At the 27th Annual KSU Conference on Literature for Children and Young Adults where the theme was Reimagining the Role of Children’s and Young Adult Literature, I presented the following 50-minute session on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Mathematizing Read Alouds

How might we deepen our understanding of numeracy using children’s literature? What if we mathematize our read-aloud books to use them in math as well as literacy? We invite you to notice and note, listen and learn, and learn by doing while we share ways to deepen understanding of numeracy and literacy.

Let’s debunk the myth that mathematicians do all work in their heads.  Mathematicians notice, wonder, note, identify patterns, ask questions, revise thinking, and share ideas.  Mathematicians show their thinking with details so that a reader understands without having to ask questions.

What if we pause during read-alouds to give learners a chance to analyze text features, to notice and wonder, to ask and answer questions in context?

How might we inspire and teach learners to make their thinking visible so that a reader understands?

Here’s my sketch note of the plan:

Here are more of the picture books highlighted in this session:

And, a list by approximate grade levels:

Early Learners, Pre-K, and Kindergarten

• Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes
• Little Penguins
• Who Sank the Boat?
• Roxaboxen

Kindergarten and 1st Grade

• Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes
• The Cookie Fiasco
• Bunny Bus
• Goodnight Baseball
• Deep in the Swamp
• Dinner at Panda Palace

2nd, 3rd, 4th Grade

• Hottest Coldest Highest Deepest
• Dinner at Panda Palace
• The Lion’s Share
• The Cookie Fiasco
• Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed

4th, 5th, 6th Grade

• The Lion’s Share
• Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed
• Hottest Coldest Highest Deepest
• How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin