Any kindergartner at this time of year will quickly tell you that 1 + 1 = 2, unless it’s a kindergartner who has read this fantastic book 1 + 1 = 5 and Other Unlikely Additions by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Brenda Sexton. The lucky kid who’s read this book knows that 1 + 1 can = 3 if we’re talking about the horns of 1 unicorn + 1 goat. 1 + 1 = 5 if we’re talking about babies (1 set of twins + 1 set of triplets). When does 1 + 1 = hundreds? When we’re counting the seeds in 1 pumpkin + 1 watermelon, a task that would be fun to try with your class after reading this book. Each equation will get kids thinking of combinations of sets in new ways. Challenge your students to write their own 1 + 1 = stumper. Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise (or hot-dog-wise if you visualize it that way). Set it up so the fold is on top, like a lift-the-flap. Have students write 1 + 1 = and their unexpected number. Lift the flap and show how 1 set of things + 1 set = the combination. Your students will have a ball stumping each other and their parents. 1 great book + 1 class of cool kids = plenty of learning for them and a lot of fun for you.
Category Archives: Non-Fiction
A Place for Wonder
Usually I write about children’s books, but this week I’m sharing a gem for grown-ups recommended by my friend, Annemarie Johnson. (Annemarie is a gifted teacher and educational consultant, and her website: http://www.teacher2teacherhelp.com is bursting with great information.) I’ve been thinking quite a bit about nonfiction, so with the school year winding down and summer months opening up some time for me to read professional development books, I’m reading A Place of Wonder: Reading and Writing Nonfiction in the Primary Grades by Georgia Heard and Jennifer McDonough. I love the idea of creating a “wonder center” with treasures like pine cones and rocks kids bring in plus plastic magnifying glasses and informational books and paper to draw and record observations. Even the suggestion of stocking classroom shelves with more nonfiction picture books and having students decide how the books should be sorted makes sense to me. If you have great nonfiction books you use with your young students, please feel free to share in the comments what works for you. This summer, I will read and wonder, plan and share.
Chew on these great books
In a recent Remenar Seminar, a principal pointed out that I share lots of stories, but not a lot of non-fiction. That’s something I’m working on – I love fiction, but I know many learners really respond to informational text. So, I’m trying to pair up books on irresistible topics – like bubble gum!
I’m stuck on the bouncy rhyme of Lisa Wheeler’s Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum: “chewy-gooey bubble gum/ icky-sticky bubble gum/ melting in the road/ along comes a toad” who gets stuck. Then a shrew gets stuck, and more animals get stuck – until a truck comes along! What will they do? Chew! And blow a bubble that lifts them from danger, until…
This makes a terrific storybox. Put this book, with its great illustrations by Laura Huliska-Beith, and puppet characters on wooden sticks in the storybox with a container of homemade pink playdough (make sure it’s non-toxic because one of your sweetpeas will probably try chewing on it) to retell the story.
Then, share Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Megan McCarthy. It is excellent non-fiction for younger students. The topic is sure to grab their attention, the text is short but interesting and full of fun facts, and the illustrations are large enough for a group read. At the end of the book, McCarthy adds lots more information (like who holds the world record for largest bubble) for kids who want to really sink their teeth into the subject.
Want a super-duper Dubble Bubble science extension? Ask your students, “Do you think bubble gum will weigh more or less after you chew it?” Use the scientific method of forming a hypothesis, listing materials and procedure, controlling variables (everyone chews the same kind of gum for the same amount of time), and see what your results are!