Hello,
How many of you have students that don’t like math? How would you like a book or two that might help them with math and entertain at the same time? If you answered ‘Yes’ to both questions, this is a great post for you.
This week I will focus on Math and books that help supplement that subject. Some of these will also help to answer the question, “When will I ever use math in real life?”
Stuart Murphy writes the MathStart books. They are picture books geared for Preschool through 3rd grade, and they really help to explain a concept. Here is a partial list and the math concept it teaches. For more titles and activities, you can check out Stuart Murphy’s webpage.
1. Every Buddy Counts – counting
2. Just Enough Carrots – more, fewer, the same
3. The Best Vacation Ever – data collection
4. Get Up and Go! – time lines
5. Give Me Half! – understanding halves
6. Probably Pistachio – Probability
7. Dave’s Down-to-Earth Rock Shop - classifying
8. Divide and Ride – dividing
9. Lemonade for Sale – Bar Graphs
10. The Penny Pot – Counting coins
The Sir Cumference series written by Cindy Neuschwander is about angles, ratios, pi, and shapes. The stories are clever and older students will groan at the puns, but they are fun and interesting. The first title is Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi (A Math Adventure).
Greg Tang writes math riddles for students to solve. The Grapes of Math shows students creative ways to find answers to solve math problems. Just in case you are wondering, there is an ‘Answers’ section at the back of the book! Greg also has other math titles, too.
The Math Curse by Jon Scieszka (pronounced ‘SHESH – ka’) and Lane Smith. These two men write the funniest books. This particular one is about math and numbers in daily life. One example is: If the Mississippi River is about 4000 kilometers long, how many M & Ms would it take to measure the length of this river? These two men collaborate to write and illustrate their very popular books. You might know them from ‘The Stinky-Cheese Man and Other Stories’ and ‘The True Story of The Three Little Pigs’.)
How Much is a Million? By David M. Schwartz and Steven Kellogg. This concept of a million of something is difficult for adults to comprehend, much less children. David Schwartz does a wonderful job of helping us understand a million of something. This duo also writes “If You Made a Million” (a fantasy for us teachers!) and “Millions to Measure”. David Schwartz also wrote “G is for Googol” which is an ABC book for grades 6 and up. The letter W is for “When are we ever gonna use this stuff, anyway?” In case you have to have more David Schwartz books, you can also get “Q is for Quark” a science Alphabet book.
Well, I’ve given you a start on fun and interesting math books. Think about using them in conjunction with your math classes, reading “Divide and Ride” before starting the division lesson. You can also assign them to groups of students who teach the concept to the class. These ideas can help stretch the K – 3rd grade level up to your middle grades and maybe even junior high students.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Weeding in the 300's
Hi,
We are back to weeding. This month we will weed the 300’s. The books in this section include sociology, folklore, culture, crime, and education. The information here should be current, accurate, and fair. You may have little or no information in this section so that will make it pretty easy.
310 – General Statistics: Almanacs – these are usually not too useful after about two years. Make your own judgment on this. Do your students like reading these or are they just taking up shelf space? If they are being used, even the old ones, keep what you like. If they are too outdated and that is why they aren’t circulating, discard them.
320 – Political Science: Books on current politics and local political history can be kept. Weed out any information that is not longer relevant to any current political campaigns.
323 – Immigration and Citizenship – Weed information that is biased or inflammatory.
330 – Economics – Books on money management and personal finance are in this section. Make sure information is up-to-date and worthwhile. There are some good books for children on saving money and being good stewards at the ABC. If you don’t have them, you might consider purchasing them.
360 – Social Services – Drug and alcohol education, crime and criminology, and other social issues are in this section. Check the information to make sure it follows current recommended procedures or practices. Our students like reading about forensic science. That may be a topic you choose to add to your library.
370 – Education – Again, check that information is current and not outdated.
390 – Customs, Etiquette and Folklore – This is our largest part of the 300’s. We have lots of holiday books. Weed these according to the condition of the book. If it is falling apart and not able to be mended, toss it. Does the book have a boring cover? No dust jacket? Replace it with the same title, or another more updated title, or put a nice new cover on the book. (Where can you find a new dust jacket? I’ll let you know next week!)
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
Information in this post from CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew
We are back to weeding. This month we will weed the 300’s. The books in this section include sociology, folklore, culture, crime, and education. The information here should be current, accurate, and fair. You may have little or no information in this section so that will make it pretty easy.
310 – General Statistics: Almanacs – these are usually not too useful after about two years. Make your own judgment on this. Do your students like reading these or are they just taking up shelf space? If they are being used, even the old ones, keep what you like. If they are too outdated and that is why they aren’t circulating, discard them.
320 – Political Science: Books on current politics and local political history can be kept. Weed out any information that is not longer relevant to any current political campaigns.
323 – Immigration and Citizenship – Weed information that is biased or inflammatory.
330 – Economics – Books on money management and personal finance are in this section. Make sure information is up-to-date and worthwhile. There are some good books for children on saving money and being good stewards at the ABC. If you don’t have them, you might consider purchasing them.
360 – Social Services – Drug and alcohol education, crime and criminology, and other social issues are in this section. Check the information to make sure it follows current recommended procedures or practices. Our students like reading about forensic science. That may be a topic you choose to add to your library.
370 – Education – Again, check that information is current and not outdated.
390 – Customs, Etiquette and Folklore – This is our largest part of the 300’s. We have lots of holiday books. Weed these according to the condition of the book. If it is falling apart and not able to be mended, toss it. Does the book have a boring cover? No dust jacket? Replace it with the same title, or another more updated title, or put a nice new cover on the book. (Where can you find a new dust jacket? I’ll let you know next week!)
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
Information in this post from CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Books that are Better than the Movie
This week I am going to focus on “Books That Are Better Than the Movie”. The short answer is “all of them!” I often recommend a book only to hear the response, “I saw the movie.” Then the child usually refuses to touch the book. This is so irritating to me, since seldom does the movie compare with the book. I sometimes say to the child, “The movie has very little to do with the story in the book.”
When my son was in second grade, his teacher read The Secret Garden to the class, then they saw the movie. My son turned to his teacher and asked her, “Didn’t they read the book?” So here are some books that have been turned into movies, but are definitely better than the movie.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Mary Lennox, an orphan, is sent to live with her uncle in England. She is spoiled and bossy. Mary hears from a servant about a garden that is locked up and determines to find the key in order to get inside. Of course she does and through working in the garden to help it live and be beautiful again, she transforms not only the garden, but herself in the process.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne Shirley, another orphan, is adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Anne is the polar opposite of Mary Lennox. She is lovable and exuberant and full of life. She makes hilarious mistakes, but is always contrite and earns the love of everyone who is in her life. (This is on my top ten children’s books of all time list. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Green Gables in Prince Edward Island last summer.) There are movie sequels to Anne and they each drift further and further from the books.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Opal, a ten year old girl, has moved to Florida with her preacher father after her mother abandons them. She is in the local Winn Dixie grocery store and takes home a stray dog to love. The story of the local people and how Opal makes friends in her new town is wonderful. Kate DiCamillo also wrote the Newbery winner The Tale of Despereaux.
Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson. Jesse, a country boy, befriends a new girl at school who can outrun all the boys in the recess races. Leslie and Jesse invent a magical land called Terebithia which is from the Narnia books which Leslie has read. The friendship grows, but does not cross into a boy-girl relationship. One day when Jesse is away, Leslie is killed and Jesse has to learn to deal with the death of his friend.
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. This is a wonderful historical fiction book about the Revolutionary War and also about the life of an apprentice. Real life people make their way into this story such as Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and others.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Although this was not actually a movie, but a television series, it still fits in with my theme. The television series is good family material, but they often seem to have little to do with the books other than the characters. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her family and what life was like many years ago. Many people have enjoyed reading about Laura as she grew and married. Some have capitalized on the popularity of the series by continuing on with her daughter Rose and even backtracking to write about Laura’s mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Carol Ryrie Brink wrote about her grandmother’s life in the mid 1800s. Story after story about Caddie and her family fill this book and the sequel “Magical Melons” which has been reprinted under the title of “Caddie Woodlawn’s Family”. One of my favorite stories is called “PeeWee”. I also enjoy the story of Hetty visiting the doctor’s family and getting to know Annabelle the doll. Of course the stories are the main thing, and there are few illustrations, but I really like Kate Seredy’s line drawings.
I suggest that you read one of these books to your students, then watch the movie and do a comparison of the two. This may help them realize that even when a movie is well made, there are always changes and parts left out. So, if you enjoyed a movie, read the book. It is bound to be better.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
When my son was in second grade, his teacher read The Secret Garden to the class, then they saw the movie. My son turned to his teacher and asked her, “Didn’t they read the book?” So here are some books that have been turned into movies, but are definitely better than the movie.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Mary Lennox, an orphan, is sent to live with her uncle in England. She is spoiled and bossy. Mary hears from a servant about a garden that is locked up and determines to find the key in order to get inside. Of course she does and through working in the garden to help it live and be beautiful again, she transforms not only the garden, but herself in the process.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne Shirley, another orphan, is adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Anne is the polar opposite of Mary Lennox. She is lovable and exuberant and full of life. She makes hilarious mistakes, but is always contrite and earns the love of everyone who is in her life. (This is on my top ten children’s books of all time list. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Green Gables in Prince Edward Island last summer.) There are movie sequels to Anne and they each drift further and further from the books.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Opal, a ten year old girl, has moved to Florida with her preacher father after her mother abandons them. She is in the local Winn Dixie grocery store and takes home a stray dog to love. The story of the local people and how Opal makes friends in her new town is wonderful. Kate DiCamillo also wrote the Newbery winner The Tale of Despereaux.
Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson. Jesse, a country boy, befriends a new girl at school who can outrun all the boys in the recess races. Leslie and Jesse invent a magical land called Terebithia which is from the Narnia books which Leslie has read. The friendship grows, but does not cross into a boy-girl relationship. One day when Jesse is away, Leslie is killed and Jesse has to learn to deal with the death of his friend.
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. This is a wonderful historical fiction book about the Revolutionary War and also about the life of an apprentice. Real life people make their way into this story such as Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and others.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Although this was not actually a movie, but a television series, it still fits in with my theme. The television series is good family material, but they often seem to have little to do with the books other than the characters. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her family and what life was like many years ago. Many people have enjoyed reading about Laura as she grew and married. Some have capitalized on the popularity of the series by continuing on with her daughter Rose and even backtracking to write about Laura’s mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Carol Ryrie Brink wrote about her grandmother’s life in the mid 1800s. Story after story about Caddie and her family fill this book and the sequel “Magical Melons” which has been reprinted under the title of “Caddie Woodlawn’s Family”. One of my favorite stories is called “PeeWee”. I also enjoy the story of Hetty visiting the doctor’s family and getting to know Annabelle the doll. Of course the stories are the main thing, and there are few illustrations, but I really like Kate Seredy’s line drawings.
I suggest that you read one of these books to your students, then watch the movie and do a comparison of the two. This may help them realize that even when a movie is well made, there are always changes and parts left out. So, if you enjoyed a movie, read the book. It is bound to be better.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Historical Fiction
Hi,
This week I am going to share some historical fiction that I really like.
Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson – This is the story of the plague of yellow fever that overtook the city of Philidelphia during the summer of 1793. Mattie Cook spends her days trying to avoid any chores but when the fever breaks out, she finds an inner strength while dealing with the dreaded disease. This book is for ages 10 and up. (Laurie Halse Anderson also writes the Vet Volunteer books for slightly younger students.)
Avi is an author that writes well in any genre and I do mean that. His historical fiction is superb. The Secret School is about a one-room school whose teacher must leave immediately to care for her mother who is ill. There is just over six weeks of school left and the children are told they are to tell their families that school is over for the term. This means that Ida will not be able to graduate and go on to high school. The students all agree to continue to attend school and not tell their families. Another Avi book is Iron Thunder, the story of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Avi has dozens more and all are good. He does write other genres, so make sure it is a genre that you are happy to put in your library.
Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop. Take twenty French children living in relative safety during the French occupation and then take ten Jewish children who need to be hidden from the Nazis and you have a great story. I have read this aloud to many students and they all love it.
Will Hobbs writes wonderful adventure books. Jason’s Gold and Down the Yukon are just two of them. These particular titles are about the gold rush to Nome, Alaska in the late 1800s. If I need to get a student a good book to read, I recommend Will Hobbs’ books.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. Tree-Ear, a homeless orphan becomes involved with a master potter during the twelfth century in Korea. When a pot is accidentally broken, Tree-Ear must repay for his carelessness by working for the potter. And later, when one pot can bring great financial gain, Tree-Ear is able to help his master.
Dear America books are written in diary format and are very popular with nearly all of our students. Each book is the imaginary diary of someone during a time in history such as the Civil War, Vietnam, Depression, and many other time periods. At the end of the books is a section on the history of the time period and gives more information. The books are popular with grades 5 and up. Each Dear America book is the diary of a girl, Royal Diaries are about royal girls, My Name is America is the journal of a boy, and My America is a short version for younger ages.
I hope these titles are popular with your students. If you have some books that your students enjoy, let me know and I’ll pass those titles along.
Have a good week.
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
This week I am going to share some historical fiction that I really like.
Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson – This is the story of the plague of yellow fever that overtook the city of Philidelphia during the summer of 1793. Mattie Cook spends her days trying to avoid any chores but when the fever breaks out, she finds an inner strength while dealing with the dreaded disease. This book is for ages 10 and up. (Laurie Halse Anderson also writes the Vet Volunteer books for slightly younger students.)
Avi is an author that writes well in any genre and I do mean that. His historical fiction is superb. The Secret School is about a one-room school whose teacher must leave immediately to care for her mother who is ill. There is just over six weeks of school left and the children are told they are to tell their families that school is over for the term. This means that Ida will not be able to graduate and go on to high school. The students all agree to continue to attend school and not tell their families. Another Avi book is Iron Thunder, the story of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Avi has dozens more and all are good. He does write other genres, so make sure it is a genre that you are happy to put in your library.
Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop. Take twenty French children living in relative safety during the French occupation and then take ten Jewish children who need to be hidden from the Nazis and you have a great story. I have read this aloud to many students and they all love it.
Will Hobbs writes wonderful adventure books. Jason’s Gold and Down the Yukon are just two of them. These particular titles are about the gold rush to Nome, Alaska in the late 1800s. If I need to get a student a good book to read, I recommend Will Hobbs’ books.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. Tree-Ear, a homeless orphan becomes involved with a master potter during the twelfth century in Korea. When a pot is accidentally broken, Tree-Ear must repay for his carelessness by working for the potter. And later, when one pot can bring great financial gain, Tree-Ear is able to help his master.
Dear America books are written in diary format and are very popular with nearly all of our students. Each book is the imaginary diary of someone during a time in history such as the Civil War, Vietnam, Depression, and many other time periods. At the end of the books is a section on the history of the time period and gives more information. The books are popular with grades 5 and up. Each Dear America book is the diary of a girl, Royal Diaries are about royal girls, My Name is America is the journal of a boy, and My America is a short version for younger ages.
I hope these titles are popular with your students. If you have some books that your students enjoy, let me know and I’ll pass those titles along.
Have a good week.
Audrey
Sdalibrarian.blogspot.com
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