Running head: Article Review; Using Storybooks to Teach Math 1

Article Review: Using Storybooks to Teach Math

Carmen L. Willford
Ottawa University






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Abstract
This article contains lesson plans and the importance of childrens literature and the impact it has
in mathematics.
Keywords: lesson plans, childrens literature, mathematics













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An inspiring and educational article Lessons by Marilyn Burns using storybooks to teach
math. (2005) (pg. 27-30). This article included three different lessons based on mathematics and
childrens literature using three different books with different mathematic concepts. Childrens
literature and mathematics encourage students to find their imagination and motivation to learn
and understand the mathematical concepts the book is representing.
When I visit classrooms I find that connecting math to literature can boost confidence of those
who love books are math-wary. (Burns, 2005) (pg. 27). Incorporating childrens literature and
mathematics shows students different forms of literature and how it can be written for a different
way of comprehension.
The first lesson in this article was on addition with a book written by Keith Baker, Quack &
Count (Harcourt Brace, 1999). This lesson and book was designed for first graders. Once she
began reading the story she had the students join in counting the ducks. What I really liked about
this particular book was it focused on the number 7. The addition lesson she had the students
write down was every mathematical equation to equal the sum of 7.
In the second lesson the book used was by Leo Lionni, Inch by Inch (Harper Trophy, 1996).
In the book an inchworm persuades a robin from eating him by offering to measure his tail. The
lesson here was designed for second graders. The teacher reads the story to the class and then
she/he gives them a one inch tile to measure objects around the room. The teacher has the
students chart their findings of which objects measure an inch and which objects are larger than
an inch. The teacher then repeats the lesson a few weeks later after rereading the book. Again

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measuring and charting their findings. This keeps the students very interactive and able to retain
information in different ways.
The third lesson was designed for third graders integrating mental math. Mental math is being
able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using your brain instead of paper, pen, and or
calculator. Night Voices by Mem Fox (Voyager, 1992), was the book used for this particular
lesson. This book is about Lily Laceby, her 90
th
birthday party and how many family and friends
attended. With this lesson you have the students make mental notes of how many friends and
family members attended the party and have them mentally add them up to see how close they
come only using their brain. Working together and sharing strategies we finally figured out
102 people attended Lilly Lacebys party (Burns, 2005) (pg. 30).
Reading through the article tells teachers, parents, and grandparents the benefits of integrating
childrens literature into mathematics. It explains different ways to use math literature with your
class and what they are to gain from those lessons and the literature. A few benefits listed; it
connects a basic skill-mental addition, different ways to acquire answers, supports mathematical
communication, and recording their strategies. (Burns, 2005) (pg. 30).
Inconclusion to incorporating mental math books proves to be an effective way of teaching.
All these lessons proved to be effective and motivating learning tools for students. After
reviewing this article I gained a broader knowledge off why integrating childrens literature into
mathematics is such an exceptional learning tool for students.

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References

Burns, M. (2005). Lessons by Marilyn Burns Using Storybooks to Teach Math. Scholastic Instructor , 27-
30.

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