MONTHLY NEWS Do the Multiplication Rap! |
A unique CD has come out that helps Japanese kids to learn kuku (multiplication tables) in English using a rap song. The song was written by Tadashi Tomomura, a teacher at Nakama Higashi Elementary School in Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and is performed by Q'z, a band made up of elementary school students, who are his current and former students. The title is none other than "Multiply." Kuku, literally meaning "nine nine," refers to the multiplication tables from 1 through 9. Japanese children begin learning multiplication in the second term of the second grade using the kuku, which has a rhythm to it that makes it easier to remember. Since multiplication is one of the basics of math, it's taught diligently both at school and in the home, and kids work very hard to learn the kuku by heart.
Mr. Tomomura wrote the song "Multiply" to encourage a former student of his who couldn't master multiplication because he did not go to school. "Learning the kuku in English is cool and fun, and it should spark children's interest in arithmetic," thought Mr. Tomomura. He taught the song to Q'z, 13 of whose members currently attend Nakama Higashi Elementary School, and made a CD recording in June. Q'z cheerfully sings the multiplication tables in English from 2 x 1 to 9 x 9 in a fast, rap-like style. The song also includes lyrics to encourage kids having difficulty with multiplication, such as: "It's all right, it's all right, even if you can't multiply / Don't worry, don't worry / Sing Multiply and all's OK."
Rumors of the CD gradually spread, and Q'z has received many messages from other children, such as, "It's rhythmical and fun," and, "We'd like to make a dance to go with the song and perform it on sports day in the fall." The boy who inspired Mr. Tomomura to write the song has been helping with publicity, saying, "I want kids who stay away from school to hear the song, too." News of the song even reached the ears of the mayor of Nakama City. The members of Q'z were invited to the mayor's office, where Mayor Tadayoshi Oshima gave them words of encouragement. Sixth grader Tomohiro Hisai, who is the leader of Q'z, and all of the group's other members seem happy to learn that they have the power to bring joy to people and move their hearts. Perhaps - just perhaps - children all over Japan will come to love arithmetic because of this song. Photos: (Top) Some of the members of Q'z; (middle) Mr. Tomomura; (bottom) Kids enjoy singing the multiplication song. (Tadashi Tomomura) |
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