Ready, Set, Hop! Posted by Elaine Brito

Title: Ready, Set, Hop!

Author: Stuart J. Murphy

Illustrator: Jon Buller

Recommended Grade Level: 2 and up

Common Core Mathematics Standards Addressed:

CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.B.5 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as drawings of rulers) and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.B.6 Represent whole numbers as lengths from 0 on a number line diagram with equally spaced points corresponding to the numbers 0, 1, 2, ..., and represent whole-number sums and differences within 100 on a number line diagram.

CCSS.Math.Content.2.OA.A.1 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.

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

Summary: This story is about two frog friends, Matty and Moe, who engaged in a hop completion to decide who needs to take fewer hops to win. They both hopped to the set target while counting. After that, they decided who wins by comparing the amount of hops each took to cover the set distance. They then create simple equations to add and subtract the hops they took to conclude who is the winner and better hopper.

Rating: ***** I recommend this book as it helps to teach children the concept of adding and subtracting as well as building a simple equation. In addition, it also addresses measurement topic. While reading and finding out who is the better hopper, students will count and practice their word problem solving abilities and adding and subtracting skills. The story of Matty and Moe make the mathematical problems fun and entertaining for students.

Classroom Ideas: This book is great to introduce addition, subtraction and measurement subjects. Students could show their understanding of word problems by identifying the words that equals addition or subtraction, for example "more" equals addition and "less" equals subtraction. Many other lessons could be created to expand the concept of this book. One activity could be students counting the number of steps from their seats to the front board. After they can determine who is closer to the board and rank on a first, second, third and so on order. They can also find out the dimensions of their classroom, the length of their desks or height of their chairs by measuring with other objects such as pens and books.