Mathematics graduate and performance poet, Harry Baker, led a stimulating series of collaborations between the Mathematics, Library and English departments, with workshops for Year 8 and Year 9 students, as well as members of the creative writing CCA.
He explained the mathematical and narrative arc created by the 3 minute rule in slam competitions and the probability of securing 5 audience votes to win the Slam World Cup. He performed a range of poems moving from a Metaphysical T-Rex love poem via the early science of bumblebees through to a poem about falafel written during his time in Germany. Students enjoyed being able to join in his performance and echo his playful use of language. He spoke generously and self-deprecatingly about having the confidence to perform and ended with the poignant poem ‘Maybe’.
However, he is most famous for his Mathematics inspired poems. His ode to prime numbers, most specifically ‘Number 59’ inspired some superb creative writing from the students attending his workshops. A Year 8 commented, "He treated us to a brilliantly witty poem about the relationship between Mathematics and sports psychology, with his topical poem ‘A Mathematician’s guide to surviving the Marathon’ based on his experience of running the London Marathon."
Please read a poem below from Chloe in Year 8, It was inspired by his poem called ‘59’.
If I were a number I would be 4,
Since it is the number that I adore.
It has three factors: 4, 2 and 1
It’s also a square 2 x 2 and you are done.
Double my number and you get 8
And by the way, 16 is its best mate.
I love my number, number 4,
But people say it’s too small and want more.
If you take one off my number you will get 3
Working with 4 is easy for me.
The next even number would be 6
My special number has multiple tricks.
He spoke to the creative writing group about his early beginnings when he wrote lyrics, helping him to think about the relationship between mathematics and music. He told us how he ‘came alive on stage when people listened to his words’. We would like to thank Harry Baker for bringing the nectar that is his mathematical words (and terrifying T-Rex impressions) to Dulwich Pudong. Students and staff alike were buzzing after his performance.
数学系毕业的表演诗人Harry Baker访问上海德威浦东，领导了一系列数学、图书馆和英语部门之间激动人心的合作。为8年级、9年级以及创意写作CCA的学生开设了讲习班。
他阐述了在大满贯比赛中3分钟规则创造的数学和叙述，以及获得5个观众票数赢得大满贯世界杯的可能性。 他还演绎了一系列诗歌，从形而上学的霸王龙爱情诗，通过早期的大黄蜂科学到关于他在德国时期撰写的关于沙拉三明治的诗歌。 学生们喜欢加入他的表演，并回应他对语言的有趣运用，欣赏他慷慨和自嘲地自信表达，表演结束于尖刻的诗歌演绎“可能”。
Harry Baker以数学灵感诗而闻名。 他对质数的颂扬，最具体地说是“59号”，激发了参加他的研讨会的学生创作出极好的创意写作。 八年级学生评论到 “Harry Baker创作的诗歌四号添加了他在伦敦马拉松的经验，用他的专题诗“数学家的马拉松生存指南”，向我们提供了一篇关于数学与运动心理学之间关系的极具诙谐幽默感的诗。”
请阅读以上八年级的Chloe灵感于Harry Baker的诗歌“59号”所创作的诗歌作品。
他向创作小组讲述了他早期在创作歌词时的经历，帮助他思考数学与音乐之间的关系。 他向学生们分享了‘他是如何在舞台上绘声绘色的表演诗歌的内容’。 我们要感谢Harry Baker将他的数学词语（以及令人恐惧的霸王龙印象）带到我校。 表演结束后，学生和工作人员都蠢蠢欲动的想要尝试诗歌创作。
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