Matt and Bibi's Adventure in Geometry

Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry

Author: Cindy Neuschwander

Illustrator: Bryan Langdo

Publishing Company: Henry Holt and Company

Copyright Date: 2005

36 pages

Picture Book

I was originally drawn to this book because it was one of the very few math books I was able to find when looking for books to use for this assignment. As I started reading, I was honestly quite shocked by how well this book covered the geometry content its title promised. While reading, I was taken on a journey with Matt and Bibi Zill’s to Egypt. Once the twins arrived at Egypt, they are understandably excited to learn all about pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics. But soon after arriving, they find themselves trapped in a pyramid on their parent’s archaeological site. They soon discover hieroglyphics that cover the tombs walls. Matt and Bibi use their knowledge of the geometric shapes in these hieroglyphics to help them on their way. These hieroglyphics are used guide them on their way throughout the tombs.

The illustrations used in this book beautifully recreate the ancient tombs of Egypt. These depictions were created through the use of watercolors. Langdo places his illustrations on each page; while very few are double-spread. The majority of the text is formally placed above and below these illustrations, while very few pages have text within an illustration.

I would use this book in an older classroom, grades 4-6. This would be a great book for introducing geometric shapes. Matt and Bibi stumble upon several geometric solid shapes including: cones, cylinders, cubes, spheres, pyramids, tetrahedrons, rectangular prisms, and triangular prisms. While reading the story I would have the students identify and name each shape throughout the book. As I read, I would teach about the differences in the faces of the shapes as well as paying special attention to the number of sides each shape has. The second way I would use this book in my classroom is having the students create their own hieroglyphics using solid shapes. I would use this aspect to introduce patterns. Each of the student’s hieroglyphics would need to contain several of the newly introduced solid shapes as well as a pattern. Ideally, the students would be able to create each of their hieroglyphics on butcher paper to simulate an ancient scroll. This book would also be great to use as a social studies lesson. As the students are read this book, they learn a large amount of new vocabulary words from ancient times. I would use this book to teach about Egypt, mummies, hieroglyphics, pyramids, tombs, pharaohs, and burial chambers as they are all discussed within this book. 

Will Grace Become President?

Grace for President

Author: Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

Publishing Company: Disney - Hyperion Books

Copyright Date: 2008

36 pages

Picture Book

      I originally chose this book because I was interested in the cover of the book. I found it to be very intriguing, and this proved to be true of the story inside as well.  Grace’s campaign all starts when she discovers that our country has not had a single woman president. Planning to change this, Grace decides she would like to become president. When Grace’s teacher stages an election for her students, Grace soon has competition as Thomas Cobb becomes the presidential candidate for Mr. Waller’s class. As the two candidates start campaigning, they learn all about the ins and outs of the presidential campaign. More importantly, Grace finds that becoming president was not as easy of a task as she originally thought. When Election Day comes, it all comes down to who was the better person for the job.

                The illustrations in this book were very original in style and are what originally drew me in as a reader. These illustrations were created through pastels and water crayons. The colors throughout this book are very colorful and light and would keep the interest of any student. The illustrations were very wide and double-spread. The text was not place in any one place throughout the book as it was placed throughout the text as to further engulf the reader into its pages.
           I would use this book in an older elementary classroom, in grades 4-6, and could even be used up into middle school. This book would be great to teach the ins and outs of how the presidential election works. Some of the terms that relate to the presidential election seen within this book include: democracy, nominations, candidates, electoral votes, and representatives. Because this book covers a wide array of terms, all could be included within the lesson. As an extension of this, the second way I would use this book within my classroom would be to have the students create their own presidential campaign. This would include posters, slogans, and a platform on the issues they feel are important. They would then address these issues within their very own campaign. I feel that this would give the students a way to relate to the campaigning process. Finally, I would use this book to introduce the topic, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would use this Grace as an example as she wanted to become the president. I would have each of my students write about what they would like to be when they grow up and what the plan to do to become what they want to be.