HipPO EMployMENT for FUN

by Tom Weger EDU 530-01 March 23, 2001


I think poetry used in math can be a fun activity. By creating a math related format to write the poems in the students might enjoy the change in pace. This could be done as a bonus assignment there the rules require the format to be written out and one point given for each math term cleverly included or placed in their poem. Student could read their own or randomly let someone else read one's poem. You could provide five to one point given for the top five poems selected by the class or school. Even just the break from the regular class might be a way to recharge a class.

Included are two poems using a math format. Some other ideas that required too much time to create would be to use license plate phrases to construct a poem. R U following? LIB that is possible. R U NVS that I thought of the idea 1st? Cryptograms could placed with in the poem. A key might be the capital letters spell a message.

As used in the presented class having the student supply a word or phrase to try and make effort to create a poem. The students can gain insight from the experience of trying some thing that they may not be familiar with and that the end result is not always the most important thing in learning.


Note title can be read "Hippo Employment for Fun" or " Hip Poem Ploy Meant for Fun"


Looking Out the Window


Watching and waiting quietly,
Their muscles twitching with excitement, leaping to and fro.

Suddenly freezing and staying perched in one of the many wooden bows,
It is not long before they burst back into action scurrying up and down.

How playful and carefree they scamper around,
Yet full of caution and spunk as they rummage for food.

From up high in the branches to on the ground,
They streak down the trunk making a chattering sound.

They can climb up and down with such ease,
And all the while spinning around and around.

Their feet seem able to attach to what is beneath.
Balancing on wires or leaping across tree tops is a common feat.

These little critters can be a pest to some, there's no doubt,
But they're also one of God's wonders running about.



A Walk in the Dark

In the morning, cold and damp,
Before sunrise has begun, just as the bird's songs are sung.

Out the front door we fly to the stop sign, we look up at the sky
In the twinkle of fading star light we can only guess the weather right
Soon the many constellations will be undone by the ever approaching sun.

There is quite a procession that takes place.
#1 who leads, sniffs over the ground for an unseen tale of who's been around,
#2 holds the key and the line to correct the canine's path, blind in the dark
#3 reluctantly joins the group, he doesn't mind not winning the race.
But he's not Spot, his eyes are good at night and glow a lot.

Two in fur and one in coat, never sure who is the tote.
What a trio do we make as we go by the small man made lake.

What adventures do we find?
Maybe several retired walkers from in town, who speak very loud as they bound.
A couple of serious joggers may go past, #2 must hold #1 close and fast.
Occasionally a rabbit springs forth, #1 barks to signal the chase, off we go in quickened pace.
Awoken neighbors must think its a disgrace and wish we go some other place.
Garbage trucks and newspaper boys do appear, but the biggest surprise are the deer.

Around we go before the work day activities get in the way,
It is exercise and some fun, when our loop is finally done.



A Scribe’s job is never done (An unfinished poem)

At the dawn of time man was not worried about rhyme
Brawn and speed were in much more need
But as great deeds become of these
A record to cheer these events was clear
One for all to hear, both far and near
But paper did not bend and few had ever used a pen
stone was fine but it took time
masons were not cheap nor those who moved the stone by their feet.
News must travel quick before the memory of it is covered with dust.
So some scribe made a design
used the last technology and invented rhyme




Fresh baked pies

.
Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin, Lime

Yumm!

Any berry is just fine.

Hot straight from the oven with vanilla ice cream.

Thank you,

Eaten with dab of whip cream

For desert there's no debate

"Pie Momma Pie"

But none taste better than ones made from love.


Format used is the same number of words as the number value in the sequence of Pi: 3.14159265359...



The Power of Two


2x

It multiples

some say really fast

Don't take their word for it , just count

For this poem, it shows the amount and the rate with each line of pasting verse

Quick get more paper, the sentence is too wide, I need to get 32 words this time and they all must rhythm, but I fear this may be my poems last line.



Format used in the number of words is doubled in each line
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64