Pizza Pizzazz!

Summary:

Mario the Pizza man bakes all sorts of different pizzas! He is able to do quick math in his head to make sure everyone gets the type of pizza that they want. He is able to make pizzas with corn, ice cream and so many other crazy ingredients to make all of his customers happy. He also is wonderful at making the pizzas into equal portions by using fractions.

Author: Carol A. Losi

Theme/Skill: Math, Food

Grade Level: 3-6

Pre-Reading Activity:

After introducing fractions to students, this would be a great book to read to enforce that topic. Students should know basic fractions such as thirds, fourth, fifths, and so on. Review these fractions before reading the book so they won't be confused during the reading.

Post-Reading Activity:

Revisit all of the fractions in the story. These events could be used in a sequencing activity to tie in ELA standards.

Reflection:

Having experience in special education, using this book to help break up a math lesson would be great. You could pull small groups and use it as a leveled reader in centers or as a whole group read aloud. All students like pizza so this is a great way to make a connection with their interests. 

Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!

Summary:

The Comfort family wants to throw a family get together, but need some serious math skills to help organize! This is a great story to incorporate math skills into a literacy lesson. Not only does this story include math such as adding and grouping, but measuring, time and simple problem solving skills. This story has real life connections, due to the fact that at some point all students will have to throw their own party, or assist their family members with one.  Also, this story could be used for identifying conflict (or exciting event) and how it is solved.

Another great feature is that in the back of the book there are answers to the questions, as well as extension activities to help parents and teachers.

About the Author: 

Marilyn Burns is the author of this wonderful mathematical tale. She has written several  other great math picture books such as The Greedy Triangle. Burns also is the founder of Math Solutions and has committed many years to providing teachers with professional development and other programs to improve mathematics in classrooms. As a former teacher she truly understands the hard work that goes into teaching students complicated math skills. Her website is:Marilyn Burns

Genre: Non-fiction, Math, Problem Solving, Humor

Grade Level: 1-4

Pre-Reading Activity:

Take the students through a picture walk of the book. Ask the students to make predictions and observations of what they see. Does the story look hectic and busy, or calm and relaxing? Also reviewing the math skills that are in the story would be a great idea, so students would not get bogged down by the math skills, and could focus on the plot.

Post-Reading Activity:

Review what mathematical skills were reviewed in the story. Also discuss with students why math is important to know in life. Create a graphic organizer with the class to list all the different times in life that having a strong math background is important.

Reflection:

 While realizing how difficult it is to cram three or four contents into one day in an elementary classroom, this book would be great to use. It could be used at centers, or as a read aloud activity. Using stories that have cross-curriculum content is the best way to expose your students to more and more while saving time!