Finally, I get to go back to math! So many subjects, so little time....
As a non-practicing certified public accountant, I have a strong interest in math, and I love to find picture books that will help students understand this often intimidating subject. It's just as important for parents to surround their children with math as it is to surround them with great children's literature. So, why not put the two together?
One math topic which seems to be particularly confusing to students is the topic of measurement. In the USA, students are required to learn both the customary system (inches, feet) and the metric system (centimeters, meters). Centimeters, inches, meters, feet, yards, kilometers, miles, liters, gallons, grams.....just a few of the puzzle pieces students need to fit together! It's enough to make you dizzy!
If students have "hands-on" experiences with measurement starting at an early age, the topic won't seem as daunting. There are many activities you can do together at home, like cooking and measuring objects with a ruler, which will provide them with the real world experience they need in order to understand the many units of measurement. And once again, we can turn to picture books for a little help.
As I've mentioned before, Leo Lionni is my favorite picture book author. He happens to have a children's book that can be used to introduce "inches" to children between the ages of 5 and 6.
Inch by Inch is about a very clever inchworm who is proud of his ability to measure all kinds of things. It is this ability which saves him from being eaten by birds on more than one occasion!
Not only is this inchworm the perfect size to measure things, but he is a problem solver as well. The beautiful story and illustrations will inspire your child to measure all kinds of things at home. Whether your child wants to use paper clips or a real ruler to practice measuring in inches, this book will bring measurement to life!
A great book to go along with Inch by Inch is called How Big is a Foot? by Rolf Myller. It takes you back to a time when there were no standard units of measurement. When the King uses his own feet to measure the dimensions of a bed for the Queen, you can imagine what kinds of questions and problems arise!
This book will prompt all kinds of "feet-on" activities! If you compare your own feet to those of your child, s/he will really understand the problem this type of non-standard measurement poses, while having a few giggles along the way. It sets up so many opportunities for meaningful and memorable learning.
Please note that How Big is a Foot? is a very small book (less than a foot long - ha, ha), so it's best to read it aloud to one or two children.
Okay, so once children between the ages of 5 and 7 understand how and why we measure in feet and inches, they have a strong foundation upon which they can build. Those early learning experiences are so important because, between the ages of 8 and 10, they learn about the many other units of measurement.
That's why children in the intermediate grades will love Millions to Measure, by David M. Schwartz. While it starts in the early days when there were no standard units of measurement, it goes on to cover the many different units of standard measurement in the customary system and the metric system. It goes beyond distance and explores weight and volume as well. There's also a lot of additional information at the end of the book relating to the metric system.
Millions to Measure can be read aloud in its entirety, or specific sections can be read as children are learning about a specific unit of measurement. It would be great to use props, like rulers, measuring cups, and scales, to perform demonstrations and to set up "hands-on" activities to go along with it.
While the vibrant illustrations will fascinate readers of all ages, this picture book is not meant for younger readers who do not have a basic understanding of how or why we measure. If you do read it aloud to a younger child, I would suggest leaving out a few of the details. Sometimes it's better not to read all of the words. You may find that the illustrations alone, with a few props, can spark a great discussion!
Sometimes parents have as much anxiety about math as their children do. That's why picture books can be such a fantastic resource for families. Who ever said that adults can't learn along with their children? And who doesn't need a refresher once in a while? I know I do!
You can find some other math related posts at the following links:
- Math to World Connections, Part 1
- Math to World Connections, Part 2
- Math to World Connections, Part 3
- Having Fun With Multiplication
- Learning Math Through Play
And please don't forget that Tuesday's the last day to enter into the contest to win a 3 month subscription to DreamBox K-2 Math! Don't miss this great opportunity to keep the math learning going this summer. You can find the details here.
Have a great week!
