A palindrome is a word, phrase, sentence, verse or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards. It stems from the Greek word palindromos: palin, meaning again, and drom, meaning to run. Combined, the Greek word means running back again.
Today’s date is special – an eight-digit palindrome. Not alone that, the 02/02/2020 is the 33rd day of the month. As 2020 is a leap year, there are also 333 days until the end of the year.
Why not challenge your pupils to investigate palindromes?
Palindromes with Dates
- Can you calculate, how long since these dates occurred:
01/01/1010
11/11/1111
- Can you calculate, how long until this date is reached:
12/12/2121
- Can you think of other dates that follow this pattern?
February 2nd, 2020 – 02/02/2020,
March 3rd, 3030 –
Palindromes with Words
Try these challenges!
- Can you create an ABC of palindrome words, e.g., aha, bob etc.?
- Can you think of any names that are palindromes, e.g., Ava, Bob etc.?
- What is the minimum number of letters needed to form a palindrome word?
- What is the longest palindrome word you can think of?
- Can you think of a 3-letter, 4-letter, 5-letter palindrome etc.?
- Can you think of a palindrome phrase? e.g., Don’t nod! No lemon, no melon!