This year I plan to read all the GA Book Award Nominees and provide a “one stop” resource for teachers who would like to use these books in their classrooms. I will be posting links to author Web sites, teacher’s guides, and related Web links. I hope to make this an unbiased resource, so I will not be providing my own review of the books, other than recommending it as a read aloud (or not).
Football Genius
by: Tim Green
Summary: Troy, a sixth-grader with an unusual gift for predicting football plays before they occur, attempts to use his ability to help his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons, but he must first prove himself to the coach and players.
Author Web Site: http://www.timgreenbooks.com
Teacher’s Guide: LA Young Reader’s Choice Study Guides
Related Links: Atlanta, Georgia
50 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta
http://www.atlanta.net/50fun
Atlanta Falcons Web Site
http://www.atlantafalcons.com
Related Links: Mathematics and Football
NCTM Illuminations: Mathematics and Football Unit
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L213
The activities in this unit focus on connections between mathematics and football by using the Super Bowl. Students apply math to problems associated with “The Big Game.” The activities involve number sense, geometry, measurement, statistics, estimations, and problem solving.
Read Aloud Recommendation: Students who are sports fans will love the subject matter and the cinematic descriptions of games. Others will just enjoy the fast-moving plot. This is a great selection for a read-aloud. I think that it would be especially fun to use in a mathematics class as part of a unit that focuses on connections between mathematics and football.
Sequel Available:
by: Adrian Fogelin
