Today I’m delighted to introduce you to this month’s literacy guest spotlight guest: Bon Crowder. Let’s get started.
Bon, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a self titled Math Mom & Education Fanatic. And I see math. Everywhere.
I’m a self titled Math Mom & Education Fanatic. And I see math. Everywhere.
You have a blog called Math Four. What will readers find when they visit?
All sorts of weird and wonderful stuff about math learning and teaching! I write and do videos about the math I see in hopes that it will inspire or encourage others to find math in their world too. Of course the ultimate goal is to help grownups feel comfortable about math so we can create a world free from math anxiety.
All sorts of weird and wonderful stuff about math learning and teaching! I write and do videos about the math I see in hopes that it will inspire or encourage others to find math in their world too. Of course the ultimate goal is to help grownups feel comfortable about math so we can create a world free from math anxiety.
Occasionally I’ll throw in some real math – like tips on how to remember trig identities using colors. And I do reviews of math products and have free downloadable stuff here and there too.
How can literature help with developing math concepts?
In two ways – first there are tons of math picture books. I have a whole series on them, and I’ve barely scratched the surface. They are picture books that use math in the story. Or there are math books that use colorful pictures to illustrate the concepts.
In two ways – first there are tons of math picture books. I have a whole series on them, and I’ve barely scratched the surface. They are picture books that use math in the story. Or there are math books that use colorful pictures to illustrate the concepts.
Secondly, math (in the form of logic and reasoning) is deep in every storyline and development of characters. As a child thinks logically about how a story progresses, or why a character makes certain decisions, he’s creating neural pathways that help with all sorts of problem solving!
Do you have any literacy rituals in your family?
We read two books every night. K8 has recently managed to con us into each reading one book. So we’ve gotten to where she ends up with three. She “reads” the pop-up book Puff the Magic Dragon to us – in song form!
Getting To Know You A Little Bit More…
If you could have brunch with three characters from children’s literature, who would you invite?
The first would be Roald Dahl, because he’s not only done great stuff in kid’s lit, but also extends to grownup stuff. Have you read Parson’s Pleasure? Then Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith of Math Curse fame. I love the cleverness of this picture book!
Hardcover or e-book?
Hardcover! I even have Office Max print my ebooks on paper and bind them before reading!
What is a fond childhood memory you have?
Playing GAMES Magazine puzzles with my dad. I think that’s the real reason I ended up doing math stuff. The logic in the puzzle solving was fun – and I got to do it with my Paps!
Where is your favorite place to read a book?
Walking. I’m totally NOT an audible learner, but I’m a hard-core Audible.com subscriber. I consider “working” as being on the computer – writing, reading articles or communicating with other education fanatics. So stopping to read a book isn’t on my list of to-dos. But I’ll happily “read” while on my 2 mile morning walk.
What book is on your nightstand or e-reader now?
I have a book that I’m “regular” reading – it’s titled Number Sense Routines. It’s for K-3 teachers but I’ve found that many grownups have trouble with their sense of number. So I’m using it to research how I can help them, too.
On my iPhone, I’m currently listening to To Sell is Human by Dan Pink. I’m kind of a hard-core Dan Pink fan.
On my iPhone, I’m currently listening to To Sell is Human by Dan Pink. I’m kind of a hard-core Dan Pink fan.
Bon, thank you so much for sharing with our Growing Book by Book readers. We wish you continued success!
PragmaticMom says
My son’s favorite math picture book is Math Curse too! We have read it so many times and it’s still funny!!
JodieRodriguez says
I love books that cover different subjects areas too.