ART + MATH

All students learn in different ways.
Some students need to read the instructions.
Some students need to hear the instructions.
Some students learn better with hands-on activities.
And some students understand concepts more deeply when they are presented in a visual way.

With much focus given to math scores and NECAP tests recently, I thought everyone would like to know how math concepts are reinforced in the art room.

Here are just a few lessons I have taught this year that have a strong math connection:

ROTATIONAL SYMMETRY

In the mandala project that the fourth graders are currently working on, they are learning about rotational symmetry. They practiced using a compass to make circles. Their designs had to revolve around a center point. The lesson reinforced vocabulary, such as, center point, diameter, radius, and symmetrical.





Featured Artist: Alex

SHAPES WITH VOLUME

In this fourth grade lesson, students learned the difference between flat shapes and shapes with volume. During the initial discussion before the students began their art project, I demonstrated with solid shapes and a flashlight that shapes with volume cast a shadow. Their task was to make a drawing of a pumpkin look like it had volume (three dimensions) by using color to show the shadows.


Featured Artist: Brennon

STRAIGHT LINES AND SHAPES

In this first grade lesson, students learned about the three different kinds of straight lines (horizontal, vertical and diagonal) and how these lines combine to make different geometric shapes. In a fun and interactive way, students made designs or pictures using only these lines. Vocabulary was reinforced with a song about the different lines, and the students were able to tell me which kind of line they were using to make the different shapes.


Featured Artist: Ezariah