123 With Lilly by Paul Ramnath

Book Title: 123 With Lilly

Posted by Paul Ramnath

Author and Illustrator: Carmen Saptouw

Public Domain Illustrations Pixabay

Recommended Grade Level: Kindergarten

Common Core Standards Addressed:

CCSS. Counting & Cardinally K.CC.: Know number names and the count sequence.

                        1. Count to 100 by ones and by tens.

                        2. Count forward beginning from a given number within the known sequence (instead of having to begin at 1).

CCSS Operations & Algebraic Thinking K.OA.: Understand addition as putting together and adding to, and understand subtraction as taking apart and taking from.

                        1. Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.

Summary: Lilly is having trouble counting, she has tried but failed. She resorts the help of the forest fairy. The forest fairy takes out her wand and Lilly is transformed into a fairy. Lilly is taken into the forest by the forest fairy, where she learns how to count 1-10. The forest fairy draws Lilly’s attention to various animals found in the forest.

Every time Lilly sees an animal she counts how many there are. She starts with her first animal, which happens to be her dog. The tenth animal she sees are fishes, there total number is 10. Lilly starts counting the fishes and is able to count from 1-10.

Rating: ***** This book hands down will teach kindergartners who are unable to count to be able to do so effectively. The book employs visuals that children love, such as animals and a fairy with a magical wand. The simplicity and clarity of the book makes it an excellent teaching tool.

Classroom Ideas: There are many lessons that can be derived from this book. Not only can you teach students how to count, but addition, patterns, and sequences can be taught using this book. When teaching addition students will begin with the number 1. Afterward, ask them to take the number 1 and add 1 to it. Ask, what did you come up with? After the students say there answer, 2. I will next say, take the number 2 and add 1 to it, what is your answer. This same pattern of addition will continue until the students get to 10. They will use the answer they get and keep adding 1 to it to get further answers. This addition lesson will teach children that if they keep adding 1 to a number it will give them a solution. They will use the solution to solve for another number using 1. This format of teaching will enable students to not only learn addition, but pattern and sequence. Pattern and sequence will be individual lessons on their own. These lessons will reinforce addition.