Sorting through Spring
Do you think that math matters to the animals and plants? What if nature knew numbers like you? Can you imagine what patterns and sorting could do? Would flowers grow in patterns? Would rain fall in a rhythm? Would birds balance their nests in a tree?
The wonders of nature, shown in vibrant cut-paper collage, help children grasp the concepts of patterning, data management, and probability. Using an engaging “What if?” format, Sorting through Spring combines mathematical problem solving with lyrical text, bringing children to a full understanding of basic math concepts while observing the natural world in spring.
The Story Behind the Book
While helping my kids with their math homework, I was struck by how some of the math concepts seemed to be discussed in more interesting ways than I remembered. But still, one of my kids kept complaining about why they had to learn this stuff, so I decided to play what if–what if animals used math too? That was the inspiration.
From there it was research and putting together the math and the animals. I got to have fun with the idea of animals using math. I mean come on, who wouldn’t love to see smelt in their schools demonstrate pattern rules?
- written by Lizann Flatt
- illustrated by Ashley Barron
- published by OwlKids Books (March 2013)
- ISBN: 978-1-926973-59-3
- 32 pages
- 8½ x 10¾ inches
Part of the Math in Nature series
Free Collage Activity from OwlKids:
Direct link to PDF file
Free Bookplates to Print out from OwlKids