Reading is a great way to help teach or reinforce mathematical skills! While you may be wondering about the correlation between math and reading, I would first like to present the idea of a living math book.
The Definition of a Living Math Book
I believe that a living math book is a book that presents mathematical concepts in real life context, which is relevant to the reader. A living math book is not a text book; rather it is a book…plain and simple…a book…with a storyline, which happens to have math skills integrated within the story.
Therefore, by this definition, reading can actually be a fun, engaging method for teaching and/or reinforcing various math skills and concepts. This form of math literacy can span from basic math skills such as counting to more advanced math topics such as angles and probability.
Want to incorporate living math books in your homeschool?
In order to start implementing living math books, it is helpful to have a list of potential math-themed books to read with your children. In order to make your search easier, I have created the Living Math Books website, which is a collection of living math books divided up into categories based on the math topics addressed in each book.
To get started, check out some of the living math books below. While the book titles are Amazon-affiliated links, many of the books can probably be found at your local library! I always suggest that you check there first!
Books About Counting:
- From the Garden by Michael Dahl
- Turtle Splash! by Cathryn Falwell
- 100 School Days by Anne Rockwell
- Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
- View more Counting Books
Books About Addition:
- 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam
- Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy
- Mission Addition by Loreen Leedy
- View more Addition Books
Books About Subtraction:
- Elevator Magic by Stuart J. Murphy
- How the Second Grade Got $8205.50 to Visit the Statue of Liberty by Nathan Zimelman
- Shark Swimathon by Stuart J. Murphy
- Twenty is Too Many by Kate Duke
- View more Subtraction Books
Books About Multiplication:
- Amada Bean’s Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander
- Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar by Masaichiro Anno
- Multiplying Menace by Pam Calvert
- View more Multiplication Books
Books About Division:
- A Remainder of One by Elinor J. Pinczes
- The Great Divide by Dayle Ann Dodds
- The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
- Divide and Ride by Stuart J. Murphy
- View more Division Books
Books About Fractions:
- Give Me Half! by Stuart J. Murphy
- Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy
- Full House by Dayle Ann Dodds
- View more Fraction Books
Books About Measurement:
- Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland by Cindy Neuschwander
- Zachary Zormer: Shape Transformer by Joanne Anderson Reisberg
- Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
- Beanstalk: The Measure of a Giant by Ann McCallum
- View more Measurement Books
