Text Set: Math

CIL 607

Amanda Eiman
4/21/2014




This text set contains a variety of books, short stories, poems, and websites that all have a math theme
and can be used to enhance math instruction.
Anchor Text & Line of Inquiry
Resource Title & Author: The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure, by: Hans Magnus
Enzensberger and translated by Michael Henry Heim
Topic /Line of Inquiry for the Text Set: The topic of the text set is Mathematics, with a focus on fifth
grade standards. The anchor text The Number Devil, introduces the readers to a variety of math
concepts that are taught in fifth grade.
CCSS:
5.NBT.A.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it
represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
5.NBT.A.2 Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers
of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided
by a power of 10. Use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10.
SMP#1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
SMP#2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
SMP#4 Model with mathematics.
SMP#6 Attend to precision.
SMP#7 Look for and make use of structure.
SMP#8 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Picture/Link:


Annotation: The Number Devil is a chapter book that explores math through literature. The book
explains the journey of a young boy who hates math and each night he has a dream in which he meets
the Number Devil. The story discusses infinite numbers, prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers, numbers that
magically appear in triangles and numbers that expand without end. Each dream takes the reader
further into mathematical theory. This text will lead the text set because it introduces math as whimsical,
fun, and manageable. This will guide the text set as the other texts carry out the same idea of math
being interesting.

Level: This book is appropriate for grade levels 5-8 and it has a Lexile measure of 580L.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: By using this book students will see math presented in a whimsical
manner. There are helpful tricks and reminders that will allow students to gain knowledge on math topics
that they are already learning. The weakness of this resource is that there are a few concepts mentioned
in the story that do not apply to what students are learning. Therefore it may take a lesson off topic if
read without this being known prior. Additionally, it will be beneficial if each student has a copy of the
book because of the illustrations.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: This text was chosen as the anchor text because it discusses a variety of
different math concepts that are taught in fifth grade. The concepts are presented in a way that leads
to further exploration. Each chapter can be used to introduce a topic and then as a class, concepts can
be taught more in depth.









Resource Title & Author: Math Talk: Mathematical Ideas in Poems for Two Voices, by: Theoni Pappas
Picture/Link:

Annotation: This text is a collection of poems that are written in two voices. It is intended for two people
to read the poems together. The poems discuss a variety of math topics and are a great way to bring
poetry into the math classroom.
Level: This text is appropriate for grades 3 and up.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: The benefits of using this text in the classroom are that it will help
to get students thinking about math and it is in a different format than they have typically seen.
Students will work with partners and the reading will also help build fluency. One of the weaknesses of this
text is that some of the math in the poems is very general. I would not use it as a means of instruction
but I would use it to get students thinking about math.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: As with the anchor text these poems discuss a variety of math concepts
which are taught in fifth grade. Not all the poems have to be used but the poems that match what is
being taught can be used to activate students thinking. The text will let students view math from
different perspectives.








Resource Title & Author: Probably Pistachio, by: Stuart J. Murphy
Picture/Link:

Annotation: This text is a picture book that tells the story of a young boy, who has everything go wrong.
Through the story the reader learns how to tell when something is certain, more likely, less likely, or
impossible.
Level: This text is written at a second grade level but is appropriate to use in classroom for older grades
as well. The Lexile measure for this text is 280L.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: This text would perfect to use when introducing probability to
students. Though it is written at a second grade level the concept is still relevant for fifth grade
standards. One of drawback is that it is a very general introduction to probability not all of the
probability terms used in the older grades are mentioned.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: This text would be used as a quick review or basic introduction to
probability. In fifth grade students are expected to give the likeliness of something taking place. I believe
that this text gives a real world example and a simple overview of probability. As with the anchor text
this story uses literature to explain a math concept that can sometimes be difficult for students to grasp
at first.






Resource Title & Author: Counting on Frank, by: Rod Clement
Picture/Link:

Annotation: This text is a picture book that follows the main character and his dog as they present the
reader with amusing counting, size comparisons, and mathematical facts. The main character is constantly
asking what if questions. The text gives comparisons in fractions and the illustrations show the size
comparisons. For the upper grades the text covers estimation and volume.
Level: This text is appropriate for grades 2 and up.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: This text is written in a language that is easy to understand. The silly
facts and comparisons will grab the readers attention and get them thinking about math. This is a great
text to use to get students thinking about math. One drawback is that the ideas and comparisons are a
little farfetched but I think students will find it interesting.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: I would use this text with students to show them comparisons, how
multiplying a number can make the number grow quickly, and to get them to think of math in a fun way.
As with the anchor text math is presented in a different way than students typically see it in the
classroom. This text will give students a different perspective on mathematical thinking.






Resource Title & Author: The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, by: by Kathryn Lasky
Picture/Link:

Annotation: This text is a biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes. The text
explains how Eratosthenes compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's
circumference. The biography is written in a picture book format with bright illustrations.
Level: The text is appropriate for grades 3 and up. The reading level is 5.7 and the Lexile measure is
840L.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: This text tells the story of Eratosthenes in a way that interests
students. It is the perfect text to use when teaching prime numbers or circumference. This text describes
Eratosthenes method in a clear and precise way using simple language. One drawback that I can think of
for my students is that I may need to review some vocabulary prior to reading.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: Each year I teach a lesson on the Sieve of Eratosthenes. This book would
be a great text to read to teach students about who Eratosthenes is. Additionally, my fifth graders learn
how to find circumference so this would be another opportunity to incorporate the book into our math
instruction. This book allows me to use literature to review a math concept.







Resource Title & Author: The McSquares: A Restaurant Tale of Tables and Algebra, by: Marilyn Burns
Picture/Link: http://bfc.sfsu.edu/PRIME/McSquares.pdf
Annotation: This is a short story that describes a problem two restaurant owners are having. The story
reviews math concepts like perimeter, area, and polygons.
Level: This text is appropriate for fifth grade.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: This text would be perfect to use when teaching area and
perimeter. It offers a real world situation for students to solve. One drawback of this text is that there
are very limited illustrations; I think students would benefit from having illustrations to go along with the
story.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: This text is written at a fifth grade level and presents a real world
problem that students can solve. Students are asked to solve similar problems in math all the time but
this text presents it in a fun story format. The story engages the students in math.














Resource Title & Author: Mr. R.s World of Math and Science, website author/creator unknown.
Picture/Link: http://mathstory.com/
Annotation: This website has a variety of items about both math and science topics. There are poems,
stories, and even videos. The site is designed so you can easily look through and pick the topic in which
you want to read/watch.
Level: This site covers topics that are appropriate for elementary grades.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: This site has many poems and stories that can be used to support
learning in math. The poems can help students remember some topics that may be difficult. One
drawback to this site is the advertisements. The site still works ok the school computers but the ads.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: I can use this site to find poems, stories, and videos to get my students
excited about learning math. Many of the poems are easy to remember and offer reinforcement to
what I am teaching in my math class. As with The Number Devil this site covers a large variety of math
concepts.














Resource Title & Author: Math Playground, creator unknown
Picture/Link: http://www.mathplayground.com/mathvideos.html
Annotation: Math Playground offers videos, games, and activities on a variety of math topics. The site is
user friendly and lists the topics and grade levels that are covered. The videos are animated and done in
a way that is easy for students to understand.
Level: This website has levels from first grade to sixth.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: The videos on this site are helpful for students and review topics
that are taught at their grade level. The videos are presented in a clear manner a students can select
which topic they need to review. One weakness of this site is that there are advertisements on the site.
The site is free to use but the advertisements can become annoying.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: I will use this site with my students because the videos are accurate and
easy for students to understand. There is a wide variety of math topics on the site and the site is easy to
navigate. Much like the anchor book the variety of math topics covered make the site extremely useful
for fifth grades to use to help with math instruction.













Resource Title & Author: BrainPOP, author/creator unknown
Picture/Link: http://www.brainpop.com/math/
Annotation: BrainPOP is a website that offers activities, games, videos, and quizzes on a number of
subjects. The math section of BrainPOP has many videos that review topics taught in fifth grade. After
each video there is a quiz for students to take.
Level: This website is appropriate for grades 3 and up.
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: BrainPOP is very engaging for students. The cartoon characters
are fun for students to watch. Students are excited to the videos and play the games. There are a few
drawbacks to this site. First, it is a site that requires a subscription. The second drawback that I have
found is that some of the vocabulary is too advanced for my students. I often pause the video to clarify
important vocabulary for students.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: BrainPOP is a user friendly website that is very engaging for students.
There are a variety of math topics covered in the videos featured on the site. The activities and games
are engaging for students and it is a great resource to reinforce what is taught during class. Similar to
the anchor text this website covers a variety of math topics but in a way that students can relate to.













Resource Title & Author: Flocabulary, author/creator unknown
Picture/Link: http://www.flocabulary.com/
Annotation: Flocabulary is an online library of songs, videos and activities for grades K-12. The videos
are standards aligned.
Level: This website has videos and activities for grades K-12
Benefits and Constraints/Drawbacks: Flocabulary has a number of videos that review math concepts. The
songs have catchy beats and students quickly learn the words. The raps help students remember
information that is presented. Students are engaged when viewing the videos. The one weakness of this
site is that you have to pay for the site. They offer a 90 day free trial but after that you much
purchase a subscription.
Anchor & Inquiry Connection: This website presents information in a completely different format than
students are used to. The videos provide rap songs to review math concepts and engage students.
Students find these videos fun and are excited to watch new videos. Using this resource motivates
students to learn about math.

















References
BrainPOP: Math. (2014). Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://www.brainpop.com/math/
Burns, M. (n.d.). The McSquares: A restaurant tale of tables and algebra.
Retrieved March 20, 2014, from http://bfc.sfsu.edu/PRIME/McSquares.pdf
Clement, R. (1991). Counting on Frank. Milwaukee, WI: G. Stevens Children's Books.
Enzensberger, H. M., & Berner, R. S. (1998). The number devil: A mathematical adventure.
New York, NY: Henry Holt.
Flocabulary - Educational Hip-Hop. (2014). Retrieved April 21, 2014, from
http://www.flocabulary.com/
Lasky, Kathryn. (1994).The librarian who measured the earth. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and
Company.
Math videos. (2014). Retrieved April 5, 2014, from
http://www.mathplayground.com/mathvideos.html
Mr. R's world of math and science. (2014). Retrieved April 11, 2014, from
http://mathstory.com/
Murphy, S. J. (2001). Probably pistachio. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Pappas, T. (1991). Math talk: Mathematical ideas in poems for two voices. San Carlos, CA:
Wide World Pub.