4. Focusing on Art

4. Focusing on Art, Math, and Science

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

*Educators use multiple learning and teaching approaches. Multiple Learning Approaches

“Class is already over?”

“I wish we could stay in here all day.”

“Can we do this again?”

“Help me!”

An inclusion teacher and I work together with one class of students. Our own professional development goal this year is to integrate more art into our classes. I found a wonderful book, “Arts integration and special education” (Anderson, 2015). Both she and I read it before Billy added his own comments.

  (This is Billy with remnants of what was shredded all over the floor.) The book is now art.

My teammate and I both believe and have research to support the importance, value, and impact art has on the spirit as well as the intellect of children and adults. How many of us started doing something in middle school (art, music, dance, singing, crafts, sewing, fishing, sports,…) that we either still love to do, or appreciate? So, she and I are on a mission to find ways to integrate art into the mathematics classroom so that our children see math in their world, experience math in their world, and learn to love math and art.

Students have participated in several projects that involve art and math: The mathematics of me; The math and art of place… This week students are working on a project called “The art, math, and science of what I love to do.” We started by researching what we love, and have created a giant timeline on the wall outside our classroom. We see the beginnings of our sports and interests.  

I presented a few examples: The art, math, and science of Bingo; The art, math, and science of origami. Next week we will look at the art, math, and science of snowflakes, tessellations, and fractals. For each topic I choose three points in time, provide a brief reflection of the math and the science, then share a product.

Friday, my teammate chose the art, math, and science of poinsettias. We were making poinsettias out of folded paper. We talked about what poinsettias are, where they come from, what makes them interesting (They are poisonous you know.) and we then followed directions to create them out of paper. Students measured, cut, folded; they examined fractions, midpoints, and angles. At the end of class our students gave us the ultimate feedback, “I wish we could stay in here all day.” “Woooohoooo!” was my teammates response. (:

I often think that our students need art as much as they need movement! These projects provided both.

Advice

1)   Find someone in your school who is willing to play. If you have ideas, sharing them will help ensure the development of better products.

2)   Think about how to use colored pencils, rulers, compasses, and protractors throughout the year.

3)   Give students opportunities to relate mathematics to their world.

4)   Display their work and allow them to reflect on the mathematics of their lives. (We are making a cookbook next….) (:

5)   This is the first one I am having them do during class. We work on a practice (review), develop a skill we are working on, then have about 15 minutes to work on their project each day. (I will let you know how it goes!!) (:

The Art and Science and Mathematics of Origami

The art of paper folding.

Timeline (Students must come up with three dates in history that relate to what they love to do.)

It is part of Japanese culture. In the late 1700s, were the first directions for folding paper cranes. 1797 The 1000 Cranes story is Japanese. It is also part of the Children’s Peace movement established at the end of WWII.

The 1950s, Yoshizawa Akira is considered the “father of modern origami.” He developed directions for describing how to make origami and he created a technique that uses wet paper to make softer lines. He received an award “The Order of the Rising Sun” in 1983 for his work. This is a Japanese medal of honor.

The following is a quote: “My origami creations, in accordance with the laws of nature, require the use of geometry, science, and physics. They also encompass religion, philosophy, and biochemistry. Over all, I want you to discover the joy of creation by your own hand…the possibility of creation from paper is infinite.” Akira Yoshizawa

For more information, go to: http://origami.about.com/od/History-Of-Origami/a/A-Brief-History-Of-Origami.htm

Mathematics (Students must compose a paragraph about how mathematics is involved in what they love to do.)

The mathematics of origami includes geometry, measurement, and following directions. Origami is based on circles and folds.

Science (Students must come up with a paragraph about how science is involved in what they love to do.)

I found a website by Robert J. Lang that focuses on origami in math, technology, and science. http://www.langorigami.com/science/science.php  On his website he talks about how origami was used while scientists were conceptualizing a giant telescope, a car company was designing airbags and the following picture that was used to conceptualize how light refracted in a laser. He also designs origami that uses software programs. TreeMaker is a program for drawing blueprints of origami figures that Robert Lang created. We can view one of Robert Lang’s designs at the following website: Diagrammer: Robert Lang’s Scorpion. The program lays out designs on square sheets of paper. See more at: hishttp://www.langorigami.com/science/computational/treemaker/treemaker.php

While looking further, I found what he calls “monumental origami” in which he creates life-size and larger art

In 2006, Lang gave a TedTalk on his work with origami in science and art. Student found his work amazing.I then found a TED talk by him. (This may be more appropriate for the teacher to build their background rather than for the students. I found it very interesting.)

http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami

Create a product (Students must create a product and share their findings with the class. They have 1-2 minutes.)

http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-yoshizawa-butterfly.html  I made the butterfly using this website. It is based on Yoshizawa’s original directions. I use wrapping paper because it is easier to fold than typing paper.

We actually made origami butterflies. (:

“A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present” -Confucius

I found the following quote on Google. November 24 was Teacher Day in Indonesia.

Teachers are our mentors, friends, and catalysts. They’re the wild, eager sparks that can, with a word, set our passions ablaze. Not quite parents, they nevertheless raise us to be the very best versions of ourselves. And their impressions last lifetimes, as the lessons we’ve learned are passed down to others, like inheritances of wisdom. Today, let’s celebrate teachers, one of the noblest and most selfless of callings all across the world. http://www.google.com/doodles/teachers-day-2015-indonesia

Happy Teacher’s Day!