(upbeat music)
- Hi everybody, it's
Mrs. Brewer here
and we are back in Room
Nine ready to learn
some third grade math.
I am a third grade teacher
in the East St.
Louis School District
at Gordon Bush
Elementary School.
And today I am here along
with all the crickets
if you can hear them,
serenading us I guess
because they are just
as excited about math
is what I hope you are
and I most definitely
I'm super excited about math.
Today I was thinking,
it might be a great day
to have a little bit
of fun with math.
And sometimes we think
about, oh, it's math class,
or it's time for math,
but sometimes it's nice
just to relax just a little bit
and have some fun
with just numbers.
And today, I am actually
gonna share a book with you
that does just that.
We have some math riddles
that we are gonna be
working on and trying
to solve using, guess what?
You are exactly right.
We are gonna have
to use some math
to be able to solve
these riddles.
And today's book, let me go
ahead and share my screen
so I can share this
book with you, okay.
And today's book that
we are gonna be reading
is Mind-Stretching Brain Food.
We don't only think about
having some kind of food for
our brain, what kind of food
you think we have our brain?
(laughs)
I heard somebody out
there say potatoes
'cause they must be
potatoes out here, okay.
But we think about we
eat food for our body
to keep our bodies strong.
Well, we use math and
reading for our brain
to help our brain strong.
So why we're not
necessarily eating food
that is just for our brain.
Okay, not necessarily food,
but knowledge is food
for our brain, they say.
So today, we are gonna read
and work through a book called
Mind-Stretching Brain
Food, "Math Potatoes."
Have you ever thought
about potatoes being math?
No, I really hadn't either
until I had read this book,
but I guess potatoes
are away for math.
This book was
written by Greg Tang,
and this isn't probably
gonna be the first book
boys and girls that we
actually read from him.
He does a lot of math books
and not just "Math
Potatoes," okay?
All right, so, we are gonna see
what this "Math Potatoes" book
by Greg Tang is all about.
And it's also illustrated
by Harry Briggs,
is published by Scholastic.
All right, so we got
a little note here.
Okay, "Math-Ter Cards.
"Texas Hold'em, five-card draw,
"Seven-card stud and Omaha!
"The trick is
knowing when to hold,
"When to raise and when to fold.
"Can you add up every card?
"The problem isn't very hard.
"A straight, a flush,
a pair of three,
"Try one of each
and it's a breeze!"
All right, boys and girls.
So raise your hand if you've
ever played cards before.
I definitely know I have.
And a lot of times
when you play cards,
we're actually using some math,
we're gonna have to identify
the value of the number
of the value of the
card that you have.
And the higher the
card, typically has
the higher the value.
And now we're gonna look at
these three sets of cards
that we have.
We have a straight, a
flush, and a pair of three.
And we're gonna see
what is the value
of these cards right here.
So let's start
with our straight.
So asked us if we can
add up every card.
Boys and girls, take a
second, see if you can add up,
what's the value of
our straight here?
Oh, you are right.
What is two plus three?
You're right, it's five.
Five plus four?
You're right, nine.
Nine plus five?
You're right, 14.
14 plus six?
This one, I'm gonna think
of a strategy to use
that's kind of bigger numbers
so when I'm kind of used to.
It's been a while
since we've really
had to do some major math.
So 14 plus six, I'm
gonna put up six fingers
and I'm gonna count
up from 14, okay?
So I'm not gonna count
14 as one of these six
when I do them.
So I have 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, right.
So the value of my
straight here is 20, okay.
Let's look at my flush.
Do you know why this is
a flush boys and girls?
Some of you must be some
card sharks out there.
A flush means it has,
it's all the same suit.
So see how these are all heart,
then if all the cards
you have in your hand
are all one suit, all heart,
all spade, all
club, all diamond,
you would say that
you have a flush.
So go ahead and take a second,
see if you can add up
the value of my flush.
That's a bigger numbers
on this one, don't we?
You're absolutely right, we do.
Okay, so look at my
flush that I have here.
What's nine plus four?
Nine plus four is 13,
plus five?
You're right, is 15.
I'm right?
No, I'm not right.
Good catch there.
Nine plus four is 13,
13 plus five is?
Your right, 18.
18 plus seven?
Right, that's 25,
plus six?
You are so smart.
That is 31, good job.
And now let's look
at our pair of three.
Take a second to see
what is our value
of our pair three?
All right, great job.
I'm gonna do a think aloud
here with our pair of three.
When I look at this, when I
think of some tricks that I know
for addition, I look at four
and automatically my
eye goes to the six.
Do you know when my eye
goes straight to that six
when I see that four?
Well, what is four plus six?
You're right, is 10.
Anytime I see a four,
I always look for a six
because I wanna make
that fast 10, okay.
So four plus six is 10, okay.
And now I see something
else that might help me out.
What do you notice that
makes this hand, what it is?
We have a what?
A pair of three, and three
plus three I should know
because they are my double.
So three plus three is six.
So I have six plus
my 10, that's what?
16, right.
And now I have 16 plus eight?
You're right, that's 24.
I can count up from 16,
add that eight and get 24.
So the value of my
straight was 20.
The value of my flush was 31.
And then the value of my
pair of threes was what?
24, you're right,
good job, thanks.
Good job with our
Math-Ter Cards, okay.
All right, let's
look at our next one.
This Sock Hop.
Our school have lots of these,
does your school have sock hop?
There are a lot of
fun, aren't they?
"At the dance the
socks all mingles,
"Most are paired,
but some are single.
"They do their best
to keep the beat,
"Please excuse
the two left feet!
"How many socks are hanging out?
"Watch them as they
twist and shout.
"Look for groups of five,
"Then get set to jump and jive!"
So let's see, can we
find some groups of five?
What will we have to put
together to get five?
What do you think we
can put together here?
Look at that top
line, right here.
What can we put
together to equal five?
Oh, you're exactly right,
two pairs and a single, okay.
So if I look here,
here's one pair.
That's one two,
two pairs, right?
Three, four and this
single, what did I get?
Your right, I got five.
So this is one group of five.
How many are total on this line?
You're right, eight.
So now I know this is one group
of five, six, seven, eight.
Let's look at this line
here, the second line.
Can you find a group of five?
You're exactly right.
I'm gonna start on this side
again, because I have a pair,
a single and a pair.
So we know two plus two
is four, plus one is five.
So this is my five.
How many do I have total?
Right, nine.
So I have five,
another two would be what?
Six, seven, plus another two?
Eight, nine, great job.
All I know two plus two is four.
Two pairs are four,
plus my five would equal nine.
Ooh, look at this third line.
Ooh, we got some
smelly feet here!
Some smelly socks on
this one, don't we?
All right, so if we
look at this one,
how many do I have on this line?
Right, you guys are eight,
awfully quick this time.
How did you do that?
That was so smart, you
used your five trick.
So I know I have a pair, a
single and a pair, that's five.
Another pair six, seven
and eight, much quicker.
Now the bottom line.
How many socks do I
have on the bottom line?
Quickly is?
Five, great job.
How'd you get five
sock, (indistinct) time?
You're exactly right.
We had two pairs and a single.
Give me a big high five.
Oh, when you take a dance break.
Dance break, dance break.
Okay, all right.
Next page now, we got done
with the sock comprehend,
we had to take a dance
break, didn't we?
All right, next one.
(dogs barks)
"Vegeta-Bullies."
Oh, we got some bullies
going on in the garden.
What do you think
about (indistinct).
Okay, my dog is saying that's
a (indistinct) going on.
He is trying to bully, a little
bitty butterfly right now.
He's barking at a
butterfly, right.
So let's read here it says,
"A squash will squash
you to the ground,
"And beets will beat
you up and down.
"But onions poke you in the eye.
"They're the ones that
will make you cry!
"Can you count the bullies here?
"There's a fast
way, have no fear.
"In every group, imagine three,
"Then subtract what
you can't see."
Okay, so let's start with
these onions up here at top.
I hope this math doesn't
make us cry at all, okay.
So we need to count by groups
of threes at this time.
Oh, Holly girl.
She said she doesn't
wanna count by three.
Holly, it's okay.
Threes are just fine girl.
We're gonna work through
this together, okay.
So here our first
group we have three.
What's three plus three?
You're right, six.
What's six plus three?
You're right, nine.
Nine plus three?
You're right its 12.
So do we have 12 in that group?
Oh, you're right, we don't.
Why not?
Because this group right
here, does this have three?
No, it only has two.
So what do we need
to do then to my 12?
How many is missing here?
You're right, we're
missing one, right?
So when I look at that one,
what do you do?
You're exactly right, I
need to subtract off one.
So what is 12 minus one?
You are so smart.
You are exactly smart, it is 11.
So in my purple, I only have 11.
Oh, great job if
you would get that.
Oh, great job.
Now let's look at our
next row with the beet.
We are gonna do the exact
same strategy again, okay.
So we had three,
plus three, and that's what?
You're right, six.
Six plus three is?
(indistinct), right.
And nine plus three is?
12, great job.
Do we have any groups that
did not have three this time?
You're right, we did.
How many groups that we had?
One, and how many
are we missing here?
Right, we're missing one.
Let's go over here, was
there another group?
We had two groups this time
that didn't have
three, didn't we?
And how many are
we missing here?
You're right, one.
How many beets are
we missing total?
You're right, two.
So what do we have to do
to that 12, we have to?
Your right, subtract off two.
What's 12 minus two?
You're right, it is 10.
So this group here has 10.
This group here I want
you to try on your own.
What do we have?
Use our groups of three again.
Okay, so what are we missing?
Okay, so what are we need
to do with that missing one?
Okay, so what is
your final answer?
Great, if you said 11,
get the wow for me a couple
times, 'cause you did great.
Wow, you did great.
Because three plus three
plus three is nine,
plus another three is?
12, right.
How many groups are missing?
This one.
How many was that group missing?
That's one.
So 12 minus one is?
11, great job.
Let's do this row here,
last row right here.
Let's see what you get.
Then what do you do?
You got it, then what?
Yes.
And what's our answer?
You're right, it's 12.
Why is it 12?
You are exactly right,
'cause each group had three.
So three plus three is six,
six to three is nine.
Nine plus three is?
Wow, you got it, great job.
Can't wait to see what's
on the next page four.
"Shell Shock"
I love the beach boys and girls.
So let's see, what this
is gonna be all about.
Take us beach.
(indistinct) I'm down here
and then I put myself right
here at the edge of the water,
I like there on the
waves come crash over me
so that's what I'm
gonna stay right now
boys and girls, okay?
So "Shell Shock.
"I've never understood too well,
"how oceans fit inside a shell."
So why did they say ocean
fit inside of a shell,
let's find out.
"Hold a conch up to your ear,
"Crashing waves
are what you hear!
"How many shells
have washed ashore?
"Find a smart way to keep score.
"Squares will yield
the right amount,
"As long as you
don't double-count."
So what do you think they
mean by squares here?
I'm seeing shells.
Ooh, so if I look right here,
these shells here
make up a what?
A square.
And how many are in each square?
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine.
But be careful.
Holly said she didn't like
nine at all, either did you?
Holly girl, come here.
What do they mean by make
sure you don't double-count?
Where are you seeing
a double-count?
Holly is saying please
do not double-count here.
Okay, she's saying please don't.
Please don't get them, okay.
So, where do you see
the double-count?
Oh, right there on the corner.
Your exactly right, okay.
So let me show
you what they mean
by double-count.
See what we went through this
square right here, right?
But what do you notice
about this shell right here?
Its part of this square
and part of this one.
You're exactly right.
So if we use its squares,
that's okay, right?
So if I know this right
here is nine, right?
So this square right here
would also have to be how many?
You're right, nine.
So what do I have to
subtract here though?
Oh, we gonna have to
subtract one, right?
So what is nine plus nine?
You're right, 18
minus one is what?
17, okay.
Let's go here in the middle.
Here's another one,
another square, right.
So what is 17 plus nine?
A big one, right?
You're right, 26.
But now I have to
subtract one, right?
What's 26 minus one?
You're right, 25.
But now I have nine more here.
What's 25 plus nine?
I don't know.
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, right.
Okay, but what do
you notice here?
We got another
one that's shared.
So what's 34 minus one?
You're right, 33, okay.
Now we got another
square, 33 plus nine?
You're right, it is 42.
But we've got to take away one.
42 minus one is?
Your right, 41.
What, 42 minus one?
Two minus one is?
One, 41, okay.
Over here we got another
nine, what's 41 plus nine?
Down up.
You're right, it is 50.
Right here we have 50.
What's 50 plus nine?
Kind of an easier one, isn't it?
You're right, 59.
But look here, we
got a shared one.
So what's 59 minus one?
You're right, 58.
And look, here in the
corner we got another one.
So we have to do what?
We have to subtract
off again, don't we?
Here's 57, all right.
57 plus nine.
We're gonna count
this one, okay.
58, 59, 60, 61, 62,
63, 64, 65, okay.
65 minus one?
Here we got a shared one.
Is 64 right, okay.
Plus another nine?
You're right, its 73 minus one?
Right 72, great job.
All right, we're gonna
go on to one more page.
We got time for just
one more, boys girls.
Isn't that kinda
fun, aren't they?
I like these.
Crickets are saying
they're like these.
Almost, its getting darker.
I am uncertain, sun starting
to set a little bit more.
And it says "For Seven's Sake.
"I gaze into the evening sky,
"Think great thoughts
and wonder why.
"Planets, stars, the Milky Way,
"A window into yesterday.
"Can you count
each shining star?
"The answer isn't very far.
"When you look up to the heaven,
"Try to think in
groups of seven!"
Okay, so let's look.
Can we find groups of seven?
Let's just stick with
our rows again, okay.
And here, I can move
myself up here in the sky
and ready to get hit by
this one right here
on (indistinct),
this shooting star here, okay.
So if I look here,
look at the first row,
where do we see
a group of seven?
You're exactly right, this
first group group of stars
we have how many?
One, two, three, four, right.
And what do we have here?
Five, six, seven.
So I was looking for a group
of four and a group of three.
Okay, so they're seven, okay.
Then how many more?
What's another three?
Seven and three, we should
know these real quick too
because they're another what?
Another fast 10s, right.
So what's seven plus
three, is 10, right.
Plus two?
You're right, 11, 12
in the top row, okay.
Let's look in the second row.
We're still looking for seven.
Can you find our group of
seven here in the second row?
You're exactly right.
I've got four here, right?
Five, six, and seven.
I knew four plus three, so I
needed to find three somewhere,
do I have a group of
three anywhere out here?
No, I didn't.
But I know if I add two and
one together, what do I get?
Right.
So this is my group
of seven right here.
What do I have to
add on to seven now?
You're right, eight and?
Nine, good job, okay.
Let's look here.
Can you quickly find
a group of seven here?
Add a few more together
here, don't we?
I guess about the
same (indistinct).
You're exactly right.
I would have added these three,
plus these two,
plus three, four, five, how
many more do I need to add?
You're right two, six, seven.
You're exactly right.
And then how many
extras do I have here?
Two, seven plus two,
what's seven plus two?
You're exactly right,
that is nine there.
Now let's look at the bottom.
You add that up real quick,
find in our group to seven.
You're right.
I would have started
over here too.
Boys and girls, I got
mosquitoes starting to get me,
you better be wrapping
up this book soon.
Otherwise they're gonna eat me.
They're gonna eat my
brain, you know why?
Because I contain math potatoes.
They wanna eat
these math potatoes.
And those math
potatoes fed my brain
so they're coming for me.
All right, that's
exactly what I would do.
I would start over
on this side again
and it's okay to work
either side here which is,
we have three, four,
five, six, seven, okay.
There's our group of
seven, we found it.
So what do I have
to add to seven now?
And that's our fast what?
Fast 10, good job.
And then how many do
I have left over here?
Seven, 10 to 12,
you're exactly right.
We got 12 there, good
job boys and girls.
Is anybody feeling
full right now.
Really, you want more?
One more page real quick.
Let's see what's
on the next page.
Oh the "Nut House.
"Roasted dry and warm inside,
"In their shell,
the peanuts hide.
"A little crack a ray of light.
"Now you're out in open sight!
"How many peanuts
in this snacks?
"Try to find this clever tack.
"Don't just add
what's right below.
"Find the smart way
to pair each row."
We pair each row here.
Oh, so you would put
this one here, right.
We'd have two and
then four, okay.
That's that row.
What about here,
what do we have?
Oh, so two, four, and then
five, okay.
What I'm counting by?
Your right, two.
So let's look here.
This would be what?
Two, four, six in
this row, right?
This will be two,
four, five, six, right?
Okay, this will be what?
Two, I'll put this
one with this one,
four, six and eight, great job.
This will be what?
Two, I will put
this one over here,
four, six, eight and nine.
You're exactly right.
You are exactly right.
So I'm gonna stop
sharing this right now,
it has gotten dark on me now
that I am outside
boys and girls.
Once again, this has been
a great time spending
with you boys and girls.
I really enjoy being out
here in the open doors,
even though it's
getting a little darker.
I think I might have to
light a bonfire here,
get some marshmallows
and maybe do
some math potatoes.
But this time it would be,
of course the marshmallows
maybe for my stomach here.
All right, boys and girls.
All right, once again,
it's been a great night.
Hopefully you learned something.
We had a little bit
of fun with math.
And I hope you all
have a great day.
I'll see you right back
here tomorrow, bye.
(upbeat music)
- [Announcer]
Teaching in Room Nine
is made possible with
support of Bank of America.
Dana Brown Charitable
Trust, Emerson
and viewers like you.
(upbeat music)
