Books for Teaching Fractions
(continued...)
Below is a continuation of our list of the best books for teaching fractions:
13. Apple Fractions
by Jerry Pallotta; illustrated by Rob Bolster
(Kindergarten - 2nd grade) Apple Fractions is a straight- forward approach to teaching fractions using apples and little elves who cut the apples into thirds, fourths, etc--each with dedicated spreads showing numerals, words, and illustrations of the fraction. Teachers can easily build fraction lessons around this book by cutting up real apples into fractions as they read the spreads of the book. The text also includes details on the many different varieties of apples!
Here's
a sample page from inside this book. Most of the pages look similar to
this one in format, although the text on the bottom is about apple
types and not fractions on about half the pages. Imagine reading this
book aloud to your class and stopping at various points to actually cut
apples into the fractions being discussed ("Let's try that with this
apple.") We've heard from teachers that this approach really works and
the class remains engaged throughout the lesson.
To learn more about this book, click the link below. Please note that
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14. Go Fractions
by Judith Stamper; illustrated by Chris Demarest
(Grade 2-4) Considering how popular soccer is, this fun title will have their
attention right out of the gate. Fractions are seamlessly worked into
every possible part of the story (from the team name to their uniforms
to their half-time snacks, and more).
That much math worked into a
storyline usually ends up feeling too forced, but this book is pretty
fun. It's technically an early reader, but it's large enough to read
aloud to the class as well. School Library Journal ended their review by saying, "This title could easily be incorporated within a math lesson."
To learn more about this book, click the link below. Please note that
if you purchase an item from Amazon, they give us a small referral fee.
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15. The Wishing Club: A Story About Fractions
by Donna Jo Napoli; illustrated by Anna Currey
(Kindergarten - 3rd grade) The Wishing Club is a cute picture book based on a common nighttime activity: wishing on a star. In the story, four children wish upon the stars they see in the sky, but oddly enough only seem to get a fraction of the items they wish for. By the fourth night, they figure out how to team up and make their wish for a new pet come true.
"Napoli's story moves smoothly between the magic of wishes granted and the reality of working with fractions" (SLJ) and Anna Currey's darling watercolor illustrations are a perfect complement. School Library Journal said "the mix of magic and math is irresistible" in this title, and we agree! Below are a few sample spreads from inside this cute book for teaching fractions:
To learn more about this book, click the link below. Please note that
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16. Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin
by Pam Calvert; illustrated by Wayne Geehan
(Grade 3-7) Rumpelstiltskin has returned and is threatening to harm the kingdom if he is not repayed for the gold he spun 10 years ago. The baby that was promised to him in the fairy tale is now a ten year old boy named Peter and he is the only one who can get hold of Rumplestiltskin's secret multiplying wand and save the kingdom.
In the process, the reader
learns about multiplying with whole numbers and fractions.This is a fun
book to read aloud to kids learning multiplication (including
fractions), but
not
as an introduction. Kids who cannot themselves
multiply whole numbers and fractions will not be able to follow Peter's
math
solutions. By contrast, kids who have familiarity
with the subject will enjoy
solving the dilemma along with Peter. Therefore, we recommend this
title in the middle or end of your unit, not as an introduction!
To learn more about this book, click the link below. Please note that
if you purchase an item from Amazon, they give us a small referral fee.
(This helps pay for site hosting costs.)
other fractions stories we're reviewing
There are a few other children's books for teaching fractions that we haven't had a chance
to read yet. These books all look cute and fun, so we will try to review them
soon!
more books for teaching fractions:
