Bring Literacy into Math with Big Books!

Big Books for Math Instruction and Centers

*enter to win the entire Big Book set below*

We use big books in a variety of ways in my classroom.  I love using big books during reading and writing workshop.  Because of their large size, students really engage with the text as we are gathered on the carpet.  After I've used a particular book for a mini-lesson, students love being able to partner read using the big book and even add their thinking via sticky notes to certain pages.  They enjoy seeing their peer's connections, questions, and predictions. 

I find that some of my most powerful math lessons are the ones that incorporate literacy.  We do a lot of written reflection, taking notes on procedural steps, and oral retelling with partners for problem solving.  I also begin many of my lessons with a read aloud that focuses on the concept we will explore.

A Few of my Favorite Picture Book Read-Alouds for Math

The Big Book Pages are Simple and Engaging for Children

We use a math program that incorporates a lot of hands-on activities.  We use manipulatives almost daily.  The students enjoy working with the items to create, build, add, and visually see the concepts we are learning about.  I do a lot of modeling so that the manipulatives are used as tools for learning - not toys.  We do, however, always have an explore day where we simply have fun and get creative with the tools, too.  

ETA has developed a series of Big Books that teach about the manipulatives for math and highlight a few examples for using the tools for learning.  There are seven books in this series: Cuisenaire Rods, Color Tiles, Pattern Blocks, Snap Cubes, Tangrams, Geoboards, and Base Ten Blocks.  You can buy the books individually for $39.95 each or receive 15% off by purchasing the set of seven books for $269.95 (you also receive the handy carrying bag to safely store and transport your books).  Purchasing the set would be a great addition for a grade level team to share!  The bag is durable and makes it easy to carry the books back and forth. 

I'm very excited to have all seven books in the series - and the portable carrying bag.  I look forward to using these Big Books in a variety of ways next year.  After using the books with a lesson, I will place them in the math center so that they can be used alongside the corresponding activity.  I appreciate when literacy easily lends itself to blend so nicely into other content areas.

AWESOME NEWS: ETA is Giving-Away an Entire Set of Big Books 

that is right - a $269.95 value (all 7 big books & carrying case)

*winner must be have a US mailing address*

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