Showing posts with label circumference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label circumference. Show all posts

Monday, May 23, 2016

Mandala Math Art

Check out my We Are Teachers post on integrating art and math by making mandalas!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Bubble Gum Exploration



Cross-curricular learning with bubble gum:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MNYQ30GsdJD1oSyImNqL73bFqz-HYGfS/view?usp=sharing

Math:
Graphing - Who can blow a bubble?
3D Solids - Comparing gum shapes
Measuring - Pre-chewed vs. chewed (stretched) vs. blowed bubble on wax paper
Mean, Median, Mode and Range (optional) - Using data for measuring
Area/Perimeter - Gum wrapper design (and real gum wrappers - optional)

Science:
States of Matter - Investigating the process of bubble blowing / physical changes of gum chewed and placed in ice water

English Language Arts:
Writing - How-to blow a bubble / Recipe for new flavor / Math word problem

Social Studies:
Economics - Cost of their gum
History - Inventor Research

Design:
Logo & Packaging - Design for their new flavor of gum


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Kandinsky Math

Fractions - Students create a grid and divide the paper, exploring unit fractions. 
Multiplication - They create an array of concentric circles and write down their equation. 
Area & Perimeter - Each design is contained within a square unit. What is the area and perimeter of their entire design? 
Fractions - They write down the fraction for the main color of each square. 
Note: Older students could use a math compass to create perfect circles and figure out the circumference of each circle (geometry).
You could use any art medium for this project (paint, crayon-resist art with watercolor, oil pastels, or markers).

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Rubber Band Ball Geometry

This is a beginning to end of the year project! As a class, kids construct a rubber band ball and watch it grow! Kids bring in rubber bands throughout the year to contribute to the ball. As the ball grows, measurements are taken. Kids figure out the diameter, radius, circumference and area of the sphere. They chart the ball's growth, creating a graph

Click here for instructions on how to make a rubber band ball!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Thaumatropes



Integrate art, math, science, as well as history by constructing a thaumatrope! Kids use their measuring skills and imagination to create a paper animation! "Thaumatropes are optical illusions that operate by switching between two images so rapidly that the images appear as one." - Molecular Expressions. Video by EllieBTECMedia

How to incorporate in your classroom:
Geometry - Have kids figure out the area of their circle or rectangle, as well as circumference and perimeter. You could also have them try making different shapes for their thaumatrope besides the basic circle, rectangle, or square.

Science - Create thaumatropes that go along with your unit (ex: weather: lightning and dark skies on one side and clear skies with puffy white clouds on the other). Also, states of matter: ice cube melting. They could also do a volcano erupting or a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Kids can get super creative with the project!

History - Check it out here!

Four different ways to construct a thaumatrope! All you need is cardstock, a hole puncher, glue/tape and one of the materials below. You can draw, use photos, or write messages to create your optical illusion!
Rubber Band (you need 2)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Fraction Color Spinner

Integrate math, art, and science by creating a colorful spinning toy! Kids trace a circle (at least 6 inch diameter) on poster board (or cardstock) and divide it into six equal parts. Then, they color it in, using any colors they'd like! Once it's colored, an adult punches two holes in the center of the circle. Kids measure out a 3 foot piece of string or yarn and lace it through their circle. Move the circle towards the center of the yarn (keep the one side of the string in a loop - don't pull the string all the way through). Next, tie a knot on the other side so it has a loop. Then, twist the string up by flipping the circle round and round. Pull the string outward and let it unravel. Watch it spin and the colors mix!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Mardi Gras Bead Geometry

First, have kids make an inference about what they think each color of Mardi Gras stands for (green = faith, gold = power, and purple = justice). Next, have kids estimate how many beads they think are on the necklace. Who had the best guess?

Geometry: Split students up into teams. Have students make 3 shapes out of the necklaces (triangle, circle, and rectangle). Next, have them measure their shapes with a ruler. Then, have them figure out the area and perimeter (or circumference).

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Leaf Investigator





Kids find a leaf, investigate it, then paste it in the square! (save to desktop to print)
Visit Education.com to find out how to figure out a tree's age by its circumference.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Take Me Out To The Ballgame


Baseball Geography
Mark the location of the teams your home team plays on a map!





Baseball Science
Kid Experiments - Finding A Bat's Sweet Spot, Handling Forces, Add Curve To Your Pitch, A Baseball's Bounce, as well as the classic Potential / Kinetic Energy Transfer demonstration - visit Exploratorium

Also, check out The Physics of Baseball article over at CNet. Paul Doherty from Exploratorium demonstrated the experiments mentioned above! (Photo Credit: James Martin/CNET Networks)


Baseball Geometry
Angles - Finding the perfect swing! The angle you swing the bat determines the ball's distance and height! Also, try throwing the ball at different angles. What angle is the ideal pitch? Click here for details.

Learn Your Shapes: sphere (ball), diamond (field), square (bases), pentagon (home plate), circle (pitcher's mound) 

Find the perimeter / area of a base and the circumference of the pitcher's mound!


Baseball Measuring
Head to your local little league baseball fields and practice measuring. Find the diameter of the pitcher's mound. Measure the distance from base to base, the dimensions of bases (L x W). Field dimensions image via ultimate baseball field


Baseball Algebra / Number Functions 
Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division with missing addends by making a mini baseball board game. Visit Education.com!


Baseball Statistics
Visit Ducksters, NetPlaces, and MLB Kids!


Baseball Time
Practice telling time, record the duration of baseball practice or a game! Click here for details!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wet N Wild Math



Water Balloons
1. Division - Count up how many water balloons you have in all. Then, figure out how many you and your friends will get.

2. Fractions - Choose what color balloons you would like and figure out the fraction for each color.

3. Addition - Water balloon bullseye! Hit the target, aiming for the sections worth the most points. Keep track of your score. Make sure you watch where your balloon bursts! Also, you probably want to tape the target marks. Otherwise, your board will wash away!

4. Geometry - Measure your balloon's circumference. What is the diameter and radius of one water balloon? Also, measure the length and width of your balloon. Can you figure out the volume?

5. Measuring - See who can throw their water balloon the farthest. Measure where the balloon lands.

Click here for water balloon experiments, involving gravity and potential / kinetic energy.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Measure a Bubble Print!



Suds up your classroom with bubble mathematics! Kids blow bubbles, let them burst on paper, and measure! They find the circumference, radius, and diameter of a bubble! Encourage kids to try to blow various sizes of bubbles on the paper. Then, tell them to grab a ruler and start measuring! Who will blow the biggest bubble? Visit PBS for a printable pdf to go along with this activity. 

Scholastic has a bubble blowing project for older kids. Students blow one GIANT bubble on their desk and measure the ring it leaves after popped.

Click here for light and color exploration with bubbles!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012