MATH CURSE
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Grades: 1-4; Ages: 6-9
Themes: Math, Problem Solving, School
Running Time: 13 minutes
SUMMARY
On the day after Mrs. Fibonacci says to the class, “You can think of
almost everything as a math problem,” one girl wakes up to find that
a MATH CURSE has been put on her. As she realizes that everything
actually IS a math problem, her head starts spinning with questions
such as: How many feet in a yard? How many yards in a neighborhood? How many fingers are in our class? How many M&Ms
would you eat if you had to measure the Mississippi River with
M&Ms? At times puzzling, and always hilarious, students will enjoy
trying to solve this girl’s myriad of problems, while delighting in her
zany train of thought. At the end, the girl proves that with enough
critical thinking, anyone can reason their way out of even the
toughest math curse.
OBJECTIVES
• Students will solve everyday math problems.
• Students will create their own math problems.
• Students will search for math in their everyday lives.
BEFORE VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Brainstorm with students how math is used in everyday life.
Guiding questions:
• In what types of situations do you have to use math or counting
in your life?
• Why is it important to understand different kinds of math?
• For what kinds of jobs do you need to be a good mathematician?
• Have you used math today? When?
Post students’ answers. Tell students that they will be watching a
movie about a girl who finds math all around her. Encourage them
to watch and listen for ways that they can make connections with
the math in the girl’s life and the math in their own life.
Play math games with the students. Some suggestions are:
• Uno
• I’m thinking of a number… (use the number line)
• Find hidden numbers in pictures
• Monopoly
• Dominoes
• Dice games
• Sudoku
AFTER VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Incorporate some of the problems in the movie into a “Problem of
the Day” for math class. Revise the problems to meet your students’
knowledge and skill level, as well as to reflect the dynamics of your
classroom. For example, change 24 students to the number of
students in your class. As an extension, after students have solved
the problems, have them write their own multiple choice answers,
including one silly or clever answer as the girl did in the movie.
Go on a school Number Hunt with younger students. Create a list
of things within the school for children to count. Suggestions are:
teachers, students, water fountains, doors, fire alarms, book shelves,
desks, chairs, windows… Construct a poster with the students
entitled, “How Many In Our School?” Write the numbers for each
thing counted and have students illustrate the poster. Display the
poster in the hallway.
Tell students that you have put the MATH CURSE on them!
Challenge students to go through a whole day thinking of math
problems that apply to their everyday lives. Encourage them to use
examples from the movie, such as: How long does it take you to get
ready in the morning? How many outfits do you have to choose
from? How far is it between your house and school? How long does
it take you to travel that distance? How many students are in your
class(es)? How many different body parts do those students have?
Other suggestions for problems are: How many times do you write
your name in a day? What is the ratio of free time to work time at
school? What is the ratio of how many times you raise your hand to
how many times you get called on? Tell students to write down 5-10
questions from their day to share with the class. Then, use their
collection of problems for homework and class work assignments.
Be sure to credit the authors!
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Grades: 1-4; Ages: 6-9
Themes: Math, Problem Solving, School
Running Time: 13 minutes
SUMMARY
On the day after Mrs. Fibonacci says to the class, “You can think of
almost everything as a math problem,” one girl wakes up to find that
a MATH CURSE has been put on her. As she realizes that everything
actually IS a math problem, her head starts spinning with questions
such as: How many feet in a yard? How many yards in a neighborhood? How many fingers are in our class? How many M&Ms
would you eat if you had to measure the Mississippi River with
M&Ms? At times puzzling, and always hilarious, students will enjoy
trying to solve this girl’s myriad of problems, while delighting in her
zany train of thought. At the end, the girl proves that with enough
critical thinking, anyone can reason their way out of even the
toughest math curse.
OBJECTIVES
• Students will solve everyday math problems.
• Students will create their own math problems.
• Students will search for math in their everyday lives.
BEFORE VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Brainstorm with students how math is used in everyday life.
Guiding questions:
• In what types of situations do you have to use math or counting
in your life?
• Why is it important to understand different kinds of math?
• For what kinds of jobs do you need to be a good mathematician?
• Have you used math today? When?
Post students’ answers. Tell students that they will be watching a
movie about a girl who finds math all around her. Encourage them
to watch and listen for ways that they can make connections with
the math in the girl’s life and the math in their own life.
Play math games with the students. Some suggestions are:
• Uno
• I’m thinking of a number… (use the number line)
• Find hidden numbers in pictures
• Monopoly
• Dominoes
• Dice games
• Sudoku
AFTER VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Incorporate some of the problems in the movie into a “Problem of
the Day” for math class. Revise the problems to meet your students’
knowledge and skill level, as well as to reflect the dynamics of your
classroom. For example, change 24 students to the number of
students in your class. As an extension, after students have solved
the problems, have them write their own multiple choice answers,
including one silly or clever answer as the girl did in the movie.
Go on a school Number Hunt with younger students. Create a list
of things within the school for children to count. Suggestions are:
teachers, students, water fountains, doors, fire alarms, book shelves,
desks, chairs, windows… Construct a poster with the students
entitled, “How Many In Our School?” Write the numbers for each
thing counted and have students illustrate the poster. Display the
poster in the hallway.
Tell students that you have put the MATH CURSE on them!
Challenge students to go through a whole day thinking of math
problems that apply to their everyday lives. Encourage them to use
examples from the movie, such as: How long does it take you to get
ready in the morning? How many outfits do you have to choose
from? How far is it between your house and school? How long does
it take you to travel that distance? How many students are in your
class(es)? How many different body parts do those students have?
Other suggestions for problems are: How many times do you write
your name in a day? What is the ratio of free time to work time at
school? What is the ratio of how many times you raise your hand to
how many times you get called on? Tell students to write down 5-10
questions from their day to share with the class. Then, use their
collection of problems for homework and class work assignments.
Be sure to credit the authors!
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