HOW IT WORKS
The ABCs of Math is an interdisciplinary program that develops children’s skills in reading and writing, increases their understanding of basic math concepts, allows for creativity, encourages cooperation, and improves skills in applications of technology. The program begins with a genre study in picture books in a reading workshop. Mini-lessons include analysis of structure, author’s craft, how illustration supports text, and the different sub-types of picture books, including counting and ABC books. The children learn that these books run the gamut from very primary in look and content to quite sophisticated. With the picture book baskets categorized, the study is extended to a subset, and interest is piqued by such works as Twizzlers, A Book of Percentages, Sir Cumference and the First Round Table, Domino Math, Math Course, and the like. After reading several of these and having partnership conversations, the children think about how the author has infused math learning into the text. The look at the cover and blurb and use KidPix to design book jackets for the volumes they have read. Working  in partnerships at one of the five classroom computers, they create a cover and, when all children have had their turns, compile the covers into a slide show. 

One book, G is for Google by David Schwartz, is of particular interest. An ABC book in an adult format, this text amuses and excites students because of its humorous way of defining math concepts. Using it as a mentor text, they create a book of their own, The ABCs of Math. They refer to the classroom word wall and make an A-to-Z list of math words. Partnerships are assigned research topics and they scour math texts for material that will help them clearly explain their selected words. Finally, they compose the text and are ready to publish. Using PowerPoint, they design slides, with each containing a letter, the word, the accompanying explanation, and appropriate graphics and visual and auditory effects. Finally, the slides are combined and The ABCs of Math is done. Both slide shows are installed into lab computers and in grade three and four classrooms for use as resources for students and teachers. 

THE  STUDENTS
This program can be used in large or small groups in the classroom or in the computer lab. It is best used in grades three through six and at all functional levels. It addresses the needs of all learners via different modalities such as talk, writing, and using computers to achieve the desired outcomes. 

THE STAFF 
Hilary Sedewitch has been teaching for 15 years. She is currently teaching fifth grade science and runs the school's website.

WHAT YOU NEED 
The ABCs of Math can be implemented in any classroom with computers and software such as KidPix and PowerPoint. A collection of math-based picture books is essential. These books are readily available in libraries, stores, and through children’s book clubs.

OVERALL VALUE 
This program has proved invaluable to students because it easily blends essential curriculum area and offers opportunities to reach toward standards in reading, writing, math, and technology. In a cooperative atmosphere, children work congenially, sharing talk and ideas and completing a project that can be used by other students and teachers for both reference and enjoyment. The allure of technology turns what might be an ordinary assignment into a creative collection of book jackets and an ABC slide show demonstrating clear understanding of grade-appropriate math concepts.