Introducing a New Way to Learn Maths Through Stories
This year, the National Literacy Trust in Doncaster launched its first-ever Maths Through Stories competition in partnership with RWM Doncaster. The initiative aimed to encourage children across the borough to blend creativity with calculation through storytelling. This unique approach is designed to make maths more engaging, especially for students who may find traditional methods challenging.
The concept of Maths Through Stories is an innovative teaching method that uses narratives and creative writing to bring mathematical concepts to life. By integrating numbers with characters, plots, and visuals, this approach aims to transform how children perceive and interact with mathematics. It makes learning more accessible and enjoyable, helping students grasp complex ideas through storytelling.
The competition was open to primary schools in Doncaster, and the response was overwhelming. Judges were impressed by the quality, imagination, and creativity displayed in each entry. After careful consideration, the first prize was awarded to Charlotte Jones, a 10-year-old student from Mexborough Windhill Primary School, for her original story titled “The Case of the Missing Times Tables.” Her work stood out for its strong structure and playful tone, offering a fun and inventive way to help younger children understand their times tables.
Charlotte’s teacher, Mr McDonald, who is also the author of the Math Monsters Series, was thrilled with her creative idea. He remarked, “I wish I’d thought of it first!” He praised Charlotte for her dedication and hard work in crafting the story. He added, “Many children at Windhill submitted some amazing stories, and I’m delighted that one of them was chosen and won us an exciting class prize.”
Charlotte received her prize from Phil Sheppard, the National Literacy Trust Hub Manager, and Anne Walker, Learning Standards and Effectiveness Officer for Maths at RWM Doncaster. In addition to the trophy, she was awarded a £50 Amazon voucher by Dr Natthapoj Trakulphadetkrai, the founder of the Maths Through Stories initiative at the University of Reading. As part of her prize, Charlotte’s class has been working with the National Literacy Trust to adapt her story into an illustrated YouTube video, which can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4XGovpeVF8.
Celebrating Creativity and Mathematical Thinking
The runner-up in the competition was Harley from Montagu Academy for her story “Hammy’s Hunt for Biscuits.” The judges were particularly impressed by the humour, imagination, and clever use of mathematical thinking in her work. Both winning entries were accompanied by excellent illustrations that added a visual element, making the mathematical concepts easier to understand and more engaging.
The competition is part of Doncaster’s Year of Maths Through Stories, which will conclude in June at the Doncaster Storytelling Festival at CAST Theatre. The festival attracted over 1,000 pupils for a celebration of creativity, learning, and laughter. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy live sessions from well-known children’s authors such as Kjartan Poskitt (Murderous Maths), Maisie Chan (Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths), and performance poet Donavan “Rappaman” Christopher.
A Celebration of Young Talent
Huge congratulations go to Charlotte and Harley, as well as all the talented young writers who participated in the competition. Their creativity and enthusiasm have helped shine a light on the power of storytelling in education. The success of this initiative highlights the potential of combining literature and mathematics to inspire a new generation of learners.
Through events like the Maths Through Stories competition and the Doncaster Storytelling Festival, the community continues to support and celebrate the importance of creativity in learning. These efforts not only foster a love for reading and writing but also help students develop essential mathematical skills in a fun and engaging way.
