The Math-Poetry Connection: Using Verses to Boost Numeracy Skills

Today I’m excited to dive into a topic that might surprise some of you: the powerful connection between math and poetry. Now, I know some of you might be thinking – “Math and poetry? That’s like oil and water!” But bear with me, because these two subjects have more in common than you might think, and combining them can lead to some pretty amazing results in the classroom.

The Math-Poetry Connection

The Unexpected Harmony of Numbers and Words

At first glance, math and poetry seem to be on opposite ends of the academic spectrum. One deals with cold, hard numbers, while the other plays with the fluid beauty of language. But when you look closer, you’ll find that both math and poetry rely on patterns, structure, and precise use of symbols to convey meaning. Both require creative thinking and problem-solving skills. And both can be incredibly fun when approached with the right attitude!

How Poetry Can Enhance Math Learning

  1. Rhythm and Counting: The rhythmic nature of poetry, especially when read aloud, can help reinforce counting skills. Think about nursery rhymes like “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” – they’re not just fun to recite, they’re sneakily teaching math concepts!
  2. Pattern Recognition: Many poetic forms, like haiku or limericks, follow specific patterns. Recognizing and creating these patterns exercises the same part of the brain used in mathematical thinking.
  3. Problem-Solving: Writing poetry often involves fitting the right words into a specific structure, much like solving a puzzle. This kind of creative problem-solving is directly applicable to math.
  4. Memorization: Rhyme and rhythm make information easier to remember. That’s why so many of us learned the multiplication tables or the value of pi through little songs or rhymes.
  5. Visualization: Both poetry and math often require students to visualize abstract concepts. A well-crafted math poem can help students “see” mathematical ideas in a new way.

Practical Ideas for the Classroom

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How can poetry actually be used to boost math skills in the classroom? Here are some ideas:

  1. Math Concept Poems: Have students write poems about mathematical concepts. For example, a haiku about shapes or an acrostic about fractions. This not only reinforces the math concept but also helps students explain it in their own words.
  2. Number Rhymes: Rhymes to help remember number facts. For instance, I here’s a little nursery rhyme I wrote called “One, Two, Three, Go Climb a Tree“:
    “One, two, three, go climb a tree.
    Four, five six, collect some sticks.
    Seven, eight, nine, come down a vine.
    Count to ten, go up again.    “
  3. Shape Poetry: Combine geometry and poetry by having students write poems in the shape of what they’re describing. A poem about triangles written in a triangular shape, or a poem about a square written in a square shape. Here’s an example of one of mine:
    I Took a Walk Around the Block by Kenn Nesbitt
  4. Math Story Problems in Verse: Present math problems in poetic form. For example:
    “Two rabbits hopped into the garden,
    Then three more joined their friends.
    How many rabbits munch on carrots,
    Before the party ends?”
  5. Multiplication Rhymes: Create rhymes for multiplication facts. Like:
    “5, 6, 7, 8 is hard to forget.
    Isn’t that great?
    56 is 7 times 8″
  6. Mnemonic poems: Help students remember the order of things (e.g., the planets, metric prefixes, colors of the spectrum, etc.) with catchy rhymes, like this poem I wrote about the colors of the rainbow:
    “Red and Orange, Yellow too.
    Gorgeous Green, and brilliant Blue.
    Indigo, and Violet fly
    rainbow banners in the sky.    “
  7. Pi Day Poetry: Celebrate Pi Day (March 14) with pi-themed poetry. Challenge students to write a poem where the number of letters in each word, or the number of words on each line, corresponds to the digits of pi (3.14159…).

Books That Blend Math and Poetry

There are some fantastic books out there that beautifully combine mathematics and poetry. Here are a few standouts:

  • The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus: This delightful middle-grade novel interweaves math and poetry throughout the story of Gregory, a boy who loves writing poetry but struggles with math.
  • Mathematickles! by Betsy Franco: This innovative book presents math concepts through a series of clever and engaging poem-puzzles that encourage readers to think about math in new ways.
  • Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems by J. Patrick Lewis: In this clever collection, Lewis takes famous poems and reimagines them as math riddles, creating a unique blend of poetry appreciation and mathematical problem-solving.

These books can serve as excellent resources for teachers looking to integrate math and poetry in their classrooms, as well as for parents wanting to explore this connection with their children at home.

The Bigger Picture

By integrating poetry into math lessons (and vice versa), we’re doing more than just making these subjects more enjoyable. We’re helping students see the interconnectedness of different areas of knowledge. We’re fostering creativity and critical thinking. And perhaps most importantly, we’re showing students that math, like poetry, can be a form of self-expression and a way to describe the world around us.

Moreover, this interdisciplinary approach can be particularly helpful for students who struggle with traditional math instruction. By approaching mathematical concepts through the familiar and often less intimidating realm of language arts, we can help these students build confidence and develop a more positive attitude towards math.

I encourage educators to embrace the math-poetry connection in their classrooms. Experiment with these ideas, and don’t be afraid to come up with your own. You might be surprised at how well students respond when you blend the precision of mathematics with the creativity of poetry.

Remember, at the heart of both math and poetry is the joy of discovery—the thrill of finding patterns, solving puzzles, and expressing ideas in new and exciting ways. By bringing these two worlds together, we can help students experience that joy and develop skills that will serve them well in all areas of life.

May your classrooms be filled with the music of numbers and the poetry of mathematics!

Kenn Nesbitt
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