LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Bridging literature and mathematics by visualizing mathematical concepts

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=822

A lesson plan for Grade 3 Mathematics and English Language Arts

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3
Subjects
English language arts (listening comprehension, reading), mathematics (measurement), science (general), thinking skills (information literacy), diverse learners (multiple intelligences)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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During interactive read-aloud sessions that explore Actual Size and If You Hopped Like a Frog, students identify and analyze elements of author’s craft in conveying mathematical information about the size and abilities of a wide range of animals. After a read-aloud of Actual Size, students discuss the animals in the book and how the author presents their size. Then, the teacher reads If You Hopped like a Frog, a children’s book that compares human feats like jumping with those same actions in animals. Students discuss their observations and how the author and illustrator hook the reader’s attention. Once both books have been read, the teacher challenges students compare the two by creating a Venn diagram. In the next activity, students research an animal and its attributes and measurements. After students have conducted their research, they complete a graphic organizer to help develop their thoughts and create a project illustrating the information. Readwritethink provides suggestions for teacher resource books, assessment guidelines, and options for student projects, as well as links to online interactive tools. This lesson plan also suggests a variety of project ideas and extension opportunities and provides links to helpful student-friendly sites for researching animals.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, or viewing by:
      • setting a purpose.
      • previewing the text.
      • making predictions.
      • asking questions.
      • locating information for specific purposes.
      • making connections.
      • using story structure and text organization to comprehend.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
      • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
      • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
      • drama (skits, plays).
    • Objective 2.08: Listen actively by:
      • facing the speaker.
      • making eye contact.
      • asking questions to clarify the message.
      • asking questions to gain additional information and ideas.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, concepts and ideas within and across selections and support them by referencing the text.
    • Objective 3.03: Use text and own experiences to verify facts, concepts, and ideas.
    • Objective 3.05: Compare and contrast printed and visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, maps).
    • Objective 3.06: Conduct research for assigned and self-selected projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • present information in a sequenced, logical manner.
      • discuss.
      • sustain conversation on a topic.
      • share information and ideas.
      • recount or narrate.
      • answer open-ended questions.
      • report information on a topic.
      • explain own learning.
    • Objective 4.03: Share written and oral products in a variety of ways (e.g., author's chair, book making, publications, discussions, presentations).
    • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal narrative, short report, friendly letter, directions and instructions).
    • Objective 4.10: Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will recognize and use standard units of metric and customary measurement.
    • Objective 2.01: Solve problems using measurement concepts and procedures involving:
      • Elapsed time.
      • Equivalent measures within the same measurement system.
    • Objective 2.02: Estimate and measure using appropriate units.
      • Capacity (cups, pints, quarts, gallons, liters).
      • Length (miles, kilometers).
      • Mass (ounces, pounds, grams, kilograms).
      • Temperature (Fahrenheit, Celsius).