Fibonacci Zoo by Tom Robinson

Fibonacci Zoo

Reviewed by: Yasmiri Polanco

Author: Tom Robinson

Illustrated: Christina Wald

Recommended Grade Level: K- 2nd grade

Common Core Content Standards Addressed

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1

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

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

Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3

Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5

Use appropriate tools strategically.

Summary: Eli and his father visit a zoo. Eli notices that this zoo is different because he sees that there is a number pattern in the animals he is sees. When he first enters the zoo, he sees one alligator, one bison and then two alligators. Eli has a notepad and he starts adding the number of animals he sees in order. First he writes 1. Then after he sees the bison, Eli writes 1+ 1 = _. Then he sees 2 camels. He writes in his notepad 1+ 1 +2 . He adds 1+2 = 3. He is sure he can figure out the next number of animals he will see in the next exhibit. He predicts he will see 3 more animals. He is correct! Eli can figure out the next number of animals he will see in the zoo by using the Fibonacci pattern. This is a special place called the Fibonacci Zoo. Any two numbers you add in order will give you the next number.

Rating:

I rate this book five stars. This book is great because it can be used to introduce interesting number patterns to young children. I think this book is a fun way to teach mathematics. It shows number patterns by adding or counting. It can even be used in kindergarten by counting in order. Students can learn about number patterns by counting the pictures.

Classroom Ideas:

1. This book can be used to introduce number patterns in the classroom. Color Blocks can be displayed around the room in order. The teacher and the students will take a walk around the classroom with a notepad and write down the number of color blocks they see. The teacher can design a starting point and an ending point. At the starting point, no color blocks will be added. Teacher will ask students how many color blocks did we see? Students will say 0. Students will walk around with a notepad and will write 0. As they walk they will see a blue color block on one of the tables. How many blocks do we see? What color is it? There is 1 blue block. Students will now write 1 next to the 0. Teacher will ask students how much is 0+1 = 1. Teacher will ask how many blocks do we have? Can we guess how many blocks we will see in the next table? Teacher will ask for students' reasoning. Students will add and learn that if you add the two numbers in the order given it will give you the next number.
2. The Fibonacci sequence can be visualized in flowers. The Fibonacci sequence is 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 59. Each table will be given a flower. The students will count the flower petals and add them. For example, table 1 will be given one petal once they write down their number they will walk to table 2 and write down the next amount of petals in that table. They will walk to table 3 and do the same. They now have to try and guess how many petals will the next flower have? Why? The teacher and the students will have a discussion. Children will explain their thoughts.
   

   

   

   This flower has one petal.