​

Our Journey Westward

  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Bible & Character
    • Living Math
    • Language Arts
    • Science & Nature
    • History & Geography
    • Fine Arts
    • Brain Training
    • Holidays
    • Healthy Homeschool
    • Preschool
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Curriculum & Schedules
  • Homeschool Speaker
  • My Account
  • 0 items$0.00

by Cindy 6 Comments

10 Living Books for Elementary Math

Share24
Pin969
Email
Print
993Shares

If you’ve been around here long, you know I love living math!  One part of living math that makes so much sense for kids is connecting math concepts with literature.  If you’ve never tried it, you’ll be amazed at the understanding gleaned from a simple book that teaches the topic in a new and fresh way.

The math and literature connection is important in elementary grades.

This post contains affiliate links.

Today, I’ve compiled a list of my Top 10 favorite math books for elementary students.  Believe me, I could’ve listed many more!  These are pretty special to have made the cut!

Top 10 Living Books for Elementary Math

How Big Is a Foot? is one of my all-time favorites.  Set in the middle ages, a servant is asked to make a bed for the king, but measuring the bed in feet doesn’t seem to work.  Hmmm…Whose feet should be used as the standard?  (Check out a lesson using this book here.)

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday reminds me of so many children who have a little money and then find the money gone in a blink of the eye.  Poor Alexander needs to learn better money management and coin counting skills.  Your children will love manipulating coins as you read aloud.

The Greedy Triangle meets a shape shifter that allows him to change shapes.  All sounds simple enough, but an accident might prove there’s a lesson in wishing for more.  There’s even a bonus teaching section in the book.  (Check out this YouTube reading of the book.)

Three Pigs, One Wolf, Seven Magic Shapes is an updated version of The Three Little Pigs with a math component.  A simple set of tangrams turns this unique tale into a hands-on problem solving activity.

The Quiltmaker’s Gift is such a precious, precious story about true happiness that comes from giving freely to others.  How does it tie into math?  We talk about quilt squares and have fun making our own out of construction paper or fabric.

The Doorbell Rang is another of my all-time favorites.  The story line is so simple that even a preschooler “gets” the concepts of fair shares, division and fractions.  (See a hands-on lesson using this book here.)

Jim and the Beanstalk is obviously a new take on Jack and the Beanstalk.  In this version, the giant is only mean because he isn’t living a very comfortable life.  Using measurement skills, the little boy sets out to make the giant’s life happier.  We love this tale!

One Hundred Hungry Ants teaches factors of 100.  100 poor ants spend so much time trying to get to a picnic faster that they miss out on all the food.  When we read this, I always have 100 of something (Cheerios, pennies, etc.) for my children to manipulate.

The Wolf’s Chicken Stew is a very sweet story that reinforces the number 100 for children.  The hungry wolf works so hard to fatten up the chicken that he ends up loving her family in the end.  This is great for 100th day of school celebrations.

No math literature list would be complete without Sir Cumference and the First Round Table – and all the other books in the series.  These books are simply brilliant.  Wonderful literature with fantastic math concepts woven all the way through – just brilliant.  (For 3rd grade and higher.)

How Big Is a Foot? (Rise and Shine)Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last SundayThe Greedy Triangle (Scholastic Bookshelf)Three Pigs, One Wolf, Seven Magic Shapes (level 3) (Scholastic Reader, Math)The Quiltmaker's GiftThe Doorbell RangJim and the BeanstalkOne Hundred Hungry AntsThe Wolf's Chicken StewSir Cumference and the First Round Table

 

You’ll love the other posts in this Living Literature Top 10 Series.  If you’re interested in living math, be sure to also check out my Living Math Matters Series full of practical living math lessons!

But Wait, There’s More:

  • What is living math and how can you easily add it to your homeschool schedule? Let Cindy help you figure that out!
    Living Math Homeschool Masterclass
    $15.00
    Add to cart
  • Loving Living Math
    $12.00
    Add to cart
  • Living Literature Grammar Packs
    $16.00
    Rated 3.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
    Add to cart
Share24
Pin969
Email
Print
993Shares

Last Updated: February 5, 2021 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Living Math Tagged With: living books, living literature, living literature series, Math, math and literature connection

Previous Post: « 10 Living Books for Christian Teen Boys
Next Post: 10 Living Books for Middle School Math »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

subscribe without commenting

Comments

  1. Daniele @ Domesitc Serenity says

    October 21, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    Oh, we love 100 Hungry Ants! The rhyming helps to remember the concepts. Great pick!

  2. Adriana ZoderA says

    December 3, 2013 at 9:36 pm

    I just love your site and all the lists you provide for those of us who are still starting out and getting our bearings. I just love lists in general, so I am very thankful that you put all this together. 🙂 We have read one book from your list, about the ants. I am taking this list to my library and we’ll see if they can order them for us through ILL if they don’t have them.

  3. Amanda says

    February 25, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    I know this post is old, but I was hoping you would still get it. How do you feel about “Life of Fred” as a living math option?

  4. Cindy says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:00 pm

    Hi Amanda,
    I’ve never personally used Life of Fred, but I have several Charlotte Mason friends who love it. Most of them use it as a supplement rather than the main curriculum, but some use it as a stand-alone. Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you.

Trackbacks

  1. How I Teach Math Using an Eclectic Lifestyle of Learning | Home Schoolroom says:
    January 14, 2014 at 7:38 am

    […] You’ll find great titles to get you started from Cindy West of Our Journey Westward for elementary and even middle school […]

  2. Living Books: Math - MetroFamily Magazine says:
    May 28, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    […] 10 Living Books for Elementary Math […]

Primary Sidebar

NaturExplorers Science Curriculum

NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

Popular Posts and Series


 photo widget300_zps64ea557d.jpg
 photo CMWidget_zpsd7fc8669.jpg
 photo livinglitwidget_zps657f0460.jpg

 photo 3b118073-e528-40c6-b009-8be2ccfc0a74_zps79607282.jpg
 photo NatureStudySneezePageWidget_zps3dc3947e.jpg


 photo ArtistStudyWidget_zps6df6beae.jpg
 photo Untitled_zps78916d12.jpg
 photo Unitstudywidget_zps852cf098.jpg
 photo PBLwidget_zps5a4c210f.jpg

 photo valueswidget_zpscf5135ed.jpg
 photo USA300widget_zpsb2606835.jpg



 photo SeasonsandHolidaysWidget_zpscc545744.jpg

Categories

Charlotte Mason How-To

 photo 2235a4d3-bec7-488d-89f5-e2dcd32a42db_zpsb2ec2b26.jpg

Most Recent Pins

 photo WhatsPinteresting_zps8b7f9748.jpg

Trusted Curriculum

All About Spelling



  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Blog Terms of Service
  • Affiliations & Disclosure Policy
  • Reviews and Advertisements
  • eShop Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliates
Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! L Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! Love you, @mahaylawest_1! 🥰
The breath of God produces ice,⠀ and the broad The breath of God produces ice,⠀
and the broad waters become frozen.⠀
He loads the clouds with moisture;⠀
he scatters his lightning through them.⠀
At his direction they swirl around⠀
over the face of the whole earth⠀
to do whatever he commands them.⠀
He brings the clouds to punish people,⠀
or to water his earth and show his love.⠀
Listen to this, Job;⠀
stop and consider God’s wonders. ⠀
⠀
Job 37:10-14⠀
⠀
Winter isn’t my favorite season, but an icy landscape is truly incredible to see. ❄️⠀
⠀
Click the link in my bio for science curriculum to help you take advantage of snow and ice. ⠀
⠀
#winterhomeschool #naturestudy #naturexplorers #winternature #snowandice #naturephotography #charlottemasonnaturestudy #charlottemasonirl #wildandfreehomeschool #homeschoolscience ⠀
When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
#homeschoolblessings #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolmom #homeschool #homeschooling #yourmorningbasket #startthedayoffright #charlottemasonmama #loveyourkids #wildandfreemama #childrensbook #devotionalforkids #homeschool365 #homeschoolmorning #ourjourneywestward #ihsnet
Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
⠀
This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
⠀
Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
⠀
We’ll tackle all sorts of problems the blahs bring with them with very practical  ideas that are easy to implement! ⠀
⠀
Click the link in my bio to join me. There is no shame in admitting that the blahs have arrived and you need a little boost from a friend. ❤️ ⠀
⠀
#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonmama #winterhomeschool #homeschoolhelp #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #homeschoolmasterclass #homeschool365 #ihsnet #homeschoolmama #helpmehomeschool #winterblahs
Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
⠀
When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
⠀
A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
⠀
Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
⠀
Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
⠀
#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet #naturestudy #naturexplorers #nature #hewins
It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
⠀
It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
⠀
Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
⠀
Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
⠀
Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
⠀
#homeschool #readmorebooks #livingbooks #livingliterature #picturebooks #winterpicturebooks #homeschoolmom #wildandfreefamily #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet
We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍

Copyright 2006 -© 2021 · Our Journey Westward · All Rights Reserved

993Shares