Using Children’s Literature in Math Class, grades K-6

Math helps us make sense of the world. So does literature. Math is concerned with problem solving. So is literature. Math involves patterns. So does literature.

Do you enjoy sharing a “good story” with your students? Do they seem most engaged during a read-aloud? What books—stories, poetry, nonfiction, or otherwise—do you already use with your student mathematicians?

This workshop will enhance elementary teachers’ understandings of the myriad connections between the too-often-separated worlds of children’s literature and mathematics. Participants will:

•  Link children’s literature selections to important math concepts and skills in the grade K-6 math curricula.

•  Engage in exemplary lessons launched by and thoughtfully connected with engaging children’s literature selections.

•  Explore ways to help students “dig into” content that is most often taught procedurally.

•  Develop strategies to assess student understandings and skills using meaningful math tasks connected to stories.

•  Examine criteria for selecting and using high quality math-related children’s literature.