Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Anna Gonsalves

Title: Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Author: Eileen Christelow

Illustrator: Eileen Christelow

Recommended Grade Level: Pre-Kindergarten 

Common Core Mathematics Standard:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.PK.CC.B.3.A

When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object. 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.PK.CC.C.5

Identify whether the number of objects in one group is more, less, greater than, fewer, and/or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies (up to 5 objects).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.PK.OA.A.1

Demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction by using objects, fingers, and responding to practical situations (e.g., if we have 3 apples and add 2 more, how many apples do we have all together? 

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice:

CCSS MATH PRACTICE MP4 Model with mathematics.

Summary: This story is about five monkeys who, instead of going to sleep when mama says 'goodnight', decide to jump on the bed. In the story the five monkeys jump on the bed and then one falls off each time. Whenever a monkey falls off the bed the mama calls the doctor for advice. The injured monkey stays with mama and the remaining monkeys go back to bed where there are told not to jump anymore. However, the monkeys continue to jump on the bed and each time one falls off the mama has to take care of them and fewer monkeys go back to bed. Eventually all the injured monkeys go back to bed and fall asleep... giving mama monkey time to go jump on her bed!

Rating: ***** I highly recommend this book because it is a fun and interactive way for younger students to learn about mathematics. 

Classroom Ideas: This book could be used in many ways to teach students different topics in mathematics. This book could be used to teach counting, addition, subtraction and comparing numbers. Students could be fully involved by acting out the story. The teacher could ask five students at a time to jump, have one jump off the 'bed' and then have the class count how many remain on the bed.  The students could count the amount of monkeys, adding to find the amount that fell off the bed and subtracting to find the amount that remain on the bed. They can also compare whether there are more monkeys on or off the bed. They could also increase the amount of monkeys initially on the bed in order to work with larger numbers. The students could also be given manipulatives to act out the story.