Octopus Math

Integrate math, art and science all in one craft! Kids create an octopus, while exploring division, fractions, and multiplication! First, they divide a piece of construction paper in half. Next, they use a ruler and draw lines (on half the sheet) to create eight rectangles for the arms (see image). They cut along the lines they drew, stopping at the halfway mark. Then, they curve the paper and staple. Once stapled, they bend the arms, so the octopus can sit up. 

After they created their octopus shape, they flip it over. They stick round reinforcement labels (white circle stickers with a hole in the center) on the back of its arms and create suction cup arrays! (see image) Then, they figure out the multiplication equation for their octopus.

Science - This craft can be used for an animal adaptation unit. Kids learn that octopi have arms (not legs). The suction cups on their arms help them grasp their prey, move along rocks, and taste things! Also, their stomach is on top of their head! Their mouth is a hard beak (don't let children draw a happy face on their octopus - the beak is underneath!)

Halloween Math Art Projects

Check out my We Are Teachers post: 3 Halloween Art Projects that Incorporate Math!

Learning with Sticky Notes and Yarn

This hands-on review idea comes from Hands On as We Grow! (They did sight words). You can use it to assess students on any topic: operations and algebraic thinking, synonyms and antonyms or food chains (just to name a few). The food chain activity doesn't even need sticky notes (just print out images). The possibilities are endless with yarn and tape!

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.

Vedic Square Math Art

This math art project comes from Miss Bowler's Partridge Class! Kids practice their multiplication tables while creating art! They have to problem solve when filling in their Vedic Square. Their square should not include any two-digit numbers. If the solution is a two digit number for one of their boxes, they must add the numbers in the ones and tens place together to obtain a single digit. For example, 4x4 equals 16. Instead of writing 16 in the box they write 7 (1+6=7).

After they fill in their square, they look for patterns. They can further investigate patterns by choosing one number and connecting it to the same numbers throughout the square. For example, connect all 4's to each other.

Next, they can color in the squares to create a design. Then, they can count up the squares and write a fraction for each color. How many times did the number one show up in the Vedic Square (6/ 81)? They can make copies of their design, transform the pieces (reflection and rotation) to create one large, colorful piece of art. Visit Miss Bowler's page for more details!

Click here for a Vedic Square printable. Check out more multiplication art here: Art in Numbers: Multiplication Patterns

Warhol Arrays

Students collaborate and create giant array of soup can art! Give each student one soup can template. They come up with a unique flavor, color it, and cut it out. Next, working in small groups, students create 3 different arrays using their soup cans (each student contributes his artwork - 1 can of soup). They write down their multiplication equations and solutions for each array they created.

Then, as a class, students create a giant display of all of their soup cans and figure out the multiplication equation and solution to their collaborative array artwork!

To integrate writing, students write a persuasive letter to The Campbell Soup Company stating why their soup should be added to Campbell's soup line. Click here for a free printable to help kids outline their persuasive letter!

Soda Math - Kid Style

Split students up into groups. Give each group some sugar packets to experiment with multiplication strategies. How many packs do they have? Tell them that each pack has 4 grams of sugar. How can they figure out how many grams of sugar they have?

Once they have figured it out, give each group a different can of soda. Can they figure out how many packs are in their can of soda? First, have them estimate! Then, they solve! They could use their multiplication strategies. More advanced students might figure out that they can get their answer faster by dividing. Students collaborate and problem solve to get the solution! Was their estimated number close to the final result?

Check out Dan Meyers' 3 Acts for videos to go along with this lesson!

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).

Math Secret Agent

Kids become Math Secret Agents. They create a secret word and message using multiplication equations! They hand it off to another agent to decipher! Click here for a printable (blank).

Shoe Math Magic

Multiply shoe size by 5 (must be a whole number, round up if you have to)
Add 50 
Multiply by 20 
Add 1013 
Subtract the year you were born 
First digit = shoe size 
Last 2 digits = age
via pinterest

Outdoor Math + Checkers

Practice your math skills by playing checkers! Check out Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational for a milk cap version (addition and subtraction).

Then, visit Crayola to see how to make an oversized checker board on the pavement! (featured above)

Add math equations to the blank boxes and you're ready to play! Kids move their checkers across the equations and try to solve them!

HOT WAD

Practice vocabulary with a twist on hot potato! On scraps of paper write down different objectives for kids to conquer! Then, wad up the scraps to make a ball. Have kids sit in a circle and turn some music on. Kids pass the ball clockwise until the music stops. The one holding the ball has to unwrap a piece of the scrap paper from the ball. The teacher gives the child a word and the player answers. For example, what part of speech is it?! If the player answers correctly he stays in the game.

For younger kids, you can write their sight words on the scrap paper. Kids have to say the word they unwrap!

For more vocab. fun, check out word wheel and roll and...

Note: This game could also be used to practice simple multiplication facts. Write down equations on scrap paper. Kids figure out the product to stay in the game!

Art in Numbers: Multiplication Patterns

Practice your multiplication tables by creating grid paper designs from Sharynideas! Kids identify patterns in their multiplication tables. When they identify a repeating pattern, they create art! Check out the activity here! Also, visit NRich Math for a slightly different way to create designs from your times tables!

Lego Stud Die

Use with Lego Geometry (area / perimeter) and Lego Groups of (multiplication) at a math station! 

Kids take turns rolling the die

Lego Geometry: The child with the largest area wins!

Lego Groups of: The child with the largest product wins!

Save die to desktop and print

Fruit Snack Math

The wrapper tells you how many fruit snacks are in the bag. Estimate how many of each flavor is in your bag before opening it.

Write a fraction for each flavor. Then, graph your flavors. How did your bag compare to your peers? Do you think that the flavors are evenly distributed?

Lay your fruit snacks out an a straight line. Can you find something that is the same length? (measure)

Find a friend and compare your fruit snacks. Who had more cherry? Did you have the same amount of cherry? Compare each flavor using greater than, less than, or equal to signs.

Create a multiplication array with your fruit snacks. Then, practice division. How can you divide your snacks evenly if you shared your bag with your mom and dad?

Write addition and subtraction number sentences: What is the sum of your strawberry and grape (2+3=5)? If you ate all of your orange and lemon, how many fruit snacks would be left (12-5=7)?

Make different patterns with your colors. Did you have any difficulty because of the colors in your bag?

More fruit snack activities:
Fruit by the Foot Ruler - measure by the foot
Chopsticks! - practice place value with swedish fish
Growing Gummy Bear - grow a gummy in water and measure!
Gummy Worms - How long can a gummy worm be stretched?
Fruit Roll Up - Area/Perimeter

Array City

This fun multiplication art project comes from Looking From Third to Fourth! Kids construct a city of arrays! Check out her site for details and a printable.

Multiplying Fractions: Arrays

Step 1: Draw first fraction on grid paper (horizontal).

Step 2: Draw second fraction (vertical)

Step 3: Draw a box (outlining where they touch)

Step 4: Solve! Count the boxes and write the fraction

(example: 3 out of 20 are shaded)

Candy Art

Explore multiplication and fractions by creating a candy art array! Kids create an image using colored candy. They must use their problem solving skills because their candy must line up evenly to create an array. When they're finished with their candy picture, they write down the multiplication equation that matches their array. Then, they write down the fraction for each color they used. Visit Candy Art for more intricate designs to get kids inspired!

Note: For this activity, split kids up into teams. Then, they can collaborate and create larger designs.

Paper People Chain Math

Math / Art that focuses on UNITY!! Kids explore symmetry, powers of 2 and multiplying fractions by creating a standard chain. - OR - by creating an alternating chain, they investigate reflection and patterns!! Paper people chain mathematics: visit Big Learning for details!

To construct an alternating paper people chain (right arm up, left arm up), draw a full figure on the top square of your accordion paper. Make sure the hands extend to touch the folds. For a regular paper people chain, you only need to draw half a person on the top square of your accordion.

For How To Instructions:
Craft Jr, Kiddley, or About - full figure example
TLC - half figure example

Lattice Multiplication

Deconstruct 2 digit multiplication! Visit Cool Math 4 Kids for a step by step written explanation.