Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Maths meets Art: Bunting to stimulate inquiry


When it comes to maths my mind is a black hole.

Simply put:
Algebra + me = coma


Sound familiar? Is this you? Your child? 

Well, I used to think this way and
 I thought I was super crap at maths.
It ends up -I'm not too bad actually!
How do I know?
Well I married a Maths teacher!



So many people consider that Maths and the Creative Arts
are at opposite ends of the learning spectrum.


I wish to assert an alternative and less common belief,
 that just as music and maths are intrinsically linked,
so are visual art and maths.




In my Art classes I teach about measuring, fractions,
how to visually divide an image, how to frame,  angles, pattern, tessellations...(big breath)...
the golden ratio, sequencing, perspective...
Do I really need to go on?




So if I can teach all this,
 why did I think I was so rubbish at Maths for so long?


Maybe it has something to do with the unimaginative approach of my Maths teachers from
 some 20 (a-hem) years ago.

Maybe it has something to do with
 the notion that Maths has an image problem,
 especially with girls.


So when the library staff at Mt Alvernia College,
 an all girl's school in Kedron
commissioned some maths bunting I jumped at the chance!

How exciting to potentially engage young womens' maths inquiry through the visual arts! 


I hope that when the girls' eyes wander
 that maybe they will begin to wonder....
"What does that have to do with Maths?"
"Is Maths connected with that?"

Any inquiry is good as it is the beginnings of engagement. 



Who knows?
The girls might even come to the conclusion
 that maths can be beautiful,
(something my husband has been telling me for years).


Envelope for Maths Bunting


Extra education for no extra fee:
In Australia we call the subject Maths not Math as they do in America.

Sharing this Elle and Lou Post @
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com
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http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
http://cheapcraftymama.com/
http://bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
http://whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
Posted by Elle and Lou at 2:01 PM
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12 comments:

  1. CandyMay 2, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Congrats on the commission. It's looking great, Lynda!! And such a thought-provoking post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. cbse board sample papers for computer scienceMay 2, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    The information which you have provided is phenomenal.The children have fear that maths is very difficult subject but this fear just resides in their mind.There is only need to teach them in a good manner and they will understand it.Maths requires practice.Practice is the only key of perfection in Mathematics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elle and LouMay 3, 2012 at 7:15 PM

      Practice- yes! Just as important in Art too. Many students imagine that either you can draw-or you can't. Not true- anyone can learn it just takes practice!

      Delete
  3. cheapcraftymamaMay 2, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Those look awesome! I would love for you to share this (and any other creations) at Pin It and Win It Wednesday @ www.cheapcraftymama.com-- you can win free ad space on my blog!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elle and LouMay 3, 2012 at 7:13 PM

      Thanks for the compliment. I am going to go and look you up!

      Delete
  4. Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . .May 2, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    What a neat twist on the oh-so-popular bunting! I have never seen one like this before :)

    Linking up from Cheapcraftymama!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elle and LouMay 3, 2012 at 7:12 PM

      Thanks Claire, i can tell you like bunting too. Your blog looks great.

      Delete
  5. Elle and LouMay 17, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    Thanks Kadie, that is great news and thanks for the invite too - I will grab a Seven Alive button!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ami AllisonMay 19, 2012 at 1:31 AM

    I LOVE THESE!! Math, maths or no math they are so cute!! I am TERRIBLE at math. I count with my fingers so anything over 10 is a NO GO! haha! But I found this hilarious picture I shared on facebook just yesterday! It said "when I see a math problem it really looks something like this... Question: If I have 10 ice cubes and you have 11 apples how many pancakes will fit on the roof? Answer: Purple because aliens don't wear hats. "

    I am still cracking up at that one!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sophie MunnsMay 20, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Stunning Lynda... I'd love to see these in many more Maths rooms!
    Most editing thought indeed!
    S
    thanks for popping in... one day shows are not ideal... will post images up VERY soon... don't know when I can get the work shown elsewhere quite yet!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownFebruary 11, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    Hi, I'm a Maths teacher in the uk and I LOVE this bunting! How did you get the print of a textbook onto fabric or is it just paper? I would really love to make this for my classroom. Jess
    j_a_hocking@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elle and LouFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:02 PM

      Hi Jessica, The bunting are all paper. Some of the images came from old Maths books that were 'decommissioned' and just plain out of date. The other images came from my husband, the maths teacher, images that he collected from over a period of time. But you could just search the net.

      Delete

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