Thanks to everyone for their responses:
Original Post:
I am looking for examples of how library media specialists provide instruction
and/or support for math in their buildings. Possible topics might include:
Number Sense
Computation
Algebra
Geometry
Measurement
Problem Solving
I'll post a hit with any and all ideas! :)
Replies:
I love the game SET (setgame.com) and I bought 5 decks
of the cards and the transparencies of the cards and
taught it to all my 3rd through 5th grade classes, and
then played it with some classes occasionally and
encouraged the teachers to buy a game for the
classrooms for free activity.
Several teachers asked me why I was teaching a math
game in the library. I replied that the library
includes all the subjects...
=-=-=-=
The primary math classes, not all, but some, come to
the library where I have put out all the number
concept and counting books. I read one aloud and then
the children are free to look at the rest. The teacher
takes a large selection back to the classroom where
she incorporates them into appropriate lessons.
(I have suggested this as a good sub lesson, when the
teacher knows ahead of time that she will be out).
For math department meetings I will take a whole slew
of the math books - even some fiction - so that
teachers can see the variety of things available. A
couple of teachers put up a display in their rooms and
when kids are finished with the assignment or test or
there's a few minutes left, they will use them.
The advanced 8th grade math teacher and I have talked
about math bios, but have never gotten the time to
actually do it with the kids.
I did a Football (Buffalo being a BIG football town)
Math bulletin board one year, where the kids could
make a list of all the ways numbers and math are used
in it.
=-=-=-=
The math program used by our school provides a list of picture books on
topics that support the math curriculum. I made sure we had as many as
possible from the list, and then put a category in the OPAC so that
teachers can find the books easily.
I have also made an effort in the last two years to include math in my
units in the library. For example, after the third graders are
introduced to decimals, we do a scavenger hunt with call numbers for
clues, which reinforces what they've just learned about number order.
In second grade, the children compile data on dinosaurs, and we put the
data on a graph, looking for the relationship of size to diet.
I also maintain a "teacher portal," with suggested links in each of the
content areas. Here's my math page:
http://www.livoniacsd.org/class_webs/agordon/Teacher%20Portal/Math.htm
=-=-=-=-
I have them practice their math facts during library time, before school and
lunch recess time they can come into the computer lab and go to my website
to practice.
=-=-=-=-
This might not be what you are looking for but I work with math
teachers when they want to bring a class to the library to use the computers
to access a very popular site <aaamath.com>. They use this site to reinforce
particular skills taught in class. We also do research projects where
students research mathematicians for class presentations. We use the Star
Math Program in the library to test students for placement in Accelerated
Math. I have also done readers theater with math classes, but truthfully
not in a while. I used a book I got from either Teachers Idea Press or
Linworth Pub. but it isn't here with me at home and I can't remember the
exact title.
=-=-=-=-
I use the Stuart Murphy books all the time and teach the concepts in them. For
example, I used the book Fair Bear Share and had the students solve the
problems with me on the teaching board with rounding and then the last square
they had to do their own problem with rounding and actual answer. I took a
grade and gave it to the teachers for a math grade for them.
I did the same with the book, Shark Swimathon, which uses regrouping.
I used the Domino Addition book, and had the kids use a domino sheet where they
have to count domino spots for K and 1. K - 4th had to create problems using
actual dominos. Younger kids had to do addition problems. Older kiddos had to
turn dominos sideways and use two to make two addition problems and two
subtraction problems.
M&M books have lots of different subjects that are touched on that can be read
to support math curriculum. There are ones with Reeses Pieces, Twizzlers,
Necco candy, etc. Kids love them because it's food. Now if you are in a
district where you can actually give them candy, then the M&M books are great
teaching tools.
I also use Loreen Leedy's books to read and support, but not actual instruction.
=-=-=-=-
I have a website (10 years old now) called MIKIDS at www.mikids.com.
I teach the technology in a K-5 elementary school as well as teach library
skills.
I have the kids either play Spacey Math or go to the Math games page
(grades 3,4,5) and pick a manipulative from the vast selection.
Sometimes I read a book in the library and then we work with numbers: IE
Five Chinese Brothers.
There are many ways to work math into the Library and/or lab.
=-=-=-=
I keep a list of all the picture books we have that deal with math, for a
project our jr hi math teacher does every year, plus I offer her lists from
time to time to check for possible purchases. We have a math/cookbook (The
Math Chef) and a terrific origami/geometry book, too.
=-=-=-=
One of the things I am doing right now is showing practical uses for tallying
and demonstration of a spreadsheet and eventually charting. We are counting our
votes for our state children's choice books. After the children vote with their
class, we tally them using the document camera. I do the tallying, explaining
what I am doing with K and first. Second and third graders do the tallying and
totaling. I then switch to my computer and spread sheet and add their class in
for the grade level votes, showing them where to watch for changes as I add in
their numbers. After all of the voting is done I will show them the final
totals in chart form and we will discuss those also. I also post those charts
for the kiddos to look at on their own.
=-=-=-=-=
Made sure that I had the Marilyn Burns library for each grade. See
Scholastic.com
=-=-=-=-=-
Thanks,
Carl
_______________________________________________________________
Carl A. Harvey II - Library Media Specialist
North Elementary School - 440 N. 10th St. - Noblesville, IN 46060
317.773.0482 - FAX 317.776.6274 - carl_harvey@mail.nobl.k12.in.us
<www.nobl.k12.in.us/media/NorthMedia/index.htm>
AASL 2007 - The Future Begins @ your library! <www.ala.org/aasl/reno/>
ILF 2007 - Building Community @ your library! <www.ilfonline.org>
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