Think about it…today is quite likely the last date you will see or write a set of repeating, single-digit numbers.  The next time this event occurs it will be January 1, 2101…92 years from now.  Numbers certainly have a way of putting things in perspective don’t they?  

Numerologists actually believe that nine  is associated with forgiveness, compassion and success.  Before you get too excited, nine also is associated with arrogance and self-righteousness according to numerologists. Regardless of what the numerologists think, or what you believe in terms of numerology, you have to admit … nine is without question the number of the day!

Here are nine ways you could celebrate the number nine in your classroom today…

1. Teach students about the nine-point circle (visit Mud Math Fun Facts for more details and images to go with the following directions):

• Draw a triangle, any triangle (although it may be best to start with an acute triangle). I will instruct you to mark nine special points on your picture.
• Mark the midpoints of each side (3 points).
• Drop an altitude from each vertex to the opposite side, and mark the points where the altitudes intersect the opposite side. (If the triangle is obtuse, an altitude will be outside the triangle, so extend the opposite side until it intersects.)
• Notice that the altitudes intersect at a common point. Mark the midpoint between each vertex and this common point.
• No matter what triangle you start with, these nine points all lie on a perfect circle!

2. Younger students will enjoy watching and listening to the Sesame Street Classic Number Nine Cutie….

3. Play nine holes of golf or play a game of Nine Ball (billiards) in gym or in the computer lab.

4. Think about what it means to be on cloud nine as you listen to the song Cloud Number Nine by Bryan Adams.

5. Teach students how to play Soduko.

6.  Feed your cat Nine Lives cat food and assure him/her he is luck to be gifted with nine lives ( I would not suggest that students test this theory, but they could write about a cat that lives nine lives).

7.  Did you know that in classical music there is a curse of the ninth?  Presumably any composer who writes a ninth symphony will die soon.  The superstition began with Beethoven who never finished his Tenth Symphony.  Listen to Beethoven’s ninth as you discuss the superstition with your students.

8. Teach students about the nine justices that sit on the United States Supreme Court.  Can you name them?

9.  Study the nine muses in Greek mythology:

• Calliope (epic poetry)
• Clio (history)
• Erato (erotic poetry)
• Euterpe (lyric poetry)
• Melpomene (tragedy)
• Polyhymnia (song)
• Terpsichore (dance)
• Thalia (comedy)
• Urania (astronomy).

While you think of other way to integrate the number nine in your lessons today keep in mind Anatole France one said, “Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”  I hope I have encouraged you to have some fun with the number nine as you teach today!