returned to the classroom, they were challenged to make an array comprised of all 17 coloring pages.
Students quickly realized that only a 1 x 17 or 17 X 1 array could be created. They suggested that their
teacher color her own soup can coloring page so that they could make a more visually appealing 3 X 6
array, which was later hung in the classroom, paying homage to Warhol (figure 11).
Math + art makes sense!
The Common Core advocates that students “apply the mathematics they know to solve problems
arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace.” Further, a growing body of research continues to
document the power of using the visual arts in the mathematics classroom to enhance students’
learning. Using the visual arts as a lens allowed these second graders to look through their math
goggles and see real-life examples of arrays in the works of Andy Warhol. Wonder how to get your
students excited about math? Encourage your students to put on their “math goggles®” and discover
arrays in Warhol’s art!
Robin A. Ward, Ph.D., a former aerospace engineer and educational consultant for NASA, is a Professor of
Mathematics and the Director for Curriculum Integration for the Rice University School Mathematics Project.
Additionally, Robin teaches an integrated math-visual arts program for students enrolled in the Early
Childhood Program at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas. Robin has written six books and
over 40 publications, which focus on effective mathematics pedagogy, with an emphasis on integrating the
visual arts and children’s literature in the teaching of K-8 mathematics. Robin provides extensive professional
development to teachers interested in infusing the visual arts into STEM.
Jennifer Albritton, Annabelle Carsey, and Vanessa Morales are second grade teachers at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth,
Texas. They present regularly at NCTM and CAMT on the benefits of teaching mathematics using the visual arts, with connections to
children’s literature. They and their students regularly put on their math goggles® and explore math in art monthly.
STEAMed Magazine
23
April 2016 Edition