The Art of Math

The Art of MathInnovative art lessons that teach math objectivesBy Jennifer PiersonWoodville ISD

My Spookies

My old dog, Gunnison

My favorite color is green!

I like Willie Nelson.

17PurposeLike many of you, I have felt pressure to evaluate my art program based on the contributions art instruction make toward student achievement. I set out to prove and improve how I already directly teach math in the art classroom. This presentation outlines the steps I am taking to improve the academic achievement of my students. Getting StartedWhat math objectives have you documented on your PDAS Self-report?

PDAS and The Fine ArtsCEDFA has a great document that compares art TEKS to TEKS in content area instruction. The correlation is obvious and accurate. The TEKS have been tweaked since this document was created but it is still a useful tool.

PDAS for Fine ArtsGetting StartedGet copies of the year scope and sequence for math

Handy flipchart-in all subject areaspublished by Mentoring Minds out of Tyler Texaswww.mentoringminds.com

Getting StartedGather vocabulary lists from sources such as adoptive textbook series, c-scope, TAKS, TEKS, anything your classroom teachers use for instruction and your art vocabulary.

Getting StartedAnalyze the TEKS highlight areas that immediately ring a bell, mark other areas that you could think about http://jabba.edb.utexas.edu/depts/edp/projects/teks/checklist.asp

Getting StartedMeet with teachers to understand the current needs based on TAKS data, benchmarks, etc.

Evaluate how your current vocabulary, lesson set, objectives, and art TEKS support math instruction

Dig through your resources and find mathy ideas.Surprise!!!You already teach math! Without even changing one thing about your current program, you are teaching some of the art TEKS.

MATH + ART=Surprise!!!Knowing HOW your program teaches math concepts will help you participate and contribute to school and district wide conversations about student achievement. Dont tune these discussions out, you may have to defend your job or incentive pay.

Changing perceptionsParents, fellow teachers, administrators, and students are not always aware how art directly teaches or reinforces content area objectives. Here are some ways you can begin to change the perceptions people have about art instruction.-post objectives with student work displays-have the students explain to you how the project teaches math (or science, social studies, etc)-coordinate with other teachers to align projects with current topics in the classroom

Changing perceptions-use a word wall to display vocabulary-Will a visitor to your room know what specific skills are taught through use of instructional displays?

Everyday Use math vocabularyI compared a list of art vocabulary to math vocabulary and made some choices about the terms I would use. Sometimes I just refer to the math term in addition to the term I commonly use in art instructionEveryday Use of tools such as clocks and calendars in such a way that the students are aware

Everyday Implement the use of charts and graphsthis can be done as a means of evaluating artworks, preferences, etc.I use a smartboard for this but creating a visual for a display is great if you have room. Plus, pocket charts are so easy and you can set it up as a center with data collectors (clipboards with record sheet), a collection of possible topics for graph, and materials for students to create chart.Everyday Quantities: students must apply knowledge of quantity when passing out supplies, etc.Kindergarten students can really benefit from thisone-to-one correspondence, and quantity/numeral (written on card and handed to studentJohnny I need you to bring 4 scissors to each table)Older students you could even pose a story problem. (If we have 7 work tables with 3 students on each, How many scissors do we need total?) This is a great walk in the door mind occupier while you are taking attendance or whatever. Have a list of these things ready and displayed.Everyday Direct instruction- drawing, cut and paste, following direction lessonsuse of positional words, attributes such as color, shape, texture, line direction, etc.

http://www.tlclessons.com/

Math TEKS/Art TEKSI have noted TEKS for most of the following projects based on how I teach the lesson. You might have to tweek these to fit how you will use the activity.

Paper Cup PrintingKindergarten Level

You will combine circle shape prints. You will recognize that the shape of the cup opening creates the circle print.

ART TEKS: 2ABCMath TEKS: 9.BC

Shape PrintingKindergarten Level

You will combine shape prints to create a design.

ART TEKS: 2ABCMath TEKS: 9.BC

Rainbow SquaresThis is from the TLC series. The cut and paste projects are great for practicing positional concepts, color and shape identification, use of scissors and glue, etc. This is a great first day project for Kinder. I teach use of glue and color names. Easy and pretty.

Math TEKS: K.5A k.7ABArt TEKS: K.1B K.2C

MosaicsKindergarten level

ART TEKS:MATH TEKS:

This is a good 1 day project. Subs would like this as well.

This is from Roylco and comes with precut squares that have a different color on each side. The reproducible mosaic guides are also included.

I correlated this with SRA Kindergarten Lesson on Broken Lines.

Sensational SymmetryThis is from a book titled QuickArt Crayon Projects from Scholastic. Great when there is a substitute. All levels over Kindergarten enjoy this.

Match the ShapesKinder or Life SkillsUsing any die cut, you can simply lay the shapes on the copy machine and copy. Change them up by rotating the shape away from a normal position. The student then matches the colored shapes, to the black and white work board. When learning about shape, students need to understand that a shape is different than a line.

Math TEKS: K.8Art TEKS: 1B

Line Design AnimalSecond Grade

Students learn line direction and pattern when completing this fun project. Originally based on a lesson using the book, Elmer, and an elephant shape.

Math TEKS: K.5AArt TEKS: 1B 2C

Counting Chart

QuiltingYou can this topic as far as you want to go!A great resource is Mathwire.com Quilt Square Challenge by Terry KawasYou can purchase two-sided Quilt mosaics from School Specialty. These come with a teacher resource sheetQuilting Activities Across the Curriculum published by ScholasticSee if your community has a quilting group who would make a visit to your school to show off quilts and discuss the processShape Op ArtThird Grade

Paper Weaving Op ArtFourth Grade

www.mathforum.orgThis site has several plans that deal with shapes, patterns, and symmetry. I used the How many ways to make a Hexagon lesson and related the use of geometric shapes and patterns to stain glass.

Wayne Thiebaud CakesSchool Specialty has a lesson plan (see their site) for using oil pastels to create cakes layered cakes (drawing cylinders, cutting away section to show where a slice was removed)www.nga.gov has a group of lessons titled Counting on Art and there are two versions of a Wayne Thiebaud lesson and several others you might find interesting.

Mineral MosaicsYou can buy class kits created by Roylco. This is good for a substitute and can be completed in one class.

Math TEKS: 4.9ABCArt TEKS: 2C 3BMirror Image3rd-5th

You will cut and paste an image that uses reflection symmetry and complementary colors.

Art TEKS: 1B 2CMath TEKS: 3.9BC

Mirror Image - Heart

Grid DrawingThis has to use math somewhere!!!

Outside of the constant estimating measurement necessary to use a grid, I am unsure how to connect this. Can you??

Some hate grids, some love gridstake it or leave it.

Art TEKS: 2CMath TEKS: 5.11A

Grid Drawing as a Station

Cut Paper DesignI used this idea with a unit on China. We wrote the animal name using Chinese characters underneath the cut paper design.

Art TEKS: 4.1B 4.2CMath TEKS: 4.9

Trick the EyeFifth graders use 3 values as a way to indicate form. The marker is used to create contrast with the colored pencil. This project is from a teacher, Linda Welling. I found this online at Artsonia.

Math TEKS: 5.7AB 5.8ABArt TEKS: 2C

FractalsFourth or Fifth Grade

The student will create a fractal based on the Sierpinski triangle.

Math TEKS: 4.8C Art TEKS: 1B

Fractals as a Station

Cynthia Lanius' Lessons: A Fractals Lesson - Introduction3-D Snowflakehttp://www.bobsedulinks.com/Snowflakes.htm

This site shows a step by step tutorial on how to create this snowflake. Students not only learn about rotational symmetry, but they have to estimate measurement as well.

**adapt the tutorial to only include cutting two lines on both sides.

GamesI use games or stations often. This is my way of dealing with interruptions in my week plans, substitutes, etc.I use math manipulatives such as pattern blocks, blocks, geoboards, unifix cubes, etc. in addition to other materials.I post objectives over every table so that we all know what is being learned at each station.

Counting with ArtI took old art prints and used them to create a counting wall story. Everything is laminated and then I used velcro dots to allow the pieces to become interactive.

Pocket Chart Patterns

Building Block ChallengeI have challenge cards with the criteria. For example:

Build using blue blocks.You r structure must be more than 12 inched tall.

You can use up to 15 blocks.

Teacher made Math PuzzleI created this independent activity to be used by a small group working together. The idea is to solve the math problem and match the answer on the back of the puzzle piece. This same concept is used in Math Masterpieces from Didax.www.didax.com

BooksI like to have books available for kids to enjoy when they finish a project or if we have a station day.

GeoboardsYou can create many different objectives for use with geoboards. These are good for understanding the relationship between angles and line and how polygons are formed.

Here are some online sources

http://mathforum.org/trscavo/geoboards/

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_172_g_2_t_3.html?open=activities

Straws and ConnectorsI ordered these from School Specialty for about $15. Students learn about 3-D forms, vertices, angles, etc.

Pattern ObjectsMaking patterns in Kinder and First is a natural. They can practice before completing a project that requires the use of patterns.

Interactive Activities Online

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_172_g_2_t_3.html?open=activitiesMore sites.http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/Virtual manipulativeshttp://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html

The Art of Math WikispaceYou will find more resources, lessons, and links by visiting my wikispace I invite you to add your ideas and thoughts to this space as a way for us to continue to learn from each other.

http://theartofmath.wikispaces.com/