Des Moines Elementary music teacher Rodney Olsen led students in a musical celebration of math on May 27 at the Highline PAC. Third- through sixth-grade students from Des Moines performed an original musical production composed by Mr. Olsen based on the children’s book The Math Curse. The music and lyrics written by Mr. Olsen included parts for vocals, recorders, mallet instruments, guitar, and dramatic narration.

Sixth-grade student Terran Warden choreographed and performed dance sequences for the production.

The theme of both the book by Jon Scieszka and the musical is that almost everything in life can be thought of as a math problem. A highlight was a rhythm exercise that demonstrated how to determine a common denominator among different fractions.

“I am amazed by Rodney’s talent and what he is able to bring out in the children at Des Moines,” says Principal Karin Jones.

The Math Curse is likely to return to the stage in a couple of years. “There are some changes I need to make and perhaps write one more song,” says Mr. Olsen. “I still consider this a work in progress.”

Photos by Mel Ponder Photography, DME parent