Children's Literature
I have provided two books that focus on place values. I have chosen these two books because I feel that they are appropriate for your second grade child. The Fry Analysis has been used to determine the readability of these books. Feel free to check these books out at your local bookstore or local library.
Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens
By: Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by: Wayne Geehan
Literacy Analysis
Storyline: Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens is about planning a surprise birthday party for King Arthur. Sir Cumference and Lady Di plans the party and does not expect so many guests to show up. To find a quick way to count for lunches and dinner, they figure out a solution by using place values and grouping into tens.
Vocabulary: The book contains everyday vocabulary used by children. There are vocabulary words used in our place value unit emphasized in this book: groups, numbers, one, ten, hundred, larger (greater than), place value, digits.
Writing style: The writing style for this book is very kid-friendly. There is a good amount of dialogue and quotes. This book includes exclamatory sentences, declarative sentences, and interrogative sentences. The topic of place value is used throughout (mostly the ending) of the book.
Presentation: The story presents the theme of place values very well. The illustrations match with the storyline of the book. There are many illustrations representing place values, such as grouping, numbers, and charts.
Math Analysis
Story line: Sir Cumference and Lady Di find a quick way to count by using place values and grouping. The concept of place value is used throughout (mostly the ending) of the book and the solution of the problem is solved by using the concept of place value.
Vocabulary: This book connects with our place value unit, containing place value vocabulary content. As stated before, there are vocabulary words used in our place value emphasized in this book: groups, numbers, one, ten, hundred, larger (greater than), place value, digits.
Content: The content of this book is perfect for our place value unit. The content covers place values very well which is an important math concept for second graders. The content of place value is covered through Pauline's journey to finding the house the birthday party is held at using her place value skills.
Accuracy: The book is accurate in relating the story back to place values by finding a quick way to count for King Arthur's surprise birthday party. There are illustrations corresponding to the text for students to see the how place value is involved with grouping.
Visuals: The illustrations in this book go together with the storyline. The illustrations cover most of the pages and are appealing to children. The illustrations of the place value examples are labeled with numbers for the students to visually see.
Front matter: The front of the book has the cover, the title page, and the publication page, which also includes an author's dedication to the book.
Back matter: The back of the book includes a page including a variety of children's math books by the publisher with different math themes and the back page that includes a short summary of the book and a short sentence about the author and illustrator.
Readability Score: The readability score is at the edge of third grade. There is an average of 10.3 sentences and 131 syllables per 100 words estimated. Even though we are a second grade classroom, this book addresses the theme of our unit (place value) and is an engaging book students will enjoy. The teacher will read this book to the students and this book will be available in the classroom for the students to read individually and to challenge themselves.
Instructive suggestions for parents/ information about how to read the book: It is always important to engage students while reading. In the middle of the book (I would recommend page 13), ask your child what he/she predicts will happen with planning the party and a possible solution for Lady Di. It is also important to incorporate and review place values into the story. A fun idea would be to cover the illustrations on page 22 and have your child make the illustrations of the groups as he/she is reading the texts and then compare his/her work to the illustrations given.
Neuschwander, C. (2009). Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens: A Math Adventure. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
By: Cindy Neuschwander
Illustrated by: Wayne Geehan
Literacy Analysis
Storyline: Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens is about planning a surprise birthday party for King Arthur. Sir Cumference and Lady Di plans the party and does not expect so many guests to show up. To find a quick way to count for lunches and dinner, they figure out a solution by using place values and grouping into tens.
Vocabulary: The book contains everyday vocabulary used by children. There are vocabulary words used in our place value unit emphasized in this book: groups, numbers, one, ten, hundred, larger (greater than), place value, digits.
Writing style: The writing style for this book is very kid-friendly. There is a good amount of dialogue and quotes. This book includes exclamatory sentences, declarative sentences, and interrogative sentences. The topic of place value is used throughout (mostly the ending) of the book.
Presentation: The story presents the theme of place values very well. The illustrations match with the storyline of the book. There are many illustrations representing place values, such as grouping, numbers, and charts.
Math Analysis
Story line: Sir Cumference and Lady Di find a quick way to count by using place values and grouping. The concept of place value is used throughout (mostly the ending) of the book and the solution of the problem is solved by using the concept of place value.
Vocabulary: This book connects with our place value unit, containing place value vocabulary content. As stated before, there are vocabulary words used in our place value emphasized in this book: groups, numbers, one, ten, hundred, larger (greater than), place value, digits.
Content: The content of this book is perfect for our place value unit. The content covers place values very well which is an important math concept for second graders. The content of place value is covered through Pauline's journey to finding the house the birthday party is held at using her place value skills.
Accuracy: The book is accurate in relating the story back to place values by finding a quick way to count for King Arthur's surprise birthday party. There are illustrations corresponding to the text for students to see the how place value is involved with grouping.
Visuals: The illustrations in this book go together with the storyline. The illustrations cover most of the pages and are appealing to children. The illustrations of the place value examples are labeled with numbers for the students to visually see.
Front matter: The front of the book has the cover, the title page, and the publication page, which also includes an author's dedication to the book.
Back matter: The back of the book includes a page including a variety of children's math books by the publisher with different math themes and the back page that includes a short summary of the book and a short sentence about the author and illustrator.
Readability Score: The readability score is at the edge of third grade. There is an average of 10.3 sentences and 131 syllables per 100 words estimated. Even though we are a second grade classroom, this book addresses the theme of our unit (place value) and is an engaging book students will enjoy. The teacher will read this book to the students and this book will be available in the classroom for the students to read individually and to challenge themselves.
Instructive suggestions for parents/ information about how to read the book: It is always important to engage students while reading. In the middle of the book (I would recommend page 13), ask your child what he/she predicts will happen with planning the party and a possible solution for Lady Di. It is also important to incorporate and review place values into the story. A fun idea would be to cover the illustrations on page 22 and have your child make the illustrations of the groups as he/she is reading the texts and then compare his/her work to the illustrations given.
Neuschwander, C. (2009). Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens: A Math Adventure. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
The Case of the Missing Birthday Party
By: Joanne Rocklin
Illustrated by: John Speirs
Literacy Analysis
Storyline: The Case of the Missing Birthday Party is about Pauline and her journey to finding the birthday party she was invited to. Pauline's pet hamster chewed up her birthday invitation and all she has is the number five. With her neighbor's help, they take a journey using clues through place values to finding the house she is looking for.
Vocabulary: The book contains everyday vocabulary used by children. There are vocabulary words used in our place value unit emphasized in this book: ten, tens' place, digit, number, ones' place, hundreds' place, three-digit number.
Writing style: The writing style for this book is very kid-friendly. There is a good amount of dialogue and quotes. This book also includes a few repetition.
Presentation: The story presents the theme of place values very well. The illustrations in this book is presented in a kid-friendly way with bright, bold, colorful visuals.
Math Analysis
Story line: Pauline uses place value skills to find clues (missing numbers) in reaching her journey to finding where the house the birthday party is held. Through using place value skills to finding clues, she reaches her destination and gets to the birthday party.
Vocabulary: This book connects with our place value unit, containing place value vocabulary content. As stated before, there are vocabulary words used in our place value emphasized in this book: ten, tens' place, digit, number, ones' place, hundreds' place, three-digit number.
Content: The content of this book is perfect for our place value unit. The content covers place values very well which is an important math concept for second graders. The content of place value is covered through Pauline's journey to finding the house the birthday party is held at using her place value skills.
Accuracy: The book is accurate in relating the story back to place values through Pauline's journey. This book also includes place value activities and instructions on how to play the place value game to engage students in focusing and practicing place values.
Visuals: The illustrations in this book go together with the storyline. The illustrations cover most of the pages and are appealing to children. The illustrations show the emotions of the characters on the characters' faces and show their clues and journey to finding the correct house.
Front matter: The front of the book has the cover, a page for notes to parents, the title page, and the publication page.
Back matter: The back of the book includes information about the activities used in the story, retelling the story, instructions on how to play the place value game, and the back page.
Readability Score: The readability score is first grade. There is an average of 21 sentences and 122 syllables per 100 words estimated. Even though we are a second grade classroom, this book addresses the theme of our unit (place value) and is an engaging book students will enjoy. The students will read this book independently.
Instructive suggestions for parents/ information about how to read the book: Engage your child by creating a similar journey by giving your child a number and guiding your him/her to use their place value skills to find the rest of the missing number. As mentioned under the note to parents page, "give your child a chance to retell the story" (Speirs, 1996). Play the place value game (mentioned in the end of the book) to treat math activities in fun way to engage your child's interest. Since this book is in a readability level of first grade, let your child read independently (and guide them if needed).
Rocklin, J. (1997). The Case of the Missing Birthday Party. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
By: Joanne Rocklin
Illustrated by: John Speirs
Literacy Analysis
Storyline: The Case of the Missing Birthday Party is about Pauline and her journey to finding the birthday party she was invited to. Pauline's pet hamster chewed up her birthday invitation and all she has is the number five. With her neighbor's help, they take a journey using clues through place values to finding the house she is looking for.
Vocabulary: The book contains everyday vocabulary used by children. There are vocabulary words used in our place value unit emphasized in this book: ten, tens' place, digit, number, ones' place, hundreds' place, three-digit number.
Writing style: The writing style for this book is very kid-friendly. There is a good amount of dialogue and quotes. This book also includes a few repetition.
Presentation: The story presents the theme of place values very well. The illustrations in this book is presented in a kid-friendly way with bright, bold, colorful visuals.
Math Analysis
Story line: Pauline uses place value skills to find clues (missing numbers) in reaching her journey to finding where the house the birthday party is held. Through using place value skills to finding clues, she reaches her destination and gets to the birthday party.
Vocabulary: This book connects with our place value unit, containing place value vocabulary content. As stated before, there are vocabulary words used in our place value emphasized in this book: ten, tens' place, digit, number, ones' place, hundreds' place, three-digit number.
Content: The content of this book is perfect for our place value unit. The content covers place values very well which is an important math concept for second graders. The content of place value is covered through Pauline's journey to finding the house the birthday party is held at using her place value skills.
Accuracy: The book is accurate in relating the story back to place values through Pauline's journey. This book also includes place value activities and instructions on how to play the place value game to engage students in focusing and practicing place values.
Visuals: The illustrations in this book go together with the storyline. The illustrations cover most of the pages and are appealing to children. The illustrations show the emotions of the characters on the characters' faces and show their clues and journey to finding the correct house.
Front matter: The front of the book has the cover, a page for notes to parents, the title page, and the publication page.
Back matter: The back of the book includes information about the activities used in the story, retelling the story, instructions on how to play the place value game, and the back page.
Readability Score: The readability score is first grade. There is an average of 21 sentences and 122 syllables per 100 words estimated. Even though we are a second grade classroom, this book addresses the theme of our unit (place value) and is an engaging book students will enjoy. The students will read this book independently.
Instructive suggestions for parents/ information about how to read the book: Engage your child by creating a similar journey by giving your child a number and guiding your him/her to use their place value skills to find the rest of the missing number. As mentioned under the note to parents page, "give your child a chance to retell the story" (Speirs, 1996). Play the place value game (mentioned in the end of the book) to treat math activities in fun way to engage your child's interest. Since this book is in a readability level of first grade, let your child read independently (and guide them if needed).
Rocklin, J. (1997). The Case of the Missing Birthday Party. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
How to Read with Your Child
Seussville (2011). Tips for Reading with your Children. Random House LLC. Dr. Seuss. Retrieved March 2014.
http://www.seussville.com/Parents/tips_reading_child.php
- Pick a comfortable spot
- Make it a routine
- Give lots of encouragement: read aloud, point to pictures, say the words together, laugh with your child
- Have a bonding activity by reading with your child
- Talk about the book: favorite passages, characters, and illustrations
Seussville (2011). Tips for Reading with your Children. Random House LLC. Dr. Seuss. Retrieved March 2014.
http://www.seussville.com/Parents/tips_reading_child.php