A great introduction to subtraction. Activities *Use an ocean storybord and make ten fish and use these props to tell the story. *Give each child ten goldfish crackers and tell the story again, have them eat the goldfish and give answers to subtraction questions as the story is told.



The m&m's Counting Book by Barbara McGrath This yummy little counting book teaches the numbers 1-12; as well as sets of 12 are explored. At the end of the book children will have great great fun exploring subtraction. Activities *Make a set of stiffened felt large circles. Use an m stamp and white acrylic paint and place an m&m on each circle. Use the m&m's to tell the story. *Using the number and color of m&m's found in the book, place in bag for each student. Have students eat m&m's as the book is explored.



Skittles Math Riddles by Barbara McGrath



The m&m's Birthday Book by Barbara McGrath



The Gummy Candy Counting Book by Richard Hutchings

Children's Books about Time

Time

Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about TIME from the Measurement strand.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle The very hungry caterpillar eats his way through one week, spins a cocoon and sleeps for more than two weeks. Using an actual calendar gives children a hands-on experience with the calendar. Telling the story gives the children a great counting activity as well. Activities *make a large calendar and pieces from story (there are many sources where you can find either blackline masters or cut up an old book), place velcro on backs of pieces and on calendar and place in math center. *use puppets to tell the story *Lakeshore has a kit you can purchase and tell using the flannel board.

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle The grouchy ladybug goes about her day picking on other animals bigger than she is. This book introduces children to the clock and telling time. On each page there is a clock and a picture of the sun as it rises in the morning until it sets in the evening. Activities *use a ladybug puppet to tell the story *use a Judy clock or other demonstrator clock and have students actually change the time as you tell the story.

Cookie's Week by Cindy Ward

Clocks and More Clocks by Pat Hutchins

Children's Books about Shapes

Shapes (2D geometry)
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about SHAPES from the Geometry and Spatial Sense strand.




The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns A triangle, dissatisfied with its shape, goes to a shapeshifter to be changed to a quadrilateral. The shape changes to a pentagon, then a hexagon, a heptagon, and so on, finally learning that being a triangle is best after all.



Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban Whenever you are -- inside or outside -- there are shapes to discover. And with Tana Hoban's help you will begin to see them. Look around. How many circles, squares, stars, triangles, hearts, and rectangles can you see? They are everywhere!



The Shape of Things by Dayle Ann Dodds A square is just a square until it becomes a house in this clever book. A circle becomes a spinning ferris wheel, and when you add some string and a tail to a diamond shape, it becomes a kite flying high in the sky! With sprightly rhymes and energetic illustrations filled with hidden shapes, Dayle Ann Dodds and Julie Lacome reveal that shapes are everywhere. Encouraged by this entertaining introduction to an important first concept, young children will eagerly begin to identify shapes in the world around them.



The Wing on a Flea: A Book about Shapes by Ed Emberley Children are fascinated by shapes and colors and the world is full of amazing shapes, colors, and sizes. Look and you can see that a wing on a flea is a triangle, a ruler is a rectangle, and the wheels on a truck are circles. Using vivid illustrations and a simple rhyming text, noted author/illustrator Ed Emberley introduces the concept of shapes and sizes to curious young children as he suggests they view the world in a new and exciting way.

Children's Books with Patterning Activities

Patterning
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about PATTERNING from the Patterning and Algebra strand.


Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris The rhyming prose and brightly colored cartoon fish inhabit a world of patterns, beginning with the simplest AB pattern and growing increasingly complex. Upon closer inspection, the patterns can be seen echoing throughout, as pictures both express and reinforce the pattern of the words. For example, the ABB pattern introduced by an eel is echoed not only on the creature's body (stripe-dot-dot), but also in the bubbles that issue from its mouth (large-small-small), the underwater reeds (short-tall-tall) and plants (curve-star-star), and borders of the page (yellow-red-red). Once children get the idea, they will enjoy discovering the repetition and looking for examples. A clear and effective teaching tool.

Pattern Bugs by Trudy Harris Each section of the book consists of a repetitious rhyme about a bug on a two-page spread full of bright pastels and friendly dark colors, followed by a second spread that shows a close-up of the insect and the last word of the poem in heavy, large letters. By using the sounds in the poems, the details of the pictures, and the various blocks of color that frame the initial spread, children can find and identify repetitive patterns. The author's note states that, "Each picture contains six patterns that match that picture's border."

Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes: Patterns in Nature by Stephen R. Swinburne An attractive introduction to pattern recognition. The foreword discusses patterns and where they can be found in nature. The rest of the book is in larger type and has a much simpler text-one line per page-accompanied by vivid full-color photographs that clearly depict the design or idea under discussion. Patterns are described in both general and specific terms. For example, a grouping of clouds lasts "only a short time," and a spider's web is viewed as a series of spirals. The last section poses questions designed to help children think about their own environments. Readers will certainly enjoy looking at the eye-catching photos and picking out the repeated images, but the ideas generated should go far beyond that. This is a great springboard for discussion; kids will have a wonderful time looking for patterns wherever they go.

Children's Books with Counting Activities

Counting
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtime reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can either introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This particular entry pertains to books about COUNTING from the Number Sense and Numeration strand.

How Many Snails? by Paul Giganti, Jr. The author asks students to wander along with him in the meadow. He asks questions on each page, such as, "How many flowers are in the meadow?" and "How many flowers are yellow?" It is a wonderful way to count as well as looking at different attributes. Activities *this book allows students to ask questions about pictures on the page. *you can make big books based on different themes, for example, "How Many Shells?"

Ten Apples Up On Top by Theodore Le Seig In this amusing counting book, three animals compete to have the most apples on top of their heads. Then the animals are chased by a variety of other animals, all of whom seem to want to take away the "ten apples up on top." Eventually everyone crashes into a huge apple cart, and after a page of chaos, everyone has "ten apples up on top." Activities This book can be used in a variety of ways to promote number concept, sets, sorting, and graphing.

Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews
What can you do with ten black dots? "One dot can make a sun or a moon when day is done. Two dots can make the eyes of a fox...". Count all the way to ten with Donald Crews and delight in the simple rhymes, everyday objects, and stunning graphics of a master of the picture concept book.

Two Ways to Count to Ten, a Liberian folktale retold by Ruby Dee Leopard The king of all the other animals, holds a contest to find a successor. The challenge: throw a spear into the air and count to ten before it hits the ground. No matter how strong the animal is he can't throw the spear high enough or count quickly enough. Finally, clever antelope wins by counting to ten by twos.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood This delightful cumulative tale has been a favorite with readers and listeners since its debut. It's a rainy afternoon and Granny is snoring on the bed in a cozy room. A child crawls on top of her and dreams. Gradually, the pile increases with a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, a slumbering mouse and finally a wakeful flea who, by biting the mouse, sets off a chain of events which results in a broken pile and even a broken bed. Each page repeats the action from bottom up. Activities For mathematics activities you can count the critters, add more and keep counting. You have diminishing size. Can you put the sleepers in another setting? What diminishing sizes would you have in the ocean? a desert? a jungle?

12 Ways to get to 11 by Eve Merriam This book uses ordinary experiences to present twelve combinations of numbers that add up to eleven. Example: At the circus, six peanut shells and five pieces of popcorn.

How Many Feet in the Bed by Diane Johnston Hamm One by one, a little girl, her brother, baby sister, and mother all join Dad in bed. This makes "ten feet in the bed." And then, one by one, each family member leaves the snug bed to start the day, and only a sleepy teddy bear remains behind. Each double-page illustration captures the happiness of the family and this cozy Sunday morning. For easy counting by readers, the feet are always visible but not obtrusive. Drawn in pastels or colored pencil, the realistic pictures are the book's most prominent and distinctive feature.

Ten Flashing Fireflies by Philemon Sturges Breaking up the deep grays, purples and the black of night with incandescent spots of light, the illustrator of this imaginatively conceived book captures the magic of summer evenings and the mysterious glow of fireflies. These marvelous creatures of nature, meanwhile, are deployed in debut author Sturges's poetic counting lesson. "What do we see in the summer night?/ Ten flashing fireflies burning bright!/ Catch the one twinkling there/ Like a star./ One flashing firefly in our jar." A brother and sister add nine more fireflies to their collection; later, in their bedroom, they free the fireflies when their light begins to fade, counting down from 10 to one as the insects escape through the window and begin to glow again.

Ten Sly Piranhas by William Wise Wise's provocative subtitle translates to a sort of "Ten in a Bed" of the deep, wherein the protagonists devour one another until the last succumbs to a hungry croc.

Children's Books with Sorting and Classifying Activities

Sorting and Classifying
Here are a few suggestions of books for bedtme reading that have a mathematics theme. Some ideas for activities to accompany these books are also given. By simply reading these books, parents and teachers can either introduce, support or review their children's understanding of fundamental mathematics concepts in a fun and engaging manner. This patricular entry pertains to books about SORTING and CLASSIFYING from the Patterning and Algebra Mathematics strand.


Noodles by Sarah Weeks This pop up book introduces the children to familiar and unfamiliar types of pasta. It's a delightful book and can introduce students to sorting and counting activities. Activities *sort different types of pasta *make sets with different types of pasta *use pasta to make numerals .

Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola Strega Nona lives in a small village in Italy and possess "magical powers." She has a magic pasta pot and a bumbling assistant, Big Anthony. Anthony's escapades with the pasta pot result in a multitude of magical math activities. Activities *sort pasta *measure items with different types of pasta *graph different types of pasta *cut out pasta pots and give students task cards with different numbers of types of pasta for students to paste on pot.


The Button Box by Margarette S. Reid

Grandma's Button Box by Linda Aber

"A Lost Button" from Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel To a little boy with a vivid imagination, his grandmother's button box holds more than buttons, he imagines where the buttons come from and what clothes they once adorned. His grandmother plays sorting games with him and tells him about the more unusual buttons. In "A Lost Button" a lost button results in a terrific lesson on attributes. Activities *have students sort buttons by different attributes


One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss This zany book by Dr. Seuss is a fun and different way to look at sorting by different attributes. Activities *cut out different types and colors of flannel fish and have students sort different ways.

Grandfather Tang's Story

Here is a great resource for teaching problem solving and two dimensional mathematics. It also has a cute story about the relationship between a grandfather and a granddaughter.

It is called Grandfather Tang's Story. If you click on the link you will find activities to do that are related to the story.

Grandfather Tang uses a series of puzzles, called Tangrams, to tell his story. You can play with these on line by going to the following link. PBS kids has a neat version too on their Cyberchase site. Click here.

Tangrams are seven piece puzzles that were initially developped in China. Read the article from Wikipedia to learn more about these versatile puzzles.

Math Dictionary for Kids

Here is an interesting resource for kids that I saw in Professionally Speaking. It is an interactive math dictionary designed for children. Happy reading.

Videos of Simple Math Games

One of our core beliefs is that a lot of mathematics can be taught via games.

Here is a link to a series of instructional videos of simple math games that you can do with your child at home.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6988322630593308731

Here is a link to a variety of mathematics videos from a site for teachers called "The Apple".

Welcome to Our Blog!

We are two teachers at the University of Ottawa completing our Primary Junior mathematics specialist qualifications.

The title of the blog was inspired by a comment of one of our colleagues in PDP 3232.
We created this blog as a resource for primary mathematics teachers (as we teach in that division) and parents of such students especially when they find that there is no math homework and they want their children to practise mathematics.

Since so many people are on the internet, we believe that a blog is an effective communication tool.

For us mathematics is a lot more than skill and drill. It is problem solving, game playing and pattern finding. We hope this blog will help parents and teachers, especially of primary aged children, explore these aspects of mathematics.

Our blog will be divided into the following categories:

1. Storybooks or literature
2. Curriculum links
3. Websites
4. Simple games to play at home
5. Relevant Computer Software

Thank you for dropping by. If you know of a good link, a good game, a good book or a good idea, please let us know and we will post it.