Children's Literature in Mathematics



Connecting Math and Storytelling

Children’s literature can be an effective tool for making math more engaging and relatable. By connecting math concepts to stories, students are able to visualize and understand abstract ideas in meaningful ways. Instead of presenting numbers and operations in isolation, teachers can use storybooks to create context and emotion around mathematical thinking. As Furner (2018) explains, when math is introduced through literature, students are more likely to make personal connections, feel less anxious, and develop a more positive attitude toward problem-solving.

Benefits:

Integrating children’s books into math instruction benefits both academic and emotional development. Stories help students see math as something they use every day, counting, measuring, comparing, or finding patterns. Literature encourages curiosity and discussion, giving students opportunities to explain their reasoning and learn from others. According to Furner (2018), this approach helps students view themselves as capable mathematicians while also supporting language development, comprehension, and critical thinking.

Usage: Teachers can use children’s books at any stage of a math lesson as an introduction, exploration, or reflection. For example, The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns is a great way to teach geometry. After reading, teachers can guide hands-on activities.

Furner, Joseph M. “Using Children’s Literature to Teach Mathematics: An Effective Vehicle in a STEM World.” European Journal of STEM Education, vol. 3, no. 3, 2018. ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1190705.pdf


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growth Mindset

Image
  Understanding Growth Mindset A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and ability can be developed through effort, effective strategies, and support (Dweck, 2006). This idea applies not only in the classroom but also in everyday life. Whether a child is learning multiplication, practicing sports, or solving real-world problems, a growth mindset helps them understand that success comes from persistence and learning from mistakes. When students and adults believe their abilities can grow, they approach challenges with confidence instead of fear. What Research Tells Us: Carol Dweck (2006) discovered that students with a growth mindset outperform those with a fixed mindset because they see effort as part of success, not a sign of failure. Jo Boaler (2016) found similar results in math education; students who value mistakes, try multiple strategies, and work collaboratively achieve higher success and confidence. These studies indicate that mindset affects how people perform i...
Read more

Bringing Real-World Relevance to Math

Image
What It Is: Real-world math helps young learners connect what they learn in class to their daily lives. Instead of solving problems with no meaning, students explore math through activities they can see and do. Real-world learning allows children to understand that math is all around them, whether they are at home or school Benefits: When math feels real, students become more excited and confident in their learning. It helps them see that math has a purpose beyond worksheets and tests. Real-world math encourages problem-solving, builds critical thinking, and gives children a sense of accomplishment when they use math to make sense of the world. It also makes learning more inclusive because every child can relate to real-life situations. Examples in the Classroom: Teachers can make math real for students in many ways. During a lesson on measurement, students can measure classroom items or ingredients while cooking. In a money unit, they can role-play as shoppers using play coins and b...
Read more

Technology in the Classroom

Image
Technology has become an important tool for teaching and learning math. When used the right way, it helps children see math ideas more clearly and interact with them in new ways. Studies show that technology helps young children learn math when it makes ideas visible and is used with teacher guidance. The National Association for the Education of Young Children states that technology should support active, social, and developmentally appropriate learning. It should be used to enhance hands-on learning, not replace it. Benefits of Virtual Manipulatives: A large study of 66 research projects found that using virtual manipulatives such as digital pattern blocks, ten frames, and base-ten blocks has a positive effect on math learning (Moyer-Packenham & Westenskow, 2013). These tools give students instant feedback and let them move and rearrange shapes or numbers to look for patterns. For example, students can compose and decompose numbers to make ten or build shapes and talk about symme...
Read more