Math

          Math is broad subject to cover, covering concepts from counting to being able to do operations and algebraic equations. Math texts explore many of these concepts and help students get a deeper understanding of these concepts. Math text also try to make math more appealing and fun for students while teaching students math facts. The first criterion I look for when selecting a math text is appeal. Math can be a dull topic to go over for some students. Making sure the book looks appealing for students will help get them focused to read the book. In order for a text to be appealing it should cover topics that students are interested in. The cover of the book should grab the attention of students with bold letters, pictures, and bright colors. The second criterion I look for when selecting a math text is purpose. Making sure the content pertains to what we are covering and also correlates with the standards. The content in the text needs to correlate also with the way you are teaching the material otherwise this could cause confusion with your students.
          When selecting math texts to be used with in the classroom its important to make sure the text aligns with Iowa Common Core Literacy standards. It is also important to make sure the text aligns with the specific subject in math that will be covered in class. In my classroom I will use math texts for read aloud and shared readings. I plan to have multiple math texts available in my classroom library for students to read on their own time. Lastly, I need to make sure the text is appealing to my students. Students are more likely to read a text if it is appealing. Math text will be integrated into my classroom when I am introducing a new topic to my students. This way I am exposing my students to that topic multiple times throughout the day. 

McGrath, B. (1994). The m&m’s counting book. Watertown: MA:. Charlesbridge Publishing.

Grade level in which text is considered “complex”

• First and second grade

Grade level for class read-aloud

• Kindergarten

The major themes discussed throughout this text is counting, colors, and grouping. This book would work great with younger students in the classroom.  The organizational structure of this text is beneficial for students because it is set up in sequential order.  The book starts by teaching basic math concepts and progressively getting harder for students. This set up helps students gain the prior knowledge to understand the difficult concepts demonstrated at the end of the text. This text has great appeal for students.  The text uses bright colors to grab the attention of students. The text also does a great job of using M&M's as manipulatives to demonstrate math functions to students. This book would be great resource for visual learners in the classroom. Students will need to know the basics of counting and number recognition in order to read this book independently.   

Leedy, L. (1995). 2x2=boo: A set of spooky multiplication stories. New York: Holiday House.

Grade level in which text is considered “complex”

• Second and third grade

Grade level for class read-aloud

• First and second grade

The major themes discussed throughout this text is basic multiplication facts. This book is a fun way to work on basic multiplication facts and rules with students.  The pictures imitate cartoons figuring out the multiplication facts. This text also has a table of contents and fact pages. The table of contents can be found at the beginning of the text and helps students with navigating throughout the text. The fact pages can be found in the back of the book. The fact pages gives students background information about the multiplication rules.  Students may need some assistance with understanding the multiplication facts. Some students may also need a assistance with navigating around the text since it is set up like a comic book.