Math Tie-In - Kristen Remenar

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Math Tie-In

A collection of 15 posts

"One Family" is one you need for Thanksgiving!

"One Family" is one you need for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, but it’s a challenge to find Thanksgiving picture books that connect with kids (I find many “pilgrim and Indian” books that are cringeworthy with stereotypes). This year, I’m focusing on the “thanks” in Thanksgiving and sharing One Family by George Shannon with pictures

27 Books You Can Use This Year

During the “Moving Beyond the Basics… Reaching for More” conference on Aug. 11 at the Byron Center High School in Michigan, a roomful of teachers and I read through boxes of books. (Thank you, Annemarie Johnson and Kate DiMeo, for inviting me to share informational picture books and to talk

The winner is: You Are (Not) Small!

Craft and Structure

The winner is: You Are (Not) Small!

Happy Book Award Season! Many of us look forward to the annual announcement of the Caldecott and Newbery Medal Awards from the American Library Association, but the one that made me hoot and holler loudest this year was the announcement of the winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for

"Rah, Rah, Radishes" and Go, STEM!

"Rah, Rah, Radishes" and Go, STEM!

Happy May, everyone! I had the pleasure of speaking at an early education conference where our theme was literacy and science. I brought stacks of books that tie into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or STEAM (add Art) to share. Rather than just lecture all day, I led a session

This Plus That: Life's Little Equations

Craft and Structure

This Plus That: Life's Little Equations

Not only is this week’s picture book a fun way to teach some of the Common Core State Standards in Reading, it is also the best inspiration for your “welcome back to school” classroom bulletin board. This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and

Farmers' Market Day

Farmers' Market Day

I am counting the days until my local farmers’ market opens. Until then, I’m glad I found this perfect pick: Farmers’ Market Day written by debut picture-book author Shanda Trent and illustrated by Jane Dippold. This rhyming book is a quick read that can easily be turned into an

Iggy Peck, Architect

Iggy Peck, Architect

Long have I loved Andrea Beaty’s picture book series about a bear named Ted (grab Doctor Ted, Firefighter Ted, and Artist Ted from your local library and prepare to be charmed.) Then, I saw sitting on the shelf by the Ted books this gem, just waiting to tie in

Doggone Feet is Doggone Fun!

Craft and Structure

Doggone Feet is Doggone Fun!

There are many perks to being a children’s librarian (no overdue fines has saved me a bundle over the years) but one of the best parts of my job is getting to know supah-cool authors and illustrators like Leslie Helakoski. Leslie is a Michigan treasure I’ve had the

Let's Talk About Race

Let's Talk About Race

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou. Next Monday we celebrate the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What better way to honor his dream of a nation where our children

What To Do With All That Halloween Candy: Try The Great Graph Contest!

What To Do With All That Halloween Candy: Try The Great Graph Contest!

When I was a kid, my brother and I would empty out our bags after trick-or-treating on Halloween and divide the candy into piles: lollipops, bubble gum, candy we were willing to trade, favorites that would be hoarded, etc. I kept careful count of how many of each of my

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

I could say, “here’s an informational book that will tickle your funny bone” or “it’s so good it’s scary”, but Bones: Skeletons and How They Work by Steve Jenkins needs no rib-tickling tricks to get kids’ attention. For Halloween or health units, this book is thoroughly engaging.

Dream Something Big

Dream Something Big

Dream Something Big: the Story of the Watts Towers, written by Dianna Hutts Aston with collages by Susan L. Roth, is a visually stunning biography of an artist you may never have heard of before. Simon Rodia was simply Uncle Sam to his neighbors in Los Angeles. Over 34 years,

My Pick for St. Patrick's Day

My Pick for St. Patrick's Day

In the past, I’ve had rotten luck finding a good book to share with wee ones on St. Patrick’s Day, but I think I’ve found gold with this one: Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato: an Irish folktale by Tomie dePaola. Jamie O’Rourke is the

Frosty the Snowman!

Frosty the Snowman!

When I sing to my own ‘tweenage kids, they roll their eyes and beg me to stop. But when I sing to preschoolers and kindergartners, I get instant engagement. That’s why I love books that can be sung, like Frosty the Snowman written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet

Gilbert seems to have everything his fishy heart could want, but he longs for a pet of his own. At first the visiting dog seems like an ideal pet, but he drinks from Gilbert’s bowl, and barks. A lot. The mouse runs away, and the fly gets swatted. Finally,