Fractions in Art

Fine Arts Frenzy: Math

Students learned about fractions through music, art, and dance this summer.  Here is one of the projects they worked on during art. 

Peacock Fractions



I modified this project from one that was featured on the smART class blog.

Students made the marbled paper by using shaving cream and concentrated liquid watercolor. They loved making their own paper designs.

They used cool colors for the large part of the feathers and warm colors for the circles.

They also painted their hands with washable tempera paints and made a print for the head of their peacock.   The neck was to be painted on with a brush after they finished their print. 

We used a clean spot on this sheet to draw the eye and colored it with crayons.

I provided a template for the feathers and circles since our time was limited.  Once everything was painted and cut out, students assembled their projects using glue sticks. 

We reviewed what they had been learning about fractions and practiced drawing equal parts in pencil before drawing the actual fraction circles on their feathers with Sharpie markers.

Lessons from Art

Art is a class that truly takes kids from where they are and lets them experience success on their own level.  Does every project come out they way they want it?  No, and that’s okay.  In real life, things don’t always come out as we expect.  The important thing is that we learn something, which will help us on future endeavors.  Learning something regardless of its outcome…priceless!

Having the opportunity to sit down with a child who feels they “can’t” draw (2-D) or build (3-D) and revisiting the process of how to break the subject into simple shapes is assisting discovery.  Watching them begin to smile as they make connections …priceless!

Sometimes art is one of the few classes that motivates a child to come to school.  I have kids every year that I stop and talk with when I notice they’ve been missing school frequently.  Their reasons vary, but I always let them know I notice when they are not a part of my class.  They are important and I want them to be there as their time with me is limited.  It’s not long before I see their smiling face at my door when class is ready to begin.  We celebrate the fact that they made it and we create!  Seeing the child in school and successful…priceless!

I could go on and on about the great things that art does for a child and I probably will in future posts, but for now, I leave you with this.