Sunday, April 14, 2013

Mentor Text Linky {Math Mentor Texts}

I'm linking up with Stacia and Amanda at Collaboration Cuties for another Mentor Text Linky! This week, I'll be sharing my favorite Mentor Text for Math:  Math Curse by Jon Sciescka and Lane Smith!

This book is a little different than other Math Read Alouds like A Remainder of One and The Greedy Triangle.  Rather than introducing one topic, this book shows us all of the math we are surrounded by everyday.  It's a GREAT beginning of year read aloud and I think will make a fun read aloud for the end of the year too!

The story focuses on a child whose math teacher, Mrs. Fibonacci, tells the class that there are numbers all around.  Then the child sees math everywhere!  There are fraction problems at lunch, probability while getting dressed, division when it's time to share cupcakes and logic while the parents decide who is right.  It's such a fun book with so many opportunities to have your students stop and solve the problems, but beware that the answers are on the back cover!

I love this book because its so fun for the reader to act out.  As the story evolves, I like to read with a sort of frenetic voice to mimic the character's energy as he is plagued by all the math following him around!  The kids get really into it!

I also love this book because it is a great way to get your students to think about all of the applications of math they use every single day.  When I read this with my students, I have them write their own scenes to add into the book.  Without fail, I have students who come to school the next day and want to tell the class about the math they saw when they left school!






What book do you use to help you teach math?  Be sure to link up with the Collaboration Cuties!

6 comments:

  1. I love this book and so do my kiddos. Many of them spend the better part of their free time looking through the book again and again trying to solve all the problems.
    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

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  2. I love this book and I have not read it in a while! Thanks for reminding me about it! Happy to be your newest follower!
    Gina
    Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

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  3. I love this book and love to use it at the beginning of the year. It is a great way to teach kids that math is everywhere. I love the idea of having kids add pages to the book - that is a great activity.

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  4. I have this book but I always forget to pull it out!! I love that you (and the book) are making it so real-life applicable!!

    I need to pull out that book now so I don't forget to use it!

    Thank you for linking up!
    Amanda
    Collaboration Cuties

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  5. This sounds like an awesome read!!! I'm always looking to expand my library (even when my wallet isn't ;-)) Can't wait to pick it up!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Brittany
    Closing the Gap... in a Cute Outfit!

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  6. I have this book also but haven't used it in awhile. Thank you for the reminder:) I love how you described your energy and how the students respond during the read aloud!
    ~Holly
    Fourth Grade Flipper

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