Book #3 Math Fables

Book #3
Math Fables by Greg Tang
Tang, G. (2004). Math fables. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Summary:
This book has rhyming fables to numbers one to ten. It begins with one and goes up to ten. The number represents the total numbers of animals in each fable, then there is a math problem that adds them up or subtracts them from one another. The fables get increasingly complex as the number get bigger towards the end of the book.

Standards:
SC.2-2 Numbers and Operations: The student will demonstrate through the mathematical processes an understanding of the base-ten numeration system; place values; and accurate, efficient, and generalizable methods of adding and subtracting whole numbers.

Objectives:
The student will be able to combine two addends for the numbers one to ten.

Materials:
11 counters of choice per student
Tang, G. (2004). Math fables. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Procedures:
Before reading, show the children the cover and talk about what fables are and what math fables might be about. Then tell them that there are ten tables in this book and that after you read each one, you’d like them to predict what they think the math in the next one will be about. Read the first fable about one spider waiting patiently in her web and ask, “What do you think the math in the next fable will be about?” It will become apparent that each page will be one higher and the math problems will change. After reading, list the ten numbers and their combinations, as shown in the story. Distribute ten counters to each student and have then show the arrangements with their counters as you go through the story again. As a final challenge, ask the children if there were a page 11, what combinations could you make to create an addition problem with their counters.