Math String Art

Kids discover patterns in multiplication while playing with string! First, have 10 students sit in a circle and give each one a square with a number on it (0-9). Next, take out some yarn and explain that we are going to see what would happen if we used math to create a shape. First explore the 4 times table (you will magically create a star). Each child passes the yarn to the correct number to create their "web." They will pass in this order: 0, 4, 8, 2, 6, 0. When students ask, "Who do I pass to for the number 12," say see if you can see a pattern. Write the 4 times table on the board and see if they can identify a pattern 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 (Pattern: 0, 4, 8, 2, 6 - look at the ones digit). After they make a star, try doing another times table.

Then, have them go off on their own and explore the different patterns. Click here for a recording sheet from High Hill Homeschool. Click here for a more advanced printable. Ask the students what they discovered when they created a web for each times table.

Then, using the new knowledge they gained, have them create a multiplication dream catcher with a paper plate (cut out the center). You should only need four colors of yarn based on their findings. See if they can figure out how many colors they will need on their own. Once constructed, children can refer to it if they forget one of their multiplication facts. They take their finger and follow the colored yarn. Here is a printable multiplication circle to use for students to mark on their paper plate where the numbers should be.

Here is a video about Waldorf Math: Learning Multiplication with 10 point circles.