Reading and Writing about ’Rithmatic

Reading and Writing about ’Rithmatic : 

Reading and Writing about ’Rithmatic Breathing Life into Math and Science Lessons through Literature

Too many students don’t like math or science : 

Too many students don’t like math or science Photo used with permission from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gunnsi

Traditional teaching methods aren’t working : 

Traditional teaching methods aren’t working Photo used with permission from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremy512/

Slide 4: 

Studies have shown that when literature was integrated into math & science lessons students… Show increased motivation and interest (Welchman-Tischler, 1992; Usnick & McCarthy, 1998; (Broemmel and Rearden, 2006) See real-world connections (Herbert & Furner, 1997) Boost critical thinking skills (Murphy, 2000) Increase test scores (Keat & Wilburne, 2009)

We Can Help : 

We Can Help

Selection Criteria : 

Selection Criteria Literary quality Illustrations Appropriateness of content Inspiration Poses Problems Provides context or a model

Let the Literature Be the Guide : 

Let the Literature Be the Guide

Slide 9: 

How to Win the Jelly Bean Jar contest Length = 20 " Width = 12 " Depth = 10 " Glass thickness = 1/8 " 13 jelly beans = 1 square inch (20 - ¼) (12 - ¼) (10 - ¼) = v v x 13 = jelly beans in jar Round off the answer

Don’t restrict yourself to books! : 

Don’t restrict yourself to books! Short Stories Biographies Poetry Music lyrics Comic books Movies

Science Fiction, Science Facts : 

Science Fiction, Science Facts

High School teachers can learn from grade school… : 

High School teachers can learn from grade school…

A few examples… : 

A few examples… GOLD Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!Bright and yellow, hard and coldMolten, graven, hammered and rolled,Heavy to get and light to hold,Hoarded, bartered, bought and sold,Stolen, borrowed, squandered, doled,Spurned by young, but hung by oldTo the verge of a church yard mold;Price of many a crime untold.Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!Good or bad a thousand fold!How widely it agencies vary,To save - to ruin - to curse - to bless -As even its minted coins express :Now stamped with the image of Queen Bess,And now of a bloody Mary. Thomas Hood

Archaeology, Dinosaurs, Fossils : 

Archaeology, Dinosaurs, Fossils

Botany : 

Botany

Chemistry : 

Chemistry

Color : 

Color

DNA, Genetics, Extinction : 

DNA, Genetics, Extinction

Earth Science : 

Earth Science

Environmental Science & Conservation : 

Environmental Science & Conservation

Forensic Science : 

Forensic Science

Insects : 

Insects

Space & Space Travel : 

Space & Space Travel

Weather : 

Weather

Counting : 

Counting

Number Concepts : 

Number Concepts

Patterns : 

Patterns

Addition : 

Addition

Subtraction : 

Subtraction

Multiplication : 

Multiplication

Division : 

Division

Geometry : 

Geometry

Measurement : 

Measurement

Fractions : 

Fractions

Problem Solving : 

Problem Solving

Data Collection & Analysis : 

Data Collection & Analysis

Coordinates & Graphing : 

Coordinates & Graphing

Algebraic Reasoning : 

Algebraic Reasoning

Probability & Statistics : 

Probability & Statistics

Advanced Concepts : 

Advanced Concepts

References : 

References Broemmel, A. D., & Rearden, K. T. (2006). Should teachers use the teachers’ choice books in science classes? The Reading Teacher, 60(3), 254–265. Hebert, T. & Furner, J. (1997). High ability students overcome math anxiety through bibliotherapy. Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, 8 (4), 164-78. Keat, J. B. & Wilburne, J. M. (2009). The impact of storybooks on kindergarten children’s mathematical achievement and approaches to learning. US-China Education Review, 6 (7), 61-67. Murphy, S. J. (2000). Children's books about math: Trade books that teach. New Advocate, 13 (4), 365-74. Usnick, V. & McCarthy, J. (1998). Turning adolescents onto mathematics through literature. Middle School Journal, 29 (4), 50-54. Welchman-Tischler, R. (1992). How to use children's literature to teach mathematics. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.