Title of Book: Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream : A Mathematical Story
Author: Cindy Neuschwander
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0-590-30012-1
Grade Levels for Recommended Use: 5th grade
TEKS: Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student adds, subtracts, multiplies,
and divides to solve meaningful problems. The student is expected to: (B) use multiplication to
solve problems involving whole numbers (no more than three digits times two digits without
technology);
Brief Summary: Amanda loves to count everything, but not until she has an amazing dream
does she finally realize that being able to multiply will help her count faster.
Materials needed: Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream: A Mathematical Story, Activity Sheets,
graph paper, pencils, timer,
Suggested Activity:
1. Distribute the ‘Beat the Teacher’ activity sheets to the groups. Pick three numbers that
have lots of factors. Such as 12, 24, and 48. Have the groups come up with as many
different math equations that equal that number. Give the groups a few minutes to write
down all the math equations they can think of on their sheets. If the teams come up with
more equations than the teacher they can win an incentive. Discuss the math equations
that deal with multiplication. Review the language of the discipline factor, product,
commutative, and identity.
2. Read the story ‘Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream’.
3. Distribute the “Which has more” activity sheet. Which has more panes? A window with
25 rows and 24 panes in each row or a window with 23 rows and 26 panes in each.
Which has more cookies? 33 rows with 38 cookies in each row or 34 rows with 36
cookies in each? Which has more wheels, 75 tricycles or 77 bicycles? The groups will
write the math equations and compare.
4. Students will create their own 2 digit by 2 digit multiple comparisons from things they
use in their lives. Students will switch their problems with their team mates to solve. The
teacher can compile the created problems for use in future lessons.
References and or websites:
http://www.mathsolutions.com/documents/0-590-30012-1_L.pdf
Adapted by (Kelly Eleazer, 2012)
Student Name _______________________________________
Date_____________________
BEAT THE TEACHER
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Number _____________
Number ______________
Number _________________
Student Name _______________________________________
Date_____________________
Which has more?
1. Which has more panes, a window with 25 rows and 24 panes in each row or a window
with 23 rows and 26 panes in each row? Show your work.
2. Which has more cookies, 33 rows with 38 cookies in each row or 34 rows with 36
cookies in each row? Show your work.
3. Which has more wheels, 75 tricycles or 77 bicycles? Show your work.
4. Create a comparison problem to switch with a friend. The problem can have one or two
sentences. Use things you like. The comparison has to have two 2 digit numbers.