Maths I Can Do – a maths version of Shape of You by Ed Sheeran

Last month, I delivered a talk to members of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI Te Riu Roa) in Christchurch. The talk was oversubscribed, limited by the size of the venue.

I explained why the current primary maths curriculum is failing our children and the cognitive science behind it. I demonstrated how to develop algebraic thinking (another big failure of the Numeracy Project) to support computational thinking (in the context of the new Digital Technologies curriculum).

I also responded to teachers’ feedback on the areas their students find particularly difficult. It wasn’t a great surprise to see that subtraction was a common problem.

It turns out Ed Sheeran’s number knowledge is not so bad, but subtraction is his weak spot too.

Ed’s maths quiz and fondness of mathematical symbols inspired me to write a maths-themed version of his Platinum hit “Shape of You”, the deeper meaning of the lyrics revealed in my talk.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RefXjF6i7I?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

“Maths I Can Do” is for New Zealand teachers and their students to sing in their classrooms, but classrooms in other countries may enjoy it too. It is for non-profit educational purposes only. Please do not use it commercially.

Please share as widely as possible to raise awareness of New Zealand’s big maths problem.

Dr Audrey Tan, Mathmo Consulting
2 September 2017