Once Upon A Dime
By Nancy Kelly Allen
Max Sherman
1) Farmer Truman Worth is busy in the middle of the harvest season. He is hurrying to pick and sell all of his produce before the first frost hits. This year is particularly good, the market prices for his apples are higher then normal. As time progresses, different factors effect the price that the market is willing to pay for Farmer Truman's apples. The reader is given an introduction to the fluctuation in commodity prices, vs-a-via the harvest yield and market price. He teaches this to his son, as well as the reader.
2) A simple explanation of the average rate of change is taught and illustrated. Different scenariois are presented in which the prices that the market is willing to pay for Farmer Truman's produce change. One example is a surplus of apples by other farmers in the area. This lowers the price that Farmer Truman can receive for his apples, decreasing his profit. Ex. 100 apple for $25, then 100 apple for $20 (25/100, 20/100) (5% change)
3) I believe that teaching mathematical concepts through a book is a great way for children and adults a like to better grasp a concept. Math can sometimes be ominous and intimating. By setting a scenario in which the numbers are used, a reader is better able to visualize the concept and is more likely to retain it for future knowledge. This is especially true for children, the vivid illustrations and relate-able story is more likely to stick with them then the numbers being drawn on the chalk board.
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Great example! I completely agree with how you explained why literature is a great way to explain math concepts. I even find sometimes that math is intimidating . I think that children would be more receptive of mathematical concepts through colorful illustrations rather than through numbers on the chalkboard.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you when you mentioned that math can be scary and intimidating...it is for me! And reading a short story that illustrated it and laid it out right in front of me made it a lot easier to understand. It is interesting to me that a concept like average rate of change can be slowly integrated into stories to ease kids into it!!! Great summary.
ReplyDeleteA really great example! I still struggle with rate of change and think that if children can think of it in a different way, not just numbers, but with actual tangible objects, it would make learning the topic a lot easier.
ReplyDeletemax,
ReplyDeletei am glad that you mentioned that literature is a good teaching/learning tool for children AND adults! i hope that i will get to use some literature in your class later in the semester. nice job of explaining the plot of the story and the mathematical concepts.
professor little