The Grapes Of Math: Mind-Stretching Math Riddles

Posted by: Solange Nepomuceno

Author & Illustrator: Greg Tang/ Harry Briggs

Recommended Grade Level: 1^st – 5^th grade

Common Core Content Standards Addressed

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A2
Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

CCSS.Math.Content.1.0A.A.2

Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics.

Mathematically proficient students can apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace. In early grades, this might be as simple as writing an addition equation to describe a situation.

Summary

The Grapes Of Math launches children into the art of problem solving through a series of engaging math concepts.  This book challenges children to think creatively, while they are solving a math problem.  It gives children ideas on how to add more quickly and precisely.  Children feel confortable because it is fun and exciting.  It is an essay way to do math, breaking big numbers into smaller numbers.  It allows children to forget they are learning math without the notion of memorizing formulas.

Rating

The rating is 4.04 star book.  The Grapes Of Math can be used from 1^st to 5^th grades and diverse classroom setting.  This book is good for all seasons and helps develop higher math skills children need. Also, The Grapes Of Math inspire and challenges kids to use their imagination and common sense to solve problem instead of using the process that involve retelling or repeating information until it is memorized.

Classroom Ideas

1             Fish School a section in The Grapes Of Math book can be used as a great tool to introduce children to the concepts of addition.  Addition is the total or sum of two or more numbers. There are several ways to familiarize children with math concept.  One way that I will use is The Language Teacher Approach TPR, which is a good tool use for visual representation (Wright p.61). This helps students to interact while acquiring knowledge and help them understanding of addition concept. I will ask three students to come to the front and stand next to me on my right and the other two students will be asked to stand next to me on my left.  Then I will ask the class to count how many students I have on my left and how many students I have on my right.  Then I will introduce to the class the number of students as a whole number.  The students will have the opportunity to visualize and understand the concept of addition.

2            The book has specific questions that I will use to engage students in a group activity to practice addition.  I will divide students into three groups and I will provide students a small box with fish made out of construction paper.  Each box contains a number of fish in different color. Group-1 is in charge of colors blue and yellow, group-2 colors orange and green and group-3 pink and red.  Then, I will ask each group how many fish they have in total.  Students will orally provide the answer.  While students are saying the total, I will write each answer on the board.  After, that it will be easy to find the total of fishes in the boxes.