How to Use Art to Teach Math
- 1). Have students look through magazines and select an image they would like to recreate in their drawing. Cut the image out of the magazine and measure the dimensions. Trim the image so the sides measure in complete inches, such as 5 in. by 4 in. instead of 5 1/4 in. by 4 3/4 in. This will make it easier to create the grids. Many famous artists, such as Chuck Close, have used this process to create images. Share with students examples of Close's work and grid use.
- 2). Create a grid over the image by making 1 in. marks on all sides. Using a ruler and a black marker, draw straight lines over the image connecting the marks in both directions.
- 3). Select a larger sheet of white drawing paper. Create a grid to work with by doubling the grid dimensions to 2 in. Measure the white drawing paper every 2 in. on its length and width. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw straight lines very lightly.
- 4). With a small sheet of paper, create a viewfinder that will allow students to view only the 1-by-1-in. square they are working on. Take a 4-by-4-in. square of black construction paper and measure in from each side 3 in. Connect the lines using a black marker and ruler to create a 1 in. square in the center of the square. Fold the paper in half with the lines showing on the outside. Cut out the square.
- 5). Place the viewfinder over a square of the original image. Use pencils to draw the image onto the larger white drawing paper. Have students work square by square to recreate and enlarge the original image. When finished, display the drawings alongside the original image.
