Practice Decomposing Fractions with Art
If you’re like me, you may have struggled with math in school. As a visual learner, I needed to be able to see a math concept visually represented in order for it to make sense. When teaching fractions in the classroom, it’s important that we keep those visual learners in mind. One way to do this is with lessons on decomposing fractions using art!
Bringing together art and math might seem like an unlikely pair, but this duo can bridge the gap in student understanding. In this decomposing fractions lesson, I will walk you through using the work of Bridget Riley to deeper student learning. In the lesson, students will analyze her artwork and then create their own piece of art showcasing decomposed fractions. This can be done on paper, with manipulatives, or digitally.
Decomposing Fractions Lesson
As I mentioned, I highly suggest using this lesson to introduce fraction concepts to students. However, if students are already familiar with fractions, you can use this lesson for an early-finisher activity, morning work, remediation, and more! The options are endless.
Let’s look at how Bridget Riley can help students learn decomposing fractions. For this lesson, you will need a printed image of Bridget Riley's work, paper, circle tracers, rulers, black paper, glue, and scissors.
1. Start by introducing Bridget Riley's artwork. Talk about the background of her work and notable facts about Riley. I like to note key details on an anchor chart and have students take notes in their journals.
2. Next, show students one of Bridget Riley’s artworks. Have students identify the shapes within the image and the shapes that could exist if the pieces were rounded, rotated, etc. Students can draw on a copy of the artwork to explain their thinking or cut out shapes as needed.
3. Then, begin talking about symmetry with students. This is where you will start connecting art to math. Draw a circle (and have students do the same) and demonstrate how to divide the circle into fractional parts. Students will follow along as you model.
4. Lastly, students will create their artwork! To do this, students will draw more circles and create decomposed fractions using their circles. Then, they can cut up the circle (if they desire), and begin creating symmetrical artwork with the pieces of their circle.
Once students have completed their artwork, you don’t have to stop there! Engage students in a gallery walk to look at their peer's work, engage in discussion questions, and make connections between their artwork and math concepts.
You can replicate this lesson with the Decomposing Fractions Visual Art resource. This lesson goes way beyond worksheets. You’ll have students fully engaged while integrating art and math together!
This resource contains a fully written lesson plan with a lesson sequence, standards, assessment, sample work photos, and more! Feel confident implementing this lesson with sample analysis sheets, rubrics, and more.
I’m Amanda, and I align standards and integrate content to help teachers meet the needs of the Whole Child in art class! I have yet to find a standard that I couldn’t teach through art, and I want to share it all with you.
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