Literature in Math

Today while flying from Seattle to San Diego, I spent time thinking of Shakespeare, Jeopardy, and History.  There was a final Jeopardy question about the Ides of April.  I knew about the ides of March due to one of William Shakespeare's play about Julius Caesar but I have never heard of the Ides of April.  Have you?

After a bit of research, I discovered the Ides of April referred to specific time on the Roman Calendar.  It turns out that every month has an Ides but it is not always the 15th of the month as it is in March.

The ides is the day of the full moon in the month.  Since the calendar has changed, the date is no longer accurate.  This would be a good opportunity to discuss or research the Roman, Julian, and Gregorian calendars and how they differ.

Furthermore, students could create visual  presentations on the Ides, Nones, and Kalendes which are the major dates of the Roman Calendar or a compare and contrast of the three types of calenders.  I know we all have to meet certain standards but we are often pushed to create cross curricular thematic units and this is one that could be considered.