[(Teddy Bear Patterns )] [Author: Barbara Barbieri McGrath] [Jan-2014]

by Barbara Barbieri McGrath

The teddy bears are back this time to teach readers all about patterns. Similar to the first three books in the McGrath Math series of concept books, TEDDY BEAR PATTERNS uses rhyming verse to explain the concepts illustrated by the colorful teddies. This simple text helps children to follow along as the teddy bears sort by color, and arrange into patterns of two colors, three colors, and so on. Readers will also discover how they can use patterns to skip count, add, and even multiply, before trying their hand at creating a pattern of their own. TEDDY BEAR PATTERNS is a worthwhile addition to the classroom, especially those that already use bear counters or other manipulatives as learning tools. Back matter provides a summary of the concepts introduced in the book.

Genres: Mathematics, Childrens, Picture Books

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of Teddy Bear books is brilliant. It presents knowledge AT AGE for elementary school students who are, cognitively, still in the stage of Concrete Operations.

This means, these youngsters learn best when they can handle physical materials -- such as small teddy bears -- in order to learn basics of addition and subtraction.

I love how Barbara Barbieri McGrath makes use of bears for this educational book. I'm not so crazy about her rhymes, such as the following -- and I'll capitalize the words here that are supposed to rhyme:

Start a new pattern
on the next LINE.
Purple, purple, red.
Then again: one more TIME.

Ouch! Yet I'm still giving this clever picture book FIVE STARS. Because Barbara is right:

"Patterns can come
in all shapes and sizes."

It's wonderful how today's school children are given opportunities to handle physical objects when they are learning early math concepts. I wish I'd been given that opportunity. My son was, though, and maybe that is one reason he got a Ph.D. in computer engineering.

[briz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entry #3 in our personal family math propaganda agenda. You don't have to be good at it, you just have to accept it into your heart!!!

So I read this before, by myself, and was like, How obfuscating! That is not at all my mental model for addition! I also was annoyed by the topsy turvey gummy bears.

My kid, however, picked it out, "What's thisssss?" And then enjoyed it. The rhyming was good (the kids always take to rhyming). We said some numbers. We did some concepts. I feel like the jump from "patterns exist" -> programming will be short. So we'll be on "Teach your kid Python" next. Maybe.

Anyway, a decent entry. I'm going to keep the math flowing HARD at this house, you hear me!!!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun primer on patterns

[Latrice Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book! I bought the counting bears and we had a blast creating the different patterns. Thanks for making math fun for my little ones!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introduction to color patterns invites children to sort teddy bears by color, arrange them into patterns, and use patterns to skip count, add, and multiply.

[Karen Dransfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this thinking it was a book of games, it's more a story with patterns leading to math concepts... but not really the games I was looking for. Cute book.

[Egypt Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to begin a lesson teaching Grade one and kindergarten children about patterns. I found it very useful!