Reprinted from Connect
Vol.19 No.3, January/February, 2006
Focus on: Early Algebra
Grade Level: 3-5
Grade Level: 6-8
Grade Level: K-2
Grade Level: K-8

Literature Links 1/06

by Connect Staff

Frog and Toad are Friends, by Arnold Lobel (Harper Collins, 1970), is one of the "I Can Read Series." The small format of the book and charming illustrations by the author make this an appealing book for beginning chapter-book readers (ages four through eight). A chapter called, "The Lost Button," presents a great opportunity to meld literature with sorting and classifying activities. Toad has lost a button from his jacket. Frog offers lots of found alternatives, however, none of them is the missing button. They are the wrong size, or the wrong color, or shape. By seeing what the button is not (square, green, large), we come to understand the attributes of the missing button. Students could try many activities related to the book, for instance, act out the story, or glue assorted buttons on cards to show sets and intersecting sets.

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar, by Masaichiro and Mitsumasa Anno (Philomel Books, 1983), is a curious exploration of factorial notation. "There was water in the jar … [imagine it as a sea], on the sea was one island. On the island there were 2 countries. Within each country there were 3 mountains. On each mountain there were 4 kingdoms …" and so on. Examining patterns of growth and numbers allows for a better understanding of probability and possibilities for arranging things or circumstances. There is discussion at the end of the book about why this might be useful. The authors state: "(We hope to) give readers an idea of the remarkable order that underlies our universe, and a sense of the mystery, wonder, and excitement that can be experienced through mathematics."

Safari Park, by Stuart J. Murphy (Harper Collins, 2002), is part of the leveled MathStart series. This is an exciting story of a set of grandchildren at an amusement park. One of them has lost his tickets and the others figure out how many tickets they can use and still have some to share with him. Working with unknowns and seeing multiple ways of solving the same problem are important steps in algebraic thinking. The book offers several ideas for working with concepts and hands-on activities and games at the end of the story. These are particularly welcome because on some pages there is so much information included that students could become overwhelmed and lose interest. One recommendation is to have students make tickets to simulate the action in the story. This would be a great, engaging book to use in conjunction with the introduction of algebra for students in second through fourth grade.

Ten Flashing Fireflies, by Philemon Sturges (North-South Books, 1995), is a simply illustrated, large format counting book. There are ten fireflies in the field. As a brother and sister collect them in a jar, readers see different ways of totaling the number ten: nine and one, eight and two, seven and three, etc. Concepts such as the commutative and associative properties can be explored using stories such as these. How many different ways are there of making ten?

Pattern Fish, by Trudy Harris (Millbrook Press, 2000), introduces readers to a series of fantastical underwater creatures, patterned in words and pictures. Each of Anne Canevari Green's pictures includes a simple border that shows what sort of pattern is being discussed. "A fish swims in the ocean. It has stripes upon its back. Yellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black." Each page is arranged so that the last word in the pattern is on the overleaf, so students can try filling in the blank and teachers can listen to assess whether they have the pattern figured out. This book would be best for the very youngest math students.

17 Kings and 42 Elephants, by Margaret Mahy (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1987), uses lively batik illustrations by Patricia MacCarthy and playful, rhythmic language to tell about kings and elephants making their way through the jungle. While the story has no direct connection to algebra, the exercise of dividing elephants among the kings is useful, both from a mathematical approach, as in, how many are left over, and from a language arts approach, as in, what would you do with the remaining elephants? First through fourth graders would enjoy this book and it is featured in Marilyn Burns' Math and Literature (K3).

A String of Beads, by Margarette S. Reid (Dutton Children's Books, 1997), is a great story featuring sorting, classifying, and making and recognizing patterns. While a girl and her grandmother string beads, the girl notices many ways in which beads can be different: size, shape, material, color, origin. There is also the work of making patterns, with two, three, or more elements. In addition to showing "real" applications of important mathematical ideas, this book shows positive images of a multi-generational activity, celebrates the diversity of people and cultures around the world and through time, and advocates creativity and individuality. This would be an excellent text to accompany integrated art and math activities for five through ten year olds.

Thanks to frequent Connect contributors, Phyllis and David Whitin, for their suggestions of two excellent books, Pattern Fish and Ten Flashing Fireflies. You can find many more ideas and strategies for using math-related literature in the their recent book, New Visions for Linking Literature and Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of English and NCTM, 2004).

Connect Staff - Synergy Learning has a small dedicated staff of educators with experience both in the classroom and staff development.
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