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Einstein Sherwood Forest

5th Grade, Math & Visual Art

Ms. Chiarizio / Mrs. Thompson

As an end of the year project, Mrs. Thompson’s 5th grade math class used their knowledge of volume and art to construct a sculpture from paper rectangular prisms. Beginning by choosing a subject to depict, students made artistic decisions involving color, lines, texture, and whether to make their piece representational or abstract. They constructed five or more rectangular prisms, measured the length, width, and height, and calculated the total volume of their project. The subjects of their works included a variety of plants, buildings, vehicles, self-portraiture, favorite foods, a menagerie of animals, and several abstract pieces depicting concepts such as travel, home, and the elements of nature.

Students also wrote artist statements about their processes and pieces and engaged in individual and whole class reflection after they completed their work.  Ashton shared, “We made magical and mysterious sculptures! It was so much fun!” Vanik reflected on how he learned more about math and himself throughout the process of the project. He said, “I liked [writing] the artist statement because it taught me something about myself” and,  “I learned that you can find volume in anything, like sculptures. I learned I like to help people and when I need help, they are here to help me.” Many students noted that the work was more challenging than they had anticipated, but it was also enjoyable. Samantha said, “I learned that when you make a sculpture, you work hard. Also I learned that everyone is an artist or can be if they at least try.”

To celebrate the work that each student put into their math masterpieces, the completed sculptures were displayed in the school’s foyer. The 5th graders took a gallery walk during which they admired each other’s work, gave positive feedback to their classmates, and enjoyed light refreshments.

Mrs. Thompson and Ms. Chiarizio are so proud of the 5th grade students, their work, and all the ways they have grown this year as mathematicians and artists!

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Einstein Sherwood Forest

1st Grade, Social Studies, Visual Arts

Emily Chiarizio/ Erin Straub

The 1st graders in Ms. Straub’s social studies class have been focused on being careful observers of the world around them and showing their observations through artwork. In this lesson, students learned about the features of different types of landforms. After an introduction to the terms plains, desert, mountains, and several types of bodies of water, students made connections to when they have observed these landforms in real life. We then looked at photographs of each landform and discussed the types of lines we saw, noticing that the horizontal lines in the plains, the zigzag lines of mountain ranges, and the wavy lines seen in bodies of water.

Students then used their observations to illustrate a book showing each landform. Looking at photographs and working with colored pencils to draw the line types we have been studying, students created colorful drawings on each page, labeling each landform. Students were excited to share their completed books with their classmates and teachers. Ms. Straub said she is so happy with how arts integration has increased both grades and engagement in social studies!

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Einstein Sherwood Forest

5th Grade, Math, Visual Art

Ms. Chiarizio / Mrs. Thompson

Mrs. Thompson’s 5th grade math students have been working to integrate fractions into the creation of self-portraits. On a planning sheet, students computed the hours of their days, corresponding fractions, and brainstormed the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings of each part of their day. After sectioning off watercolor paper into fractions – each inch of a 9”x12” represents 1/12th or two hours of their day – they sketched in objects and textures to represent their mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Each segment was then painted with watercolors or colored with colored pencils or markers. To contrast the bright colors of their visual timeline, we used a photo stencil to trace and cut out their silhouettes from black paper and glued them to the background of their days. Finally, students composed a “Where I’m From” poem and wrote the poem on their silhouette in white pencil.

I learned so much from working with my students on this project, from how to better give directions and how much time is actually needed for students to create work they are proud of, to the way a project can vary depending on how the students have interpreted the prompts and made decisions in their unique creative processes. More importantly, as a grade level, we learned about some of the big and small details that make up our day-to-day lives. Mrs. Thompson’s students were able to share a window into where they are from and what makes them who they are.