14 Math Read Alouds Every Teacher Will Want to Use

In the world of education, storytelling is like pure magic. And guess what? When it comes to teaching math, there’s this awesome trick called “math read alouds” that makes learning math so much more fun! These stories are like hidden treasures because they not only grab kids’ attention but also sneakily slip in all those math concepts we want them to learn.

So, in this blog post, we’re handing you a list of 14 amazing math read-alouds that every teacher should have in their toolkit. You’ve got adventure stories that explore math, heartwarming tales that make tough concepts easy, and much more. These books are like a secret weapon to make math super interesting and to keep your students flipping pages for more math adventures. Dive in and let the math magic begin!

Math Read Alouds To Add To Your Bookshelf

Math Read Alouds to Teach About Fractions:

1. Full House: An Invitation to Fractions by Dayle Ann Dodds and Abby Carter: This book uses a lively story about a family preparing for a party to introduce fractions. It explores concepts like halves, thirds, and quarters through colorful illustrations and relatable examples.
2. Give Me Half! by Stuart J. Murphy and G. Brian Karas: This book follows two siblings who learn about dividing things equally by sharing. It introduces the concept of halves and encourages children to think about fair sharing and fractions in everyday situations.
3. Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster: In this book, various types of apples are used to introduce fractions. It showcases different apple varieties and demonstrates how they can be divided into halves, quarters, and more. The colorful illustrations make it visually engaging for young readers.
4. The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins: While not exclusively focused on fractions, this classic picture book introduces the concept of sharing and dividing equally. The story revolves around a batch of cookies and how they need to be shared among a growing number of visitors. It provides a simple and relatable context for understanding fractions.

These picture books provide engaging stories and visuals to introduce and reinforce the concept of fractions in a fun and accessible way. They can be used as read-alouds to stimulate discussions and help children develop a solid understanding of fractions.

Reading about math is so much fun. Are you looking for a way to write about math? Check out these math journal prompts. All you need is a spiral notebook and a projector!

Math Read Alouds to Teach About Place Value:

1. A Place for Zero by Angeline Sparagna Lopresti and Phyllis Hornung: This book uses a story about Zero’s journey to find his place to introduce the concept of place value. It explains how each digit’s position determines its value and highlights the importance of Zero in the number system.
2. How Much Is a Million? by David M. Schwartz and Steven Kellogg: While not solely focused on place value, this book helps children grasp the magnitude of large numbers. It provides relatable comparisons and visuals to illustrate the concept of place value and the significance of each digit’s position in creating larger numbers.
3. One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes and Bonnie MacKain: This book follows a group of ants as they march in different formations to reach a picnic. It introduces place value through the perspective of the ants, demonstrating how rearranging their positions can represent different quantities.
4. The King’s Commissioners by Aileen Friedman and Kim Howard: This story takes place in a medieval kingdom where the king’s commissioners count the population using place value. It explores the concept of grouping and regrouping numbers to understand their value and importance.
5. Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem-Solving by Greg Tang and Greg Paprocki: Although not specifically about place value, this book combines math and art to engage children in problem-solving. It encourages readers to identify patterns and relationships in numbers, fostering an understanding of place value and the significance of each digit.

These picture books offer engaging narratives and visuals to teach and reinforce the concept of place value. They can be used during read aloud sessions to spark discussions and help children develop a solid foundation in understanding the value and position of digits within numbers.

Math Read Alouds to Teach About Number Sense:

1. Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews: This book explores the concept of numbers through the use of dots. It encourages children to count and visualize numbers as they follow the journey of ten black dots and witness how they can be transformed into different objects.
2. Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, and Lois Ehlert: This rhythmic and colorful book combines numbers and the alphabet. It introduces numbers from 1 to 20, allowing children to learn and connect number names and symbols in an engaging way.
3. How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague: Dinosaurs make learning numbers fun in this book. It introduces counting from one to ten as different dinosaur characters display both proper and improper counting behavior. It helps children understand the concept of counting and reinforces number sense.
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: While not exclusively focused on number sense, this classic book introduces counting and numbers. It follows the journey of a caterpillar as it eats through various foods, counting from one to five and illustrating the concept of sequencing and numerical order.

These picture books provide engaging stories, vibrant illustrations, and interactive elements to teach and reinforce number sense. Through counting, sequencing, and connecting numbers to real-world objects and situations, children can develop a strong foundation in understanding and working with numbers.

Incorporating math read alouds into your teaching can be a real win-win. These 14 books we’ve talked about can turn math lessons into exciting adventures. So, why not bring some storytelling magic into your classroom? It’s a surefire way to make math more than just numbers—it’s about exploring and having fun. Dive into these stories and let math come alive for you and your students. Happy reading and happy learning!

What to check out more book recommendations? Read these posts:

The 9 Best Halloween Books to Read In Your Classroom

The #1 February Book For Your Classroom

8 Excellent Back to School Books for Relatable Classroom Read-Alouds