Discover Math in Books
Support your Child’s Learning with Engaging Stories
Children Love Stories
Parents and teachers can take advantage of this by using literature as a vehicle for teaching and consolidating understanding. Literature can highlight concepts, act as a springboard to new math learning, stimulate discussion, or provide alternate explanations of a concept. It can make mathematical concepts more accessible, as it puts math into a meaningful context, provides visual aids for the students, and encourages communication, helping to support all learners.
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Search a list of recommended books. I have purposely selected ones I feel are most effective for teaching math concepts and sparking kids’ interest. The list is not all encompassing, but I am always reading new books as they are released and scouring libraries to add great finds.
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This book brings to life the story of four African American female mathematicians working for NASA at the height of the Space Race between the United States and Russia—Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Christine Darden. All talented mathematicians, they had to work under conditions of racism and sexism, but still distinguished themselves through their work and significant contributions to the agency…
This book brings to life the story of four African American female mathematicians working for NASA at the height of the Space Race between the United States and Russia—Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Christine Darden. All talented mathematicians, they had to work under conditions of racism and sexism, but still distinguished themselves through their work and significant contributions to the agency. Even in this young readers’ edition, there are plenty of details and research, along with a helpful timeline and glossary.
At 12 years old, Claudia is the oldest child in her family and feels woefully unappreciated at home. She decides to leave, but does not want to simply run away, and instead decides to run to someplace, choosing the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as her temporary home. She brings along one of her brothers, Jamie, as an accomplice…
At 12 years old, Claudia is the oldest child in her family and feels woefully unappreciated at home. She decides to leave, but does not want to simply run away, and instead decides to run to someplace, choosing the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as her temporary home. She brings along one of her brothers, Jamie, as an accomplice and to help with money during the excursion. Once at the museum, they find themselves amidst a great art mystery surrounding a newly-acquired statue. Determined to find answers, Claudia and Jamie go on a quest to discover the source of the statue, and also learn a bit about themselves in the process. The math in this book involves not only puzzling through clues and making deductions, but also in budgeting money. Throughout the book, Claudia and Jamie must keep track of their money, determine what to spend money on, and even acquire more money (via their baths in the fountain!). Have your child keep track of their spending, as well as discuss inflation and how prices have changed from 1967 until now. What might their adventure cost now?
Taking place in New York City, a young boy searches for his lost dragon. On each page of pen-and-ink illustrations, the boy searches on, while also counting various objects, like buses, taxis, ships in the harbor, and hot dogs. Quite helpfully, the objects to be counted (numbers 1-20) are the only splashes of color on each page. With so many details on each page, there is always more to discover…
Taking place in New York City, a young boy searches for his lost dragon. On each page of pen-and-ink illustrations, the boy searches on, while also counting various objects, like buses, taxis, ships in the harbor, and hot dogs. Quite helpfully, the objects to be counted (numbers 1-20) are the only splashes of color on each page. And with so many details on each page, there is always more to discover with each reading. See if your child can find the author and illustrator himself in one of the pictures, or if they can find the escaped monkey later on in the book!
From a young age, Raye Montague had her sights on becoming an engineer. Through her unending persistence and determination, Raye faced down sexism and racism and finally gained recognition for her contributions, which changed the course of submarine design…
From a young age, Raye Montague had her sights on becoming an engineer. Through her unending persistence and determination, Raye faced down sexism and racism and finally gained recognition for her contributions, which changed the course of submarine design. The riveting story along with the rhyming scheme and illustrations will keep your child engaged. And in the back you can find a full biography, a timeline of events, some fun facts, and a note from Montague herself.
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Children love stories. Parents and teachers can take advantage of this by using literature as a vehicle for teaching math and consolidating understanding. Children's literature can highlight concepts, act as a springboard to new math learning, stimulate discussion, or...
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