Great Reads Involving Math

The Doorbell Rang
by Pat Hutchins

Ma makes a delicious batch of cookies.  But every time the doorbell rings, the children have to split the cookies evenly.  This book includes repetition while focusing on fractions and division.

Where's My Teddy?
by Jez Alborough

Eddie is suprised to find that his teddy has grown to a size too large for Eddie to even carry!  Is this even his teddy?  Meanwhile, a Bear in the woods panics when he discovers his teddy has shrunk.  When Eddie and the Bear meet with the other's teddy in hand, the two quickly exchange bears as they run the opposite direction in fear.  This book can be used for young children to discuss opposites and comparing objects.

If You Hopped Like A Frog
by David Schwartz

A frog can hop 29 times it's body length.  This book is full of interesting facts about animals that children can compare to their own bodies and imagine what it would be like if they had the same abilities as animals.  This is a fun and fact-filled book that allows children to practice ratios and proportions to calculate, for example, how far they could hop if they could hop like a frog.

The Big Buck Adventure
by Shelley Gill

A girl recieves a raise in her allowance, but what will she spend her extra dollar on?  She gets to the store and is overwhelmed with all of the choices she has.  This fun rhyming book provides a great lesson for children about how money involves math and spending or saving money are choices we make everyday.

Popsicle Stick Math

The possiblilities are endless in developing math activities with popsicle sticks.  In a single cup, place 50 popsicle sticks with numbers 0-9 written on one end (each number will be written 5 times).  This website lists just a few activities that can be done using the 50 sticks for a variety of skill levels.  CHECK IT OUT!!

http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ideas/020911_popsicle_stick_math_game.htm

2nd Grade Standard:
2.1.2.A:
Demonstrate the relationship between numbers and quantities, including place value; one-to-one correspondence; rote counting; counting by twos, fives and tens; and comparing values of whole numbers up to 500.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right is a neat game to play in the car or while waiting in line with your children.  One player takes the role of the host and chooses a number and can either write it down or remember it.  Depending on the skill level of the children, a range is determined before the start of the game (for example, a child in first grade could use a range of numbers from 0-50).  As the contestants take turns guessing the number, the host responds and tells each contestant if the number is greater than or less than their guess.  The contestant who guesses the correct number first takes the role of the host.

2nd Grade Standard:
2.1.2.A:
Demonstrate the relationship between numbers and quantities, including place value; one-to-one correspondence; rote counting; counting by twos, fives and tens; and comparing values of whole numbers up to 500.

Place Value Mats

This is a fun game to try with your children to practice place value.  All you need are large pieces of paper to create Place Value Mats  and a deck of cards without face cards (except A's).  The place value mats can be created to hold two or more diget numbers placing commas in appropriate places.  Each player has their own place value mat and draws cards one by one to fill up his or her place value mat.  After the mat is filled, the player reads aloud the number that was created by the cards.  (A's become 1').  Decide before the round if the goal is to get the highest number, lowest number, or anything else you want it to be.  The player who is makes a number closest to the goal wins.

http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ideas/051111_Place_Value_Mats_for_Cards.htm

2nd Grade Standards:
2.1.2.D:
Apply place value concepts and base-ten numeration to order and compare whole numbers up to 500.

When Do We Use Math?

Are you having trouble thinking of ways to include math outside of the classroom?  Take a look at this website to get some ideas about where we can find math during our everyday routines.

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/maths/files/whendoweusemaths.pdf

Math Websites

Do your children love computer games?  Here is a list of a few kid-friendly websites that have excellent math computer games that children will enjoy.  Each site allows you to select a grade level and skill focus.  There are games for children of all skill levels and interests.


1. http://www.arcademics.com/


2. http://www.ixl.com/math/grades


3. http://www.elementarymathgames.net/


4. http://www.funbrain.com/