This “division tree” is similar to the multiplication leaves from last week. The first step in this project is to cut circles of different sizes from varying types of paper.  If the student struggles to cut circles, circle punches can be used, or they can be cut ahead of time by the instructor.  (Some of my students wanted to make their shapes more like leaves than circles.) Next, arrange the circles in stacks; use the term “divide” as much as possible: “Divide your circles into 3 stacks?  What about 4?  How many circles are in each stack? Can you divide them evenly without any leftover?”  Once the student grasps the concept of dividing, proceed with the project.

Materials

• various colors and types of paper*
• scissors and/or circle punches
• glue or mod podge

*We used scrapbook paper for the background, colored paper for the tree and circles, and some origami paper for the decorative bits. In the picture above, origami paper is used for the top 2 layers, which makes it difficult to distinguish that there are 2 layers!

Directions

1. Cut and divide circles as describe above.
2. Decide on a permanent arrangement / number of stacks.
3. Cut a tree to match the number of stacks.
4. Glue all parts to a heavy piece of paper.
5. Create a label to show which division fact is being illustrated.

This week in Math Art we created an art panel to illustrate a multiplication fact. Our plants had leaves broken into 2 sections; each section was doodled differently.  The students multiplied the 2 sections by the number of leaves they created to figure out their math fact.

Materials

• cardboard pieces from boxes
• gesso
• various paintbrushes
• acrylic paint
• plain colored paper for leaves and stem
• decorative paper
• mod podge
• fine tip permanent ink art marker, such as a Sharpie Fine Point Pen*

*It is important to use a permanent ink pen, or the doodles will smear when mod podge is applied.

Directions

1. Paint cardboard with gesso to prime it.  Let dry.  (Use hairdryer to speed up drying time).
2. Paint a background color on cardboard with acrylic paint.  Let dry.
3. On colored paper, draw leaf shapes.
   • Divide each leaf shape into sections.  You may choose 2, 3, 4 or more sections.  Each section will be doodled differently.
   • If you are working on a specific math fact, instruct the students to divide their leaves into that number of sections. For example, if you are creating, 6×4, you may have 6 leaves each with 4 sections, or 4 leaves each with 6 sections.
4. Decorate the leaves by doodling each section with zentangles.
   • Previous blog entries on zentangles include Purposeful Doodling, Today’s Doodles, and Doodle Animals.
   • We like the “Zentangle Basics” workbook series for doodle ideas.
   • You can find many zentangle patterns for free on the internet as well.
5. Cut out a slightly larger leaf from the decorative paper to mount under the doodled leaf.
6. Cut out a stem shape.
7. Use mod podge to apply all shapes to the dried cardboard.
8. Write out the math fact and mod podge it on the cardboard.

Our project this week was based on the book “Picture Pie” by Ed Emberley.  Picture Pie helps the reader create simple pieces of art based on the fractions of a circle.   While these look simple, the execution can be quite tedious.  Below are the details for a simple bookmark.

“Fraction Fish Bookmark”

Materials

• black construction paper, cut in 2″ strips for bookmarks
• colored or patterned paper for circles
• 1″ circle punch
• scissors
• glue
• laminator (optional)

Directions

Teach a short lesson on the fractions of a circle.  Have kids use the circle punch and scissors to cut up and sort fractions.

Choose pieces for the Fraction Fish bookmark. This project requires 12 quarters and 2 eighths.

Arrange pieces in desired configuration.  Glue onto bookmark.

Let dry.  Laminate if desired.  (If you choose not to laminate, press the dried bookmark until all pieces are nicely flattened).

Other Projects

This summer we are hosting a small “Math Art” class for a few of our friends.  Each week we will create a math-themed art project (or an art-themed math project!).

Ways to Make “10”

For Week 1 we created a mixed media board that illustrated a Number Bond.  Each student picked a Number, then cut numbers out of newspaper and magazines to show at least 4 “ways to make” their chosen Number.   The ages of these kids were from 7 to 11 years old.

Materials

• cardboard
• various paintbrushes
• Mod Podge
• papers to create a background (scrapbook paper, newspaper, old worksheets)
• acrylic paint
• small container to mix paint with water
• wax paper
• old magazines and newspapers
• scissors
• pencils

Directions

1. Cut pieces of cardboard from old boxes.
2. Use a paintbrush & Mod Podge to paste on a background.  We used old math worksheets & tests. Tear paper to fit. (If you haven’t used Mod Podge before, just paint the cardboard with a thin coat, place your piece of decorative paper, then paint another thin coat on top.  Continue layering.)
3. Let dry, about 15 minutes if the Mod Podge is a thin coat.  Trim edges.
4. Paint the background with watered down acrylic paint.  If the paint is too thick to see the background, wipe some off with a towel.
5. Let dry.
6. Have each student choose a Number.  On a piece of paper, have them list at least 4 “ways to make” that Number.  Provide magazines, newspapers, and scissors to hunt for numbers.  (The weekly ads are a great source!)  They can keep track of the numbers they have found by laying them on the paper where they wrote their answers.
7. When the background paint is dry, use a pencil to sketch the body of a dragonfly.
8. Paint the dragonfly body with acrylic paint (NOT watered down!).  I place a dab of red, yellow, blue, and white paint on a piece of wax paper for each child, and let them mix colors as they wish.
9. Let dry.
10. Have each student look through magazines to find a pretty pattern for wings.  Cut wings and set aside.
11. Once the paint is mostly dry, use Mod Podge to attach the numbers and wings.
12. After all paint is completely dry, you can Mod Podge over the entire piece as a finish coat.