How to use Literature to Engage Students in Problem Solving
Children’s books provide a perfect starting point for engaging students in authentic problem solving. Students need time to hypothesize and experiment with strategies in real world situations. Stories provide a context that helps students construct conceptual understanding of math ideas. Reading aloud helps students expand their vocabulary and connect mathematical thinking to real life situations. Stories help students organize, store, and retrieve conceptual information related to the skills, strategies, and processes needed to think mathematically.
Children’s books can be effective vehicles for motivating children to think and reason mathematically. (Burns, 2004)
A children’s book is a great way to launch or assess mathematical learning.
For every math unit, select 2-4 children’s books that contain situations related to the concepts and that allow students to use new skills and strategies. Be sure to choose wisely!
- Is the book interesting and relatable to your students?
- Does the book present content that relates to the focus standards?
- Is the math content developmentally appropriate?
- Will the math situation create a productive struggle?
How will you incorporate read alouds into your math instruction?