Title: Too Many Kangaroo Things To Do!

Author: Stuart J. Murphy

Illustrator: Kevin O’Malley

Recommended Grade Level: Grades 2-3

Common Core Mathematics Standard:

2.OA.1 Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.

Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.1

2.OA.2 Add and subtract within 20.

Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.

3.OA.1. Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.

3.OA. 3. Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice:

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6 Attend to precision.

Summary: This story is about a kangaroo that wants to hang with his friends on his birthday. However, all of his friends are busy with too many things to do. Unbeknownst to him, he was in for a huge birthday surprise!

Rating: ***** I recommend this book because it can be used to teach students operations and algebraic thinking in a fun way! The bright illustrations and animal characters are engaging to children. The repetition makes it easier to follow for children.

Classroom Ideas: Because the materials used in this story are fairly accessible, I can bring in models of a cake, frosting, flowers, candles, wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, etc. to use in an activity in class. As I read the story, I can stop at each page that multiplies and adds the objects and have the students do it with me as guided practice using the manipulatives. Another way in which this book can be used is by having students create their own word problems using the story as a model.