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
Using a ruler, students create a unique line drawing by overlapping, rotating, and reflecting right angles.
This math / art activity is inspired by Classroom Magic's transforming goldfish! Kids learn about transformations by creating a mini paper aquarium! Kids cut out and decorate fish that represent each transformation!
To incorporate even more math into this project, have kids "purchase" items for their aquarium. Kids "buy" pebbles, plants, and fish! Click here for a printable!
A super simple tessellation for young students: translation tessellation! Kids are given a square. They cut a piece off of the left and tape or glue it on to the right. Next, they cut a piece off of the top and add it to the bottom (see image below). Then, they use their imagination and create a creature out of their irregular polygon. Once their creature is made they trace it, learning about the transformation: translation (slide)! Their pattern piece should fit perfectly (interlocking) creating a pattern with no overlaps or gaps! They can create an AB or ABC pattern with the colors they use! You can also talk about parallel lines. Their tessellation pattern runs in horizontal parallel lines! Click here to see how to create a rotation tessellation!
Explore different geometric transformations with kids' first initial. They decorate a square background and transform the first letter of their name (reflection, translation, or rotation)!
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
Brush up on geometry terms with the classic arcade game Tetris!
Check out Josie True's Tetris Activity, which includes the following:
Math - Geometry
Science - Inquiry and data / Decipher your homework using a mirror!
Art - Tessellations
Tech - Computer Science
Also, check out Josie's main site, The Adventure's of Josie True, for lots of hands on lessons!
Leaf Surface Area - Practice non-standard measuring with leaves, great way to introduce the concept of area. Visit Kindergarten Lessons for more details and measuring ideas! PBS has a fun activity that integrates science and math. Kids shine a flashlight on a leaf and trace its shadow on grid paper to find the area of a leaf!
Leaf Symmetry - Check out the cool art project Beautiful Ideas did!
Science - Is a Green Leaf Really Green? Click here to find out! Also, check out Exploring Life Community's photosynthesis experiment!
Create a Leaf Skeleton - ehow
Descriptive Writing - "Meet My Leaf, " free printable from Scholastic
Leaf Descriptions - Set up a leaf station in your classroom. Kids work in pairs. One child describes a leaf. The other child has to find the correct leaf. This activity is a great way for kids to learn the importance of detail (adjectives) and comprehension (listening skills).
Leaf Hunt, Tally, Graph, Fractions - Classic activity that's always popular with young students. Go on a leaf hunt outside around the school yard. Have kids tally their leaves. Then, as a class, graph your findings! Afterwards, have kids write the fraction for each color found. Younger kids could also practice their patterning skills with colored leaves.
Leaf Art - Who doesn't like leaf rubbings! If kids color nicely, they could show leaf transformations for a geometry unit. Have them use one leaf and make their rubbings in different colors. Leaf texture via Jimmie Homeschool Mom - flickr commons
Turn sticky notes into a slinky with Eepy Bird! Two fun experiments: make a rolling pinwheel and a cascading waterfall!
For how to instructions and more experiments for "curious minds," including how to make your own 3D glasses, visit Eepy Bird's site!
How to incorporate in your lesson plan:
Measuring - Have kids work in teams, make a pinwheel, and measure the distance it rolls. Experiment, try adding more or taking away the recommended number of sticky notes. What happened? Did it roll as far?
Geometry - Talk about symmetry and transformations.
Put a twist on Simon Says to help kids with geometry vocabulary. Kids make parallel and perpendicular lines, segments, points, angles, polygons, demonstrate symmetry, and more by using their arms, legs, and friends! This activity gives kids a chance to get super creative and helps them retain geometry terminology.
