Children's Literature for Math Instruction¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Children's literature for math instruction is a strategy in which stories, picture books, or narrative texts are used to introduce mathematical ideas, contexts, or discussion.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A text with a meaningful connection to the mathematical idea.
• Follow-up discussion, modeling, or problem solving that makes the math explicit.

Constraints¶

• Story context alone does not guarantee mathematical clarity.

Target Learning Goals¶

• Increase engagement and make mathematical ideas more concrete and discussable.

Instructions¶

• Read or revisit a text that contains a relevant quantitative or spatial situation.
• Identify the mathematical structure in the story.
• Extend into representation, explanation, or problem solving.

Related Elements¶

• Real-World Math
• Contextualization

Key Sources¶

• Whitin, D. J., & Whitin, P. (2004). New visions for linking literature and mathematics. NCTM.