Christmas WS's!Yesterday, our guest blogger Joanne Arcand started a review of mathematical poet Shel Silverstein. Today’s blog post brings you the second part.
By Joanne Arcand
The Missing Piece Meets the Big O is a parable about taking risks and getting over obstacles. It also stars a wedge shape that creates its own limitation inside its head. The assumption it made about not being able to roll turns out to be false-and with a little practice the obstacle disappears. Next time your child gives the ‘I can’t do it!’ excuse before beginning a task, think of the wedge.
It’s also a book starring a wedge (a part of a circle) and the concept that small shapes fit inside big shapes. You might be able to see other small shapes fitting into big shapes in your house: rectangular books fitting in a bookcase, small square windows inside a larger rectangular window, or chairs made up of cylinders, ovals, and circles. Other things in nature involve shapes fitting tightly- wedges in oranges or apples can be broken apart and held back together (look at those fractional parts-isn’t it great when one math topic leads to another!)
While you’re talking about shapes fitting together, why not point out the shapes inside coloured stained glass windows. Most churches are open to the public during the day and, while they would probably not appreciate a loud math discussion disturbing the peace of the sanctuary, the beauty of the windows might inspire your child to try one of his/her own. Use tissue paper and black construction paper, or try this recipe for stained glass cookies.
It also might be a nice story to try out computer animation. The simple characters make the animation easy (or at least easier), and the story is easy for even early readers to read out loud.
Hopefully I’ve inspired you to “shelebrate” poetry. Back in 2009, there were a few resources published on this topic. If you’re interested in more activities with Shel Silverstein poems, try this link.
Joanne Arcand is trying to juggle her role as a math teacher with her other life as mom of twin boys. She lives in Oakville, Ontario.
