Understanding number and number systems is a basic tenet of mathematics. From beginning counting to exploring number systems, to working with algebra, the books below will help students develop and consolidate their number sense at all stages of their mathematical journeys.
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One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
by Kate Read
Review: Winner of multiple awards, this isn’t just a counting book, this is a thriller! Will the sly fox catch the plump hens? Tension mounts to the very end. Accompanied by stunning illustrations, not only does this book help children with counting from 1 to 10, but it also introduces adjectives such as famished and beady to them. Sure to be asked to be read again and again, this beautiful book ends with 100 chickens that can be counted.
Suggested Reading Age: 2 – 5 years
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Write a counting book together, this could be another farmyard adventure or centre around a beloved animal or topic. To extend this further, the book could go beyond 10 as students develop their number sense.
The History of Number Systems
by Gabriel Esmay
Review: Written in easy to understand language, this short book provides an introduction to the history of number systems around the world. Systems from Egypt, Babylon and the Americas are featured as well as an exploration of what future number systems could be like. Packed full of illustrations and photographs, this brings a potentially dry topic to life. “Let’s explore math” sections provide students opportunities to practise their number skills throughout. The overall introduction to number systems this book provides whets the appetite for students to go on and find more detailed information for themselves.
Suggested reading age: 7 – 9 years
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Dive deeper: Ask students to see if they can add more information about one of the number systems addressed in the book and share this with their peers. Pose the question, “Are these the only number systems that have existed?” Students carry out individual or group inquiries to see if they can find any more.
This Book Thinks You’re A Maths Genius
by Thames & Hudson
Review: Highly engaging, this book addresses numerous mathematical concepts, including number and number patterns, in an appealing way. Full of fun activities, each one is designed to practise and then answer the following question “Where’s the maths?” This hands-on experimental approach makes learning fun, helping students to develop their understanding of the concept addressed. This would work equally well used at home or adapted to a school environment.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 – 12
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Use some of the activities as a whole class investigation. Split students into groups or pairs to solve the problem. Share the different ways that were used to solve the same problem. Use this activity as a springboard for students to create their own activities on a similar theme and then swap them for others to solve.
Everything You Need to Ace Pre-algebra and Algebra
by Workman Publishing
Review: The very mention of the word algebra can elicit audible expressions of dread in a classroom! This study guide, however, really does help to make this aspect of maths more accessible. The information provided (and there is a LOT of it) is split up into manageable, small chunks. Key terms are highlighted and defined, and examples are clearly annotated and explained, often accompanied by amusing little cartoon figures or highlights. At the end of each section, students have the opportunity to check their knowledge. This guide is perfect to dip into as students study different aspects of algebra. N.B. This is one of the Big Fat Notebook series.
Suggested Reading Age: 14 – 16 years
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Students apply some of the note-taking strategies used in the guide when taking their own notes. E.g. highlighting and defining keywords, annotating examples they record, etc. They could also come up with their own techniques that work for them.
Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers
by Tom Jackson
Review: This beautifully presented, coffee table-sized book, introduces 100 key moments in the history of maths in a highly visual, inviting way. Full of illustrations, graphs and charts, this book tells the story behind the maths we use today. Short biographies of famous mathematicians make for interesting reading. A 12-page removable timeline featuring key events in history, science and innovation on one side and mathematical problems and games on the other, is sure to have readers poring over it. This is a perfect book to dip into to pique students’ interest in the subject.
Suggested Reading Age: 12 years and up.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Ongoing project: Students create a version of this book linked specifically to areas they address in their maths class over the academic year. In addition, they could research notable mathematicians associated with their areas of study and record the discoveries they made.
Bonus recommendation: Olden but golden!
Can You Count in Greek? Exploring Ancient Number Systems
by Judy and Kathy Leimbach
Review: This is an absolute must for those students who want to have a go at using ancient number systems. Having explored number systems including Hindu Arabic and quinary systems, there are practice pages for students to try out their newly acquired knowledge, providing hours of brain-teasing fun. A useful guide at the beginning helps explain each system – which is a good thing as I had to look up the quinary number system myself!
Suggested Reading Age: 10 – 13 years
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Students challenge each other to write numbers in different number systems. They can come up with a scoring system and set of playing rules.
Happy Reading!
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