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This document provides annotations and reflections for three books that could be used to teach middle school mathematics concepts. It summarizes the key ideas and lessons within each book. The first book incorporates basic geometry about circles in a fun story format. The second book explains the use of pi in a creative dragon adventure story. The third book tells a story that touches on various math topics like shapes, addition and problem solving. The annotations note how each book presents mathematical ideas in an engaging way and could help struggling readers better understand the concepts.

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56 views

Text Project

This document provides annotations and reflections for three books that could be used to teach middle school mathematics concepts. It summarizes the key ideas and lessons within each book. The first book incorporates basic geometry about circles in a fun story format. The second book explains the use of pi in a creative dragon adventure story. The third book tells a story that touches on various math topics like shapes, addition and problem solving. The annotations note how each book presents mathematical ideas in an engaging way and could help struggling readers better understand the concepts.

Uploaded by

api-316827537
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Johanna McNulty

Text Project
TEKS: 7.8 a-c: Expressions, equations, and relationships: The student applies
mathematical process standards to develop geometric relationships with volume.
Book One:
Neuschwander, C., & Geehan, W. (1997). Sir Cumference ... Watertown, MA:
Charlesbridge.
Annotation: This
book incorporates
basic geometry
principles about
circles in a fun and
engaging way. The
story follows the
search for the
perfect table to fit
all of the kings
nights comfortably
and the math that
follows along such
an issue. This book
is a moderately easy read. Therefore it could greatly
help students who struggle with basic reading better
understand the circle concepts presented.

Readability: 1. Long ago, in a land known as Camelot, there lived


many knights and ladies. Their ruler was a mighty, but gracious,
man named King Arthur. During many years of peace and good
harvests, the people lived happily.
The trouble began when they saw the army of their
neighbors to the north gathering at the border. These people,
known as the Circumscribers, looked as if they might be preparing
to make war. King Arthur called upon his bravest and most trusted
knights to plan what to do.
The knights rode as fast as they could to the Kings castle.
Sir Cumference

2. After the first day of meetings with all the Kings knights, Sir Cumference sat
with Lady Di.
Ooooh, he groaned, my throat hurts. I have to shout to be
head at the other end of the long rectangular table. Everyone
has to shout, and the King is very upset.
Why dont you fix the table? suggested Lady Di.
How can we do that? Sir Circumference asked.
Well, said Lady Di, you could cut it in half. Look, here is a
drawing of the table. It has two long sides and two short sides.
If you cut it in half, and

3. This table is going to be harder to build since it has no


straight edges, said Geo I will begin at once.
When the knights met again they were all impressed by the
oval table. Sir Lancelot suggested that they raise their goblets
and drink a toast.
All of the knights raised their goblets, but there was a great
commotion from the ends of the table.
The knights at the end of the oval table bumped into the King
as they raised their goblets. No one had enough room.
Some of the knights began to argue. Then King Arthur
shouted,

Reflection: I found while the readability is on an elementary level, the content can
easily be translated to a middle school level.
Book Two:
Neuschwander, C., & Geehan, W. (n.d.). Sir Cumference and the dragon of pi: A
math adventure.

Annotation: This book explains the use of pie in


a fun and whimsical way. Radius begins on a
journey to cure Sir Cumference who has
become a dragon. Along this journey to create
the potion to cure Sir Cumference, Radius finds
the reason and necessity for pie. This book
helps create fun and explorative learning for the
reasoning of a circle.

Readability: 1. As he ran through the kitchen, he saw his cousin,


Lady Fingers. She was baking pies.
She measured strips of dough into equal lengths with a span of
her fingers. Help me finish the last pie, please, she pleaded.
Radius thought about Syms wheel. He arranged the strips on the
pie like the spokes. There were three strips left over. He draped
them around the rim of the pie pan. One, two, three strips go
almost all the way around the edge. Pinky, may I have a little more
dough? asked Radius. Pinky was Lady Fingers nickname. Lady
Fingers handed
2. He measured an onion slice, a basket, a bowl, and a
round cheese.
Lady Di drew some diagrams to show measurements. This
makes sense, she said. Good work. Ill go and tell your
father while you get the medicine. Dont forget we have only
until morning.
Radius went back to the doctors workroom to get the
medicine. I think I understand these directions, he said out
loud. But if I measure the wrong dose, Father will remain a
dragon forever!
I must be sure I am right, said Radius. He sat down to
reread the poem. As he read,
3. KABOOM FAROOM! A big explosion shook the forest. When the smoke
cleared, a hearty, human Sir Cumference stood in their midst.

Sir Cumference leaned over and hugged his son. Thank


you, Radius, but how did you do it? Radius explained about
the pie and the measurements.
Sir Cumference and the knights listened with amazement.
Cheering, they swept Radius up on their shoulders and
returned to the castle.
Pies! Lets eat some pies! shouted Sir Cumference. Radius
saved my life because of a pie.
At the celebration, Radius held up a pie and explained what
he had discovered. I found out

Reflection: Again, while this book is on an elementary reading level, the content
is very pertinent to middle school math. The decreased readability level is helpful
for the students who struggle with reading intellectual texts.

Book Three:
Burns, M., & Tilley, D. (1997). Spaghetti and meatballs for all!: A mathematical
story. New York: Scholastic.

Annotation: This is a fun little story that collects


many different math principles all into one fun
little book. Everything from principles of shapes
to addition is included in this story. Its a great
and quick refresher on many little topics leading
up to and covering the properties of shapes.

Readability: 1. One fine day, Mrs. Comfort was


busy tending the lettuce patch in her garden.

You know, its been a long time since weve seen the family,
she said to her husband.
Youre right, answered Mr. Comfort. He was stretched out on a
bench doing what he liked to do best in a vegetable gardenreading a cookbook.
Maybe its time for a family reunion, Mrs. Comfort said.
A wonderful idea. Mr. Comfort agreed. Hmm, lets see.
Menus, menus. Dinner for two. Serves four to six. Banquets.
How many people would we be having? he asked.
The Comforts called their children.
2. Mr. and Mrs. Comfort and their 18 relatives and neighbors
were finally all seated. They passed the salad and the bread.
They shared the celery and the olives. And when they heard a
cheery Hi everyone! most of them held on to their plates.
The Comforts son and his wife pedaled in on a bicycle for two.
Their twin daughters rolled in on skates.
Didnt I tell you? Mrs. Comfort said. Theres not enough
room.
No problem, Mom. Said the Comforts son. Well just divide
these two lines of tables into four pairs. Okey-dokey?
Wait! Wait! Youre all forgetting something,
3. I havent served the spaghetti yet. Well just move a few
chairs, reset a few places, and there will be plenty of room for
everyone.
I give up! cried Mrs. Comfort. She sat down in her chair and
didnt budge.
I say we divide the four pairs of tables into eight single
tables, Mrs. Comforts brother said. He and his wife moved
one pair of tables apart. The triplets and their boyfriends
moved the other three pairs.
You see? said Mr. Comfort. It all worked out.
I see everything is back exactly the way I had it! said Mrs.
Comfort.
Reflection: This book is very simple and basic. However, it
covers many simple topics used with the properties of shapes in early middle
school. I would probably rely more on the other two books listed in my own
classroom, but for a struggling reader, this book would be a helpful little review.

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