Lesson Plan
Geometric Fraction Creations
Students will be able to identify, represent, and create fractional parts within geometric shapes and artistic patterns, understanding how fractions are used in design.
Understanding fractions is a fundamental math skill, and seeing them applied in art makes the concept more concrete and engaging. This lesson helps students visualize fractions beyond abstract numbers.
Audience
4th Grade Group
Time
55 minutes
Approach
Hands-on activity combining math and art to create fraction-based designs.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Art of Fractions Slide Deck, Paper (square or rectangular), Rulers, Pencils, Colored pencils or markers, Scissors, Glue sticks, Fractional Design Challenge Activity, and Art Critic's Scorecard Rubric
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the Geometric Fraction Creations Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Art of Fractions Slide Deck, Fractional Design Challenge Activity, and Art Critic's Scorecard Rubric.
- Gather all necessary art supplies: paper, rulers, pencils, colored pencils/markers, scissors, and glue sticks.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready for the slide deck presentation.
- Print copies of the Fractional Design Challenge Activity and Art Critic's Scorecard Rubric for each student in the small group.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Fraction Art?
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the Art of Fractions Slide Deck (Slide 1).
- Ask students: “Have you ever noticed how fractions are hiding in the art all around us? Today, we're going to become 'Fraction Artists'!”
- Briefly introduce the concept of using fractions to create visual designs and patterns.
Step 2
Exploring Fractions in Art
10 minutes
- Present Art of Fractions Slide Deck (Slides 2-4), showing examples of fractions in art (e.g., dividing a painting into halves, tessellations).
- Discuss with the group: “Where do you see fractions in these examples? How are the shapes divided?”
- Review basic fraction concepts: numerator, denominator, and equal parts.
Step 3
Fractional Design Challenge
25 minutes
- Distribute the Fractional Design Challenge Activity and all art supplies.
- Explain the challenge using the Art of Fractions Slide Deck (Slide 5-6): students will design their own art piece using geometric shapes divided into fractional parts (halves, thirds, quarters).
- Demonstrate how to divide a square or rectangle into equal fractional parts using rulers and pencils. Encourage creativity in how they color or arrange these parts to form a pattern or tessellation.
- Circulate among the small group, offering guidance and prompting students to explain their fractional choices.
Step 4
Share and Reflect: Art Critic's Corner
10 minutes
- Have each student in the small group share their “Fraction Art” with the others.
- As each student presents, guide the group to provide constructive feedback based on the Art Critic's Scorecard Rubric. Focus on identifying the fractions used and the creativity of the design.
- Prompt students to reflect: “How did using fractions help you create your art? Where else might you see fractions in everyday design?”
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Fraction Masters
5 minutes
- Review the main learning points from the Art of Fractions Slide Deck (Slide 7).
- Congratulate students on their
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Fraction Artists!
Ever wondered how math and art connect?
Today, we're going to use fractions to create amazing art!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of connecting fractions with art. Emphasize that math can be creative!
Fractions Are Everywhere!
Look closely at art and patterns.
- Symmetry: Halves, quarters
- Patterns: Repeating units
- Tessellations: Shapes fitting together perfectly
Show examples of how fractions appear in everyday art, like dividing a picture frame or a mosaic.
Dividing the Canvas: What's a Fraction?
Fractions show parts of a whole.
- Numerator: How many parts you have (the top number)
- Denominator: How many equal parts make the whole (the bottom number)
Example: 1/2 means 1 part out of 2 equal parts.
Introduce the concept of dividing a whole into equal parts, relating it to simple fractions like 1/2, 1/3, 1/4. Use visual examples.
Geometric Fractions: Building Blocks of Art
Shapes can be divided into equal parts.
- Squares, rectangles, circles can all be split.
- Each part is a fraction of the whole shape.
- Using these parts, you can build beautiful patterns!
Explain how dividing shapes into equal parts can be the foundation for artistic designs. Show a simple geometric pattern made with fractions.
Your Challenge: Fractional Design!
It's your turn to be a Fraction Artist!
- Take a piece of paper.
- Divide it into equal fractional parts (halves, thirds, quarters).
- Use colors or different patterns in each part.
- Create a unique design or tessellation!
Explain the activity clearly. Students will use paper and tools to create their own designs based on fractional divisions. Encourage them to be creative with colors and arrangements.
Artist's Tips
Think like an artist and a mathematician!
- Be precise: Use your ruler to make equal parts.
- Be creative: How can you use colors or lines to make your fractions stand out?
- Think about patterns: Can you repeat a fractional design?
Offer some helpful tips for their design process. Remind them to think about how their fractional divisions contribute to the overall artwork.
Fractions + Art = Masterpiece!
Today, you discovered:
- Fractions are more than just numbers.
- They are tools for creating beautiful designs.
- Math and art are truly connected!
Great job, artists!
Conclude the lesson by summarizing the connection between fractions and art. Celebrate their creations and ask for reflections.
Activity
Fractional Design Challenge
Artist's Mission: To create a beautiful piece of art using fractions!
Materials Needed:
- Square or rectangular paper
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Colored pencils or markers
- Scissors (optional)
- Glue stick (optional)
Instructions:
-
Prepare Your Canvas: Take your paper. Using your ruler and pencil, draw lines to divide your paper into equal parts based on the fractions below. You can choose to divide your paper in different ways for different sections (e.g., divide the top half into thirds, and the bottom half into quarters).
- Challenge 1: Halves (e.g., divide a section into two equal parts)
- Challenge 2: Thirds (e.g., divide a section into three equal parts)
- Challenge 3: Quarters (e.g., divide a section into four equal parts)
- Challenge 4: Beyond! (If you're feeling adventurous, try dividing a section into fifths or sixths!)
-
Color Your Fractions: Once your paper is divided, color or pattern each fractional part. Be creative! You can use different colors for each part, or create repeating patterns within the fractional sections.
-
Create a Design: How will your fractional parts come together to form a whole artistic design? Think about:
- Symmetry: Does your design have balance?
- Repetition: Are there patterns that repeat?
- Tessellations: Can your divided shapes fit together without gaps or overlaps (if you are cutting and gluing)?
-
Label Your Fractions: On the back of your artwork, or in a small corner on the front, label at least three different fractions you used in your design. For example, if you divided a section into 4 equal parts and colored 3 of them blue, you would label it as "3/4 Blue".
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Rubric
Art Critic's Scorecard: Fractional Masterpieces
Student Name: ________________________
Instructions: Use this scorecard to evaluate your own fraction art, or to provide feedback to a classmate. Give a score from 1 to 4 for each category, and provide comments.
Scoring Key:
- 4 - Masterpiece! Exceeds expectations; outstanding understanding and execution.
- 3 - Great Work! Meets expectations; good understanding and execution.
- 2 - Good Start! Approaching expectations; some understanding and execution, but needs improvement.
- 1 - Needs Practice! Below expectations; limited understanding and execution.
Criteria for Evaluation
1. Understanding of Fractions
- Description: Clearly shows accurate division of shapes into equal fractional parts (halves, thirds, quarters).
Score:
Comments:
2. Fractional Representation
- Description: Correctly labels fractions used in the artwork, demonstrating understanding of numerator and denominator.
Score:
Comments:
3. Artistic Creativity and Design
- Description: Uses colors, patterns, and arrangements creatively to produce an aesthetically pleasing design or tessellation.
Score:
Comments:
4. Precision and Craftsmanship
- Description: Lines are drawn neatly, divisions are measured accurately, and coloring/patterning is done carefully.
Score:
Comments:
Overall Feedback: