Math In Literature
"At its simplest, literacy is the way that we interact with the world around us, how we shape it and are shaped by it. It is how we communicate with others via reading and writing, but also by speaking, listening, and creating. It is how we articulate our experience in the world and declare, ‘We Are Here!’” (NCTE Standing Committee on Global Citizenship, March 2020). We have to start making more meaningful connections between mathematics and reading.
How you can help at home
When children are exposed to diverse literature, they are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding and build ideas on a topic. While we often focus on reading for fluency and understanding with children, it is also important to share literature that focuses on mathematical thinking such as counting or shape books, which teach math concepts explicitly, or stories that have embedded math ideas, such as Goldilocks and The Three Bears (size, order, sequences). When we read with (not just to) children, we can learn about how they may interpret ideas, and use questions or a discussion to nurture their thinking. Be sure to check out Finding the Math in Storybooks for Young Children to help guide these discussions here: http://tinyurl.com/jo8ulkr
Resources to help incorporate math and reading
When children are exposed to diverse literature, they are provided with opportunities to develop mathematical understanding. While we often focus on reading for fluency and understanding with children, it is also important to share literature that focuses on mathematical thinking such as number operations, patterns and algebra, which teach math concepts explicitly. When we read with (not just to) children, we can learn about how they may interpret ideas, and use questions or a discussion to nurture their thinking. Be sure to check out the two web sites below for suggested literature titles and ways to help guide mathematical discussions.
http://www.bookworm4kids.com/Math.html
http://mathwire.com/literature/literature.html
More suggestions on helping at home
- Create a home library – there are a lot of books involving math, this does not have to be an elaborate bookshelf. Instead, it could just be a basket of books from the library.
- Be a literacy role model -- Let your kids catch you reading a book, watching the news, or writing in a journal.
- Establish family reading rituals -- Try to carve out 20 minutes a day for reading word problems. Reading just 20 minutes a day can have a profound impact on brain development. Read aloud together (or offer alternatives) -- Try audio books and podcasts. Listen to them in the car on the way to practice, before bed, or during dinner. Slow down and share stories with each other -- Sometimes the power of a conversation can be even more valuable than reading.
- Talk about current events -- Have critical conversations about the media -- What roles do numbers play in current events?
- .. board games are making a comeback -- Look for games that ask participants to use and apply critical thinking skills.