Poetry Through Mathematics
Developed by Linda Hitchcock
Stivers School for the Arts, Dayton
Mathematics
Grade Level: 7
Introduction
Having students write poetry can be challenging, but getting them to do it using information from their Algebra I class makes it an even greater test of their creativity! This is just what Linda Hitchcock, math teacher from Stivers School for the Arts, has accomplished with this lesson plan. During the Muse Machine Summer Institute in 2016, Linda, along with other teachers from all over the region, came to work with Ping Chong & Company. The company is world renowned for their work with teachers and students as they challenge them to delve deep into their thoughts and feelings to produce important writings for themselves. Ping Chong, and his associates, challenge the participants to use metaphors, artifacts, and scaffolds to express their thoughts and feelings. This lesson outlines this teacher’s skillful use of the I Am From format learned at the institute. We think you will enjoy seeing how it was done!
Non-Arts Discipline
Pre-Algebra
Strand/Process
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
Content Statement
Enduring Understandings:
The student will be challenged to write a poem using mathematical processes for solving a real life percent concept as the subject.
Level of Inquiry (confirmation/structured/guided/open) Circle and describe
Students will be completing a chart highlighting the key information about specific percent concepts they have already learned in preparation for Friday’s test. For example, percent of change is a comparison of change in two quantities calculated by dividing the change in the amount by the original amount. They will be encouraged to record the essential information. Students will use the information to write their I AM FROM poems.
Arts Discipline
Math 7
Content Statement
Enduring Understandings
The study of proportional relationships express how quantities change in relationship to each other.
Progress Points
Students first explore how to calculate with a percent using an equation and a proportion. Specific situations are then introduced that they will encounter in real life, such as sales tax, tip, discount and simple interest.
Strand/Process
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
Essential Questions
- How can percent help you understand situations involving money?
Content Elaborations
Students will learn …
to write about math as review for their chapter 2 test on percent of change, percent error, sales tax, tip, markup, discount, and simple interest.
Expectations for Learning
Students will demonstrate this learning by…
completing the chart identifying the use, procedures for solving and an example for each concept.
Instructional Strategies
Students will be engaged and supported in learning by…
using their knowledge of percent and their creativity.
Assessment (Pre and/or Post)
Students will know how well they are learning by…
the feedback during the lesson and their performance on the Chapter 2 Test. Students will use the I AM FROM chart on the back as there study guide before the test and as open notes during the test.
The class average on the chapter 2 test was 84%.
Materials & Resources
Materials list for Teachers:
- Essential Question
- Handout
Materials list for Students:
- Handout
- Binder & Textbook
- Calculators
Key Vocabulary
This is a review, so none of the math terms are new for the students. The key terms are percent error, sales tax, tip/gratuity, markup, discount/markdown and simple interest.
Student Performance Tasks
Students will begin the class by responding to the essential question for Chapter 2. How can percent help you understand situations involving money?
- We will check homework answers on simple interest.
- Students will then examine the example I AM FROM: Percent of Change poem.
- They will complete the chart, then select one of the six concepts from the chart to write their original I AM FROM poem.
Career Connections
Students will use their skills for solving problems involving percent. Reviewing the concepts the students will demonstrate understanding by providing the use, procedures for solving and an example. With the information generated, they will use their creative side to write their original poem.
Diverse Learners
This is a general education Pre-Algebra 7 class. There is one student on an IEP and 2 ESL students. The students represent a wide range of math ability, based on MAP Testing earlier this fall scoring between the 1st and 68th percentile. Students will be working on the same assignment, but are always encouraged to ask questions and do their best.
Interdisciplinary Connections
This review lesson is being used to reinforce learned material and to stretch their understanding of the concepts. The requirements for the I AM FROM poem is choose one of the six concepts, incorporate the use of the concept, the procedure for solving in words, and an example with the solution (step by step).
Technology Connections
Students will have calculators available for use. The document camera will be used.
Home/At Work Connections
Students will be required to turn in a final draft of their I AM FROM poem. They will use their compiled information to review for the test and use as open notes on the test.
Student Work Samples
