Teaching Math Through Storytelling

Teachers (K–5) can use this book to move away from memorizing and rote activities into dynamic learning experiences that make math learning fun!

Making math accessible to young learners is especially challenging. This hands-on book provides a method for teaching math with fun stories that allow students to experience math concepts in real-world contexts. Teachers can choose from a selection of suggested stories, or they can create their own to reflect the interests and identities of their students.

This lively resource includes math learning activities and creative simulations that make math concepts come alive, guidance for incorporating intercultural scenarios and stories to foster inclusivity, teaching strategies and lesson designs grounded in research, a focus on transforming traditional math teaching into an approach that enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and detailed lesson plans for integrating innovative approaches into existing curricula.

Book Features:

• Uses engaging, interactive storytelling to help young learners develop a deeper understanding of mathematical principles.
• Incorporates intercultural scenarios and stories so students see themselves in the lessons, fostering a more inclusive and relatable learning environment.
• Provides teaching strategies and lesson designs drawn from academic sources and field studies to provide educators with reliable and effective methods.
• Includes detailed lesson plans that demonstrate innovative and effective ways for children to overcome math anxiety and integrate math into everyday thinking.

Gigi Carunungan cofounded and led the learning design of two Silicon Valley K–8 schools, invented the Helical Model, cofounded and was chief learning architect of Playnovate, and is the CEO of MathXplorers. Jessica Liou, a volunteer teacher for 2 years at the Safe Passage School in Guatemala, facilitates access for students of low-income families to high-level STEAM lessons.

“The art of storytelling has long served as a powerful means of bridging new knowledge with prior experiences. Integrating storytelling into the teaching of mathematical concepts offers a transformative approach, enhancing both student engagement and comprehension. This innovative fusion not only enriches the learning experience but also holds the potential to significantly improve educational outcomes.”
—Jeremy S. Owoh, superintendent, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, Arkansas

“Math continues to be a gatekeeper for access to higher education. This book offers a humanizing approach to math instruction that will result in earlier understandings and appreciation of math concepts necessary for future college and career readiness.”
—Noni Mendoza Reis, professor emerita of educational leadership, San Jose State University

“What a great resource to assist teachers in engaging their students in rich mathematics through storytelling. Gigi’s writing emphasizes approaching mathematics through storytelling to bring joy to the learning, support the development of a positive math identity, and provide an environment where students see themselves in the mathematics and see themselves as problem solvers. Empowering approach!”
—Trena L. Wilkerson, professor of mathematics education at Baylor University and past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics