Students Go Math Caroling in Mrs. Gleave’s Class

Everybody has their own Christmas traditions.  In Mrs. Gleave’s math classes here at Springville Junior High School, they have a little tradition of their own.  Every year, right before winter break, Mrs. Gleave’s classes go around the school and sing Christmas carols.  The only catch is that they must make up parodies to their favorite carols, turning them into Christmas Math Carols.  The classes performed on December 20th, during each class period.

According to Mrs. Gleave, the idea for Christmas Math Carols all started with the quadratic formula, which some people memorize to the tune of “Jingle Bells.”  “Studies show that putting things to music can help you remember them,” said Mrs. Gleave.  “The quadratic formula was so easy to remember, so I decided to try making a few math carols with my advanced class.”  After a couple of years, though, every one of Mrs. Gleave’s classes were making up their own, unique, math carols.  Some of Mrs. Gleave’s favorites include: “Rhombus Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” and a song about triangle congruency to the tune of “Carol of the Bells.”  

Students typically get together in groups of five or so, and go through their textbooks to find formulas.  After that, they make them into lyrics, and turn them in to Mrs. Gleave.  This year will be the sixth year in a row that Mrs. Gleave’s students are going caroling.  “In the beginning, we didn’t bug too many teachers, but in recent years, we’ve gotten a lot of positive response,” said Mrs. Gleave.  According to Mrs. Gleave, each class usually has the opportunity to perform their songs for three or four classes.  “Education should be fun,” said Mrs. Gleave,  “and with winter break coming up, it’s a fun way to end the calendar year.”  Derick Paulsen, a ninth grader at SJHS who caroled last year in Mrs. Gleave’s class, said, “It’s a great way to still learn new things without doing a bunch of assignments.”